Detroit Lions: 1 Burning Question for Every Member of the Roster

We often talk about teams in terms of position groups and individual star players.

That's a testament to how great a team game football is, but sometimes questions go deeper than just, "can the secondary perform well?"

These are individuals on the team, and while some are mortal locks for the roster (and even greatness) and some are camp bodies with next to no chance of making it to the middle of September, all of them raise questions.

Because I'm only one person and don't have infinite time, I'll be limiting things to one question per player. In each case, it should be the most important question the player has to face at some point this season.

Just so we're clear, I'm not answering these questions. I'll pose the question and give my rationale for why it's important, but the answers to these questions don't lie with me; they lie with the players themselves.

We just get to kick back and watch the answers unfold.

Quarterbacks

R.J. Archer

Q: If he outperforms Kellen Moore, will the Lions care?

Archer is among the longest of long shots for the roster this year. He was brought in effectively to manufacture some competition for Moore, who the Lions are kicking the tires on, but are not sold on keeping.

Archer has to fear that if he outperforms Moore (which has happened at some points in OTAs), the result is not that the Lions keep him instead of Moore, but that they cut both of them.

Shaun Hill 

Q: Will 2012 be another peaceful year of benchwarming?

The 2011 season was by far the easiest Shaun Hill has had to deal with as a Detroit Lion so far. Backup quarterbacks are not supposed to have to start eight games a season. In 2011, all Hill had to do was come in to close out the fourth quarter of blowout victories; a nice change of pace from the 2010 season.

Kellen Moore

Q: Can his football IQ compensate for his lack of arm strength?

Moore, a coach's son, has a much higher IQ and maturity level than the average NFL rookie QB. Still, the cries that he was little more than a noodle-armed system quarterback at Boise State are very much alive as he struggles through ups and downs in camp.

He's almost certainly the third quarterback on the roster. The question is whether that earns him a roster spot in September as well as October.

Matthew Stafford

Q: Was 2011 the exception or the rule?

The fact that Stafford was one of the best quarterbacks in football last year is beyond debate. The question now is how he follows up that performance?

Will he stay healthy for another 16 games? Will he follow up his incredible statistical performance, or was it merely a result of a historically high number of passing attempts?

Much of the reason Stafford hasn't gotten "elite quarterback" consideration yet is because he has only had a single year of sustained success. What we need to see now is if he can sustain success from year to year, not just game to game.

Running Backs

Joique Bell

Q: Can he be Jahvid Best while Best can't?

It is abundantly clear that the Lions need a rushing/receiving dual threat like Jahvid Best somewhere in their offense. Bell could, theoretically, be that guy, but we have yet to see if he's capable at game speed.

This is his opportunity to show what he can do, with the Lions fielding only four healthy running backs in camp right now.

Jahvid Best

Q: When, if ever, will he play again?

Perhaps, the hottest-burning question in training camp is the concussion controversy surrounding Best. It has been nine months since his last concussion, and he has yet to be cleared for football contact.

What exactly is the holdup? He claims to feel fine, so what are his doctors saying that he isn't? When will he be ready to play? Will he at all? Should he?

That's more than one question, but it all points back to the one big question about the future of his career and whether, quite frankly, he has one. 

James Bryant (FB)

Q: Do the Lions actually need a blocking fullback?

In 2011, the Lions cut Jerome Felton because the type of offense they run didn't necessitate a true blocking fullback.

That made sense at the time, but the Lions struggled in short-yardage situations the rest of the year. Bryant has opened huge running lanes when he has gotten the chance in training camp.

But is his performance going to be enough to get the Lions to admit their mistake at trying to run without a traditional fullback?

Stephfon Green

Q: Can he get healthy before he gets cut?

Stephfon Green is an unfortunate case. With all the injuries to running backs, Green should be getting an unusually great opportunity to show his stuff in training camp. But instead of showing off as a UDFA star, he is one of the ones nursing an injury.

That's not his fault, but it's also not going to help him earn a roster spot.

Mikel Leshoure

Q: Are the injuries a fluke or a trend?

Leshoure missed everything except about a week of camp last season with an injured Achilles tendon. Now, he's nursing a hamstring injury, which is nowhere near as severe an issue, but still concerning. Leshoure is a second-year player who has yet to take a snap, even in a preseason game.

Leshoure looks likely to miss the Lions' preseason opener, as well, but the Lions are more worried about getting him back to 100 percent rather than rushing him.

