NFL Team-By-Team Previews - Detroit Lions

Record: 0-16 (4th NFC North)

Least Soul-Crushing Game: Week 5 at Minnesota - 10-12
This was the closest the Lions came to winning a game in 2009, and if not for the infamous Orlovsky out-of-bounds safety (seen above), the Lions may have squeaked out a win vs. a playoff-bound opponent. The Lions forced four fumbles and intercepted Frerotte once, holding a good team to just 12 points.

Worst Game: Week 17 at Green Bay - 21-31
It wasn't their worst loss of the season, but it sealed the deal on a perfectly disastrous season. They only gave up points in two quarters, but the 14 and 17 spots the Pack put on the board in the 1st and 4th periods were too much to overcome.

MVP: Calvin Johnson
The Georgia Tech product had a great second season, especially considering he was the only real weapon. 78 Receptions, 1300+ yards and 12 TDs on this team truly makes him one of the greatest WRs in the game today. He'll be game-planned around for years.


The Offseason

Significant Losses:

- Cory Redding - DT - Traded to Seahawks along with 5th round pick for Julian Peterson.
Redding was the team leader in Sacks in 2008.

- Corey Smith - DE - Deceased
In one of the saddest and most alarming stories to take place in the last 12-month span, Corey Smith died while boating with some friends over the off-season. His number will be retired by the Lions for the 2009 season. RIP.

Significant Additions:

-Larry Foote - ILB - Signed May 6

Probably the biggest non-trade pick-up Detroit has made in the last 10 years, Foote instantly makes this defense better and becomes a leader in an otherwise young defense.

- Julian Peterson - LB - Traded 3/14 for Cory Redding + 5th Round Pick.
Peterson was a solid tackler with a nose for the ball in 2008 for the Seahawks, with 86 tackles and four forced fumbles.

- Phillip Buchanon - CB - Signed March 4
Buchanon isn't the best CB on the market, but he is adequate in coverage and will help a bad secondary.

- Bryant Johnson - WR - Signed March 2
Johnson had a solid season for a bad team last season, putting up 48 catches, 500+ yards and 3 TDs for the 49ers. He should take a little pressure off Calvin Johnson. It may be to his benefit to learn how to drive a golf cart, though.

Draft Picks:
Round 1, Pick 1 - Matthew Stafford - QB - Georgia
Round 1, Pick 20 - Brandon Pettigrew - TE - Oklahoma State
Round 2, Pick 1 - Louis Delmas - S - Western Michigan
Round 3, Pick 12 - DeAndre Levy - OLB - Wisconsin
Round 3, Pick 18 - Derrick Williams - WR - Penn State
Round 4, Pick 15 - Sammie Lee Hill - DT - Stillman
Round 6, Pick 19 - Aaron Brown - RB - Texas Christian
Round 7, Pick 19 - Lydon Murtha - OT - Nebraska
Round 7, Pick 26 - Zack Follett - OLB - California
Round 7, Pick 46 - Dan Gronkowski - TE - Maryland

Grade: B+
Stafford underperformed every year in college, but still has good potential. Pettigrew was a great pick, as was Delmas. I think Derrick Williams was a more-than-solid pick for them in the 3rd round. What bothers me was not picking an OT until the 7th round bothers me.

Training Camp Report:

- Kevin Smith has looked good, and a lot of people think he could have a breakout year.

- The O-line still needs a lot of work...which will of course prevent Kevin Smith from having a breakout year.

- The defense has looked better than most thought. Foote and Peterson have stepped up.

- All three QBs have looked good. Choosing a starter right now would be based more on player preference than skill and ability.

- Calvin Johnson. Wow.

- The defensive line is going to have to play better during the season than they have thus far in camp.

- Phillip Buchanon and Rookie Louis Delmas need to make more plays.

- Rookie RB Aaron Brown is turning a few heads, but it will be difficult for him to find regular playing time.

- Injuries are piling up quickly for this team. Smith, Morris, Pettigrew, Bullocks, Delmas, Murtha, Nordin, Northcutt, and others are at best day-to-day.

2009 Outlook

Best Case Scenario:
Stafford looks good, Smith improves, Calvin Johnson becomes elite. They don't compete for the playoffs, but get out of the top-10 draft pick area.

Worst Case Scenario:
Injuries and ineffectiveness hurt the team. Stafford struggles, Smith takes a step back, Pettigrew doesn't develop, and the team picks top 2 for the 3rd time in four years.

Prediction: 3-13, 4th NFC North