NFL Draft 2010: Detroit Lions Need Help on Both Sides of the Ball

This article was written originally for MLive.com

Fellow Detroit Lions blogger, Al Beaton, wrote a great piece this week about the Lions' rebuilding plans. His argument was that the Lions need to get back to their dominant defensive roots.

Although I am a bit younger than Big Al, I have faint memories of the stout defenses of the mid-nineties.

Big Al was right on a lot of points. But let's play devil's advocate for a few hundred words.

The Lions may need plenty of help on defense.

The Lions need plenty of help on offense too.

Jeff Backus and Dominic Raiola are above average players, at best. Both guard positions could use an upgrade. Second-year tackle, Gosder Cherilus took a step back in 2009. Overall the talent and depth on the offensive line is laughable – maybe not so laughable if you're a certain rookie quarterback, nursing a few hundred injuries.

Running back could be a priority as well, especially if Kevin Smith starts 2010 on the PUP list. When healthy, Smith has been good, but not great. Remember the Lions also have a longstanding tradition of stellar running backs as well (Barry Sanders, Billy Sims, Doak Walker).

Who's to say the Lions couldn't rebuild by returning to that root as well?

Last but not least, the receiver corps is in shambles. No one wants the Lions to look toward Dez Bryant in the first round. However, Jeremy Williams, Brandon LaFell (second round) or Jacoby Ford (third round) would be great pickups. Calvin Bryant Johnson is currently attracting triple coverage.

How effective could he and quarterback Matthew Stafford be in those conditions?

But defense wins championships, right?

Actually, that isn't how teams are always built. Take a quick gander at this year's Super Bowl.

Indianapolis drafted Peyton Manning in 1998 with the first overall pick. In 1999, Edgerrin James was selected with pick number four. In 2001, the Colts went back to the offensive well and took Reggie Wayne.

During that time span, the Colts stayed in the top five, offensively, and in the bottom half of the league, defensively. Down the road, in 2006, the Colts won the Super Bowl with the second best offense and the 23rd ranked defense.

Then there's the New Orleans Saints.

In 2006, New Orleans imported Drew Brees and Reggie Bush. That year, they managed a fifth-ranked offense and the 13th best defense. In 2007, the Saints drafted Robert Meachem and signed Pierre Thomas. In 2008, New Orleans grabbed Jeremy Shockey. All that time, the Saints defense was never better than 20th.

Super Bowl XLIV is matching up the 18th (Indianapolis) and the 25th (New Orleans) ranked defenses. Those same teams boast the No. 9 and No. 1 offenses.

Defense wins championships?

Not this year.

Don't take this the wrong way, Detroit's defense needs help.

There isn't a bigger proponent out there of Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. I'm the same guy who (strongly) advocated picking Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry last off season. As it turned out, drafting Curry instead of Stafford would have been a pretty big mistake.

If the Lions draft eight defensive players and sign four defensive free agents, no one will hear me complaining.

But consider a few scenarios that don't include defense.

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