Posted by Lisa on September 10, 2008, 9:24 pm
Message modified by board administrator September 11, 2008, 1:29 am
The Lions have already made a couple changes on their roster which are going to make the inactive list interesting. But more may be on the way.
Last week 5 defensive guys were inactive: Ikaika Alama-Francis, Andre Fluellen, Landon Cohen, Ramzee Robinson, and Gilbert Gardner. And 2 offensive guys--Manny Ramirez and #3 QB Drew Stanton--were inactive.
Because Dan Campbell is now on IR, Michael Gaines is going to be the #1 TE. They replaced Dan on the roster with Brandon Middleton who will be the #1 Kick Returner.
Also, this week they're moving Manny Ramirez up to starting RG in place of Stephen Peterman. None of the o-lineman looked all that great. But Peterman has looked like the weakest link for a while now. However, this complicates the inactive decisions a bit because they don't have a clear cut starter anywhere except at OC and LG. (Yeah, I think Jeff Backus is on shaky ground, too.) So, they're going to have to keep another OG up in case Manny struggles. But they also want to keep RT/LT Gosder Cherilus up because George Foster should also be on a short leash. Which means they have to come up with one other inactive spot between: TE John Owens (who shouldn't be on the roster), RB Marcus Thomas (though that would be somewhat risky, Felton can be a third RB), or one of the triumvirate of Peterman/McCollum/Cook to sit out this game.
Peterman played well enough to keep his starting job during the pre-season. But he only plays RG. Andy McCollum can play all of the interior positions, including OC. But I think that it may be Damion Cook they decide to keep active because he can play RT and either OG spot. I wouldn't want him at LT, but his familiarity in this scheme gives him a slight advantage over Peterman, perhaps over McCollum. Cook was cut before the first game so his contract wasn't guaranteed, but was then promptly re-signed on Monday. This might indicate that they have more confidence in McCollum than Cook, but McCollum cannot play OT. If Backus gets hurt, Gosder can plug in at LT (though Gosder on Kampman would be a minor nightmare...yet, Backus is already a nightmare so...). Cook could fill in for Foster if he sucks like he did in the first game or fill in for Manny or Edwin Mulitalo.
Leigh Bodden has been moved up in place of Travis Fisher (which was long overdue. If you're hiring a guy to be the nickel corner, let him play there). And my guy, Daniel Bullocks will be in for Gerald Alexander. I'm a little worried that Bullocks will be too rusty, but Alexander made two too many costly errors which resulted in TDs and so many missed tackles I'm surprised I didn't toss my cookies. Alexander played well last year, for a rookie, but you have to play your best players. And right now he's not getting it done.
I think two more changes are necessary. Change up the LBs and get some alternate D-linemen available to rotate in.
Paris Lenon and Alex Lewis don't belong on the field at the same time. Both are prone to bad angles. Jordan Dizon has better athletic ability. And Ryan Nece has better knowledge of the defense. Either one, or both, changes would probably be an improvement. Lenon looked mind-numbingly horrible. He couldn't tackle, and that is what he hangs his hat on. And Alex Lewis has shown me nothing through the pre-season or the 1st game to justify keeping him at SLB. Paris had a knee tweak, but is slated to start...which IMO is a mistake. Ernie Sims has an ankle issue, so they're probably going to have to keep Gilbert Gardner or Ryan Nece up. Which puts them in another bind. Somebody else may have to sit.
My suggestion is let Shaun Cody go. Don't just make him inactive, just let him GO. The only anchor he functions as, is a weight around the 53 man limit--pulling the d-line down. I thought that maybe they were trying to trade him, but he's worthless. I would rather see Andre Fluellen up. At least he showed flashes of being a play-maker.
Though Jared DeVries is a good dependable player, he didn't make any difference Sunday. I think he had the only sack for the Lions, but on that play it was a coverage sack. I want to see what IAF can do. I'm afraid it won't be much, but at least they would be able to SEE what he's got. If they sit Cody and Langston Moore, IAF can play inside and out, and they can still keep Avril active as a situation pass rusher. (Did he get in the game last Sunday?)
It may smack of panic for them to make all these moves in one week. But quietly, without making waves they have to make Cody inactive to see if Fluellen or IAF can make a difference in a real game.
If they let Rodgers stay clean and the secondary cannot tackle in this game, these WRs are going to kill them. The Atlanta game will look pretty in comparison.
Message Thread:
« Back to thread