Lions Defense: 2008 Vs 2010

The 2008 defense. The one that gave up a league record 517 points. Lets look at the 2008 starters on defense versus the projected starters for the upcoming season. On the line they had Jared DeVries, Chuck Darby, Cory Redding, and Dewayne White. The current D-line appears to be Ndamukong Suh, Corey Williams, Kyle Vanden Bosch, and Cliff Avril. Suh and Williams are a clear upgrade over Darby, and Redding. They should be able to clog up the middle making it difficult for opponents to run on the Lions. Vanden Bosch, will be a slight upgrade over DeWayne White. Avril is young, and still has an opportunity to prove himself. This line should produce more sacks, and less yards rushing against for 2010.

The Linebacking corps that finished the 2008 season was Paris Lenon, Ernie Sims, and Ryan Nece. Gone, gone, and gone, replaced by Julian Peterson, DeAndre Levy, and Zack Follett. Peterson gives the Lions veteran leadership that the '08 team lacked. Levy had a surprisingly good year last year and should get better. If Follett can prove himself as a starter, this group of starters will be very menacing, and the missed tackles will result into fewer yards gained against.

The secondary of Leigh Bodden, Brian Kelly, Keith Smith, and Kalvin Pearson, had a grand total of 1 interception. This is unacceptable for any teams starters. Projected 2010 starters, Chris Houston, Ko Simpson, Louis Delmas, and Amari Spievey, will get more interceptions, partly because of the improved defensive line giving opposing quarterbacks less time to sit in the pocket, and because Delmas showed last season, he is going to be a star in this league, Houston is a proven starter, and Spievey has the potential.

Hopefully when January rolls around, the Lions will once again be a respectable team, and somewhat feared in the National Football League.