Because of his suspension, he has until late September before his first eligible game, but if he keeps popping things out of place like this, he'll be right back on the shelf before we even see if he's any good.

Stefan Logan

Q: Is he just a return specialist, or can he play in the offense too?

For his first two years, Logan was a kick/punt return man, who also played on coverage teams. Basically, he was an all-around special teams star.

But with the rash of injuries in training camp, Logan is starting to get some looks at running back, and he doesn't look bad. But is he good enough to make the roster and get some regular season reps there?

Kevin Smith

Q: Can he put 16 games together?

At no point did anyone really doubt the ability of Kevin Smith in terms of talent. But he has been unable to play more than a few consecutive games over his career.

Ironically, it was injuries to other running backs that afforded Smith the opportunity to come back last season, and consequently put him in training camp this year. And injuries also appear to have put him in position to start for at least the first couple of weeks.

So, is this the year he stays healthy for long enough to exhibit sustained success? Or will he end up on the shelf just as quickly as the others?

Wide Receivers

Ryan Broyles

Q: Will he get any considerable time in the offense as the fourth receiver?

Broyles is, almost by default, the Detroit Lions' fourth receiver this season. But depending on how eager the Lions are to run sets with four receivers, that may not mean much. Will Broyles play more in the offense or on special teams?

Nate Burleson

Q: Is he still the Lions' No. 2 receiver?

With the Lions loading up on young talent around him, Burleson is almost certainly going to be pushed as Stafford's second-favorite receiving target.

Burleson may be comfortable in a mentorship role, but the man can still play. It will be interesting to see how quickly he slides back in the progression, if at all.

Dominique Curry

Q: How much room is there on the practice squad?

Curry is the prototypical camp body. It's not that he's devoid of talent, but the Lions are especially deep at receiver in camp this year and Curry does not fall within the range of likely final-roster players. Practice squad is optimistic for him.

Jarett Dillard

Q: But can he play special teams?

Dillard was a quiet pickup for the Lions, but he was a No. 2 starter for the (admittedly awful) Jacksonville Jaguars last season. Even on as poor a passing team as the Jaguars, a guy doesn't just luck into being a starter at wide receiver without having some semblance of talent.

But the top of the depth chart is packed full at receiver, so Dillard's chances of making the roster depend almost solely on his ability to play special teams at this point. 

Patrick Edwards

Q: Roster or practice squad?

At this point, Edwards has shown enough upside to almost certainly be worth at least trying to keep around. The question is no longer about whether he sticks around; it's in what capacity. If he's not roster material, he's almost certainly worth keeping an eye on for the practice squad.

Nate Hughes

Q: Does anyone out there need a WR/ST combo specialist?

It's almost a foregone conclusion that Hughes is gone. He's hardworking and versatile, but the Lions have entirely too much talent at the position this year to keep the journeyman Hughes.

Calvin Johnson

Q: Can he possibly get any better?

Calvin Johnson set a season for the ages in 2011, but there were some records left standing that he will assuredly love to take another shot at. Johnson doesn't have to prove anything more, other than how good he can be and for how long.

Lance Long

Q: How many receivers under six feet tall is too many?

Long has had a good camp, though he is likely to end up fighting for a practice squad spot. He's a good receiver, but the Lions have a dearth of receivers that stand around six feet tall (Long is 5' 11"), and most of them have more talent and upside than Long.

Wallace Miles

Q: What should he do after this?

There are a lot of talented receivers in the Lions' camp this year, and they have some difficult decisions to make when it comes time to make final cuts.

Cutting Miles will not be one of those decisions.

Maurice Stovall

Q: Will he get to play at receiver?

Stovall has proven himself as a solid special teamer, but he has also shown up as a reliable receiver. Perhaps more importantly, Stovall is the only receiver on the team with anything even close to Calvin Johnson's build. It could make him a valuable red-zone target, but only if the Lions choose to use him there.

Terrence Toliver

Q: Can he play his way onto the practice squad?

Toliver won't make the roster, but his 6'5" frame makes him an interesting prospect for the practice squad. But even the Lions' practice squad is likely to be dense with talent at receiver. Toliver is going to have to have a strong camp to even get that level of consideration.

Titus Young

Q: How much has he improved, really?

