(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Over the course of the next week, The 2009 Detroit Lions Positional Outlook will examine the positional changes of the current offseason: how the position has improved or weakened, the current outlook for younger players in the position, and how that position group should fare in the 2009 season.
Links to past positional outlooks can be found at the bottom of the article.
"With the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Matthew Stafford, quarterback from Georgia."
At that moment, in April, Detroit fans began looking forward—not to the 2009 season, but to 2010.
The coaches and personnel staff in Allen Park have made the situation very clear: This is not a one-year rebuilding plan.
Stafford was not drafted to lead a 2009 Detroit playoff run. Kevin Smith's sophomore season is not going to run wild with "Offensive Player of the Year" talk.
Daunte Culpepper will start, and Smith will be out to prove that he is more than just the best of the worst from '08.
The Starters
Daunte Culpepper (6'4", 260 lbs.): First Round, 1999, Minnesota Vikings
No one expects Matthew Stafford to start week one, but after last season, would anyone really be surprised?
Culpepper had two large problems last year. The first problem was that he was too large. He came into the season out of shape, not ready to run a mile, let alone play professional football.
The other big problem? Culpepper apparently has no idea how to read defenses—something a little odd for a 10-year veteran.
The scouting report on Culpepper out of Allen Park is that Culpepper is in phenomenal shape.
As for the offensive IQ? Scott Linehan has known Culpepper since 2002 and knows how to get the best out of him.
The worst that could happen is that Culpepper fails as a game manager and is pulled midseason for the rookie Stafford.
On the brighter side of things, Culpepper could have a glimmer in the twilight of his career as Calvin Johnson takes another step toward greatness.
As with everything in life, reality will probably fall somewhere in between those two extremes.
Kevin Smith (6'1", 217 lbs.): Third Round, 2008, Detroit Lions
In the last eight games of 2008, Kevin Smith averaged 83 yards per game. That isn't a great offensive output.
However, in perspective, Smith was one of the lone bright spots on a poor offensive team.
Often, the Detroit Lions were down multiple touchdowns early and unable (read: unwilling) to establish the run.
Of those last eight games, Smith averaged more than four yards per carry in six of them.
Don't be deceived, Lions fans; 2008 was an audition year for Smith.
The Lions made no attempt to hide the fact that they spent plenty of scouting time and energy on Chris "Beanie" Wells.
On a team that is desperate for talent, no one (without the last name Stafford) is safe.
Smith should have a little easier time running behind an offensive line bracketed by Brandon Pettigrew and Will Heller.
Most importantly, Scott Linehan has always been known to get the most out of young running backs.
Terrelle Smith (6'0", 246 lbs.): Fourth Round, 2000, New Orleans Saints
Terrelle Smith is one of the underrated blockers in the league. During the playoffs, Smith was a key to Arizona's increased rushing attack. With little in the way of fantasy value, Terrelle Smith has taken pride in his blocking ability.
With Kevin Smith taking the bulk of the rushing load and Brandon Pettigrew serving as the short pass safety valve, Terrelle Smith will be able to focus solely on blocking.
He isn't the type of player fans often appreciate, but Detroit may look fondly on the best blocking back in Honolulu blue since Cory Schlesinger.
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