Church of Schwartz

1. Well respected ESPN columnist Kevin Seifert says the Lions have 7 keepers on their roster. Using his methodology, who do you see as a keeper on this roster?

Steve, Detroit Lions Weblog: After perusing Seifert’s list, I would say that my “keepers” are: 1) QB Matthew Stafford 2) WR Calvin Johnson and then, everyone else, 3) S Louis Delmas 4) DT Sammie Lee Hill 5) LB DeAndre Levy and 6) LB Ernie Sims. By default, due to the investment the team has made in him, I would also add 7) TE Brandon Pettigrew.

Stafford and Calvin Johnson are absolute “no-brainers”, even though Stafford could eventually become a bust, due to their incredible natural ability and high character. Delmas and Levy are performance-based additions which, along with their youth, gives them additional organizational value. Hill is a keeper because the Lions defensive front is absolutely devoid of difference-making talent, and with Hill’s size, he could still develop into a solid-to-very good player, whom the Lions can build their defense around.

In regard to Ernie Sims, I think that his playing injured all season has tarnished the general perception of his performance. Seifert’s point about Sims’ not being a natural fit inside of the Lions new defense is well-taken, but I think that someone of Sims’ tenacity still retains some value to the team. With Pettigrew, I do believe that he is a talented young player. However, I don’t believe that the tight end position is an essential building block component, and I objected to his selection in the first round from the onset. If the Lions can find the foundational pieces necessary to actually protect Stafford, Pettigrew could become a future Pro Bowler. In the meantime, Stafford will hobble around, beaten and bruised, likely flinching involuntarily, while exhibiting the tell-tale signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.

I disagreed with Seifert’s assertion of the “keeper” value for Kevin Smith, since running backs are a quickly-expiring NFL commodity, and Jason Hanson because, even with his incredible dependability, he has clearly been exhibiting signs of rapid decline (poor kickoffs, string of missed FG’s). Smith is a very tough player who reminds me of another dependable-but-unremarkable former Lion, James Stewart. That being said, Smith is clearly replaceable.

Ty, The Lions in Winter: He’s pretty much spot-on. Stafford, Megatron, Silent Bob, Pettigrew, and Delmas are all unquestionable IMO. Levy has shown an awful lot of promise, but it’s not like Sammie Hill hasn’t, and he has Hill as “Worth Learning More About”, not a keeper. I’d say that if Levy’s a “keeper”, so is Hill. Larry Foote is older, but he’s been playing like a maniac; if he’s not going to hold out for a megadeal he probably won’t get, he’s definitely a keeper.

The “Worth Learning More About” section has me a little puzzled. Backus, but not Raiola? I think Raiola’s a better center than Backus is a tackle–especially since Kevin has Backus listed as worth keeping only as possible future guard. Also, I know Ernie Sims has been wildly inconsistent, but he’s not even worth “learning more about”? He’s still a talented player. The same goes for Julian Peterson, who’s actually been productive as a flex OLB/DE–is Kevin saying that the only worthwhile body we have in the LB corps is DeAndre Levy? Really?

Also, I’ve been banging the drum all season long for Philip Buchanon–as he proved on Sunday, he still has elite physical talent. If he can get comfortable and produce, he’ll be no worse than an excellent #2 CB.

Phil, MLive: I’d pretty much agree with everything. I don’t see Kevin Smith as a keeper for a feature back, but I do think he could be a contributor as a backup. And I’m THIS close to calling Sammie Hill a keeper. But otherwise, I tend to agree with Seifert.

Big Al, The Wayne Fontes Experience: Keepers: First off Stafford, Megatron, Pettigrew, Delmas, Levy and Hanson are absolute no brainers. Even the Lions, dumb as they have been, know they either already have something good, or may have something big, in all of those players. All are likely to be (or in Hanson’s case, will continue to be) long-time NFL starters.