We've all heard just how good Titus Young has looked in camp and OTAs. But is that really going to equate to dominance on the field in the regular season? Have he and Stafford found some chemistry yet?

Young was drafted to be dangerous enough to dominate when teams cycle extra coverage to Johnson. Soon he gets to prove whether he really is that good or just dominating the Lions' secondary in practice.

Tight Ends

Brandon Pettigrew

Q: Is he elite, or just very good?

Pettigrew has been an invaluable piece for the Lions since joining the team in 2009. But despite being a consistent and productive receiving target, he has yet to break into the national discussion of elite tight ends.

Could this be the year he enters the discussion? The tools are there, and he has the quarterback. All that's left is to perform.

Tony Scheffler

Q: Will he see a decrease in playing time, given the talent at WR?

The Lions have compensated for a lack of depth at receiver for the last couple of seasons. However, now that the Lions have quality depth at receiver, you have to wonder if that means less balls coming Scheffler's way, or perhaps even less time on the field. 

Will Heller

Q: Third tight end or H-back?

Heller is just about a lock to be the third tight end on the roster. But will he be a tight end in the truest sense or the H-back tight end/fullback hybrid like last season?

That depends, primarily, on the effectiveness of James Bryant. If Bryant makes the team as a full-time fullback, Heller can focus on being a more traditional tight end.

Nathan Overbay, Alex Gottlieb, Austin Wells

Q: Who wins the preseason?

Of these three players, it is likely that none make the final roster. It is also likely that one makes the practice squad.

Figuring out which one that is almost certainly depends on which one performs in the preseason. The most valuable player in the preseason is the one that makes the practice squad; the rest are most likely looking for new jobs.

Offensive Tackles

Jeff Backus

Q: When does the club come off?

Backus has been playing through much of camp with an injured thumb, an injury that has seen him playing with a hard cast on his right hand. When does he recover from his injury, and will it affect his play in the meantime? We know Backus will start, so all we can do is hope the injury doesn't cause a drop in performance.

Gosder Cherilus

Q: Will he still be the starting RT by the end of this season?

Cherilus is a bit of a lost boy in this time of transition on the Lions' offensive line. He's the incumbent starter, but has at least three other players pushing for his spot. He's also entering free agency next season. Where he finishes the 2012 season will probably determine what the Lions' intentions for him are for the 2013 offseason.

Jason Fox

Q: Can he stay healthy and does that make him any good?

Fox looks good in camp, but he has always looked good in practice. The question is, and has always been, whether he can stay on the field. If he can, he should by all accounts perform fantastically. If he can't, it might be his final strike.

Corey Hilliard

Q: Is versatility enough?

There is perhaps nobody on the offensive line as versatile as Hilliard, who has proven ability to play at either tackle or guard position. But his ceiling is lower than just about anyone else on the roster. Will the Lions value Hilliard's versatility over the potential of Fox?

Riley Reiff

Q: Where and when does he play?

Reiff is earmarked for a starting job at left tackle. There is very little doubt of that. The question that remains is how soon he develops into it. And before he gets there, does he play right tackle? Guard? Or just shift straight in for Backus when he's ready?

Jonathan Scott

Veteran depth or camp competition?

In another year, he would have been either a starting candidate or a quality veteran backup. He may still be, but he has extremely stiff competition to beat first. It's unclear, really, whether the Lions' intentions for him were to have him compete for a legitimate spot, or just be a veteran camp body.

Offensive Guards

Rodney Austin

Q: Need any help on the practice squad?

I hesitate to blatantly rule any interior linemen out of the running, especially when the Lions are so thin at the position. But there is very little evidence from any of the undrafted free-agent lineman class to show that they have the ability to challenge the Lions' starters, even being as average as they are.

Pat Boyle

Q: Do the Lions want him or not?

Pat Boyle has already been cut by the Lions once this season, but after an apparent change of heart, the Lions invited him back. It's entirely likely that the Lions cut him a second time, which more or less illustrates the harsh reality of being a training camp body.

Jacques McClendon

Q: Is there actually any upside here?

The Lions claimed McClendon off waivers at the end of the 2011 preseason, with the hope that they could mold another big-bodied lineman into a success story.

McClendon didn't get into any game action last season, which raises the question of whether the upside the Lions perceived is actually there. The 2012 preseason will be his first chance to prove his in-game capability.

J.C. Oram

Q: Any chance somebody gets injured?

