Detroit Lions 53-Player Roster

OK, the last preseason game is now in the books. I’ve been getting pestered about my 53-player roster so I thought I’d go out on a limb with a saw.

There will be some tough cuts as some savvy veterans empty out their lockers for the last time.

Final cuts are due tomorrow. Here is my 2011 edition of the Detroit Lions.

Note that asterisks denote players who are eligible for the PUP list.

Quarterbacks (3)

Matthew Stafford

Shaun Hill

Drew Stanton

Cut: Zac Robinson

Enough said.

Running Back (5)

Jahvid Best

Maurice Morris*

Aaron Brown

Jerome Harrison

Stefan Logan

Cut: Ian Johnson, Matt Clapp

The fifth running back spot will be a place saver for Logan, who could be included at receiver or special teams. Clapp could be temporarily retained if Morris is PUP’d.

The Lions have eliminated the fullback position (something we thought might happen last year), and Matt Clapp’s job with it. Call it downsizing.

Tight Ends (3)

Brandon Pettigrew

Tony Scheffler

Will Heller

Cut: Joe Jon Finley, Gijon Robinson

Finley had a fine camp and might make an NFL practice squad.

Heller is that blocking tight end who will get some snaps as an “H” back, or fullback.

Wide Receivers (5)

Calvin Johnson

Nate Burleson

Titus Young

Maurice Stovall

Rashied Davis

Cut: Derrick Williams, Nate Hughes, Tim Toone

Davis’ contributions on special teams give him the nod over Nate Hughes.  Williams finally busts out.

Offensive Tackles (5)

Jeff Backus

Gosder Cherilus

Jason Fox*

Corey Hilliard

Johnny Culbreath

Cut: Kirk Chambers

Hilliard has developed into a nice swing tackle option who can also play guard.

Culbreath has shown enough in the preseason to keep as a tackle-guard developmental project.

Offensive Guards (2)

Stephen Peterman

Rob Sims

Cut: Donald Thomas, Rudy Niswanger.

Hilliard and Culbreath add depth at guard. Niswanger could be added to another team’s roster.

Offensive Centers (2)

Dominic Raiola

Dylan Gandy

Cut: Dan Gerberry, Chris Morris

Gerberry’s run with Detroit comes to an end.

Defensive Ends (4)

Cliff Avril

Kyle Vanden Bosch

Lawrence Jackson

Willie Young

Cut: Narada Williams, Keyunta Dawson

This group needs no introduction.

Defensive Tackles (5)

Ndamukong Suh

Corey Williams

Sammie Lee Hill

Nick Fairley*

Andre Fluellen

Cut: Robert Callaway, Quinn Pitcock

Fluellen plays every defensive line position as a solid depth player.

Linebackers (6)

DeAndre Levy

Stephen Tulloch

Justin Durant

Bobby Carpenter

Ashlee Palmer

Doug Hogue

Cut: Isaiah Ekejiuba, Caleb Campbell, Cobrani Mixon

There will be no room for Ekejiuba on the most improved unit on the Lions team.

Cornerbacks (5)

Chris Houston

Eric Wright

Aaron Berry

Alphonso Smith*

Brandon McDonald

Cut: Paul Pratt, Prince Miller, Nathan Vasher, Anthony Madison

Look for two of the Lions' cuts to find their way onto the practice squad if not claimed. Smith may not be in football shape for four-to-six weeks yet.

Safeties (5)

Louis Delmas

Amari Spievey

Erik Coleman

John Wendling

Ricardo Silva

Cut: Aaron Fransisco

The Lions can defer a decision on Silva until cornerback Alphonso Smith returns to the roster. Then, the Lions must decide who to cut: Silva or Coleman.

Special Teams (3)

Long snapper: Don Muhlbach

Punter: Ryan Donehue

Kicker: Jason Hanson

Cut: Nick Harris

Harris gets edged off the roster in his eighth season after Donehue, the 2010 Ray Guy finalist, narrowly beats him out.