3 Good 3 Bad: Detroit Lions

Good:

* Detroit's receiving corps is impressive. Roy Williams is expected to be more concentrated in his second year in Mike Martz' system, while it seems like injuries would be the only thing that could keep Calvin Johnson from being a perennial Pro Bowler. Added to that, Mike Furrey, who led the NFC in catches last year, moves inside to the slot where his skills are even better suited. To provide even further depth, Shaun McDonald was added from St. Louis. McDonald is a veteran of Martz' system and should help the other receivers on the roster. Even RB Kevin Jones flashed signs that he could be a dangerous weapon as a receiver last year. Basically, when a journeyman QB like Jon Kitna throws for 4,000 yards, you know there are some big time receivers on the roster.

* The return of Shaun Rogers to a line which actually was pretty decent against the run should help immensely. The Lions actually didn't rank terribly well against the run, but actually were 15th in the league on average yards per carry against - a respectable ranking considering Rogers missed most of the season. Rogers played well when he did, and teamed up with Corey Redding, who broke out big time in Rogers' absense, should help form one of the league's very best DT combinations. Especially if Teddy Lehman finally plays a full season, the Lions could actually wind up with a solid rush defense.

* Ernie Sims is an ideal fit for the Tampa 2 defense. His speed and agility, paired with his nose for the ball and sure tackling could make him a Pro Bowler in '07 following up his tremendous rookie campaign. Especially if newly acquired DE Dewayne White, a veteran of the Cover 2, can help Kalimba Edwards reach his potential, Sims could run wild wrecking havoc on opposing offenses.

Bad:

* The Offensive Line is neither young nor talented. Only one projected starter, newly added OT George Foster, is under the age of 30, and even Foster has little upside left. Damien Woody has had weight problems the last few years, but there doesn't appear to be many options behind him. Dominic Raiola would be a great fit in a zone blocking scheme but will never be a dominating force in Detroit's current system. Jeff Backus, ordinarily the stable force on the Lions' line, had a bad 2006...basically, the Lions can add all the receivers and backs they want, but the Offensive Line will continue to hold them back. Especially an RB like Kevin Jones, whose power running style demands overpowering blocking, might never truely break out until be gets out of Detroit.

* The secondary has big time issues that were not even remotely solved in the off-season. Dre' Bly, the team's best DB was traded away, leaving imcumbent Fernando Bryant as the #1 CB. Travis Fisher was added to have a physical presence in Detroit's Cover 2, but he has never been a great option as a starter either, nor has he ever wowed teams with his physical style. The only young talent at CB is Stanley Wilson, who has yet to record an NFL takeaway. In fact, outside Kenoy Kennedy not a single DB on the Lions' roster recorded an Interception in '06. Also, just like the Offensive Line, the Defensive BAckfield is not young. Daniel Bullocks and rookie Gerald Alexander appear to be the only young DBs on the roster expected to start in the near future.

* The pass rush needs to be better. White was added from Tampa Bay to provide more pass rush, but has been primarily a situational rusher and could struggle when thrown into a full time starting job. Furthermore, the departure of James Hall and the question of whether Redding will still have the hunger that drove him in '06 after receiving his new contract this off-season, could mean a long year for Detroit's DBs who already are not exactly the best coverage unit in the league. Second Round rookie Alama-Francis has tremendous upside, but will not provide much help this year.

Overall:

The Lions have the skill players to have an explosive offense, but like the Cardinals of last year will have problems getting enough time to be able to use them. Martz' system should be better embroidled in players' minds and I would expect to see Kevin Jones used in the slot more frequently. Still, Jones and Bell are players who need a Line in front of them to succeed and Detroit just doesn't have that. In this day and age in the NFL, you build your running game by acquiring the best blockers you can, not by picking up more RBs. Defensively I would see an improvement against the run barring injuries, but the pass defense should be just as porous as it was in '06, particularly if the Front four can't provide a better pass rush.

