Detroit Lions training camp preview WR

Major weakness of the team in 2012 and 2013. Nate Burleson was released and Titus Young is in rehab. This group needs a young guy to step up and become an NFL player.

Calvin Johnson 8th year 1st round 2007 Georgia Tech Tyrone, GA
NFL Stats: 106 games 101 starts 572 rec 9328 yards 66 td 9 FL
Post Season stats: 1 GS 12/211/2 rec
Preseason 43 rec 800 yards 7 td
Record: 34-63
Ranks: PFF # 3 FO # 7
Contract: 6 years left $13,058,000 hit

Tough 2013 for CJ. Two surgeries in the off-season. Are we seeing his decline of his career.

At Ga Tech, 38 games 178 rec 2927 yards 28td

Combine: 6050 239 4.35 40 42.5 vj 1107 broad

Golden Tate 5th year in NFL (2nd rd 2010) UFA in 2014 Notre Dame Hendersonville, TN
NFL Stats: 58 games 33 starts 165 rec 2195 15 td 68/787 pr
Post Season: 7 games 4 starts 19 rec 204 yards 1td
Contract: 5 years left #3.1 million hit.
Ranks: #18 PFF #24 FO

Hopefully an upgrade at the # 2 WR spot. He is coming off a super bowl win with the Seahawks. Injured most of the off-season.a good # 2 WR has been elusive for the Lions.

At Notre Dame, 37 games
157 rec 2707 26 td
44/909 KOR 26/287/1 pr

Combine: 5102 199 4.42 17 REPS 35 VJ 1000 Broad 4.34 20 7.12 L

Ryan Broyles 3rd year in Detroit 2nd round 2012 Oklahoma Norman, Oklahoma
Lions stats: 16 games 6 starts 30 rec 395 yards 2 td
Pre season 9/128/0 rec
Record 6-8
Contract 2 years remaining $1,003,227 hit

After 2 torn ACLs and a torn achilles maybe Broyles can make it through a whole season. He was a stud at Oklahoma.

At Oklahoma, 48 g 45 GS
349 rec 4,586 yards 45 td

Pro day: 5101 192 4.57 21 reps 32.5 VJ

Jeremy Ross 4th year in NFL (UDFA 2011) 2nd year in Detroit (FA 2013) Cal Laguna Creek, CA
Lions Stats: 10 games 2 starts 5/59/1 rec 15/439/1 KOR 15/243/1 PR
NFL Stats: 18 games 6/67/1 rec 24/600/1 KOR 21/366/1 PR
Post Season 2 games 1 FL
Contract: final year $550,000 hit
Record 3-7
Ranks #4 Returner PFF

Ross was a good find for Mayhew. The question about him is can he be a receiver? He received plenty reps in the offseason. Any contribution outside of the return game would be unexpected.

At Cal,  43 games 14 starts
57 rec 1764 yards 3 td
42/851 KOR 31/471/1 PR

Pro Day: 5117 209 4.44 22 reps 39" 907 1000 4.19 7.12

Kris Durham 4 year in the NFL (4th rd 2011) FA 2012 3rd year in Detroit Georgia Calhoun. GA
Lions Stats: 20 g 16 starts 46/615/3 td 1 Fl
Record 7-13
NFL stats: 23 G 16 S 49 rec 645 yards 3 td
Preseason: 3/47 rec
Contract: Final Year $645,000
Ranks #110 PFF #81 FO

Really struggled in 2013. Ranked almost last for WR in the NFL in 2013. Could not get open or catch the ball.

At Georgia,
47 games 15 Starts
64/1109/4 rec

Combine: 6052 216 4.46 17 reps 36 vj 1001 4.41 6.89

Kevin Ogletree 6th year in the NFL (UDFA 2009) 2nd year in Detroit FA 2013 UVA Queens, NY
Lions stats: 12 games 1 start 13/199/1 rec
NFL stats 62 games 4 starts 78/999/6 rec 2 FL
Post Season 2 G 1 rec 5 yards
Record: 4-8
Contract 1 year $635,000

At Virginia, 31 games
117 rec 1332 yards 9td

Combine: 6010 196 4.36 36 " 1002 4.08 6.67

Corey Fuller 2nd year 6th round 2013 VA Tech Baltimore
Preseason 1 rec 6 yards
Contract 1 year $420,000

Height, Weight, Speed guy who is very raw. Ran track at Kansas before a transfer to Va Tech. Worked out with his brother Kyle, a 1st round pick of the Bears, in the off season. Has practice squad written all over him.