Oram is the definition of a camp body. The Lions need somebody to take extra reps in camp, and they don't mind spending a few thousand on kicking Oram's tires. But it would take something catastrophic to get Oram on the roster.

Stephen Peterman 

Q: Is there a reason the Lions haven't moved to replace him?

I've been down on Steven Peterman as the weak link on the offensive line for a couple of years now. But despite how poor his play has appeared to be, the Lions keep him around and make no move to so much as challenge his spot on the line. Perhaps this year, he will show why.

Rob Sims

Q: How will his added weight adjust his game?

Reportedly, Sims has added about 15-20 pounds of extra weight over the offseason (on purpose), and is adjusting to playing with that added bulk in training camp.

The big question is whether that added weight helps or hurts him in the long run. Bulk is typically good for an interior lineman, but he needs to ensure that it doesn't hinder his mobility or drive off the line.

Centers

Dylan Gandy

Q: How long can he maintain his role as the undisputed backup center?

Gandy hasn't been greatly threatened by anybody in his tenure as the Lions' backup center. Gandy is moderately talented and brings the versatility to play any interior line position, which the Lions love.

But still, the Lions have already begun their offensive line rebuilding project on the outside, and while there is no apparent challenger to Gandy this year, it's only a matter of time for the 30-year-old, whose days of upside are long past.

Dan Gerberry

Q: Can he outplay the young guards on the roster?

Last season, the Lions took exactly two interior linemen into the regular season: Gandy and Gerberry (Jacques McClendon joined after roster cuts, but was subsequently deactivated). The Lions took a pair of backup centers because they each had the capability to play guard.

But realistically, the Lions have no need of two backup centers for the sturdy Dominic Raiola, who has missed time only once in his career. If Gerberry is outperformed by one of the Lions' young guard prospects, that could be it for Gerberry.

Dominic Raiola

Q: Can grit, technique and football IQ still compensate for Raiola's lack of size and advancing age?

Raiola has carved out a very good, sustained NFL career for himself as the Detroit Lions' starting center. Despite his size, he has used intelligence, technique and excellent upper-body strength to outwit players with a size advantage.

But now that Raiola is in his mid-30s, the toll of taking on 300-pounders for the last decade is going to start to show, and when it does, Raiola will decline rapidly. Despite his issues, he's serviceable for now. But if he falls into decline, it's going to get ugly quickly.

Defensive Ends

Cliff Avril

Q: Will turning down a $30 million contract to earn a bigger payday be a boom or bust decision?

No matter what happens, you have to respect the fact that Avril had the guts to bet on himself, take his future into his own hands and say, "I'm worth more than what you're offering me, and I'm going to go out and prove it."

That's what he did by turning down a three-year, $30 million contract to play on the franchise tag. If he has another great year, it'll prove to be a great decision. If he doesn't, he may lose money in the long run. But for now, he's extra motivated to perform. As if winning wasn't enough motivation for him.

Everette Brown

Q: Do the Lions have need of a sixth defensive end?

Brown has played relatively well to this point, and may well be starting material on a similar team with less talent.

Unfortunately for him, he's in camp with the Lions and no matter how good he is, he's going to find it difficult supplanting Avril, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Lawrence Jackson, Willie Young or even rookie Ronnell Lewis. The best shot he has is convincing the team through his play that they need a sixth DE, perhaps while Lewis develops.

Ugo Chinasa

Q: When does the next flight out of Detroit leave?

Not to be crass, but Chinasa has about as much of a chance of making this defensive end rotation as R.J. Archer does of being the Lions' opening day starting quarterback. Nothing against Chinasa, there are just exceptionally high barriers to entry.

Lawrence Jackson

Q: Is he starter material or just a very good rotational player?

Jackson has been the Lions' primary backup at DE basically since he arrived in Detroit. The Lions salvaged him after he was a first-round bust with Seattle, but it's no longer clear where his ceiling is.

Jackson has been a solid rotational player, but is that his peak? With Kyle Vanden Bosch aging and Cliff Avril's 2013 status in question, does Jackson have starting potential?

Ronnell Lewis

Q: Can he play with his hand in the dirt?

Lewis was a rush linebacker at Oklahoma, and the Lions want him to line up with his hand in the dirt as a wide-9 defensive end. Intriguing, since burst and speed are two of the most important attributes at either position. But it remains to be seen how that transition goes.

