Lions' Alphonso Smith Could Start Season On Reserve/Non-Football Injury List

to do this since both Vasher and Silva are capable of contributing more than Phonz could for the first 2 weeks and maybe three when Phonz is closer to being up to speed. At the end of the 6 weeks there is likely to be a spot available due to injury. I would keep Vasher and hope that Silva goes thru waivers so he can be put on the practice squad. I doubt that Vasher would be available should we cut him and then need to sign a db later in the season.

While I think Smith might be an upgrade at the nickel position – in all honesty, he probably won’t be an upgrade until week 3 or 4. I’m pretty happy with Berry or McDonald in that position right now, as I doubt Smith would just come in an unseat either of them off the bat anyhow…

I have to admit, Silva is looking good. While he didn’t make any big plays yesterday, he seemed to be in pretty good position and had chance on a couple balls including a pass defense (something which Delmas only had like 1 all of last season!???!?). Silva’s athleticism and recognition coming from a 6’3" frame could really pay dividends down the road if injuries occur. If he developed nicely, it could also allow for us to get exotic with 3 saftey nickel sets (freeing up Delmas to play closer to the line of scrimmage and blitz or help run protect) – that could be a sick set!

Thanks for discussing this, Sean. I believe the same 6 week rule is in effect for the PUP, but so what? Are any of the players mentioned ready to suit-up for a game anytime soon? I don’t think so. The depth on this team has been developing nicely, with 2nd stringers emerging… as in the case of Bobby Carpenter, who probably should be starting over FA acquisition Justin Durant. The intensity, which is becoming a charactertic of this team, has been developed by the coaching staff through the practice sessions, and is resulting in better starting options in some cases. It’s more about “what are you doing for me now,” rather than, “what did you do for me yesterday?”

As far as I know, once PUP players are cleared to play, they come under the same status as PS players, so they are able to take part in practices, while unable to play in the early part of the season. I can’t see cutting a guy like Paul Pratt, who was all over the field against Buffalo, including one monster sack, for a player who performed well last year, but unproven this year. Keep Pratt, and put Smith on the reserve/non-football injury list.

The same should hold true for Fairley, Fox, and Mo Morris… keep the reserves who have been battling for playing time! We have acrued some benefits for these situations, by developing players who can start and contribute to the team’s success. There has been much silence over whether Backus has been out-performing the competition at LT; perhaps he isn’t ready either, and I’d hate to think that he’s in their to keep a personal record of starting every game intact; they all end sometime. It’s not like he’s a Pro Bowler, or going to become one late in his career; both Hilliard and Chambers have looked good there. Fox should definitely go on PUP, as he isn’t likely to even suit-up for the games, and you have a guy like Niswanger, who can play three positions. Why give away a player who has been bred in the new Lion intensity, like Gerberry or Culbreath? They will never clear wiavers.

Fairley is an easy decision, because we have an overabundance of talent at DT. Injuries do occur, and by the time he is healthy and up to speed, we either will need him, or have a player who can bring some trade value. He wasn’t projected to be starting over Williams in the first place.

The Lions’ toughest decision lies at RB, and I’m not comfortable with giving a spot to Mo Morris at this point, until he proves he can out-perform Harrisson or Ian Johnson. As it is, I’d start Harrison, with Jahvid Best as the #2. This would also allow us to keep The Clapp, who is showing some “move the pile” ability, and is just a tough-nosed football player with value on special teams. Currently, Detroit has less than a million in cap space, so if Mayhew finds a RB he can’t keep his hands off on are we going to be able to sign him for peanuts? Is cutting Raiola, to gain the necessary jack a consideration, or do you just go with Harrison, Best, Johnson, Clapp, and Logan? An extra slot at RB could be created with this move; give the cap space necessary(over $3 mil), and also the time for, say a Chester Taylor, to learn the playbook without cramming it down his throat.

Man, there are some tough decisions to be made, but I have confidence that the staff will make the right ones, and give the Lions the chance to complete for the North crown. We are better than Chicago, and we might even have more depth than Green Bay.

The Lions will have to keep Vasher… its a no brainer.

   Silva led the team in tackles against the Bills so I think that pretty much solidified a spot for him. They could place Fairley on reserve and that opens another spot for Vasher or whoever.

I’d do it, and keep someone like Vasher.