On the plus side,   the Lions should give up much fewer sacks this season than the last two seasons when Mike Martz was the Offensive Coordinator.    Martz used mostly 7 step drops,   with the QB being more stationery than in most Offenses,   and most of the time the Offensive Tackles were on an island by themselves.     Also,   there were too many games when Martz either lost patience with the running game or had no intention to run going into the game.

    Under new Offensive Coordinator Jim Colletto,  who is also the Offensive Line Coach  ( for the 2nd straight season ),    Jon Kitna will have more 3 and 5 step drops,   he will be on the designed move in and out of the pocket frequently,   and there will be a much greater emphasis on TE's and / or RB's helping the Offensive Tackles in pass protection.      As much as anything though,   both Rod Marinelli and Jim Colletto have stressed that the Lions won't give up on the running game.    In that it's a necessity to keep pounding the rock  ( literally ),   in order for the opposing Defense to feel the affects in the 2nd half.   In other words,   the plan is for the 2 and 3 runs to become 5 and 6 yard runs,   with the opposing Defense tiring and losing its will.      Because the Lions have differential WR's  in Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams,    the Lions need to force the opposition to respect the run.     Expect many bootlegs by Jon Kitna this season,   as the Lions zone blocking scheme is relatively similar to what Denver,   Houston,    and Green Bay use.

          Now the major concern.    The Offensie Line is a work in progress in terms of chemistry and proficiency with the running game.    The emphasis is on much fewer plays than was the case with Mike Martz,   who kept adding plays.    With the players under Colletto becoming proficient with those plays.   So far,   it hasn't happened with the running plays.     Reasons for this is in practice,   there's no cut blocking Defensive players.     Also,   the starting Offensive Line was on the field in only 3 pre-season games,   with them being removed from the game before the end of the first half in all 3 of the games.     Even noticeably earlier in 2 of the 3 games.   Rod Marinelli prioritized being healthy going into the regular season.    This was accomplished.   Hopefully,  not at the expense of the running game struggling early in the season.

         As for the personnel,   C Dominic Raiola was a Pro Bowl alternate last season.      He's undersized at the position but he good movement skills,   as well as the type of football intelligence one looks for at the position.    Raiola should be a good fit.

           The next best player on the O-Line is probably LT Jeff Backus.    He's an average or slightly below average LT.    Backus played through various injuries in recent seasons,    that would have sidelined most players.     He seems to be relatively healthy at this point in time.   Backus was a 1st Round pick in 2001 and has started every game.      Backus and Raiola have been constants on a Line that has had plenty of change over the years.     Backus has had problems with KGB and some other speed rushers.   

           The surprise of the summer on the Offensive Line is RT George Foster performing with much more consistency.   To the extent that 1st Round pick Gosder Cherilus hasn't been able to crack the starting lineup.    Whether the talented Foster will finally remain consistent when it counts,   remains to be seen.

         Gosder  Cherilus is still a work in progress but has shown flashes of big time ability.    He has a killer instinct but needs to harness his technique.   He performed well enough at both Tackle positions that the coaches feel comfortable with him being the swing Tackle early in the season.    To the extent that Jonathan Scott was cut.

         I'll gladly discuss the starting Guards or any other related questions you might have.   

David Memories of 2-6-05: Jax Super Bowl and the BIG 43

With that stated I sure wouldn't mind hearing about the guard play as well.  I have a cousin who is a huge Lions fan telling me that the line should be much improved this year.  So I wanted to hear your opinion being an avid Lions watcher.

Go Jaguars! Official Reggie Williams Supporter!

    As for the Lions Guards,  LG Edwin Mulitalo is a saavy veteran who earned a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens.   When Jim Colletto was  Baltimore's Offensive Line Coach.    JDR and   Mike Smith were on that staff as well.          Colletto and Smith had praise for each  other leading up to the Lions-Falcons game.      Getting back to Mulitalo,  he's better in close quarters than in space.    He's huge.    Speed and quickness give him some problems when pass blocking.     I'm not sold on him being a good fit in the Lions type of zone blocking scheme but his presence in the starting lineup is necessary.    

     Stephen Peterman,   a former 3rd Round pick by the Cowboys,  who suffered a major knee injury with Dallas,    is the Lions RG.   This summer,   he held off Manny Ramirez,   a 4th Round pick in 2007,  from Texas Tech.     Peterman's skills seem to fit this scheme well,   as he moves well,   and is compact.      On the downside,   he makes his share of mental mistakes,    including a false start in yesterday's game.   

     Manny Ramirez has more upside but come from a spread Offense in college,  he's a work in progress.    Especially,   since Ramirez had to learn a new Offensive Scheme for the 2nd year in a row to start his NFL career.  

    

David Memories of 2-6-05: Jax Super Bowl and the BIG 43