At VA Tech, 19 g 8 GS
45 rec 834 yards 6 td

Combine:6021 197 4.43 12 reps 31.5 1000 4.4 7.17

Patrick Edwards 3rd year udfa 2012 Houston Hearne, Texas
Lions career: 4 games 2 starts 5 rec 46 yards
Record 2-2
Preseason: 11/80/1 rec 6/47 PR
Contract 1 year $495,000

A quick little guy who can get open. He has not be able to be on the same page with the QB, However. A guy that looks good practice but it does not translate to the game.

At Houston, 48 games
291 rec 4507 rec 43 td

Combine: 5067 168 4.59 6 reps 33.5 910 4.35 7.03

Naaman Roosevelt 5th year (UDFA 2010) 1st in Detroit Buffalo Buffalo NY
NFL career: 16 games 1 start 25 rec 396 1 td
Contract 1 year $570,000

Roosevelt is a veteran who can give some quality reps in camp. Making the squad on the initial 53 is unlikely.

49 games
268/3551/28 rec

Combine 6001 189 4.6 12 36 903 4.16 6.95

TJ Jones rookie 6th round pick Notre Dame Gainesville, GA
Contract 4 years $446,550 hit

Good possession guy at ND. An injury hurt his chances, might need a year on the practice squad.

AT Notre Dame, 51 games
181/2429/19 rec

Combine: 6000 188 4.48  33 911 4.19 6.85

Andrew Peacock Rookie UDFA App State Durham, NC
Contract 3 years $420,000 hit

Maybe a chance for the practice squad. Not much speed.

At App State,  48 games
208 rec 2108 yards 9td

Pro Day: 5092 192 4.72 17 38 1001 4.33 7.00

Cody Wilson 2nd year in NFL UDFA 2013 CMU Rochester Adams
Preseason: 1 rec 6 yards
Contract 1 year $420,000

Bounced around a little on the practice squad. Not likely to stick.

At CMU, 230 rec 2729 yards

Pro Day: 5087 191 4.66 21 32.5 903 4.11 6.59

Detroit Lions training camp preview TE

The Lions invested heavily on the Te position in the off-season. They re-signed Pettigrew and used the #10 pick on Eric Ebron. Lions lacked a middle of the field threat since Pettigrew regression following 2011. Ebron will be counted on to supply that role.

Brandon Pettigrew 6th year 1st round 2009 Oklahoma State Tyler, Texas
Career: 71 games 68 starts 284 rec 2828 yards 16td 3 fl
Post season 1 games 4/49 rec
Preseason 18rec 176 yards 1 td
Ranks: PFF #51 FO #48
Contract 4 years $2.2 mil
record: 27-33

Grew was re-signed in the off-season. He will have a reduced role in the offense. He will serve as the in-line blocked and check down guy. His blocking has been poor the past 3 seasons so it will be interesting to see if he can be effective in this new role.

At Oklahoma State, 47 games
112 rec 1450 yards 9td

Combine: 6060 263 4.8 22 reps 33 vj 910 broad 4.37 20 7.12 l

Joseph Fauria 2nd year UDFA 2013 UCLA Encino, CA
Lion Career: 16 games 2 starts 18 rec 207 yards 7td
Preseason: 6 rec 72 yards 1 td
ranks: PFF #15 FO #17
Contract: 2 years $499,166
Record: 7-9

Joe has interesting role. Can he step up and be an every down player or stay as a red zone guy. He has great hands but is limited by a lack of speed. His blocking was better than expected.

at UCLA, 40 games 18 Starts
88 rec 1139 yards 20td

Pro day: 6072 263 4.72 17 reps 35.5 vj 1000 broad 4.53 20 7.49 l

Eric Ebron rookie 1st round pick 2014 North Carolina Greensboro, NC
Contract: 4 years $12.29 mil

Counted on to be a force in the middle of the field. He must overcome a case of the drops. A risky pick.