Edmon McClam

Q: Is there any room on Chinasa's flight?

Again, regardless of McClam's camp performance, he has almost no shot. Practice squad is optimistic for both Chinasa and him.

Kyle Vanden Bosch

Q: Will he start to see decreases in playing time?

Vanden Bosch is still a very good player and a great leader. The Lions are in need of both of those. But Vanden Bosch is also a guy who has built his entire career on effort and toughness, and it seems like his body is starting to wear down.

With Jackson and Young both rounding into very good players, the Lions could start taking snaps away from Vanden Bosch, both to work the talented youngsters into the game, and to keep Vanden Bosch himself fresher for longer.

Willie Young

Q: Is he the next Avril?

Young is a pure speed rusher who does one thing and does it well: speed rush off the edge to get to the quarterback. Avril is much the same. But with all the controversy and uncertainty of Avril's contract (or lack thereof), many are wondering if Young could fill Avril's shoes for less money without sacrificing production.

Defensive Tackles

Nick Fairley

Q: Can he recover from a poor career start and play like a first-round pick?

Fairley's pro career started with an injury-filled season and an offseason filled with trouble. Now that he has gone through the downs of his career, it's time for him to show some ups. The Lions didn't draft him in the first round to nurse a foot injury and get arrested.

Andre Fluellen

Q: Is this finally the year he gets cut?

Fluellen has been the last option on the offensive line for about the last three years, but each year, he manages to make it back on the team.

Last year, he made it primarily because of the injury to Fairley. This year, he has a shot because of Fairley's likely incoming suspension. But still, Fluellen is the odd man out. The question is whether the Lions are planning on having an odd man out.

Sammie Hill

Q: How much more upside does he have?

Hill has improved steadily over his first three seasons in the league, and one thing that we have learned is that he seems to play better in fewer snaps off the bench. But if he continues improving at his current rate, he will start looking like more than a solid rotational player. Does he improve to star quality, or plateau at his current level?

Ndamukong Suh

Q: Will the real Suh please stand up?

Suh was excellent as a rookie, and followed it up with what can only be described as a sophomore slump. The question on everyone's mind is about which Suh will show up in 2012: the 2010 rookie standout or the 2011 hotheaded disappointment?

Corey Williams

Q: Will his playing time decrease with a healthy Fairley?

Of course, it will. Everyone's will. That's what it means when you add a player to a rotation. But Williams presumably has the most to lose, with Fairley likely to make a push for Williams' spot on the depth chart.

That doesn't necessarily mean Williams will miss starts, but the number of snaps he plays after that start seems likely to decline in favor of Fairley.

Linebackers

Justin Durant

Q: Is his job in danger?

The Lions' starting lineup is pretty well set at linebacker, but that doesn't mean it's safe. The Lions have quietly gathered a collection of young talent that could be the new outside linebacker corps in the near future. Durant is a clear starter out of training camp, but how often should he be looking over his shoulder?

Doug Hogue

Q: Is he ready to be a major part of the defense?

Last year, Hogue was raw, having had just two years of career experience at the linebacker position at any level. He earned his keep as a special teamer and remained mostly quiet. Now, he appears to be the Lions' best option as a reserve linebacker, so the question is, has he developed enough to be ready for it?

DeAndre Levy

Q: How well will Levy perform now that he gets back-to-back seasons at the same position?

Levy busted out of the gates as a rookie, making Ernie Sims look expendable in only a single season. Then he got shifted to middle linebacker for the 2010 season, and then back outside for 2011.

In 2012, Levy will remain on the outside, and given his up-and-down performance over his first three years, it's possible that the consistency helps him.

Travis Lewis

Q: Roster or practice squad?

Lewis has too much talent to just cut. The team will keep him on in some capacity. The question is, what capacity is that? He has talent, but whether he stays on the roster depends on whether he can show promise in the defense and play well on special teams.

Carmen Messina

Q: "Can I get another shot on special teams, coach?"

After the last two drafts, the Lions are pretty much up to their ears in young linebacker projects. The only way they will take another one on—and an undrafted player, no less—is if somebody gets injured or he comes up big as a special teamer to beat out Ashlee Palmer.

Slade Norris

Q: Is this his last chance?

Norris was a fourth-round pick for the Oakland Raiders in 2009. He spent a part of last season on the Lions' practice squad, but now that he is entering his fourth year of NFL service, he is no longer eligible for the practice squad. That means it's roster or bust for Norris, and there's not much to like about his chances.

