The Detroit Lions Are Already Better Than You Think

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

I was a Martin Mayhew believer early on. Perhaps that was naive, considering his affiliation with the previous, um, shall we say, moderately unsuccessful GM.

Many fans are still not ready to believe that the Detroit Lions have actually assembled a competent NFL roster, so the only way to prove just how many upgrades Mayhew has made is a position-by-position analysis of the current Lions vs. the 0-16 version.

And keep in mind, the NFL offseason has three components: free agency after the season ends, when guys like Albert Haynesworth cash in, the draft, and veteran casualties in training camp. I was convinced the Lions would need to add a veteran or seven during those training camp casualties in order to plug the many roster deficiencies of a season ago, but really, Mayhew's work is very nearly done.

Quarterbacks

There is still some debate as to whether a veteran backup/third-stringer will be signed or whether Drew Stanton will cling to his roster spot. Stanton barely played last year, because then-coach Rod Marinelli was desperately trying to win a game and trusted veterans Daunte Culpepper and Dan Orlovsky more than Stanton.

So to keep Stanton, who could actually be a solid NFL quarterback at some point (he was a second round pick, after all), would essentially mean there are two rookies sitting behind the fragile and/or erratic Culpepper.

Although Matt Stafford could turn into the franchise and Mayhew deserves much credit for turning Jon Kitna, who was going to be released anyway, into starting corner Anthony Henry via trade with Dallas, the position is far from a team strength at this point.

Compared to last year: About even.

Running Backs

Although there were no bright spots for the Lions last season, Kevin Smith at least had a moderately productive season, averaging 4.1 yards per carry as the team's leading rusher. He also helped save money on jerseys, since he wore the same number as predecessor Kevin Jones, and the Lions just slapped a "Smith" nameplate on those stockpiled Jones jerseys.

Oops.

While Jones had a solid season, few successful teams go into a season without at least two capable running backs. The Lions replaced the dreadful Rudi Johnson, who rushed for fewer than 300 yards and averaged 3.1 per carry on the season, with the solid Maurice Morris, who ran for more than 500 and averaged 4.3 yards per carry in Seattle last season.

The Lions obviously were interested in Derrick Ward and may be unsure how Smith will fare in new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan's offense, running back could be a spot where they bring in someone cut by another team during camp.

Compared to last year: Better.

Wide Receivers

Anyone who writes about the Lions and wide receivers can't ever resist making lame jokes, but on his fourth try, Matt Millen did find a franchise receiver with Calvin Johnson.

He took heat for picking Johnson, who was the best available talent, too. It would have been very easy for Millen to take a defensive player and avoid the jokes, but he did the right thing, and Lions fans get to watch a guy who could become the best in the NFL for, hopefully, the next eight years or so.

Unfortunately, after Roy Williams was traded last season, the team didn't have a NFL-quality pass catcher on the roster to take pressure off of Johnson (where was Scotty Vines when we needed him

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