ESPN's John Clayton on the 2010 Lions

by Twon82 on Aug 2, 2010 10:20 PM EDT

Click HERE for the link.

Clayton, like myself and some of you, is a bit worried about the Lions defense still not being enough to keep Stafford from having to win shootouts. ESPN analysts have seemed fairly impressed with the offense, but that secondary is like a gapping hole and everyone across the league is aware of it.

From the article:
"Head coach Jim Schwartz and general manager Martin Mayhew have replaced every defensive starter from the 2008 team. The struggle is in the back end of the defense. Safety Louis Delmas and middle linebacker DeAndre Levy are two mainstays in the middle of the back seven, but Schwartz and Mayhew need another year or two to upgrade outside linebacker, cornerback and the other safety spot. Julian Peterson, a former Pro Bowler, is a nice bridge for the next year or two until the Lions find the next linebacker who can rush the quarterback.

The secondary remains a primary concern. Chris Houston, Jonathan Wade, Eric King and third-round choice Amari Spievey are upgrades from 2009, but the position is so unstable the team had to make a late run to bring back former Lion Dre' Bly. The defensive line should be a strength with Ndamukong Suh, Corey Williams and Sammie Lee Hill in the three-tackle rotation and Kyle Vanden Bosch rushing from defensive end."

I only post this because I've seen a notable number of people saying that this is a make or break year for the front office, which is absolutely absurd. Yes, we should see improvement. No, we don't need to be a playoff team to make substantial progress. In my opinion, 6-10 is a healthy season. Anything more is bonus. If we have another solid free agency and draft in 2011 like we have since Schwartz and Co. took over, watch out....the league just found themselves staring at a different Lions club. Perhaps....just perhaps....that will be this year. I'm hopeful just like many of you, but just trying to stay grounded.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.

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Comments

Well said

no way in hell could the FO turn this team around in just 2 offseasons

In life, a man is either the hammer or the anvil. Ndamukong Suh is both
Pride of Detroits village idiot

by JazzyBBP on Aug 2, 2010 10:27 PM EDT reply actions

Honestly this year is still about player improvement

It would be nice to go to the playoffs in 2010, but if we go 6-10 and all of our important future pieces improve, it will still be a successful season, because it will set us up to be a great team down the road.

by WestsideLionsFan on Aug 2, 2010 10:30 PM EDT reply actions

I'm thrilled with the turnover we've had in 2 yrs

The FO has done an exceptional job. The roster has almost completely been turned over in 2 yrs. I look for next year to be our year. We keep having solid drafts that actually make sense and show that a real plan is in place. Look for us to be competetive this year with somewhere between 6 – 8 wins. Look for next year to actually maybe make the playoffs. You heard it here :).

by Usmarine0341 on Aug 2, 2010 11:11 PM EDT reply actions

I'd love that

USE THE SCHWARTZ!!!

by Twon82 on Aug 2, 2010 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree 100%

by Libran on Aug 3, 2010 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions

if its a shoot out we need to win then its a shoot out our offense shall give them

we have the best reciever in the game imo . he just hasnt showen it yet. We have some serious weapons on this O now it is up to you guys O line to step it up and keep stafford off of his back

by perfectlions on Aug 2, 2010 11:28 PM EDT reply actions

vastly improved

the talent on this team is vastly improved over last year. Grew, Delmas, Levy, Hill, Stafford should make big strides with a really tough year under their belts. There is some great chemistry here and I think guys like Raiola, Burleson, Delmas, Kevin Smith, KVB, Suh, Stafford, Megatron really have shaped, and will continue to shape, the character of this team. We don’t have any assholes. Can you imagine facing these guys after taking a play off? I think character and chemistry go a long way in the structure of a football squad.

i simply don’t see that our secondary yet as THAT weak. They were really hung out to dry last year with the absolutely impotent pass rush. Secondary play is highly coupled to D-line play. Since our biggest improvement has been in the D-line, we should expect that to translate to better secondary play—shorter routes, more opportunities, errant passes, batted balls, tipped balls, desperation passes, etc.

If you take a careful look at any team, you will find weaknesses. with some consistency in the coaching staff and philosophies, we should expect a vastly improved performance. i think predicting wins and losses at this point is just really silly. I think teams turn it around very quickly. we’ll just have to wait and see how they look, but I do expect a good team this year.

by x$pcents IV on Aug 3, 2010 9:24 AM EDT reply actions

PLAYOFFS

by SmittyJ on Aug 3, 2010 11:57 AM EDT reply actions

front 4

if the front 4 can put pressure on the QB without having to blitz and they can hold up against the run, they will be able to cover-up some of the weakness in the secondary. Plus, I’ve always heard you want to be strong through the middle of the defense….Suh, Levy and Delmas gives the Lions that strength. I still think they end up with 6 wins but the guys arent that bad

by kingdaddylions on Aug 3, 2010 1:59 PM EDT reply actions

I don't see this as a make or break year, not one bit

Maybe next year, and that’s only if no improvement is gained over this season and next. To be honest, I don’t think it’ll be a problem anyway, Schwartz and co. will solidify their positions after this year…I hope.

RIP Robyn Bailey 1961 - 2010. I love you mum.

by Hyperion Ecta on Aug 3, 2010 7:42 PM EDT reply actions