Matthew Stafford and 5 Offensive Lions Who Need a Big 2012 Season

The 2011 season was a good one for the Detroit Lions, as it laid the path to their first playoff appearance since 1999.

Head coach Jim Schwartz labelled the progress made this season as "not good, but important," and that statement could not have been more truthful.

It is a stepping stone in the progress a young, talented Lions team is making, and the 2012 season looks as if it will be another step in the right direction.

With that in mind, here are five offensive players who, coming off the back of the 2011 season, need a big 2012 for a variety of reasons.

Enjoy the slideshow!

Matthew Stafford

Having just completed a stand-out season in the NFL for the first time since being drafted by the Detroit Lions, you might ask why I think Matthew Stafford needs a big season.

Simple—he needs to do it again.

The 2011 season was huge for Stafford, as he stayed healthy, throwing for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns. But it seems not everyone noticed how brilliant a season he had.

The fact that he wasn't selected for the Pro Bowl suggests the public aren't truly aware of how talented this guy really is. It'll take another quality season to establish himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

It'll be tough, though, considering the Lions running game will return to functionality for next season. This means less throws and less yardage for the young star.

Mikel Leshoure

Mikel Leshoure never got to showcase his talents in his rookie NFL season due to an Achilles injury sustained in the offseason.

The second-round draft pick out of Illinois will want to head into the 2012 season making up for lost time, and will look to step up as a potential solution to the Detroit Lions' troubled running game.

Jahvid Best should be ready for next season, and he's a great back, but with Kevin Smith likely on his way (again), there is room for Leshoure to put himself into Jim Schwartz's thoughts.

Titus Young

Calvin Johnson asked for another receiver to share the load and the coverage. His wish was duly obeyed.

Titus Young had a reasonable rookie season for the Detroit Lions, hauling in 48 receptions for 607 yards and six touchdowns.

He often provided Matthew Stafford with a good short-range outlet, finding himself free due to the double or sometimes even triple coverage on Calvin Johnson.

"Megatron" had a phenomenal season himself, and the special attention from opposing defenses will be there from the word go in the 2012 NFL season. Titus Young will find himself with space yet again and should build on his maiden campaign.

I'd expect Young to get as many looks as Nate Burleson next season, which would be great for his progression. I only hope he doesn't rock that strange towel-hanging-out-the-back-of-the-trousers look we were "treated" to in the playoffs.

Jahvid Best

Jahvid Best suffered heavily from concussion symptoms this season and bowed out early. It's a shame, too, as he was averaging a solid 4.6 yards per carry and posing a threat as a receiver.

Best should be healthy for the start of the 2012 season, and the Lions will look to him first and foremost to complete the offensive puzzle.

Matthew Stafford's throwing yardage this season was phenomenal, but it was a consequence of the Lions' running game being virtually non-existent.

Mikel Leshoure, as previously stated, will be chomping at the bit to showcase why he was taken as the 57th overall selection in the 2011 NFL draft, but Jahvid Best will shoulder the immediate responsibility of the Lions running game come August.

With the talented Leshoure breathing down his neck on the depth chart, Jahvid will have to be at his Best (sorry!).

New Centre/New Offensive Tackle

With Jeff Backus looking set to take his leave from Detroit after years of loyal service, a large hole has opened on Matthew Stafford's blind side which will need filling immediately.

Similarly, a hole has opened in front of him, as long-serving center Dominic Raiola is on his way, too. The Lions will need to address both of these openings during the offseason.

The Detroit Lions will most likely look to the NFL 2012 draft process to secure a talented, young left tackle to take up Backus' mantle. They should also look to the draft to attain a new center.

The new offensive linesmen will need to make an immediate impact, as defenses will be eager to sack the accomplished Matthew Stafford. He might not have gained the appropriate applause from the Pro Bowl voters, but NFL players know just how dangerous he is with time in the pocket.

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