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Thursday, August 31 By Curt Sylvester Pro Football Weekly | ||||||||||||||||||||
This is getting serious. Must be. Bobby Ross just couldn't help himself. He used the "L" word to describe his feelings for the 2000 Lions.
Quarterbacks: In two years, Batch has proved he can be an effective passer and leader, but the Lions probably won't know until the last minute if he'll be fully recovered from his offseason injury in time for opening day. If Batch can't play, the Lions might suffer. The backups struggled in training camp and the early exhibition games. Projected No. 2 QB Mike Tomczak broke his tibia in the preseason and may be lost for the year. Grade: C+
Grade: C Receivers: The Lions have three of the best -- Herman Moore, Johnnie Morton and Germane Crowell -- assuming Ross uses all three and doesn't forget about Moore. Look for a lot of three-WR sets this season. TEs David Sloan and Pete Chryplewicz are above-average receivers but less than 100 percent physically, so the Lions signed Alfred Pupunu. Grade: B+ Offensive linemen: In theory, the Lions upgraded tremendously with rookie Stockar McDougle at left guard and virtual rookie Aaron Gibson, back from last year's shoulder surgery, at right tackle. However, McDougle may miss 4-6 weeks with a knee injury. The unit's run blocking should be better, but it will be up to veteran ORG Jeff Hartings, OLT Ray Roberts and C Mike Compton to hold it together in pass protection. The line's depth is better with C Eric Beverly, OGs Tony Semple and Kerlin Blaise and OT Barrett Brooks. Grade: C Defense Defensive linemen: Now that defensive end Robert Porcher has re-signed, this is probably the deepest and strongest position on the team. Porcher and Tracy Scroggins make a potent 1-2 punch at end, and Pro Bowler Luther Elliss and James Jones are rock solid at tackle. Youngsters Jared DeVries and Mike Pringley are coming on strong at end. DeVries is also effective playing inside in nickel situations. Defensive tackles Kelvin Pritchett and Travis Kirschke have starting experience. Grade: A- Linebackers: The Lions have three very solid starters in Pro Bowl MLB Stephen Boyd, weak-side LB Chris Claiborne and strong-side LB Allen Aldridge, who is also an effective pass rusher. Clint Kriewaldt and rookie Barrett Green give the unit cover ability and speed, both of which were missing a year ago. Kevin O'Neill, Scott Kowalkowski and Richard Jordan provide average depth. Grade: B- Defensive backs: A nightmare finish in '99 has Ross a little edgy over his secondary, mostly because of injuries. LCB Bryant Westbrook, coming off a penalty-laden season in which he suffered two hamstring injuries, is primed for a comeback. However, RCB Terry Fair has been slow rebounding from late-April knee surgery, and CB Kevin Abrams is slow returning from foot surgery. The safeties -- SS Ron Rice and FS Kurt Schulz -- are solid. CBs Lamar Campbell and Marquis Walker don't provide great depth, but they should be adequate. Grade: C+ Special teams If the Lions ever had a truly successful season, PK Jason Hanson might get the recognition he deserves as one of the strongest and most accurate kickers in the NFL. P John Jett is consistent and places the ball inside the 20-yard line well. Desmond Howard could solve two big problems if he can return punts and kickoffs as well as he did a few years ago for Green Bay. Grade: B+ Material from Pro Football Weekly. Visit their website at http://www.profootballweekly.com |
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