With So Many Needs, Where Do the Lions Begin?

The Lions have a lot of work to do this off season if they plan to upgrade their personnel. Luckily, the draft, free agency, and improvements that may be achieved among their current personnel, all provide a sense of hope that the Lions may be able to claw their way back to NFL respectability, even in spite of having been amidst one of the worst runs of poor performance in recent professional sports history. Hope springs eternal, as they say.

With that in mind, I believe that the Lions have a few areas that they can focus upon this off season that may drastically improve their prospects for future success. The number one priority, especially after allowing 63 quarterback sacks, is upgrading the offensive line. Other than the fact that OT Jeff Backus and C Dominic Raiola are likely to remain as starters, this is also one of the more wide open personnel groups, in which several dark horses could emerge. Personally, I would bid adieu to veterans like Rex Tucker, Ross Verba, and Damien Woody and see what talent could be cultivated from among Frank Davis, Jonathan Scott, and the various other young players who were forced into late season duty. If the Lions choose to draft another left offensive tackle in the first round, I would support the move wholeheartedly. Mike Martz's multi-receiver offense provides limited protection for it's QB's, so quality offensive line play is a premium.

The second most valuable component that needs to be addressed is that the Lions have a desperate need for a quality, difference-making, edge rushing defensive end. Kalimba Edwards has been a colossal failure, who is unlikely ever to become any sort of consistent threat. The Lions have decent backups on the roster in Bill Swancutt and Jared DeVries who are unlikely to ever provide more than that. James Hall, who was injured most of this year, has been the Lions most consistent pass rushing threat during recent seasons. The "Tampa" Cover-2 zone defense's success is predicated upon the front four disrupting opposing offenses with a consistent pass rush, which prevents the offense from developing the type of comfort zone and rhythm that can allow them to pick apart a zone coverage (to the tune of a nearly unfathomable 70% completion rate for opposing offenses in 2006!). To find a difference-making edge rusher is not easy. Quality defensive ends are usually costly in free agency or via trade. Their are rumors that the Lions would like to attempt to acquire Tampa DE Simien Rice. Rice's health and age are concerns, but he may be the best, most reasonable option for them, unless a college defensive end like Arkansas' Jamaal Anderson or Clemson's Gaines Adams distinguishes himself before the draft.

With Kevin Jones' future status in question, the Lions need to address their running back situation. 2nd year RB Brian Calhoun has a lot of ground to make up if he is going to emerge as an commodity within the Lions offense. Shawn Bryson is a versatile, valuable utility back who should always be able to find a role. The Lions desperately need to be able to field two backs who can shoulder the feature back role, if called upon. Even if Jones returns healthy, they are going to need to add another quality back so that if Jones goes down again, they'll hardly miss a beat. Their have been rumors that the Lions may be interested in Marshall Faulk, but I think that even with all that Faulk could provide, he would never be able to be an every down back again.

These are only three focal points. The Lions need help in the secondary and linebacker, too. They need a consistent 3rd receiver in Mike Martz's offense. I strongly believe that these three focal points if upgraded significantly could provide the most immediate impact and eventual success.