NFL Two-A-Days: Detroit Lions 2010 Season Preview

This idea originated from ESPN's Mike & Mike. Same format, my answers. I will now preview the Detroit Lions.

1. Will Matthew Stafford take a step in the right direction in 2010?

Stafford showed a lot of guts his rookie year without help. Stafford has all the physical tools along with the mental tools and the "it" factor. Now with some help, Stafford should continue to improve and will become the franchise QB.

2. Can free agent addition Nate Burleson be the best thing for Calvin Johnson? 

He should take some double (sometimes triple) teams off "Megatron," which is desperately needed. If the Lions make Burleson a deep threat, he'll get some coverages shifting his way. If he does that, then that makes for a more productive season from Calvin Johnson.

3. Can rookie RB Jahvid Best and Tony Scheffler open up the Lions' offense?

Jahvid Best gives the Lions' running game a playmaking dimension it has been missing for a while. Tony Scheffler gives them a quality second tight end after Brandon Pettigrew, which most teams have nowadays. They open up the offense by spreading out the weapons.

4. Can the additions of Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosch (among others) improve the defense? 

Jim Schwartz is trying to recreate the defense he had while with the Titans. Ndamukong Suh will play the role of Albert Haynesworth, as the man who hogs the attention in the middle. Kyle Vanden Bosch will play, well, himself, as the relentless pass rusher. Julian Peterson will play the role of Keith Bulluck, who is the playmaking linebacker.

As a Falcons fan, I question if Chris Houston is a legit starting corner. The other cornerback spot is questionable as well. Louis Delmas is expected to play the role of Michael Griffin, the young and emerging playmaker at free safety. This defense needs help in its secondary, but the rest looks pretty solid.

5. Record?

6-10, third in the NFC North. Yes, Lions fans, I didn't put fourth in the NFC North!