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Thursday, August 31
For Lions, it's Batch or bust

By Curt Sylvester
Pro Football Weekly

This is getting serious. Must be. Bobby Ross just couldn't help himself. He used the "L" word to describe his feelings for the 2000 Lions.

Charlie Batch's health has to be the Lions' chief concern. If he doesn't play, the Lions must then rely on journeyman Stoney Case, who is limited. If Batch is healthy, the Lions are a playoff-caliber team. Their trio of receivers -- Germane Crowell, Johnnie Morton and Herman Moore -- is as good as any trio in the league. But it's all about having Batch in the lineup. Without him, the Lions will finish last in the NFC Central.

"I love our team," Ross said.

The question now is whether the Lions' head coach will still love his team in the cold days of December, because -- despite the admiration Ross expressed after three productive weeks of training camp -- the Lions will go into the new season with more than a few rough edges showing.

Yes, they're willing workers.

Yes, they're big and strong on the offensive line, where Ross likes his players big.

Yes, they have found a respectable running game with James Stewart.

Yes, their defense appears solid front to back, as long as their cornerbacks stay healthy.

In all likelihood, the 2000 Lions are more to Ross' liking than any of his first three Lions teams, which finished 9-7 in 1997, 5-11 in '98 and 8-8 in '99.

But that doesn't guarantee a first-place finish in the NFC Central, and it doesn't ensure a return to the playoffs in January.

To advance that far -- and possibly win their first playoff game since the '91 season -- will require many pieces to come together at the right time, including the fracture in quarterback Charlie Batch's right knee.

Batch is the Lions' most important player. If he plays, they can be effective offensively. If he doesn't play -- and he has a history of injuries -- the Lions could be in for the struggle of their lives, even with Stewart and the jumbo-sized offensive line.

Offense
Quarterbacks: In two years, Batch has proved he can be an effective passer and leader, but the Lions probably won't know until the last minute if he'll be fully recovered from his offseason injury in time for opening day. If Batch can't play, the Lions might suffer. The backups struggled in training camp and the early exhibition games. Projected No. 2 QB Mike Tomczak broke his tibia in the preseason and may be lost for the year.
Grade: C+


	James Stewart's straight-ahead style fits in with Detroit's power running game.

Running backs: By signing Stewart, the Lions filled a major gap in last year's offense. Stewart might be nothing fancy, but he'll get tough yards, run hard and be good in the red zone. Heaven forbid he gets hurt. Sedrick Irvin is a third-down back, and rookie Reuben Droughns has to get over a shoulder separation before he plays again. FB Cory Schlesinger is a blocker and a banger.
Grade: C

Receivers: The Lions have three of the best -- Herman Moore, Johnnie Morton and Germane Crowell -- assuming Ross uses all three and doesn't forget about Moore. Look for a lot of three-WR sets this season. TEs David Sloan and Pete Chryplewicz are above-average receivers but less than 100 percent physically, so the Lions signed Alfred Pupunu.
Grade: B+

Offensive linemen: In theory, the Lions upgraded tremendously with rookie Stockar McDougle at left guard and virtual rookie Aaron Gibson, back from last year's shoulder surgery, at right tackle. However, McDougle may miss 4-6 weeks with a knee injury. The unit's run blocking should be better, but it will be up to veteran ORG Jeff Hartings, OLT Ray Roberts and C Mike Compton to hold it together in pass protection. The line's depth is better with C Eric Beverly, OGs Tony Semple and Kerlin Blaise and OT Barrett Brooks.
Grade: C

Defense
Defensive linemen: Now that defensive end Robert Porcher has re-signed, this is probably the deepest and strongest position on the team. Porcher and Tracy Scroggins make a potent 1-2 punch at end, and Pro Bowler Luther Elliss and James Jones are rock solid at tackle. Youngsters Jared DeVries and Mike Pringley are coming on strong at end. DeVries is also effective playing inside in nickel situations. Defensive tackles Kelvin Pritchett and Travis Kirschke have starting experience.
Grade: A-

Linebackers: The Lions have three very solid starters in Pro Bowl MLB Stephen Boyd, weak-side LB Chris Claiborne and strong-side LB Allen Aldridge, who is also an effective pass rusher. Clint Kriewaldt and rookie Barrett Green give the unit cover ability and speed, both of which were missing a year ago. Kevin O'Neill, Scott Kowalkowski and Richard Jordan provide average depth.
Grade: B-

Defensive backs: A nightmare finish in '99 has Ross a little edgy over his secondary, mostly because of injuries. LCB Bryant Westbrook, coming off a penalty-laden season in which he suffered two hamstring injuries, is primed for a comeback. However, RCB Terry Fair has been slow rebounding from late-April knee surgery, and CB Kevin Abrams is slow returning from foot surgery. The safeties -- SS Ron Rice and FS Kurt Schulz -- are solid. CBs Lamar Campbell and Marquis Walker don't provide great depth, but they should be adequate.
Grade: C+

Special teams
If the Lions ever had a truly successful season, PK Jason Hanson might get the recognition he deserves as one of the strongest and most accurate kickers in the NFL. P John Jett is consistent and places the ball inside the 20-yard line well. Desmond Howard could solve two big problems if he can return punts and kickoffs as well as he did a few years ago for Green Bay.
Grade: B+

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit their website at http://www.profootballweekly.com

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