The 2009 Detroit Lions Positional Outlook: Defensive Backs

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.

Until the addition of Larry Foote, no position group had seen such a drastic makeover as the Detroit Lions' defensive backfield. Phillip Buchanon, Anthony Henry, and Eric King were all added. Louis Delmas was drafted into an immediate starting role. Daniel Bullocks is healthy.

In nickel situations, five out of five players will be completely different in 2009.

It is important to understand that, talent-wise, this was a lateral move. This is not to say there is not more pure talent this year. Rather, the talent in '08 was average talent that fit the scheme. In '09 there is average overall talent.

Martin Mayhew and Co. had to add a different kind of talent before they could worry about adding more talent. Rod Marinelli had stocked the roster with physical defensive backs, deficient in coverage and lacking in overall skill.

Leigh Bodden was the only holdover who would have had value to coach Jim Schwartz, but he didn't want to stay in Detroit. He made that clear and was no longer worth his roster bonus.

Which of these defensive backs will be back in 2010? Beyond?

The Starters

Phillip Buchanon (5'11", 186 pounds): First Round, 2002, Oakland Raiders

The parade of former first round picks continues!

Buchanon was considered damaged goods and "busted" until a great 2008. The problem: He spent 2008 in Tampa Bay, playing the defensive system the Lions just gave up.

The scouting report on Buchanon has him as one of the more athletic corners in the league with the ability to be a great lockdown corner. He's shown flashes of that in his career but never for a full season.

There is a stigma around former Oakland players—an assumption that their biggest problem was being a Raider. I'll admit, I subscribe to it as well. Something about the water around the County Coliseum causes people to underachieve.

If the 28-year-old can show consistently exceptional play in 2009, he will be a fixture in Detroit.

Anthony Henry (6'1", 207 pounds): Fourth Round, 2001, Cleveland Browns

Henry entered the league only a year before Buchanon, but is four years older—32. Because of his age, he is not a long-term solution in Detroit but rather a placeholder.

He was acquired from Dallas. Fans can complain that Henry isn't what we were looking for, but they should consider that Lions brass pulled a miracle getting anything for Jon Kitna.

Henry is a tough, physical corner who can also play safety in a pinch. He will alternate with Buchanon on No. 1 receivers depending on their body type. Henry does not have the top-end speed of Buchanon but is more apt to cover taller, more physical receivers. 

Most importantly, Henry is a smart player. He recognizes routes long before the rest of a defense and knows NFC receivers' tendencies.

Most of Henry's best football is behind him. His replacement is probably already on the roster—Eric King. Yet, his presence gives the front office one to two offseasons without having to worry about depth at the cornerback or safety positions.

Louis Delmas (5'11", 202 pounds): Second Round, 2009, Detroit Lions

Delmas comes to the Lions from the Western Michigan Broncos with a lot of hype. He was not on the draft radar of a lot of fans until MLive.com beat writer Tom Kowalski began to hype the pick. His stock, in the minds of fans, soared.

He is a Bob Sanders-type prospect. Delmas is too small to do a ton of hitting, but he does it so well. Very aggressive, very tough, exceptional hitter; he is the newest in a line of safeties meant to scare the you-know-what out of wide receivers.

Delmas' most overlooked ability is his hands. He is a talented ball hawk who should get plenty of chances to compete for jump balls in his career. He is able to cover tight ends and third wide receivers with ease.

He will struggle with instincts early on in his career. Expect him to make mistakes. His value is in his future more than his present. Fans who expect too much, too soon, will sour on him.

If fans, and the team brass, keep Delmas in perspective, they will be rewarded with a great player down the road. He is one of the few building blocks on the roster.

Daniel Bullocks (6'0", 212 pounds): Second Round, 2006, Detroit Lions

Bullocks has started 22 games—at both strong and free safety— in his Lions career.

Bullocks should have every opportunity to start alongside Louis Delmas, and the two will alternate between run support and center field.

Bullocks was drafted in 2006 with much of the same upside and tools as Delmas. Injuries and poor talent around him have hurt his development.

The biggest knock against Bullocks is his "rookie" mistakes. He has all the athleticism a starting safety needs, but he hurts the team when he blows the coverage. The coaching staff hopes a more traditional safety role—outside of the Tampa 2—will give him a new lease on NFL life.

Bullocks needs to show his worth throughout 2009 and prove he is in the Lions' long-term plans. He still has plenty of upside, and the Lions brass has bigger worries right now.

The Reserves

Eric King

A backup brought over to Detroit with Jim Schwartz, King has plenty of talent. King is a bona fide player who could start for many teams in the NFL. Situationally, he will get plenty of playing time at the nickelback position and at cornerback if Henry switches over to safety. A great depth move by the young management staff.

Keith Smith

Of all Detroit Lions, Smith is the best with the ball in the air. His talents did not translate to the Tampa 2. Fans misconstrue his ball skills as man-coverage skills, which they're not. He struggles to stay with receivers and bites frequently on double moves.

Smith will be the primary backup to one of the cornerback positions and probably play dime back. It is also notable that he was fourth on the team in special team tackles in 2008.

Gerald Alexander

Valuable in run support, Alexander stepped in for an injured Bullocks—starting 16 games in 2007. Injured for most of 2008, he is a wild card this year. He is able to play all four backfield positions and has the tools to be a great special teamer. He will have his most value rotating in as strong safety in the red zone.

The Rest

Ramzee Robinson

2007's Mr. Irrelevant is a valuable gunner on special teams. Training camp will decide if Robinson, who has little upside for defense, is worth a roster spot.

Dexter Wynn

May take Robinson's roster spot because he is equally good on special team coverage as well as being depth for the cornerback and returner positions.

Kalvin Pearson

Started 10 games in 2008 and was part of the problem, not the solution. Will need to play extremely well in camp to keep a roster spot.

Stuart Schweigert

The Saginaw native has a ton of top-end speed and had a bunch of starts for the Raiders in past years. Will need to show special teams ability to stay in Honolulu Blue.

Overall

Special teams concerns will decide just how many defensive backs the Lions will keep on the roster. I personally only see one cut in the above players—Pearson. With the outlawing of the wedge, it will be easier for speedier, smaller players to get to the ball carrier.

Buchanon is a huge question mark. If he finally showcases some of the skills that made him a first-round pick, it would be a big step in the right direction for the Lions.

Down the road, decisions will need to be made about Henry and the other safety position. Eric King and Gerald Alexander are some of the best backups the Lions have had in a while, but the Lions reportedly have higher standards now.

The Lions will continue to add talent in the defensive backfield, but for now, this is one of the more athletic backfields they have had in a long time. The talent in '09 is not dependent on any type of scheme. Their coverage will be key in giving the front seven time to get to the ball carrier.