Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola has received quite a bit of criticism over the years, much of it deserved. People seem to forget just how dependable he has been for the Lions, though. In his 10 seasons with the team, Raiola has started a total of 140 games and has appeared in 156. Aside from missing four games in 2008, he has started every single game since 2002. Also, he has appeared in every single game since 2001 aside from the four he missed in '08.
While Raiola hasn't played great at times and has not exactly always endeared himself to fans, he has given the Lions quite a bit for being picked 50th overall (second round) back in 2001. He is one of the few second-round picks made by Matt Millen to do anything with his career, and for Detroit that has meant having the center position kept off the list of needs for a decade.
Raiola has never been consistently great by any means, but 140 starts over the course of a decade is pretty good for being picked 50th overall.
Previously: No. 10 Sammie Hill, No. 9 Brandon Pettigrew, No. 8 Louis Delmas/DeAndre Levy, No. 7 Cory Redding
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