Where The Lions Roster Stands: Defensive Tackle

by Sean Yuille on Jul 10, 2011 8:14 PM EDT in Detroit Lions Roster

Previously: Quarterback, Running Back, Fullback, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive Tackle, Offensive Guard, Center, Defensive End

Returning from last season: Ndamukong Suh, Corey Williams, Sammie Hill, Robert Callaway

Currently a free agent: Andre Fluellen (he was tendered as a restricted free agent at an unknown level)

New to the team: Nick Fairley (he was picked by the Lions in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft)

Like defensive end, the defensive tackle position is absolutely loaded for the Detroit Lions. Even last year depth was pretty good at this position, but this year with Nick Fairley being thrown into the mix there is almost an overflow of talent.

Of course, this position is headlined by Ndamukong Suh, last year's No. 2 overall pick. Suh had an outstanding rookie season and brought in a number of awards and honors. And let's not forget he did it all with a shoulder that required surgery after the season. This offseason he has been working toward getting even better and becoming one of the top defensive players in the league, and already he is the anchor of Detroit's highly regarded defensive line.

Fairley could be lining up next to Suh quite a bit, but it's important not to forget about Corey Williams, who had a very good 2010 season in his own right. We also shouldn't sleep on Sammie Hill, who continues to improve and should be a solid rotational player for the Lions going forward.

The other players in the mix at defensive tackle are Andre Fluellen and Robert Callaway. Fluellen has only been in the league three years and has already been tendered as a restricted free agent, so he should be back with Detroit for training camp. Callaway will also be back for camp after signing a reserve/future contract back in January. Both of these players will be fighting for a spot on the roster and a spot on the Lions' talented defensive line.

Need going forward?

The Lions' rotation is pretty much set going forward with Suh, Fairley, Williams and Hill. Fluellen could also make the team as a DT/DE hybrid, so there isn't really any need at this position. Like the other positions already in good shape depth-wise, an undrafted free agent could be signed as a camp body, but that's about it as far as moves involving defensive tackles go.

Tweet Comment 17 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Meh....

This group is average at best.

by fiendishdr.wu on Jul 10, 2011 11:38 PM EDT reply actions

bad attempt at sarcasm?

by TheForceOfFollett on Jul 11, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

No

Just a bad attempt at comprehending obvious sarcasm.

by fiendishdr.wu on Jul 11, 2011 7:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

lol just checking

you never know with some of the comments you get on here

by TheForceOfFollett on Jul 12, 2011 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions

The fact that Suh will only get better this year has 13 teams circling the Lions on the schedule. With Suh the others will follow, Suh is going to be great after that i am curious to see SLH i believe he takes a monster step forward but CW will have his best year as a pro. Fairley is going to be an interesting study getting a late start and trying to digest the D scheme in a short time wont happen. I look for him to start to come on around mid season but hopefully i am wrong as hell.

All i can say is average or above average doesnt define the DT Suh alone makes them top 10.

" Maybe for a writer...but i am sure most of you can tell i am not a writer". det32

by SmittyJ on Jul 11, 2011 12:08 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Trade?

Any chance we move one of our DTs (Williams, Hill) for a decent #2/3 CB?

by Kman23 on Jul 11, 2011 3:37 AM EDT reply actions

Why?

Right now, as the Dline is set we can roll fresh bodies at offensive lines all game long. If CWill gets winded, send in SLH. If Suh needs a breather, send in Fairley. If we need to bulk up, move Suh to end, and put in both CWill & SLH, and put Flue at the other end.

If the Lions decide to trade a DT or DE it will be one of the practice squad/reserves that gets the call. Going into the 2011 season, I see Suh, CWill, SLH, Fairley as the starting rotation. Flue & Calloway will be the guys riding the pine and playing special teams to keep the starters fresh and picking up scrub minutes. jmho.

by Detroitfantc on Jul 11, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Denver needs DT (understatement)

Besides needing a ton of help all over the place Denver is desperate for DT help. (I believe they have at most 1 active on their roster), and an excess of LBs and DBs (mostly S). I know between, Phonz, Bly, and Scheft, fleecing Denver for players is getting boring, but Denver would be drooling over even the Lions practice squad DTs. Although, with the new management in place Denver won’t be nearly as trigger happy as McDouche was to get rid of “players”. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was like an SLH or CWill or “Flue” (don’t make me spell his last name) for like a DJ Williams (can play all LB positions, but is best at Wil IMHO) trade (+/- change).

I’m not really trying to point out specific players, but more examples of teams out there ready to get mayhewed, and why there could be a trade.

by HughSkarr on Jul 11, 2011 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

thing to remember is

a great d line automatically makes your secondary better. If you have 4 talented guys constantly coming in and out of the game you’re going to have consistent pressure on the QB which is something most (if not all) NFL teams don’t have with their defensive line

by TheForceOfFollett on Jul 11, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

We need to wait and see Fairley's contract

but I’m thinking we should be able to land a solid starting CB and LB in FA, and keep intact our terrifyingly nasty D-Line.

by motown313 on Jul 11, 2011 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I would like to see Suh play a little DE also to get

Williams and Fairley playing together…

by msivits on Jul 11, 2011 8:45 AM EDT reply actions

I would be with you

but with we already got a couple of badass DE’s that we can rotate off the bench in LoJack and McBride. Suh seems more effective on the inside anyways, IMHO. I would rather give Suh a play off and have him come back in at full strength then move him to DE.

by motown313 on Jul 11, 2011 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

DT is set.

Nuff said.

by mikeyclaw on Jul 11, 2011 9:50 AM EDT reply actions

+1

by Hyperion Ecta on Jul 12, 2011 7:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Lions should run a 6-1-4 defense.

Rotate: Suh, Williams, Hill, Fairley, Vandenbosch, Avril, McBride and Jackson on the Line.

Levy at LB

Then spend money on getting a great CB to go with Houston, Vasher, Speivey and Delmas.

I’m joking, of course, but it’d be interesting to see them line up with 5 DLs every now and then with the lack of depth in the back 7.

by Quick Darshan on Jul 11, 2011 1:47 PM EDT reply actions

Sammy Hill is a BEAST.

A great 4th round pick. Getting thrown into the fire for his first year was probably perfect for his development. I have lots of games recorded from last year, and almost EVERY snap he plays, he’s dominating his man.

"To achieve victory, we must mass our forces at the hub of all power and movement, the enemies center of gravity." -Carl von Clausewitz

by BIGWalt2990 on Jul 11, 2011 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

Best in the business

After having to suffer watching the four quarter stink put on by redding, darby and alama francis, this line is almost an embarrassment of riches. I am giddy with anticipation to see these guys on the field. Start the damn season!!!!

by big smoove on Jul 12, 2011 9:05 PM EDT via mobile reply actions