Tony Ortiz: Detroit Lions Position Battles
With the pre-season halfway over, here's a look at some of the key position battles for the Lions. By way of explanation, 'Lock' means they're on the roster for sure...........'Should be in' means the player will likely be on the roster..........'Work to do' means just what it sounds like: the player has [in my opinion] work to do to make the Opening Day roster.
Running Back (5)
Locks: Jahvid Best, Maurice Morris, Stefan Logan
Should be in: Jerome Harrison
Work to do: Mike Bell, Ian Johnson, Jerome Felton, Aaron Brown
Logan gets listed here, because he'll seemingly have more of an impact in the running game than in the passing game. Harrison moved closer to lock status with a solid effort against Cleveland on Friday night. Of the four in the "work to do" category, Felton would have the edge over the others because of his special teams work and his pass catching ability, but questions remain about his blocking and his ability to gain the tough inside yardage. Wouldn't come as a surprise if the eventual winner of that final roster spot among those backs isn't on the roster just yet.
Wide Receiver (6)
Locks: Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson
Should be in: Rashied Davis, Titus Young, Maurice Stovall
Work to do: Nate Hughes, Derrick Williams, Demario Ballard, Tim Toone
Davis and Stovall have been better than advertised during training camp. Both have been consistent and solid performers on offense and special teams and should be on the roster for Opening Day. Young should be on the Opening Day roster, as well, despite missing two weeks with an injured hamstring - he'll be given every chance over the final two pre-season games to win the job as the Lions #3 or #4 WR. Hughes has the edge of the four fighting for the final roster spot, based on his special teams work. Williams and Ballard had flashier starts to camp, but Hughes has been more consistent.
Offensive Line (9)
Locks: Jeff Backus, Rob Sims, Dominic Raiola, Stephen Peterman, Gosder Cherilus
Should be in: Corey Hilliard, Jason Fox, Donald Thomas
Work to do: Rudy Niswanger, Dan Gerberry, Dylan Gandy, Kirk Chambers
With Backus, Cherilus and Fox slowed in camp by injuries, Hilliard and Thomas have taken advantage by showing off their versatility - especially Hilliard, who played both tackle spots [although he's better at RT than at LT]. Thomas, barring a trade or a signing [Leonard Davis] will be the main backup at guard. Niswanger has the edge over Gerberry and Gandy in the battle as the back-up center; however, that battle is still going on since no one has taken hold of that job. Similar to the situation at RB, there's a good chance that the eventual winner of that spot isn't on the Lions roster yet.
Defensive Back (9 or 10)
Locks: Chris Houston, Eric Wright, Louis Delmas, Amari Spievey, Aaron Berry, Erik Coleman
Should be in: Brandon McDonald, Alphonso Smith
Work to do: Nathan Vasher, Ricardo Silva, Paul Pratt, Michael Johnson, Aaron Francisco
Spievey has been another pleasant development in this year's camp with his steady play. He's also played well in the Lions' two pre-season games. Don't go to sleep on the rookie Silva, who has been solid and consistent in camp and in the pre-season - his versatility could give him the edge over the veteran Johnson, although it's likely that he'll end up on the Lions practice squad roster. Francisco and Pratt have turned up the heat in recent days on Vasher, making the veteran's chances to make the roster a 50/50 proposition at best. All 3 of those players could also be cut, depending on what happens with some of the Lions other roster spots [injuries, for example, could affect how this all plays out].
Special Teams (5)
Locks: Don Muhlbach, John Wendling
Should be in: Jason Hanson, Nick Harris
Work to do: Dave Rayner, Ryan Donahue
Wendling gets listed here because he's an above-average special team's player who will get the call at safety only in an emergency. Hanson and Rayner have both kicked well, but the field goal - with time running out - at the end of the first half of the Cincinnati game standing out as a highlight for Hanson and for Harris, who might get the nod over Donahue because of his above-average skills as a holder. Donahue, though, has punted well and - depending on what happens with other spots on the roster and on the cut down to 53 around the NFL - will likely end up on someone else's roster this fall, if he loses out to Harris.
