By Brian Moore
August 9, 2009

It's the dawn of a new day in Detroit as new head coach Jim Schwartz comes in. Schwartz has worked under Jeff Fisher and Bill Bellichick and is very well groomed to be an NFL head coach. Schwartz hired a veteran staff and set forth on a slow but deliberate evaluation period based upon attitude, work ethic, talent and dedication that turned over more than fifty percent of the roster from last year's winless season. That needed to happen. Some are curious about the players that remain, we shall see.

Schwartz's defenses in tennessee were tough and it all started up front with a very good defensive line. They don't have it in Detroit. Schwartz decided on the stop gap approach of putting two mamoth defensive tackles in the middle. Grady Jackson was signed and Sam Hill was drafted in the fourth round and that's nearly 700 pounds for offensive linemen to move. Cliff Avril was a third round pick last season. He and Dewayne White should prove to be good ends. Avril is a good athlete that could surprise.

At safety the Lions have two big hitters in Louis Delmas and Daniel Bullocks. New comers Anthony Henry and Phillip Buchanon instantly upgrade the defense. Their secondary depth is free agents acquired from six different teams and former Lions draft picks to battle it out in camp.

Lions added Larry Foote from Pittsburgh to command the defense from the middle linebacker spot. He's flanked by Ernie Simms and the other free agent signee, Julian Peterson. Depth for linebackers is almost non-existent with former Raiders safety Darnell Bing trying to make it at linebacker.

The Titans run and run some more. Kevin Smith should get alot of work. If he's tired, they signed Maurice Morris from Seattle. Rookie Aaron Brown and Aveion Cason provide speed for the third down back role. Fullback is a weakness and converted defensive tackle Jon Bradley should get a shot.

At quarterback will likely be Daunte Culpepper who seems a bit rejuvenated by Schwartz and his new offensive coordinator and former coach Scott Linehan. Culpepper was excellent under Linehan and hopes to revive his career. Culpepper is merely a place holder for rookie Matt Stafford. Stafford is likely to be weaned onto the NFL game slowly. If he does start, Kevin Smith is likely to get even more carries. The Lions won't be winning the Superbowl this year and don't need their new franchise quarterback to get hurt. There's a whole learning curve that he must master this year. Drew Stanton probably won't make the team since it doesn't look like he can contribute.

All world talent Calvin Johnson is far better than any receiver Schwartz ever coached. Bryant Johnson was signed to play opposite Calvin. Bryant needs to play like a first round draft pick for a change, he has talent. Mike Furrey and Shaun McDonald are gone, this is a new receiving corps. Will Franklin is a second year player that comes over from Kansas City after not playing much in 2008. Journeyman Keary Colbert returns. Journeyman Ron Curry has already been traded. Rookie Derrick Williams is about all they've got left. That's worth noting for fantasy fans as opportunity may present itself for Derrick. DJ Boldin, Anquan's brother, may surprise as well.

Both Linehan and Schwartz like to use the tight end in the passing game and they drafted the best one in Brandon Pettigrew. Rookie Dan Gronkoswki and Casey Fitzsimmons are fine blockers that may need to play an h-back role with the fullback deficiency.

Along the offensive line there is a "show me" attitude and competition going on. This is probably the worst offensive line Schwartz has been around, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Left tackle Jeff Backus is alright but not the star many expect at left tackle. Right tackle Gosder Cherilus did fine last year as a rookie but must improve. Former starter George Foster returns to push those two. Daniel Loper from Tennessee was regarded as a talented backup playing behind a group of talented starters. Well, now he'll get a chance to play so, let's see. He can play tackle or guard and should prove invaluable this first year. Stephen Peterman starts at the other guard spot while former Charger Toniu Fonoti challenges in camp. Dominic Raiola is a good center. Manny Ramirsz and workout king rookie Lydon Murtha will also push the starters for playing time. This is the camp competition, work hard type group Schwartz wants to instill.

Make no mistake about this team. They're improving this year not winning the Supe. They have to win back fans too and Schwartz have taken the players out to do just that. If it doesn't feel like "same ol' Lions" it'll be a good year.