The only player I would remove is Kevin Smith. Is he an NFL back? Definitely. Can he produce as Detroit’s feature back, given a full load of 25+ carries a game? From what we’ve seen these past two seasons, the answer is no. The “burst” just isn’t there for Smith. The most glaring example of his lack of speed was during his long run of the season, 31 yards against Seattle. For a faster back, say, Aaron Brown, the run is an automatic touchdown. But Smith, lacking the extra gear, was caught from behind.

The Lions need a back with that extra gear, burst, waggle, whatever you want to call it. Maybe that back is Brown, maybe he’ll be found in the upcoming draft. Currently, Detroit is missing that running back.

I would add a couple of players to the “Keeper” list. One is punter Nick Harris. He’s a great punter who doesn’t get national accolades because he plays for the Lions, and has Stan Kwan coaching special teams. I’d also add Larry Foote, though Seifert mentions later in the article he considers Foote a short-term fix. Personally, I’d think Foote would be fine for the next 2-3 years at MLB. From all accounts, that’s likely to happen, as Foote wants to stay in his hometown, and the Lions would like to extend him.

I totally agree with Siefert regarding the two lines and corner. There’s not a single “must have” player on the Lions’ roster at those positions. Not a one.

Worth Learning more about: With Williams, Cherilus, Peterman, the aforementioned Brown and Hill, I’m in agreement with Seifert. I’d like to see more.

But Jeff Backus? Sure, he’s likely to stick around because the Lions have so many other holes to fill. But we already know plenty. Backus is what he is, overpaid, and on a good day, an average left tackle. If he could be easily replaced, the Lions would do so, in a New York minute.

As for Cliff Avril, after showing flashes as a rookie, he hasn’t taken the next step up. He’s beginning to remind me of Kalimba Edwards or Ikaika Alama-Francis. Defensive ends drafted as a reach due to their athleticism, but unable to translate their athleticism into production on the field. It says volumes, after reaching on both Edwards and Franc, they are out of football. Averil isn’t at that point yet, but he’s not impressing anyone this season.

There’s no one else on the d-line worth mentioning. Same for the rest of the defense, and the offense as well.

I’d be temped to add Zack Follett to this list, as every team needs special teams demons. Follett is going to have a long career as a coverage kamikaze, as long as his body holds up.

Other than keeping the listed players, the Lions can feel free to blow up the remaining roster. Which is what is going to happen over the next two years.

Jeff, Motown Madmen: I agree with the keepers as those are pretty much the no brainers. I’ve heard people bitching, saying to draft a RB. Why? Smith will be a stud once they give him a line to run behind. Otherwise, the Lions are not stocked with great players, not even good players. They need to focus on the long term and those guys are ones to build around. As for the watch list, I like everyone on it but Backus. Seifert says move him to guard. That may work but I’d rather just they cut him loose. It’s time to move on. The O-line and D-line needs a complete overhaul and the secondary, with the exception of Delmas, needs replacing. I’d like them to look more at Zack Follett as well. I like his intensity and, at least, he’s a good addition to a poor special teams (get rid of Stan Kwan as well). It would be nice if they could keep the guys on Seifert’s lists and then get all new players for the rest of the team. The Ford family needs to give Schwartz and Co at least 5 years to rebuild this team. They need to draft linemen (both sides) this year and look heavily at free agency. Secondary is also a concern.

Deacon Blades Boyd, CofS: Love this question. It was actually something I was hoping would be addressed. Well, here we go. Calvin Johnson, Matt Stafford, Brandon Pettigrew (not a fan), DeAndre Levy, Gosder Cherilus, Jerome Felton and Louis Delmas. I’ve always been a Kevin Smith fan but he needs some help in the backfield. He would be best served with another back to compliment him. Instead of looking at all the players, I’ll just discuss a few.

Gosder- He’s a solid young player who may not be an All Star but if he continues to develop, he’ll be a solid player in this league for a long time.

Felton- Every time this guys is in the game he make the Lions better. He’s an outstanding lead blocker and he’s great at getting the tough yards in short yardage situations. Love this guy.

