This team is vastly different from the Lions of even last year; only 22 players on it are the same. Besides, 3-2 is hardly a reason to jump ship.
The Lions have a good QB, a good WR core and good special teams, although punt and kickoff coverage needs to be more consistent.
Next year, if Sean Rogers comes into camp in shape, the Lions get some good free agents and draft picks on defense along with some help on the offensive line (really, both lines) the Lions will be only a step or two from the NFC elite. In fact, one good pick at RB who can run, pass block, and catch will put the Lions in it.
mjolnir’s above remarks are interesting.
Gosder Cherilus? I guess they didn’t think they could grab him out of free agency. Or later in the draft.
Detroit Lions 2008 NFL Draft Needs
(before the fact, sez they need OT, DT, ML, RB, DE, TE, Return Specialist, and CB)
http://football.about.com/od/teamneeds/a/teamneeds_DET.htm
Lions Complete 2008 NFL Draft (AP)
http://www.wilx.com/sports/headlines/18318774.html
OT (Gosder Cherilus), LB (Jordon Dizon), RB (Kevin Smith), DT (Andre Fluellen), DL (Cliff Avril), return man (Kenny Moore), FB (Jerome Felton), and DB (Caleb Campbell). Lions DB Kalvin Pearson was arrested for domestic violence on Saturday, which probably made that last one pretty obvious. After day one, the booze must have worn off, because these are not bad picks. Word is that the Redskins made the best draft moves overall.
So, compared with that “About” page list of needs (for example), the Lions hit four.
Shaun Rogers used to be a neighbor of mine. He was huge. Not surprising.