2012 Team Review: Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions 

What Went Right: Calvin Johnson

        I’m pretty sure everyone knows why Calvin got this honor. Breaking the single season record for receiving yards is a great accomplishment, especially when you’re playing on a 4-12 team with all other receiving options getting single coverage at best. With Titus Young doing his best to get cut, Ryan Broyles tearing up his knee and Nate Burleson missing most of the year, Johnson was the main offensive weapon, but he kept making plays. He’s put himself in the conversation as one of the greatest of all-time as long as he keeps playing.

What Went Wrong: Maturity

        That little slight against Titus Young is only the beginning of the problems that the Lions faced with maturity this year. So many of their players had off-the-field problems or let themselves become distracted by the success the Lions had last year. By the time they got to the season itself, it seemed like Calvin Johnson was the only player who was ready to play. I could easily point to the continuing issues in the running game and in the defensive backfield as the reason the Lions failed to succeed this year, but the truth is those issues could easily be overlooked if they were properly prepared for the season. They clearly weren’t. They need a full off-season of focus if they want to return to the playoffs.

Player of the Year: Calvin Johnson

        He set a new single season record for receiving yards on a team that finished 4-12. Need I say more?

Keeper:  Cliff Avril

        I really could have just said “The Defense” and been right here. While the Lions need some more talent on the defensive end of the ball, almost half of their current defensive lineup is scheduled to become free agents this year, not to mention their starting right tackle. I’m going with Avril because he delivered 9.5 sacks this year and will likely be in line for a big contract if he hits free agency. Even if they decide to let him go, they’d have to re-sign both Lawrence Jackson and Willie Young to attempt to replace his impact. Louis Delmas, Justin Durant, DeAnre Levy and Chris Houston are all potential candidates to leave unless the brass in Detroit pulls off some cap wizardry. Signing Matt Stafford and Ndamukong Suh to long term, preferably back-loaded contracts would also help clear the space to try and keep the defense relatively together. Then improvements can be made.

Goner: Kyle Vanden Bosch

        The Lions have a lot of pieces that could leave in free agency this offseason, including almost half of the defense’s starters. So why should they cut another defensive end? Well, simple. Vanden Bosch’s effect on this team is strictly as a leader, as his play has been on the decline for quite some time. This would be fine if he continued to be paid at the league minimum and since this team needs some leadership in the locker room, however, Vanden Bosch is going to count a staggering 10.8 million against the salary cap next year. Unless he takes a major pay cut, it’s not likely they’re going to keep him. They need the cap space anyway.

Should Draft: Running Back, Cornerback

        The Lions have two major problems personnel-wise. They need a running back that can stay healthy and they need talent in the defensive backfield. Mikel Leshoure had a good season around the red-zone this year but struggled to make plays in space and still needs to prove he can stay healthy a whole season. While the cornerbacks showed promise, especially rookie Bill Bentley, there was still a lot of blown plays and, in truth; they also need a thumper at safety who can stay healthy to help in run defense. Sadly these positions are somewhat weak in this draft, but it also means they can take chances on these positions later in the draft without too much reproach if they fail. I’d recommend looking at Montae Ball of Wisconsin and Will Davis of Utah State in the latter rounds and see what they yield.