Ashlee Palmer

Q: Is his special teams play enough?

Palmer isn't exactly a stud special teamer like John Wendling, but he's above average. What we don't know is whether that's enough for a guy who is ordinary at best in the defense.

Palmer is still young, so if he flashes some upside, he has a good chance to stick around for another year. If not, he'll have to hope he's good enough on special teams to warrant a roster spot.

Ronnie Sneed

Q: "How about me, coach? Can I get more reps on kick coverage?"

Basically, see the section on Carmen Messina.

Stephen Tulloch

Q: How bad/recurring is this knee tendonitis?

Tulloch is recovering from knee tendonitis that has been bothering him since May, and that is concerning.

While it's true players will stay out of training camp (especially veterans) with minor injuries to get them fully recovered by the regular season, the fact that Tulloch has been missing practices to nurse this issue for almost three months is not good with the regular season less than a month away.

Is Tulloch really okay, or is this going to be another Louis Delmas situation?

Tahir Whitehead

Q: How fast can he learn the defense?

If you believe everything Gunther Cunningham says (and maybe you shouldn't), Tahir Whitehead is an incredibly gifted athlete who could contribute to the defense sooner rather than later.

If that's the case, then the only thing standing between him and contributing to the defense is learning how to play in an NFL defense. If he does that, he could be in line to start by next season or sooner.

Cornerbacks

Bill Bentley

Q: How soon can he start?

Gunther Cunningham has an oft-discussed distaste (or phobia, some would say) of playing rookies on defense, particularly in the secondary. But the talent level across from Chris Houston is not very high, and Bentley is the guy with the most upside (if not the most talent already). How soon is too soon for Bentley to get in the game as a starter?

Drew Coleman

Q: Is he here for veteran depth or special teams? Both?

Coleman is one of two veteran signings that the Lions made shortly after the release of Aaron Berry. He has about an equal amount of experience at nickel corner and on special teams. Which position are the Lions most interested in having him battle for?

Jonte Green

Q: Is a third rookie cornerback one too many?

The Lions are almost assuredly going to carry Bill Bentley and Chris Greenwood into the regular season. Bentley will play some, and Greenwood is too talented to pass up in terms of measurables.

But can the Lions justify taking yet another rookie project cornerback, when the corner position is among the least stable on the team?

Chris Greenwood

Q: How much seasoning does he need?

After showing elite-level workout numbers to go with very good cornerback size, Greenwood looks like perhaps the corner with the highest ceiling on the team.

But having played his college ball at tiny Albion, he needs some work to go from small-town college ball to NFL speed. But will we measure his progression in weeks or years?

Chris Houston

Q: Were the interceptions numbers in 2011 an anomaly or a sign of him turning the corner?

Houston had five interceptions in 2011, topping his career total of four. Not his career high, but his career total. After four interceptions in four seasons, Houston pulled down five interceptions in one season (two for touchdowns).

Does that mean Houston has learned those invaluable ball skills we all hear about? Or did he just find himself in front of a few more bad passes?

Jacob Lacey

Q: Did the Colts' defense make him look bad or vice-versa?

Lacey didn't exactly play for the most talented team in football last year in the Colts, and the Lions are banking that he was better than his system or his teammates allowed him to be.

Because of that, Lacey may have an inside track to start out of training camp, but if that's the case, will he earn his keep?

Justin Miller

Q: Will he show rust after two years out of the game?

One of the Lions' moves after releasing Aaron Berry was to pick up Miller, a nickel corner and return man who hasn't played since being released during roster cuts in 2010.

Smart money is on him not making the roster, but it will be interesting to see if Miller can still play a little after a two-year break.

Alphonso Smith

Q: Where can he be effective with his diminutive frame?

Even for a cornerback, Smith is small at 5'9", and that raises questions about where Smith fits into the secondary. Opinions range anywhere from making Smith a starting corner to cutting him off the roster entirely. He could fit at nickel corner, but so could most of the rest of the position group.

Ross Weaver

Q: Why did the Lions change their minds?

Weaver was with the Lions last year on the practice squad, then released when the team signed Coleman, then signed again a few days later with the team releasing Dontrell Johnson instead.

So the question is, why? What would make the Lions make such a special point to change their minds on a player like Weaver? Did they see something they were interested in keeping, or was it just another camp body move?

