Quick Preview: Detroit Lions

Since the last time we saw them:
2008 Record: 0-16
Key Additions: OLB Julian Peterson, MLB Larry Foote, CB Phillip Buchanon, CB Anthony Henry, DT Grady Jackson, WR Bryant Johnson, FB Terrelle Smith, RB Maurice Morris, WR Dennis Northcutt, OT Daniel Loper, OT Jan Jansen, OL Dylan Gandy, CB Eric King, OT Ephraim Salaam, HC Jim Schwartz, DC Gunther Cunningham, OC Scott Linehan
Key Losses: CB Leigh Bodden, DT Shaun Cody, WR Mike Furrey, CB Travis Fisher, RB Rudi Johnson, QB Jon Kitna, LB Paris Lenon, WR Shaun McDonald, OG Edwin Mulitalo, QB Dan Orlovsky, DT, Cory Redding, S Dwight Smith, S Gerald Alexander
Top Draft Picks: QB Matthew Stafford, TE Brandon Pettigrew, S Louis Delmas

What we now know:
Best Player: WR Calvin Johnson
Most Underrated: K Jason Hanson

Looking Forward:
Breakout Candidates: RB Kevin Smith, DE Cliff Avril, RT Gosder Cherilus, OLB Ernie Sims
Looking to bounce back: DT Grady Jackson, CB Anthony Henry
Time to step up: S Kalvin Pearson, S Daniel Bullocks, OL Daniel Loper

Strengths:

• Lowest expectations in entire NFL following winless season
• Only 5 games against '08 playoff teams
• New attitude, logo, coach and face of franchise in rookie QB Matthew Stafford
  
• New OC Scott Linehan was QB Dante Culpepper's coach when he shined for Vikings
• WR Calvin Johnson leads a pretty decent receiving corp
• RB Kevin Smith came on strong at end of last season
  
• A very nice group of LBs, including pass-rushing playmaker Peterson
• K Jason Hanson quietly had sensational year, nailing 14-14 FG from beyond 40 yards; 8-8 from beyong 50.
  

Concerns:

• Struggling Offensive Line got very little help in the off-season
• Likely starting QB Culpepper has been mediocre since big '04 season
  
• Defensive Line undersized for new HC Schwartz's system
• DT position so weak that mammoth veteran Grady Jackson is viewed as top run-stuffer
• Pass rush could be weak if DE Avril fails to break out
  
• Secondary had 1 interception last season
  
• Projected starting CB Henry looked ancient last year in Dallas
• FS is unproven rookie Delmas; all SS candidates have struggled in past
  

Expectations: 6 wins, being competetive