Previewing the Detroit Lions' 2009 Season: A Positional Report Card

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Detroit Lions are a team with nowhere to go but up after turning in the NFL's first ever 0-16 season in 2008.

They've made big changes to the roster in an effort to better their fortunes. There is nearly 40 percent turnover from last season, which virtually never happens in the NFL.

New coach, Jim Schwartz comes in with an impressive resume as a coordinator and a fresh slate. Here is what he will have to work with this season.

Quarterbacks

Daunte Culpepper is practically penned in as the starting quarterback. He was utterly ineffective last season.

Coming out of retirement more than halfway through the season and immediately being thrust into the starting position, Culpepper completed barely half of his passes, and had just four touchdowns and six interceptions with five fumbles in five games.

Things should be different this year, as Culpepper has slimmed down, gained speed, and learned the playbook. He'll also have his old offensive coordinator from Minnesota, Scott Linehan coaching him.

Matthew Stafford is the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and has a laser arm on him. He is somewhat mistake prone however, and will need time to develop and learn an NFL playbook. Expect the Lions to keep him on the bench for as long as possible.

Drew Stanton at this point seems to just be taking up a roster spot. It's no secret that the Lions would prefer a veteran quarterback behind Culpepper so they aren't forced to start Stafford or Stanton if Culpepper falters.

Grade: C-

Running Backs

Kevin Smith had a decent rookie season considering the offensive line he had to deal with. Barry Sanders he is not. Smith had 976 yards, just falling short of a 1000 yard season, with eight touchdowns.

He shows a lot of promise and if he can get any resemblance of blocking this season, he could easily hit 1,200 yards in his sophomore year.

Maurice Morris was brought in from Seattle to back up Smith. As a backup to Julius Jones, Morris rushed for 574 yards last season. He should be a solid compliment to Smith.

The Lions signed former Florida State Antoine Smith as a free agent draft pick. He had the fastest 40 times at the combine, running it at an unreal 4.2 seconds. If the Lions can make something of Smith, they will have a steal on their hands.

Grade: B-

Wide Receivers

Calvin Johnson is primed to become one of the top three receivers in the NFL. With five different quarterbacks throwing to him at different points last season, Johnson was amazingly still able to put up a 1,300 yards season with 12 touchdowns.

With consistency at the quarterback position, Johnson could approach 100 receptions, 1,500 yards, and 15 touchdowns, numbers that could get him MVP mentions depending on the Lions record.

Bryant Johnson comes in from San Francisco and will play opposite Johnson. Never really living up to his status as a first-round pick, Johnson turned in a 546-yard season with three touchdowns in 2008. 

Dennis Northcutt was acquired this week for safety Gerald Alexander. Presumably, Northcutt will hold the slot receiving position. In 2008, he racked up 545 receiving yards with two touchdowns.

The fourth and fifth spots could be held by some combination of Adam Jennings, Ronald Curry, Keary Colbert and rookie Derrick Williams.

Curry would appear to have an edge due to experience, and the Lions will also probably hold on to their draft pick, Williams because he will likely double as a return man. Expect Jennings and Colbert to be cut or signed to the practice squad, unless the Lions decide to carry six receivers. 

Brandon Pettigrew was the Lions second first-round pick in the draft and should finally give Detroit a playmaker at the tight end position which they've so desperately needed over the past few seasons.

Grade: B

Offensive Line

Jeff Backus will reprise his role at left tackle and his mediocre play can almost be a metaphor for the last decade of Lions football. He's not horrible, but he's not great either, but he's the best they've got. 

Second year man, Gosder Cherilus will start at right tackle and has the most potential of anyone on the line. The Lions hope Cherilus can grow into a crushing run blocker.

Jon Jansen was brought in and could be moved to guard. It wouldn't make sense to use him as a backup as the Lions have to maximize their talent here. Jansen is a solid veteran and was Backus's teammate on the Michigan Wolverines. 

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