Future Blunder: Willie McGinest, Zach Thomas, Junior Seau, or any of the other guys who were big in the '90s. While rebuilding, the temptation will be to bring in a "name" player, someone well-known who may be a fan draw. This is the worst long-term decision the Lions could make.
Granted, I believe every one of the above players will retire after this season, but I have been wrong before.
Instead: Jonathan Vilma is a free agent in 2009. I repeat: 2004 Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2005 NFL leader in tackles, 2006 Pro Bowl selection Jonathan Vilma is a free agent in 2009.
Is there anybody in Detroit who would not be excited about a linebacker corps of Ernie Sims, Jordon Dizon and Vilma (possible since Vilma plays on the strong side)? If he is not re-signed by the Saints by the time the offseason rolls around, the Lions need to give the University of Miami grad a long look.
Defensive Back
Past: Brian Kelly and Dwight Smith were brought in as part of an "overhauled" secondary. Detroit needed it, since they were dead last in pass defense in 2007. Of course, Marinelli's "good old boy" network decided to bring in also-rans and has-beens from Tampa Bay, and part of that was Kelly and Smith.
Now, 11 games into the season, the Lions still can't stop anybody from throwing all over them, and neither Kelly or Smith has so much as a single interception.
Future Blunder: Giving R.W. McQuarters another shot. After a short tenure in Detroit, he departed for the Giants and won a Super Bowl. Now that he has a ring, he'll be looking for money. Given his skill as a return man, the Lions may be tempted to give him another look, but his defensive skill is that of a nickel back, at best.
Instead: I strongly expect the Tennessee Titans to re-sign shutdown cornerback Cortland Finnegan, but they haven't yet, and his contract is up this year. Finnegan is undersized, but like Asante Samuel, he has the speed, quickness, and leaping ability to stay with anybody.
Whomever he signs with will put up a small fortune to get him. They will also choke off half the field for opposing quarterbacks. When is the last time the Lions had a "shutdown" cover man? He would certainly be an upgrade over the likes of Kelly and Travis Fisher.
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