Detroit Lions: Titus Young and 5 Players Who Must Improve

Now 6-2 on the season, it is getting harder and harder for detractors to say anything bad about the Detroit Lions.

We are going to try anyway.

While they are good, the Lions are by no means perfect (if they were, they wouldn't have two losses). In order to get better and eventually catch up to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North, some players need to step up their game.

It is time to take a look at those players on the Lions who need to start improving.

Titus Young, WR

Before the haters start hating, I would just like to say that I do not expect Titus Young to perform like he is a veteran wide receiver in only a few weeks playing in the NFL.

I do, however, think he needs to become more consistent in the passing game.

Week 8 against the Denver Broncos, Young posted a very solid performance that was highlighted by a 41-yard touchdown catch. Weeks like that are not the problem.  

It is when he fails to catch a single pass in the previous week against Atlanta that causes fans to scratch their heads. Maybe not so coincidentally, the Detroit Lions lost that game.

If Young becomes more consistent, the passing game becomes even more explosive. Not only will QB Matthew Stafford have yet another reliable target to go along with Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew, but his presence will force opponents to roll coverage his way and allow Johnson to make game-changing plays.

Stephen Tulloch, LB

Looking at his stats, you wouldn't target Stephen Tulloch as a player that needs improving.

52 tackles. Three sacks. One interception. Those are pretty solid numbers after only eight games.

The problem is, that despite those numbers the run defense of the Detroit Lions continues to struggle. Allowing an average of 137.6 rushing yards, the Lions' defense ranks 30th in run defense.  

Not good for a team with playoff aspirations.

As the quarterback of the defense, Tulloch must be held partly accountable for the team's problem stopping the run.  

In a division that has running backs like Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte, it is crucial that Tulloch shapes up and gets his defense to act more like a door than a window.

Maurice Morris, RB

As if their inability to stop the run wasn't enough, the Detroit Lions also have fared poorly running the ball on offense.

Owners of the 27th-ranked rushing attack, the Lions average a meager 95.2 yards per game. With Jahvid Best still out with a concussion, the problem of fixing this anemic rushing attack rests squarely on the shoulders of running back Maurice Morris.

At the age of 31, it is entirely possible that Morris simply doesn't have anything left in the tank. In the two games he has started, Morris has shown very little burst or lateral quickness. He simply gets what is given to him by his offensive line.

To stop the Lions from trending into a one-dimensional offense, Morris must find his fountain of youth and provide a spark in the rushing attack.

Louis Delmas, FS

As was the case with Stephen Tulloch, Louis Delmas is one of those players that has the stats (42 tackles), but still has room to improve.

Delmas is a dominant hitter coming out of the secondary, but his wrap-tackling could still get better. Often he whiffs on a sure tackle, letting the opponent gain valuable extra yards.

His pass coverage also stands to improve. In his third year, Delmas still seems to struggle with his pass-read awareness.  

If he works on those two things, he could eventually become one of the better free safeties in the league.

Gosder Cherilus, OT

In his fourth year as a pro, Gosder Cherilus has improved each year but still has flaws in his game.

Perhaps his biggest weakness is his inconsistency. According to Pro Football Focus, Cherilus has had "some really low points" and has put Detroit Lions fans on a roller coaster since entering the league.

One game he physically dominates opposing defensive lines, the next he is giving up one too many sacks.  

If he can improve his consistency, he could enhance an already surprisingly steady offensive line.