Suh exits, expectations fall
Team needs Ngata, offense to deliver
Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin got a laugh out of how the Dallas Cowboys’ season ended in January. He would have preferred a wild-card playoff win instead.
One week after officials’ decision to pick up a flag helped the Cowboys rally to oust the Lions, Dallas’ postseason run came to an end at the Green Bay Packers with help from an equally controversial call: a Dez Bryant catch overturned on the rule associated with Detroit star Calvin Johnson.
“Very, very, very ironic how that happens,” Quin said in a phone conversation with USA TODAY Sports before turning more serious. “Obviously, everybody looks at that one play. But we can’t put ourselves in those situations. We can’t allow ourselves to be in that situation where it comes down to a call that the referee has to make.”
Detroit led 14-0 early and 20-7 in the third quarter before Dallas scored on three consecutive possessions against one of the NFL’s best defenses to take the lead in the closing minutes.
Still, the Lions took a big step forward in 2014, going 11-5 in the regular season under new coach Jim Caldwell even though Johnson was limited for much of the season by a high ankle sprain.
The Lions again are an afterthought in conversations about title contenders, mostly because all-pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh bolted for the Miami Dolphins.
“That last game of the year is so far back in our rearview mirror, we don’t even talk about it,” Caldwell said. “We’re focused in on what’s ahead.”
They’ll need five-time Pro Bowl pick Haloti Ngata, acquired from the Baltimore Ravens, to make up for some of the productivity lost with the departures of Suh, Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosley.
They’ll need respected defensive coordinator Teryl Austin to find ways to scheme around the loss of Suh, one of the NFL’s most disruptive forces. They’ll need Quin and others whose production spiked on that potent defense in 2014 to stay at that level.
And they’ll need a lot more from an offense that ranked 19th in yards (340.8) and 22nd in points (20.1) a game last season — numbers that figure to improve if Johnson stays healthy and quarterback Matthew Stafford continues his uptick in efficiency.
“If people don’t want to put us on the radar, that’s fine,” Quin said. “Hopefully, we’ll come out it and it won’t take them long say, ‘Oh, those guys are for real.’ ”
Quarterbacks
The Lions packed their staff with QB gurus to help Stafford, who posted three-year highs in completion rate (60.3%) and passer rating (85.7) in 2014. His yardage total (4,257) decreased for a third consecutive year, and he was sacked a career-high 45 times. But his 12 interceptions were his fewest for a full season, a positive step for a known gun- slinger. Kellen Moore has a chance to win the No. 2 job over Dan Orlovsky.
Running backs
Reggie Bush’s release opened the door for drafting Nebraska workhorse Ameer Abdullah in the second round. A combine standout with a 42½-inch vertical leap, Abdullah figures to complement leading rusher Joique Bell, who is coming off minor surgeries on his knee and Achilles tendon. Theo Riddick is another receiving threat out of the backfield. Ditto fullback Michael Burton, a fifthround pick from Rutgers.
Wide receivers
Johnson remains feared when healthy, but he was limited last season to 13 games and 71 catches (his fewest since 2009). “Megatron,” who turns 30 in September, maintains he has big seasons left in him. Golden Tate proved to be
more than a capable sidekick, catching 99 balls for 1,331 yards in 2014 and making his first Pro Bowl. Depth is a question mark. Jeremy Ross’ value is as a return man, but he played 65% of the snaps on offense. Veteran Lance Moore is nearing the end at 31.
Tight ends
Eric Ebron dealt with a hamstring injury last season, but teammates have spoken positively of his progress. The Lions also thought they’d get more production out of veteran Brandon Pettigrew, who’s back for a seventh season. Joseph Fauria was limited by ongoing ankle trouble in the offseason. He needs to prove he’s more than a red-zone threat and dancing machine.
Offensive line
The Lions are moving on from center Dominic Raiola. They’ll replace him with Travis Swanson, a third-round pick in 2014. Manny Ramirez, acquired in a draft-day trade from the Denver Broncos, also can play center but mostly practiced at left guard in the offseason ahead of first-round pick Laken Tomlinson (Duke). Left tackle Riley Reiff and right guard Larry Warford return. Right tackle LaAdrian Waddle tore an anterior cruciate ligament in December, leaving his status uncertain. Towering second-year pro Cornelius Lucas would be his probable replacement.
Defensive line
The loss of Suh is a major blow. Ngata has value, but he isn’t what he was. Versatile ex-New Orleans Saint Tyrunn Walker could emerge as the other starter inside. But Caraun Reid, a second-year pro from Princeton, took firstteam reps in minicamp. Rookie Gabe Wright will have opportunities. Ziggy Ansah has 151⁄ sacks in 2 two seasons and is rising at right end. Jason Jones sat out minicamp after knee surgery but is due back for training camp.
Linebackers
Weak-side run stopper DeAndre Levy is coming off his most productive season as he enters a contract year. The Lions look solid in the middle with Stephen Tulloch, 30, who says he’s back from his torn ACL. Kyle Van Noy, a second-round pick from Brigham Young in 2014, figures to get every chance to win time on the strong side.
Secondary
A longtime weak spot showed signs of turning the corner in 2014. Quin had a career-high seven interceptions. Fellow safety James Ihedigbo had four after following Austin from the Ravens. Darius Slay’s progress solidified the cornerback spot opposite longtime Jacksonville Jaguar Rashean Mathis, still producing at 34. Slot man Cassius Vaughn is gone. Nevin Lawson, a fourthround pick last year, returns. The Lions drafted two more cornerbacks (Stanford’s Alex Carter in the third round and Texas’ Quandre Diggs in the sixth) and signed three veterans (Chris Owens, Josh Wilson and Crezdon Butler) to minimum deals. Isa Abdul-Quddus and Don Carey are key backups and special-teamers.
Special teams
The Lions paid a $750,000 bonus to re-sign Matt Prater, who calmed their incredible placekicking storm last season after his release by the Broncos. Punter Sam Martin also returns, as does long snapper Don Muhlbach.
Coaching
Caldwell, 60, has made the most of his second head coaching opportunity. He’s down-to-earth and has a long history as a quarterbacks coach. So does offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, 44, who did a better job than he was credited for in using his playmakers. Jim Bob Cooter, 31, is Stafford’s position coach. Austin, 50, did the head coaching interview circuit after his unit’s strong showing. His return is perhaps the biggest factor in thinking the Lions can survive the loss of Suh. Joe Marciano, 61, takes over as special-teams coordinator.