From: koski@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Jeff Koski )
Subject: Re: Lions News
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 19:16:47 GMT

smorris@venus.lerc.nasa.gov (Ron Morris ) writes:

>Time for another try at getting some Lions discussion going.   Never
>works, but what the Hell.  Here's the Lions' situation as I know it.
>If anyone with better access to Detroit media than I has additions
>or corrections, feel free.

	Well, I don't have better access to the Detroit media (being
buried deep in the heart of Bear country), but from what I have seen
and read in the local and national media, I pretty much agree with
your assessments.  Some additional observations are noted below.

>Holdouts:

>The Lions are pretty much set. (list deleted)
 	Another holdout is DB Sheldon White, who played very well in
nickel situations last year.  His absence will not be missed much, it
appears, with the return of Blades and the overall depth of the secondary
(especially with Colon looking so good) that has become perhaps the
strongest part of the team (Sanders notwithstanding--remember, he has no
quality backup).   

>Quarterback:

>No QB controversy, Peete was handed the job from day one.  This is
>the year he's GOT to show he's a starting (and durable) NFL QB.
	I agree with the second part of that.  Peete has steadily
improved his skills, especially at reading defenses, and his arm (IMO)
is underrated.  He's looked damn good this summer.  If the Lions could
depend on some reasonable semblance of health from the guy, Ware would
be on his way to Houston faster that you can say "Sean Jones".

>against Cinci.  I still look for the Lions to trade a QB, Ware or
>maybe Kramer, for an offensive lineman before the trading deadline 
>in October.
	Kramer won't be traded--he's too valuable as a backup (like
Beurlein is Dallas).  And he's very unlikely to complain about playing
time.  Ware, on the other hand, might prove to be expendable.  Fontes
might be forced to giving him up for an OG, or perhaps a pass rusher
(see above).

>Receivers:

>Lots of good young talent.  Another possiblity for trade bait.
	Sounds good to me, but the problem is that the NFL seems to avoid
trading players for players (with notable exceptions, but usually trades
involve draft picks, i.e., yesterday's 49er trade).  The Lions need to
send a player like Jeff Campbell (or Ware, or even someone like Gibson or
Pritchett) for an OL.  I'd bet that Campbell gets released (squeezed out
in the move away from the R&S), and the Lions get nothing for him.  The NFL
seems to rely almost exclusively on Plan B and the waiver wire to acquire
experienced players.  Other opinions?  

>Tight End:  

>Plan B guy Jimmie Johnson and 3rd round pick McLemore will make the
>team but neither has looked great.  Too early to tell, though.
	TSN said that Johnson has looked good and the Lions like him a
lot.  McLemore looks like good prospect, but a project.

>Offensive Line:

>As expected, the biggest problem area.  Shawn Bouwens, who was 
>supposed to replace Andolsek, has not looked good.  They signed
>Crawford Ker, but I don't think he's the answer.  I look for a trade.
	The Lions will go as far as the OL can take them.  If they can
fill the holes reasonably well, they will be extremely tough to beat.
If not, their QBs will drop like flies.  As I noted above, I'm
doubtful, yet hopeful, of a trade to help improve this bleak situation.


>Secondary:

>Depth looked to be a problem but Plan B guy Harry Colon, 8th round
>pick Willie Clay, and free agent Junior Robinson have all looked
>good in camp.  Should be a strength.
	Add a pass rush to this defense and the Lions will go undefeated
at home again this year.  Crockett, William White, Blades, Jenkins, then
add these guys and Sheldon White, and you're looking at the best (at least
deepest) secondary in the league.  Don't be surprised if somebody from
this group is traded.


>Injuries:

>No bad ones as yet.  Spielman, Cofer, and Crockett have missed
>significant parts of the pre-season, but are expected to be
>ready for the start of the regular season.
	Do you think, after all the serious injuries of last year (Ball,
Cofer, Peete, Gibson) compounded by the well-publicized Utley, Andolsek,
and Len Fontes tragedies, that the Lions might actually be able to stay
away from key injuries?  If so, and they can rebuild the OL, they're as
good as any team in the NFC.

Jeff


>Ron
From: privat@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Jim Privat)
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 16:33:44 GMT
Subject: Re: Has Brian Blades signed yet??
Organization: the HP Corporate notes server