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| | Monday, August 7 Lions: Ready to move on | |||||||||||||||
| By Tom Oates Special to ESPN.com The Detroit Lions were blindsided by Barry Sanders' 11th-hour retirement and lost quarterback Charlie Batch and wide receiver Herman Moore to injury for large portions of the season, yet still managed to go 8-8 and make the playoffs. The 2-6 finish could have left a sour taste in everyone's mouth, but it appears the opposite is true. With Sanders gone, this has finally become coach Bobby Ross' team and the only real questions are the continuing health problems of Batch and the top three cornerbacks.
James Stewart will attempt to do what Ron Rivers, Greg Hill and Sedric Irvin couldn't do -- replace Sanders at halfback. With no time to replace Sanders, the Lions finished 28th in rushing last year. They rectified that by signing Stewart, the best runner available in free agency, to a five year, $25 million contract. Stewart isn't spectacular like Sanders, but he's the kind of solid, between-the-tackles runner Ross likes. Key position battle Moore missed most of last season with knee injuries and Germane Crowell, a Moore clone, flourished in his absence. Moore is healthy again, but he may have to settle for being the third wide receiver on passing downs because Crowell and Johnnie Morton have developed into a formidable duo. Biggest adjustment Batch is a cool, efficient quarterback, but a back injury ended his first season, a broken thumb cost him much of his second and a broken bone in his leg suffered at a minicamp makes him a question mark for opening day of his third. It is now legitimate to ask if Batch can stay healthy for 16 games. If he can't, the Lions are cooked because journeymen Mike Tomczak and Stoney Case are Batch's backups. Rookie report The Lions will add 730 pounds of first-round run-blocking to their offensive line. Aaron Gibson, the 1999 first-rounder, didn't play last year because of a shoulder injury. He weighs 380 pounds and will start at right tackle. Stockar McDougle, this year's first-rounder, weighs 350 pounds and will start at left guard. Speedy second-rounder Barrett Green could be a nickel linebacker and third-rounder Reuben Droughns is a terrific running back when healthy, which isn't often.
| ALSO SEE Bears: Windy City changes Packers: Sherman takes control Vikings: Daunte is in the fire Buccaneers: Getting offensive AUDIO/VIDEO   Corey Schlesinger is confident the offensive line will dominate.wav: 133 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 James Stewart sees himself as a piece of the puzzle.wav: 120 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Johnnie Morton says that James Stewart doesn't have to fill anyone's shoes.wav: 111 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Running back James Stewart on the pressure to establish a running game in Detroit.wav: 1024 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Coach Bobby Ross gives a brief statement on Robert Porcher leaving camp.wav: 179 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 | |||||||||||||||