3 Good 3 Bad: Atlanta Falcons

wow been a while since I've last posted
been working at a camp the last several weeks and had nothing else to do so here goes:

I will talk about several teams in the future, stating 3 positives and 3 negatives about the team heading into the season. I will start with the Atlanta Falcons.

3 Good:

*Bobby Petrino's vertical offense should take better advantage of Michael Vick's powerful arm. Vick's accuracy throughout his career has been very mediocre, and under Coach Mora he was thrown into a system where timing and precision were vital. Needless to say, Vick had his share of struggles and moving away from that system to a more vertical offense could be Vick's last hope to prove himself to be a good NFL passer, as his exceptional arm strength has always been the reason why Vick hasn't yet been given up on.

*Jerious Norwood had a very solid rookie season, averaging over 6 yards per carry and showcasing himself to be arguably the fastest RB in the NFL. With aging Warrick Dunn nearing the end of his career, Falcons fans could see a Taylor/Jones-Drew - like RB tandem in Atlanta. Norwood should see increased carries and could even emerge as Atlanta's feature back of the future if he can prove he can carry the load.

*The offense gains two receivers in Joe Horn and Brian Finneran. Horn was signed as a Free Agent and Finneran should finally be healthy again. Both veteran wideouts will offer the much needed mentoring to young WRs Michael Jenkins and Roddy White. Furthermore, Petrino likes the depth he has at receiver and will look to use numerous 3- and 4-WR sets in 2007. Vick should have more options lined up in the passing game and in Horn finally has a receiver that will hold on to his passes.

edit: this is a bit of a moot point as the poster below me has stated

3 Bad:

*Atlanta's stellar rushing attack could take a severe step back by abandoning the successful zone blocking schemes utilized by Mora. Dunn's career flourished after turning 30 in this blocking system for two reasons: it enabled him to use his excellent cutback ability and the Linemen in Atlanta fit the zone-blocker's profile (small, agile and athletic). Moving away from the zone blocking system towards a more power running game doesn't seem to make much sense, given that both Dunn and Norwood are smallish backs that are much better outside the Tackles. Furthermore, Tackle Todd Weiner and Center Todd McClure are undersized and could severely struggle in more of a power scheme.

*The secondary is a mess. DeAngelo Hall is on his own back there. Lawyer Milloy's gas tank has very few miles left in it and is probably the most reliable DB besides Hall. Second round Rookie Chris Houston is a fairly raw player who came out after his Junior season at Arkansas and will most likely be asked to assume a prominant role in the Falcons' secondary. Houston struggles especially with zones and could be picked on all season, especially given that Hall is across the field. And the FS picture is no better: Chris Crocker is a decent depth man but really shouldn't be Atlanta's long term answer at Safety, which is why Jimmy Williams will be tried there. Williams struggled as a rookie CB, and hasn't shown he has the physicality to play FS either. In any case Atlanta will likely be matching up some very raw talent against the NFC South's many playmaking receivers.

*The Defensive Line is made of question marks. Rod Coleman could potentially miss the early part of the season after an off-season boating accident. Grady Jackson has been winded for the last 3 years and is no longer an every down Tackle. Jonathan Babineaux is facing a felony charge and could be suspended by the league is found guilty. John Abraham is a constant injury concern while Jamaal Anderson will be forced into a starting role despite his lack of lower body strength coming out of college. Overall it's going to have to be the Linebackers Brooking, Boley and Williams who will need to step up if these question marks remain.


OVERALL:
I am not a Michael Vick fan, but he could have a decent bounce back year under Petrino. Unfortunately it seems that every other element to the Falcons team has holes. The defense could be an absolute mess this season, especially if Brooking is less effective moving to MLB. Depth pretty much everywhere is frightening, especially considering how injury prone many of Atlanta's players have been. To sum up: any NFL team will have its struggles when 3 rookies are favorites to start at their respective positions.