Lions Report Card- Midseason Offense

Lions Rank 4th in points (29.9)
13th in Total yards (355)
10th in pass yards (260)
27th in rush yards (95.2)

QB

Matthew Stafford 61.2% 19td 4 int. He ranks 16th in Espn's QBR with 55.6. Just below Matt Cassel.

My take: Stafford is a good NFL QB. When he can set his feet he can make almost every throw. He excels at deep outs and dig routes. When forced to move he becomes poor. His accuracy on the run is not good. For him to make it to the elite level, he will have to improve this aspect of his game.

Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton. Both are on the last year on their contract. It will be interesting to see which you the Lions keep as a long term back up. I believe that Stanton has improved under the current staff.

RB

Jahvid Best: 4.6 ave 2 td  27 rec 1 td
Outside of the Bears game, Jahvid has done little to shake the 'bust' nickname. He refuses to put his foot down and gain yardage. His health is a major issue. His best attribute is catching the ball out of the backfield.

Maurice Morris: 4.1 ave 1td 8 rec 75 yards.
The veteran Morris is a one cut back who gets what is there. He can play all three downs. He at the age of 31 is not 20 touch guy. Will wear down with extensive use.

Keiland Williams: 3.0 ave 1 td
2nd year guy claimed off of waivers, Williams has shown little in this stint with the Lions. A third down back with the skins, he has but 1 catch with us. He has shown ability on special teams. Will need to step up down the stretch if we have a chance at the wild card.

Eldra Buckley: 1 tackle
Signed off the street a couple weeks ago. Buckley has not carried the ball this season. He played better on the special teams this week. He missed a tackle in the Atlanta game that really hurt.

Stefan Logan: 2.0 ave 21pr 8.9 ave 11Kor 26.5ave 1 Fumble Lost
Logan has not been a part of the offense this season. Only 4 carries. His return game has suffered as well. The new rule has limited him to 11 returns, 1 of which he fumbled. His coverage on kickoffs has been much better this season. He has emerged as steady tackler.

WR

Calvin Johnson: 47 rec 11 td. An absolute monster. True MVP candidate. Best Lions player since Barry.

Nate Burleson: 26 rec 1 td Needs to improve his production. When he and Titus can't win battles (See 49ers and Falcons) we struggle. He can run with the ball following a catch and shake coverage in the slot. Needs a better second half.

Titus Young: 19 rec 1 td At times he looks like a rookie lost and slow, others times he looks like a stud. Snagging the ball with hands in traffic. If he can play more like he did vs. the Broncos will be a tough team to stop.

Rashied Davis and Maurice Stovall: Both veterans have been held to one catch. Davis has struggled with a foot injury and Stovall with a broken hand. We may need them in the second half. Watch out for Nate Hughes on the practice squad, if Davis cannot go.

TE

Brandon Pettigrew: 41 rec 2 td: Our # 2 option in the passing game. He has improved his hands but will never be smooth. A little disappointed in his blocking. I rated him as a Pro Bowl TE coming out of college. Not there yet.

Tony Scheffler: 9 rec 3td. This WMU Grad is a key to our attack. If he can win battle it gives us another option opposite CJ. Great Td celebrations, we need to get him more touches.

Will Heller:  4 rec 20 yards. Perfect 3rd Te. Plays some FB as well. Can catch the ball. Good blocker.

Tackles

Jeff Backus- Typical Backus season. At times he is really bad (see Vikings and 49ers) sometimes he plays real well (see Bears). He is what he is.

Gosder Cherlius- Took a bad penalty and Schwartz benched him in week two. He has played pretty well since. I give him credit for coming back from Knee Surgery.

Corey Hilliard- Started and played at Right Tackle early in the season. Probably has a future at Guard. Was solid in his performance.

Jason Fox- Injured in camp and has not been active this season. The Lions have to see if has starting ability in the future.

Stephen Peterman- Better play from him this season. Really struggled the first half last season but rebounded down the stretch. Has cut down on penalities.

Rob Sims- A little disappointed with Rob. I thought he would be an elite guard this season. Has had some penalties. I have liked his ability to pull and block the second level.

Dominic Raiola- See Backus. He is what he is. Can get to the second level but struggles with big NG.

Dylan Gandy- Swing guy who play guard and center. Back up on the wedge on KOR.

Jacques McClendon- Inactive for frist 4 weeks, placed on practice squad ever since.