Pettigrew- Not a fan at all. The most inconsistent player I’ve seen in a long time. I’ll give him a few more games before I call him a bust.

Reverend Spielman, CofS: I agree with Seifert’s assertion that the Lions have 7 keepers on the roster. However, that’s where the similarities end. I’ve got CJ, Stafford, Delmas, Levy, Pettigrew, Sammie Lee Hill and Gosder Cherilus as the 7 keepers. The first 5 go without saying so I’ll talk about the last two as well as some guys I left off.

Hill – He’s got the makings of a Big Baby Rogers, without the baggage. He made the biggest jump of any player in football this year, going from small Stillman College to starting in the NFL and he hasn’t looked out of place doing it. Similar to the Houston Texans’ Amobi Okoye, once he begins to get comfortable, this guy will be a force for years to come. What a steal.

Cherilus – This is sure to be the most hotly debated pick, as everyone is split on this guy. I’ve said it since he left Boston College: he’s got the potential to be THE BEST GUARD in football. Everyone has tried to make him a tackle but if you shift this guy inside to left or right guard, he’s got Nate Newton written all over him. I know the Lions are paying him an exorbitant sum to play RT but RT’s aren’t overly hard to find. Similar to what the Raiders did with Robert Gallery a few years ago, if the Lions shift him inside, he’s a Pro Bowler waiting to happen.

Sims – This is the only player I know of in the NFL that has regressed each season he’s played. He looked like a perennial All-Pro in his rookie year but he has not improved since then and now the only consistent with him is that he will over pursue on every play.

Kevin Smith – He’s a good player and I’d be happy if he’s our starting back, but at best, he’s a mid-level back in the league. He’s not one of the top 20 backs in football and thats my criteria for making him a keeper.

2. Do the Lions need cheerleaders?

Steve, Detroit Lions Weblog: I think so. I have a good friend who holds the belief that the Lions choosing not to employ cheerleaders is at least as responsible for the Lions prolonged run of ineptitude as the often-publicized “Bobby Layne Curse”. If the “Pride of the Lions”/Ring of Honor unveiling this weekend does little to bolster the team’s attendance, aren’t the addition of cheerleaders and a “dance team” the next logical steps in providing a visual entertainment/distraction from the Lions routinely putrescent on-field performance?

Ty, The Lions in Winter: I would be okay with the Lions having actual cheerleaders–ones that wear cheerleader outfits and lead cheers. However, NFL cheerleaders have somehow evolved into bikini-clad strippers . . . I don’t really get the point of that. When I was chatting at Seahawks forums before our game against them, I was bombarded with ads for the “Sea Gals” swimsuit calendar. “Sea Gals”. That’s what they were named in the 70s, when cheerleaders were actually cheerleaders; a cute, supportive counterpart to the action on the field. Now you’ve got a bunch of implant-laden models draped over surf-kissed rocks; how am I supposed to A) associate that with my favorite football team, and B) not snicker at the contradiction between the name and the reality?

Phil, MLive: Do they need cheerleaders? No way…of course not. But this is football, for cryin’ out loud … get some damned cheerleaders! Then again, if their history of building the football team even remotely matched their ability to build a cheerleading squad, we’d have Janet Reno and Marla Hooch on the sidelines.

Big Al, The Wayne Fontes Experience: Not any more than they need a defense. Priorities, people. Priorities. If you want to watch fake breasted bimbos shake their booty on the field between plays, more power to you. But it it necessary for a full NFL experience? No.

Jeff, Motown Madmen: DOH! Yes. It would give us something to look at while the Lions are sucking it up.

Deacon Blades Boyd, CofS: Yes. This has been talked about for a while and it was actually supposed to be implemented a few seasons back but Millen put a stop to it. Expect it to be brought up again soon.

Reverend Spielman, CofS: We need something to look at on Sundays, while the bumbling boobs(pun intended) on the field throw away another win. I think this would create a buzz around the team that has been missing for years now also. It would grab the attention of the league and any increased focus on the team will only help.

