Detroit Lions Season Review: Top 10 Underrated Lions
In most NFL cities a 6-10 season is cause for a complete housecleaning. In Detroit things are a little different...the victory parade down Woodward Avenue is scheduled for next week. In all honesty, the Lions 2010 season leaves a lot more to be optimistic about than the record shows. The 2010 Lions improved drastically in all statistical categories compared to the 2008 and 2009 teams. Points allowed were way down (-125) and points scored were way up (+100) all this without the fragile franchise QB for nearly all of the season and missing several key starters on defense for much of the season. Going into next season, a lot of pieces are in place and for the first time in years a major overhaul doesn't appear necessary. The following is a list of my top 10 underrated players on the 2010 team. Note: A couple deserving guys (Stefan Logan and John Wendling) were left off intentionally since they were pro-bowl alternates.
10. Amari Spievey
1 of 10
Spievey, a 3rd round pick out of Iowa, converted from CB to S in the preseason. To say he struggled early in the season is an understatement. Being benched for an already benched CC Brown (yes THAT CC Brown) can't be a good thing. However, Spievey adjusted well as the season went on and had a couple of key interceptions during the 4 game winning streak. He finished with 51 tackles despite limited action early in the season. With glaring needs at CB and OLB, Spievey might have pushed the need for a starting SS down the list.
9. Bobby Carpenter
2 of 10
Carpenter, a high profile 1st round wash out with the Dallas Cowboys, was picked up off waivers by the Lions mid season. Anyone in their right mind would have said Carpenter was on an express train to the UFL. Carpenter floundered at the bottom of the Lions roster for several weeks before being pressed into action after injuries to Zack Follet and subsequently Landon Johnson. He's another guy who played well during the winning streak, especially after being named a starter in weeks 16 and 17. If he resigns, he could provide great depth at the LB spot.
8. Corey Hilliard
3 of 10
Four starts and four wins for this guy at right tackle. If you thought Gosder Cherilus was on the chopping block before, wait until next season. Cherilus will seriously have his hands full trying to retain his starting RT position next year as Hilliard will likely be the favorite going into camp (assuming Hilliard is resigned). The Lions never seemed to effectively run the ball until Hilliard was named starter. Ironically, Cherilus was drafted in the first round in 2008, a full 5 rounds earlier than than Hilliard was drafted in 2007. However, one was picked by Matt Millen and the other was picked by the Patriots...guess who took whom.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
7. Maurice Morris
4 of 10
For the 2nd straight year, Mo-Mo was thrust into a starting position after nagging injuries to Jahvid Best and another IR'd season for Kevin Smith. Morris seems to have a knack for the end zone and runs hard. He's probably not the guy you want starting, but definitely a guy you want on your team thanks to a great work ethic and attitude...something that has traditionally eluded players on the Lions. If the Lions bring in a power back this offseason, they'll have to choose between keeping Smith or Morris. I'd take Morris in a heartbeat.
6. Dave Rayner
5 of 10
Anyone who kicks the field goal to end "the streak" deserves a mention. After "Eveyone's Favorite Lion before Suh" (Jason Hanson) went to the IR, Rayner was seen as just another guy. However, he was consistent after being signed and caught fire at the end of the season, hitting the game tying and game winning field goals in Tampa, a late game tying field goal in Miami and a 55 yarder in the finale against the Vikings. He's going to give the Lions something the seriously think about if Jason Hanson decides to try to comeback. On one hand how do you cut Rayner for a guy nearing retirement, but on the other hand...how do you cut the Lions all-time leading scorer?
5. Ashlee Palmer
6 of 10
Here's another highly unheralded guy that has likely earned a spot on next years team. He seemed to improved as the season moved on and played the way Julian Peterson SHOULD have played late in the year. He had a monster game week 17 against the the Vikings. You know any dude with a first name of Ashlee has to have a mean streak.
4. Rob Sims
7 of 10
The say the Lions Left Guard postition was an issue before 2010 is like saying Lindsey Lohan's career has hit a mild bump in the road. The LG position has been a revolving door for nearly a decade. Sims was acquired from Seattle for a couple late picks and a current UFL Player and has solidified LG for years to come thanks to a contract extention. The Sims deal is another key indicator that Martin Mayhew knows what he's doing and listened to nothing Matt Millen said.
3. Nate Burleson
8 of 10
If you just look at the stats, you might say this is too high a ranking for Burleson. He signed a huge contract this past offseason that was met with scorn from the national media and bewilderment from fans. You see 55 catches, 625 yards, 6 TDs...ehh...so what? The thing with Burleson is what you don't see with the stats...blocking cornerbacks 30 yards downfield, bowling over safeties to get in the endzone, popping off 30 yard end arounds, and so on. Burleson not only did the little things on the field, but became a team leader and one of the most recognizable players on the team. He's been a great addition to the team.
2. Shaun Hill
9 of 10
(Honorable Mention to Drew Stanton here too)
The worst thing about the Shaun Hill trade is his uncanny resemblance to Scott Mitchell. Hill proved to be something Mitchell never was though, a tough leader that guys played hard for. Throw Drew Stanton into the mix, and the Lions showed they have one of the deeper QB cores in the NFL. They both played through injuries and really imbodied what Detroit as a whole is...underdogs. Hill pretty much kept the Lions in every game he played and for the 2010 season alone, proved to be probably the most important acquistion of the offseason. After seeing the QB situation in San Fransisco derail Mike Singeltary's career, do you think he doesn't regret trading Hill for nothing? The best thing about Hill is that should Matt Stafford really prove to be a walking seperated shoulder, fans know that Hill can fill in and the team can win with him. If you listen close, you'll already hear rumblings that Hill should be the starter next year.
1. Brandon Pettigrew
10 of 10
Here's a draft pick I was completely wrong about. I too screamed for Michael Oher at #20 in the 2009 draft, but despite the drops, Pettigrew has been a monster combo Tight End for Lions. If you think Calvin Johnson is big, look at Brandon Pettigrew. He's open more than 7/11 but probably only die hard fantasy football fans know who Pettigrew is outside of Detroit. The fact that Pettigrew received no Pro-Bowl consideration is surprising. He broke the Lions single season record for receptions by a TE. The most amazing thing about Pettigrew's season is when you consider he had major knee surgery last year. He's an anchor for this team going forward.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")