Lions Defensive Off Season News

Since I last wrote, the Lions have made several moves in free agency. Nothing stands out as a serious move in order to contend for the NFC championship however they have signed guys in areas of need.

In the secondary, the Lions, resigned CB's Travis Fisher and Keith Smith along with signing CB's Brian Kelly, from Tampa and and Dwight Smith from Minnesota. The trade of Shaun Rogers for a draft pick and Leigh Bodden has solved our #1 corner spot for now but left the DT position with no depth. Brian Kelly and Travis Fisher will contend for the #2 and 3 spots with Dwight Smith and Keith Smith looking to hold down the backup safety and corner spots. The Lions also signed special teamer Kalvin Pearson who last played and led the Bucs special teams in tackles. Unless the lions choose a CB with their first draft pick I think the Lions secondary is set for the start of training camp.

In the area of the front seven the Lions added depth at DT by signing veteran Chuck Darby from Seattle. We need help at both DE and DT still.

At the LB position the Lions let Boss Bailey and Teddy Lehman sign with Denver and Tampa respectively. Neither lived up to their potential and best of luck to them in the future. No new signings or acquisitions yet at LB however much help is needed here in free agency and the draft.

Current Depth Chart
CB's 1. Leigh Bodden 2. Brian Kelly 3. Travis Fisher 4. Keith Smith 5. Dwight Smith
Safety's 1. Daniel Bullocks 2. Gerald Alexander 3. Dwight Smith 4. Kalvin Pearson
LB's 1. Ernie Sims 2. Paris Lenon 3. Alex Lewis 4. Anthony Canon 5. Buster Davis
DE's 1. DeWayne White 2. Jared Devries 3. Alama-Francis 4. Claude Harriot
DT's 1. Cory Redding 2. Shaun Cody 3. Chuck Darby

Going into the April Draft we need a lot of help on defense. Our secondary is actually the least suspect position right now and that's the complete opposite of where we were in January. Our front seven is extremely thin and inexperienced. If we want to contend in 2008 we need to add talent and depth at all 7 positions.

Look for the Lions to go after a LB, DE or OT in the first round of the NFL draft in April. My current pick is LB Dan Connor from Penn State.