Welcome to WebDomains4u.com. If you are visually impaired and would like to check the availability of a domain, make a purchase, or just have questions please call us at (904) 714-0759. You may also email us at scottlog1@comcast.net to request a website service callback.  We are currently in the process of implementing more accessibility for our visitors so feel free to check back in the near future. Thank you for your interest in our company.
WebDomains4u.com

Home Features Mock Drafts Rankings Team Columns Contact Us Premium

NEWLY INTRODUCED:  Discuss the latest draft happenings on the NFL Draft Blitz Message Boards

 
Detroit Lions Column

By: Daniel Boney

12/23/07

Week 16 – Chiefs v. LIONS

Hello, my name is Daniel Boney (you can call me Boney) and here is my first, of hopefully man, columns about the Detroit Lions.   Ahh yes, the loveable Lions…  Lately the laughingstock of the NFL, but they still hold a warm spot in my heart.  I will provide some thoughts on the season as a whole after Week 17, since I'm picking up this gig now I'll stick to a week to week matchup review.

The Lions come in to their final home game of the season on a 6 game losing streak.  Some of those games have been very winnable (Giants, Cowboys, etc), while some haven't (Vikings, Packers, etc).   The key to these losses has been the Lions' difficulty to force turnovers, and their inability to run the football.  All year the Lions' defense has been absolutely terrible, their defensive backs have sat short in their zone reads, their safeties have bit horribly on play action, and their linebackers have been unable to tackle anyone.   This is not the first season the Lions have had this "bend, but don't break" defense either, so turnovers are key if this team wants to win games.

Coming into this week's game the important matchup is going to be:

Larry Johnson vs. Lions front 7

Dwayne Bowe vs. Lions secondary

Tony Gonzalez vs. Lions linebackers

After Jason Witten lit up the middle of the field in the Lions "Tampa 2" in Week 14, I would look for more of the same from Tony Gonzalez this week.   Even Jason Dunn has shown flashes of ability in limited duty, so either Gonzo or Dunn could have a big day.

On offense for Detroit, the keys will be:

Running plays vs. Chiefs front 7

Damien Woody and Jeff Backus vs. Tamba Hali and Jared Allen

Calvin Johnson vs. Surtain or Ty Law

McDonald and Furrey vs. whoever isn't covering Johnson

The Chiefs will likely follow the script of other teams that have shown Mike Martz a "2 deep" look.  It started against the Redskins, and has continued about every week since.  If the defense falls back into a zone, Kitna will be hard pressed to find open receivers especially considering Pro Bowler Jared Allen will be rushing from one side and 2 nd year stud Tamba Hali will be chasing him from the other.

I hate picking against my boys, I really do but:

Chiefs 31

LIONS 21


 

Contract Lengths:
As of 10/17/07

Quarterbacks:

Jon Kitna - 2009
Dan Orlovsky - 2007
J.T. O'Sullivan - 2007
Drew Stanton - 2010

Running Backs:

Tatum Bell - 2008
Jon Bradley - 2007
Brian Calhoun - 2009
Aveion Cason - 2007
T.J. Duckett - 2007
Casey Fitzsimmons - 2009
Kevin Jones - 2008
Sean McHugh - 2007

Wide Receivers -

Ron Bellamy - 2007
Devate Ellis - 2007
Mike Furrey - 2009
Calvin Johnson - 2012
Shaun McDonald - 2008
Brandon Middleton - 2007
Troy Walters - 2007
Roy Williams - 2009

Tight Ends:

Courtney Anderson - 2007
Dan Campbell - 2010
Blaine Saipaia - 2008
Rudy Sylvan - 2007

Offensive Lineman:

Jeff Backus - 2011
Frank Davis - 2008
Jon Dunn - 2007
George Foster - 2008
Don Muhlbach - 2011
Edwin Mulitalo - 2009
Ben Noll - 2007
Stephen Peterman - 2007
Dominic Raiola - 2009
Manuel Ramirez - 2009
Johnathan Scott - 2008
Damien Woody - 2009

Defensive Ends:

Ikaika Alama-Francis - 2009
Jared DeVries - 2010
Kalimba Edwards - 2010
Matthew Rice - 2007
DeWayne White - 2011

Defensive Tackles:

Shaun Cody - 2008
Langston Walker - 2007
Cory Redding - 2013
Shaun Rogers - 2010
Salomon Solano - 2007

Linebacker:

Rodney Bailey - 2007
Anthony Cannon - 2008
Donte' Curry - 2007
James Davis - 2007
Teddy Lehman - 2007
Paris Lenon - 2008
Alex Lewis - 2009
Ernie Sims - 2011
Corey Smith - 2007

Cornerbacks:

Tony Beckham - 2007
Fernando Bryant - 2009
Travis Fisher - 2007
LaMarcus Hicks - 2007
Ramzee Robinson - 2007
Keith Smith - 2007
Stanley Wilson - 2007

Safeties:

Gerald Alexander - 2010
Idrees Bashir - 2007
Daniel Bullocks - 2009
Eric Frampton - 2009
Kenoy Kennedy - 2009
Etric Pruitt - 2007

Kickers/Punters:

John Deraney - 2009
Jason Hanson - 2008
Nick Harris - 2012

 Lions Needs  

Which position should the Lions address first in the 2008 NFL Draft?

QB
RB
FB
WR
TE
LT
RT
OG
OC
DE
DT
OLB
ILB
CB
FS
SS

 



NFL Draft Blitz Podcasts on iTunes

Get all new episodes of our podcasts and new interviews or subscribe to our feeds
100% free on iTunes.


You may
Contact Us with questions or comments about this web site


Copyright © 2008 NFLDraftblitz.com. All rights reserved.

This website is fully independent and is not affiliated with The NFL or NCAA in any manner.