At UNC, 34 games 21 GS 112 rec 1805 yards 8td

Combine: 6043 253 4.6 24 reps 32 vj 1000 broad 4.57 20 7.49 l

Jordan Thompson 2nd year (UDFA 2013) 1st year in Detroit FA Ohio Rockford, Ohio
Contract: 1 year $420,000

 In contention for a practice squad spot. He can also long snap.

At Ohio, 47 games
60 rec 665 yards 6 td

Pro Day: 6036 247 4.82 22 reps

Jacob Maxwell Rookie UDFA 2014 Louisiana-Lafayette Pearl River, LA
Contract: 3 years $420,000 cap

A good athlete, who fits the move TE position. Will contend for the practice squad spot.

At Louisiana-Lafayette 44 games
36 rec 377 yards 6 td

Pro day: 6036 249 4.68 21 reps 38.5 vj 1007 broad

Detroit Lions training camp preview FB

Fullbacks

Jed Collins 7th year 1st in Detroit after signed as Non-tendered RFA Washington State Mission Viejo, CA
Career- 47 games 26 starts 19/49/3 rush 39/174/4 rec 1fl
Playoffs 4 games 2 starts 3 rec 28 yards
Contract 1 year $710,000

Collins is a true fullback from the Saints. He knows the offense but he has to hold off Abram for the spot on the roster.

AT WSU, 46 games
82 rec 899 yards 6 td 8/12/2 rush
42t 3 ff 2 fr

Combine: 6016 254 4.08 20 6.9 ldrill

Montell Owens 9th year 2nd in Detroit (UFA in 2013) Maine Wilmington, DE
Lions: 1 game
Preseason: 2 att 2 yards 1 tackle
Career: 105 games 56/292/3 rush 12/132 rec 72 tackles
College 38 games
Contract 1 year $1.1 mil

Owens is a versatile player but was injured for 2013. He could fit is as the FB and is a great special teams player.

at Maine 38 games

Chad Abram Rookie UDFA 2014
Contract: 3 years $420,000

Abram has a legit shot at the FB spot. He can block and has surprising speed with the ball. He is a former FSU safety and can play special teams.

45 games 13-54 rush 9-73 3td rec

Pro Day: 5114 236 4.58 21 reps 35.5 vj 1007 broad 4.5 7.08 l

Detroit Lions training camp preview RB

Reggie Bush 9th year (1st round #2 overall 2006) 2nd in Detroit UFA in 2013. USC LA Mesa, CA
3 years left contract $4.5 mil
record 6-8
Lions 14 GS 213 1006 4td rush 54/506/3 rec 4 FL
Career 105 G 1190 5168 33 rush 426 3236 18td rec 18 FL
Post Season 6g 3 GS 38/200/2 rush 25/286/2 rec 1 FL
Pre season Lions: 17/21/0 rush 10/147/0 rec
Ranks PFF # 33

Detroit found out in 2013 that 257 touches in 14 games (18.3 per game) in way too many. He missed 2 games and sat out almost entire game vs. the Cards. He lost 4 fumbles. Look for him to aver age closer to 12-15 this season.

at USC, 39 games 15 starts
433/3169/25 95/1301 rec
44/559/3 td PR

At this pro day:4/2/2006  5107 201 4.37 24 reps 40.5 VJ 1008 broad

Joique Bell 5th year 4th in Detroit signed off the Saints practice squad in 2011. Wayne State Benton Harbor
Lions career: 32 games 4 starts 248/1064/11 rush 105/1032/0 rec 5 FL
Preseason: 54/204/7 rush 15/188 rec
Contract: 3 years left $2.3 mil cap hit.
Record 11-21
Ranks: PFF #10

Bell is actually the highest paid RB on the team. He will split carries with Bush. Hopefully, offseason knee surgery will not slow him down.

At Wayne State, 44 games 42 starts
8,055 all purpose yards 88 td rush 8 td rec

Combine: 5110 220 4.68 36.5 vj 1000 broad 4.17 20 6.84 l

Theo Riddick 2nd year in Detroit 6th round in 2013. Notre Dame Somerville, NJ
Lions career: 14 games 9/25/1 rush 4/;26 rec 7 tackles
Preseason: 21/74/1 rush 6/35/2 rec
Record 6-8
Contract 3 years left $517,750 hit.