Safeties

Don Carey

Q: Was the move from cornerback worth it?

Carey made the decision to move to safety thinking it would improve his chances at making the roster. While it's too early to say whether the strategy was a success, the chronic health issues the Lions seem to have with their safeties seems to suggest it was a sound strategy.

Of course, that's all irrelevant if Carey doesn't make the roster, and he is a longshot under any circumstances.

Erik Coleman

Q: Is he a starter, or a depth player?

Last year, it seemed like Coleman was not intended as much other than a quality depth addition as Louis Delmas and Amari Spievey grew up together at safety.

But now, Delmas is hurt and Spievey is practicing with the second team. Coleman is slotted as a starter for the Lions' first preseason game and if he performs well there, that might be where he stays.

Louis Delmas

Q: Will the health issues never cease?

Part of the reason Delmas has not yet realized his considerable potential is that he can't seem to play 16 games without fighting through (or missing games because of) some debilitating injury.

And so, right on time, Delmas is recovering from knee surgery before the season even begins. At least he's getting it taken care of before the season, but this doesn't appear to be an isolated issue. These types of injuries are the things that shorten or damage careers.

Sean Jones

Q: Can he beat Coleman for a spot?

Things aren't looking good for Sean Jones so far in Lions' training camp. The veteran safety, who mirrors Coleman is many ways, is buried on the depth chart, while Coleman starts in a preseason game.

But Jones hasn't had a chance to prove himself on the field, nor much time to learn the playbook off the field. He could still prove valuable. Regardless, Coleman is the man to beat. The Lions aren't likely to take two 30-year-old former starters of mediocre quality into the season.

Ricardo Silva

Q: If he has another breakout preseason, will the Lions take notice?

Silva lit up opposing offenses in limited playing time last offseason, and got a lot of fans on his side. He was subsequently cut and remained on the practice squad for much of last season.

If Silva performs similarly to last season, will the Lions bite and take him on the roster or turn their noses up a second time?

Amari Spievey

Q: Is he improving or regressing?

After some shaky performances in 2011, Spievey finds himself practicing with the second-team defensive unit. Perhaps this is simply a way to shame him into polishing up his play, or perhaps he's regressing. Either way, Spievey's play over the next month is likely something to keep an eye on.

John Wendling 

Q: Can he actually play defense?

I have spent much of the offseason poking fun at Wendling's ability to actually play safety. Apparently, it's not as crazy as it sounds.

The Lions are going to try using Wendling as a starting safety against the Browns, as he has apparently made strides on defense. If Wendling adds "capable defender" to his resume, which already includes "All-Pro-quality special-teams coverage man," he will be even more worth his roster spot than he already is.

Special Teamers

Jason Hanson (K)

Q: How many all-time records are within his reach before his career ends?

Nobody knows exactly how much longer Hanson has on his career clock, but depending on how long he does have, he is in good shape to move up as high as third on the NFL's all-time scoring list.

There are also records for seasons and games played with a single team that Hanson has broken or is on the verge of breaking. It will be fun to see what Hanson is able to accomplish in the twilight of his career. At this point, he's compiling his Canton resume.

Derek Dimke (K)

Q: How good is Jason Hanson?

Having Dimke on the roster is a formality, and everybody knows it. Hanson is still an effective kicker, and he will leave when he is good and ready.

Ryan Donahue (P)

Q: Can he return to form after his injury?

Donahue beat out longtime Lions punter Nick Harris last season in what was largely a cost-cutting move. But Donahue got cut, and the Lions signed stopgap punter Ben Graham.

That would have been fine, except that Graham was excellent last year, and we now have a genuine camp battle on our hands. If Donahue picks up where he left off, he should win handily. If not...

Ben Graham (P)

Q: Was his stopgap performance in 2011 enough to earn him another year?

As mentioned, Graham was very good for the Lions after they lost Donahue for the season. What Graham's punts lacked in sheer power and distance, they made up for in tumbling action and favorable bounces.

Graham is far from the favorite in this battle, but Donahue's triumph is far from a foregone conclusion.

Don Muhlbach (LS)

Q: Why is it so lonely on the depth chart?

Muhlbach is the only long snapper on the depth chart because he's really good at it. The Lions have no intention of having anyone else in that role this year. All he has to wonder about is whether the Lions will sign him to another one-year deal next season.