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Thanks in large part to all of the moves the Detroit Lions have made in the last few days, I ended up making three more changes in my latest 53-man roster prediction. (You can see last week's prediction here.) The Cleveland Browns game did affect one of my alterations, but the others are related more to the recent signings than anything. Take a look:
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QB Matthew Stafford QB Shaun Hill QB Kellen Moore QB Thaddeus Lewis RB Reggie Bush RB Mikel Leshoure RB Joique Bell RB Montell Owens RB Theo Riddick RB Steven Miller FB Shaun Chapas WR Calvin Johnson WR Nate Burleson WR Ryan Broyles WR Patrick Edwards WR Matt Willis WR Kris Durham WR Corey Fuller WR Micheal Spurlock WR Chaz Schilens WR Terrence Austin WR Cody Wilson |
TE Brandon Pettigrew TE Tony Scheffler TE Michael Williams TE Joseph Fauria TE Matt Veldman TE Cameron Morrah OT Riley Reiff OT Corey Hilliard OT Jason Fox OT LaAdrian Waddle OT Kevin Haslam OT Derek Hardman OG Rob Sims OG Larry Warford OG Rodney Austin OG Jake Scott OG Dylan Gandy OG Darren Keyton C Dominic Raiola C Leroy Harris |
DE Ziggy Ansah DE Jason Jones DE Israel Idonije DE Willie Young DE Devin Taylor DE Ronnell Lewis DT Ndamukong Suh DT Nick Fairley DT C.J. Mosley DT Justin Bannan DT Jimmy Saddler-McQueen DT Andre Fluellen DT Ogemdi Nwagbuo DT Xavier Proctor DT John Drew LB Stephen Tulloch LB DeAndre Levy LB Ashlee Palmer LB Tahir Whitehead LB Travis Lewis LB Rocky McIntosh LB Brandon Hepburn LB Jon Morgan |
CB Chris Houston CB Darius Slay CB Jonte Green CB Bill Bentley CB Ron Bartell CB Rashean Mathis CB Chris Greenwood CB Ross Weaver CB D.J. Johnson CB DeQuan Menzie CB Myron Lewis S Glover Quin S Louis Delmas S Don Carey S Chris Hope S John Wendling S Amari Spievey S Tyrell Johnson S Martavius Neloms K David Akers K Havard Rugland P Sam Martin P Blake Clingan LS Don Muhlbach |
Changes to the 53-man roster
Jake Scott in, Dylan Gandy out - As noted by Jeremy Reisman, Gandy didn't play right guard at all against the Browns. Jake Scott was the starter for the second preseason game, and I decided to include him on my latest 53-man roster. I gave some serious thought to releasing Rodney Austin to make room for Scott (with the idea that Austin would land on the practice squad again), but I instead decided to cut Gandy. Austin has the ability to be the backup center, and I just think the Lions would prefer to keep the younger player in this case.
Justin Bannan in, Jimmy Saddler-McQueen out - This was a pretty easy decision. Bannan is expected to be the Lions' fourth defensive tackle, and it would be a surprise if he doesn't make the team over Saddler-McQueen, Ogemdi Nwagbuo, Andre Fluellen and the other depth players at the position.
Rocky McIntosh in, Cory Greenwood out - Greenwood excelled on special teams and was seemingly a part of the two-deep at linebacker, but he was waived/injured on Monday. Even before that news came out, I had McIntosh making the team over Greenwood because he brings so much experience to the table. McIntosh can also contribute on special teams, and I think the Lions will go with the man they just recently signed as their sixth linebacker.
Other notes
Third quarterback debate - I remain of the opinion that the Lions would be better off going with only two quarterbacks, but I don't think they will release both Kellen Moore and Thaddeus Lewis. That's why I still have three quarterbacks making the team.
Possibility of four tight ends - The Lions have played Joseph Fauria a lot so far in the preseason, but in my mind he hasn't done enough to warrant anything more than a spot on the practice squad. That could change in the next couple weeks, though, and perhaps the Lions could keep him over a fifth player at either running back or wide receiver.
New offensive tackle - I just don't see new offensive tackle Kevin Haslam making the team. The top three seems pretty much set, and LaAdrian Waddle's got a lot of upside. He should get the fourth spot over Haslam.
Ron Bartell's spot - Given Bartell's struggles against the Browns, keep an eye on new Lions cornerback Rashean Mathis in the next couple weeks. It would not surprise me if Mathis ends up beating out Bartell for a spot on the roster. I declined to make that change this week, but it's something to consider going forward.