Theo was given a lot of reps in the off-season program. He replaced an injured Bell. Riddick can line up in the backfield or the slot. He is an effective special teams player.

At Notre Dame, 45 games 26 starts
224/1169/5 rush 120/1263/10 rec

Combine: 5101 201 4.66 14 reps 32 vj 910 broad 4.34 20 6.99 l

Mikel LeShoure 4th year in Detroit 2nd round pick 2011 draft Illinois Champaign, IL
Lion career: 17 games 14 starts 2117/807/9 rush 34/214 rec 3 FL
Preseason: 39/224/1 rush 5/54 rec
record 5-12
Contract: last year $1,085,000 Hit

Mikel was the forgotten man in 2013. After two arrests and a torn achilles, he fell out of favor with Schwartz regime. He only had 2 carries for 7 yards in 2013. Mikel will likely play as the 4th RB waiting for Bush to get injured.

At Illinois, 33 games 17 Starts
424/2557/23 rush 37/439/5 rec

Combine: 5115 232 4.59 21 reps 38 vj 1002 broad 4.4 20 6.82 l

Steven Miller 2nd year in Detroit UDFA 2013. App State Picasaway, NJ
Preseason: 15/75 2/22 rec 4/109 KOR 8/21 PR
Contract: 2 years $420,000

Small, tough kid who gives us some depth. Good practice guy with return ability. Will get shot at the practice squad again in 2014.

At App State, 315/1748/14 rush 67/509/5 rec

Pro day: 5063 172 4.52 15 43 vj 1009 broad 4.19 20 6.99 l

Detroit Lions training camp preview QB

Overall: . The question for the backups is will the Lions keep 2 or 3 QB. I think they will keep 2.

Matthew Stafford
6th year 1st pick 2009 draft Georgia Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Ranks: Pro football focus #7, Football Outsiders #12 QBR #22 NFL #19
4 years remain contract 2014 cap: $15,820,000

Regular Stats: 1485/2497/73 177,457 109 td 11 FL passing 118/392 9th rush
record: 24-37 as a starter

Post Season: 28/43/2 380 2 td 1 td rush

Pre Season: 132/213/8 1678 9td

Combine: 6020 225 4.81 30.5 vj 4.47 20 7.06 l

Make or break season for Matthew Stafford. 2013 was an awful season for Staff and for Lions fans. He was 6th in the NFL with 17 picks.

39 games 564/987/33 7731 yards 51td
at Georgia

Dan Orlovsky
8th year 5th round pick 2005 UCONN Shelton, CN
1 year contract $635,000 cap

Regular Season:
Detroit: 12 games 7 starts 0-7 record 150/272/8 1679 yards 8td
NFL 24 games 12 starts 2-10 record 276/472/12 2931 14td

Preseason:
115/204/7 1368 6td

Combine: 6050 225 4.93 29.5 VJ 4.43 20 7.33 l

Dan was re-signed to replace Shaun Hill as the back up to Staff. He is not a strong back up in the NFL. If Staff gets hurt the chances of a win are almost zero.

2008

46 games 916/1567/51 10706 84 td
at UCONN

Kellen Moore
3rd year UDFA 2012 Boise State Proesser WA
1 year on contract $576,668 cap

Preseason:
71/126/3 735 5td

Combine:
5116 197 4.94 27 vj 803 broad 4.56 20 7.41 l

After dramatic improvement in year #2, Moore faces the realization that the Lions do not view him as a back up. His roster spot is in doubt. He needs a strong preseason.

46 games 916/1567/51 10706 84 td
at Boise

James Franklin
Rookie UDFA Missouri Corinth, Texas
3 year contract $420,000

Combine:
6017 230 4.95 26 vj 4.56 20 7.44 l

A real chance to the make the practice squad if the Lions keep only two QB on the roster. Has a strong arm and is mobile.

42 games 586/943/25 6962 51 td
450/1729 21td rush
at Missouri

roster prediction:

Starter: Staff
Back up Dan

Practice Squad: Franklin