3. What’s your projected outcome for Browns – Lions?

Steve, Detroit Lions Weblog: First off, Ford Field will boast a vast canyon of empty seats. If I were the Ford’s, I would actually install honolulu blue cardboard stand-ups, emblazoned with Ford Motors logos, to fill all of the empty seats, kind of like how the Oakland A’s cover “Mt. Davis” at their ballpark.

Anyways, this is a rather “interesting” (although, others might use more unkind words) match-up. This could actually be the worst game pairing in NFL history, the Browns have one of the most impotent offenses of all-time and the Lions have established that they are among the most malleable defense’s of all-time. It would seem, on the surface, to be a foregone conclusion that the Lions should win Sunday. That is the root of my problem in predicting this game. The Lions are at home and the Browns are coming off of a poor Monday night performance, with a short week of game preparation. It all appears to be good to be true, with the sting of a home loss to the Rams burnished into my recent memory.

The 350+ lb. elephant in the room is “Big Baby” Shaun Rogers. I remember a game during Rod Marinelli’s inaugural season where Rogers was so dominant that he nearly single-handedly defeated the Broncos. In this case, given the terrible Lions offensive line, and their papier mache secondary, in what will be one of the ugliest games in NFL history, the Browns will improbably defeat the Lions, largely due to Rogers’ presence and a credible, but equally improbable performance from Brady Quinn, whose connection with former Lion WR Mike Furrey, leads to two TD passes and a Browns 17-14 victory. Rogers will block the game-tying field goal at the end of regulation that preserves the Browns victory.

“With the first overall draft pick in the 2010 draft, the Detroit Lions select, Ndamukong Suh, defensive tackle, from Nebraska.”

Ty, The Lions in Winter: I’ll go with 14-3, Lions, and hope the margin is bigger than that. The Browns, as I’ve said elsewhere, are really really really really really really bad on offense. The only way they even score on us is if Brady Quinn tells the OC to stuff it, and just draws up plays in the FieldTurf with a stick. If Josh Cribbs can’t go, take the previous two sentences and multiply their truth by a factor of five.

Phil, MLive: I think the Lions are going to blitz the hell out of Brady Quinn, and I don’t think he can handle it for a full game. I think the Lions are going to win 24-9. Please do not forget. There is no such thing as a “sure thing” with this team. So expect anything. But I’m calling a strong game for Stafford with a couple of TDs to Calvin. Detroit wins its second game of the year.

Big Al, The Wayne Fontes Experience: I predict anyone who watches is bored stiff, and most likely, insane.

As for the game itself? Would it surprise me if Detroit wins? A little. Which is why I’m saying the Lions will lose. I cannot justify picking this team to win any more games, home or away. Browns aren’t good, but neither are the Lions. Cleveland wins 17-14, in a game resembling football, but only in a rudimentary way.

Jeff, Motown Madmen: The worst AFC North team visits the worst NFC North team in a battle for the first draft pick. Vegas has the odds at -3.5 in the Lions favor with the O/U at 38.5. I believe that the Lions will win this game, handily. I’d take the Lions against the spread and the over. Big week for Stafford, CJ and K-Smooth. Lions 31 – Browns 10. Drinkin’ the Kool-aid again. They’ve sucked all year but I’m giving them the benefit of a doubt this week and hoping to see some flashes of a real NFL team. GO LIONS!!

Deacon Blades Boyd, CofS: If Cribbs plays, Browns 17 Lions 10. If Cribbs doesn’t play, Lions 24 Browns 13

Reverend Spielman, CofS: I see the Lions winning this game just because the Browns offense is legendarily bad. Add in the fact that the Browns are coming off a short week and traveling and I think its the perfect storm for a Lions victory. Let’s call it Lions 24 – Browns 14. The only way we don’t win this game is if Josh Cribbs plays and plays well.

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