Note: I wrote this article before the Monday cuts. So I am leaving as it is. Some fans might wish to comment on selecting Freese over Tavecchio or cutting Jonte Green, but the article is still accurate as written, so no sense in altering it.
This roster has only 51 players on it and only seven on the practice squad. I am going to leave it up to you to fill in the last two roster spots and the three places left on the practice squad.
Quarterback (2 on roster) (one on PS)
Matthew Stafford
Dan Orlovsky
Kellen Moore (PS)
Recent changes to practice squad rules allow the Lions to put Kellen Moore on the PS for a third season. That frees up a spot for another position. Moore had a nice run in the first preseason game but Orlovsky has outplayed him since then. Does Moore merit one of the last two roster spots?
Running Back (3 on roster) (one on PS)
Theo Riddick
George Winn (PS)
Mikel Leshoure's big run in the third preseason game was not enough for him to make my roster, but maybe he deserves one of the two remaining roster spots. His big play shows he still has some potential and he also has a role on the team as a short yardage back as well. The decision to put Winn on the PS is strictly a move to free up roster spots for veterans that cannot go to the practice squad.
Fullback (2 on roster)
Montell Owens
While the team uses fullbacks they are not featured a lot. Keeping two fullbacks is a luxury, but having somebody to back up if Collins is hurt is important. I selected Owens because of his versatility in the backfield. Maybe you would prefer to put Chad Abrams on the practice squad and cut Owens instead? This might make some sense if you feel that Abrams can develop well and would serve to make the roster younger.
Wide Receiver (6 on roster) (two on PS)
Golden Tate
Jeremy Ross
Kevin Ogletree
Corey Fuller (PS)
Andrew Peacock (PS)
This is one of the tougher positions to decide but saving a roster spots at quarterback allows the team to keep six receivers. Corey Fuller may have outplayed Ogletree in the preseason but he has eligibility on the practice squad. Going this direction allows the Lions to keep control of the most talent at the position that they can.
Tight End (3)
Brandon Pettigrew
There really wasn't much to debate about this position once Michael Williams was converted to an offensive tackle. While Jacob Maxwell and Jordan Thompson might have some potential they are overshadowed by these three. If you think one of these young, forgotten, players is worth keeping around there is room on the practice squad.
Offensive Tackle (4) (one on PS)
Riley Reiff
Michael Williams
LaAdrian Waddle
Cornelius Lucas (PS)
Michael Williams benefits from the fact that there is not anybody that is really any better to keep as a backup for Reiff. Cornelius Lucas showed some potential but not getting selected in the NFL draft makes him a guy that can make it to the practice squad. Williams was a relative high round pick and the Lions will try to recoup something from that pick by keeping him around to develop as an offensive tackle. The rest are pretty much no-brainers.
Guard / Center (5)
Rob Sims
Larry Warford
Dominic Raiola
Travis Swanson
This is also a pretty easy call in my book. Maybe you feel that one of the lesser names deserves a spot on the practice squad?
Defensive End (5)
Devin Taylor
Larry Webster
The tough decision here was to cut Darryl Tapp but there are open spots on the roster if you want to keep six defensive ends. Keep in mind that Tapp is listed as a player that can also be a linebacker. He might help compensate for only keeping five linebackers.
Defensive Tackle (4) (one on PS)
Ndamukong Suh
C.J. Moseley
Caraun Reid
Xavier Proctor(PS)
Move on, nothing to see here. The only thing exciting about this position battle was Moseley taking the starting spot away from Fairley.
Linebacker (5)
Stephen Tulloch
Deandre Levy
Kyle VanNoy
Tahir Whitehead
Ashlee Palmer
I decided to keep only five linebackers because I am not impressed with Travis Lewis. Out of all those guys from Oklahoma that were drafted that year we really haven't gotten much contribution from them. Ryan Broyles is really the only keeper of the bunch. The only real decision here, in my opinion, is whether you would keep Brandon Hepburn on the practice squad.
Cornerback (5)
Darius Slay
I put Lawson on the roster because I do not think he would make it to the practice squad. He needs a lot of development but he was drafted too high to make it past waivers. Maybe you feel that the Lions should keep Cassius Vaughn as a sixth cornerback? Do you put Mohammed Seisay on the practice squad? Do you keep Jonte Green on the roster? This was one of the positions with the most question marks coming into camp. Darius Slay has looked pretty good and he is keeping the quarterback from throwing his direction. Mathis is probably the other starter. Bentley gets a job because of his draft position but he needs to step up. Greenwood gets a job because of his massive potential.
Safety (4) (one on PS)
Glover Quin
Jerome Couplin (PS)
The starters at safety were pretty much set before camp started. Nothing has happened to change that. Isa Abdul-Quddus came from nowhere to impress me, and the coaches. He gets the third spot. Since Jerome Couplin has practice squad eligibility he goes there to get some development. The only real question is whether you give one of the remaining roster spots to Nate Ness. He is not eligible for the practice squad. I said no but you may not agree.
Special Teams (3)
K - Nate Freese
P - Sam Martin
LS - Don Muhlbach
Nate Freese gets the nod at kicker because he has longer range than Georgio Tavecchio. There really hasn't been much else to determine which kicker to keep. Sam Martin and Don Muhlback were always safe.
So there it is. You can fill in the remaining spots and tell me what you think.