Detroit Lions season preview

Last years record: 3-13 (last place in division)
Coach: Rob Marinelli
Key additions: Dewayne White DE: White is a solid player who is familiar with Marinelli's defensive system coming from the Bucs. He is very young and has potential to become a premiere pass rusher.
Tatum Bell RB: If Kevin Jones isn't fully healthy from his terrible foot injury, Bell should be the starter. Bell is a solid back but anyone would look good running for the Broncos. If Bell has a good season, then people would notice his play wasn't a fluke.
Key Loss: Dre Bly CB: Bly was a locker room cancer for the Lions at times but he is a shut down corner when healthy. He is great in man to man coverage and should make a great duo with Champ Bailey in Denver.
Draft: This may be looked upon as the draft that finally helped the Lions turn the corner. Calvin Johnson is a once a decade receiver prospect and should make an immediate impact and become an all pro receiver in a year or two. Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton could also become a solid player if he gets a good grip of Mike Martz's offense and could start when called upon in a few years. Ikaika Alama-Francis could also make an impact in a few years and has double digit sack potential. So if Stanton to Johnson becomes one of the most feared connections in the league, the Lions would have a good draft.
Offense: When looking at this offense you must sometimes wonder if Mike Martz plays fantasy football because this unit could be fun to watch. Jon Kitna might not be the long term answer but is a solid player who can put up numbers and is a great leader. If Kevin Jones returns healthy, he and Tatum Bell could make a solid duo to improve on the 32nd ranked rushing attack. The receiving corps could be great as Roy Williams had a pro bowl season last year and is only improving. Plus Mike Furrey had over 100 receptions last year and possibly could be the number 3 receiver. Also look for them to use 4 receiver sets with new addition Shaun McDonald from the Rams.
Defense: The Lions defense was pretty bad last year ranking 28th in the league. Ernie Sims was a good surprise last year and should become one of the leaders of the defense. The defensive tackle tandem of Shaun Rogers and Corey Redding is pretty solid. Redding had a breakout campaign last year with 8 sacks. Expect the same this year. The only problem is Rogers as he sometimes takes plays off and has underachieved the last couple seasons. Plus the team can't be happy with his legal troubles. The defensive backs are very inexperienced. Honestly, how many teams would have Stanley Wilson and Travis Fisher as starting corners? Not exactly a duo thats going to stop pass happy attacks.
Fantasy Studs: Jon Kitna QB: Kitna could be a great sleeper pick this year as he gets lots of yards and with his receivers he could have lots of touchdowns. If Kitna cuts down on interceptions, he should be a no.1 quarterback.
RB: Neither Kevin Jones or Tatum Bell are worth starting at this point considering the Lions play a lot from behind and don't get to establish the running game. If the offense gets rolling though one of them could end up being a good starting back with Marshall Faulk like numbers.
Roy Williams WR: Williams is slowly becoming one of the premiere receivers in the league. That should continue this year as he now has even more weapons on his team. He should have similar numbers to last year and should be a low no.1 or high no.2 starter.
Calvin Johnson WR: Johnson could possibly have a huge rookie campaign. The question is if how much impact he will have his first couple games. He is a good no.3 receiver for now possibly becoming a 2.
Prediction: The Lions should be much improved from last season as they now have the potential to be one of the most explosive offenses in the league. If the defense plays well it could be a solid season. But knowing the Lions management even if they don't live up to expectations Matt Millen will stick around. My prediction is 7-9 and second place in the division. That's also good enough to give Millen a contract extension.