Offensive Line Turnover

[X_Factor_40]

Detroit Lions prepared for potential offensive line turnover, says coach Jim Schwartz

[stylish313]

I think it's quite possible that we see a line-up that looks like:

LT- Reiff
LG- Sims
C- Raiola
RG- Rookie
RT- Fox
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Are you getting Ziggy with it?

[RyanFuller003]

I think they'll go ahead and keep Cherilus; he's actually been okay the last couple of years. Sign him to some kind of a deal in the neighborhood of 3 years, $10 million. At LT, let Backus and Reiff compete. People will complain if Backus continues playing, but I don't have an issue with the way he's played over the last 3 years or so. Between those two positions and Rob Sims, we're all set. The other two, on the other hand, are an issue.

They should do what they can to cut Peterman. He counts for $2.65 million against the cap, and they can alleviate all of it by releasing him. Worst-case scenario here is that they slap Reiff over here, but more likely I think they'll sign someone like Geoff Schwartz or draft someone to fill this spot.

I think it's time for Raiola to go, but this isn't a great draft for centers. Barrett Jones is a possibility in the 2nd round I guess.

I keep reading talk about getting Fox or Bill Nagy involved. I'm not too excited about either's prospects, though. Fox has a long, scary injury history and hasn't looked very good in the limited time he has been forced to play. I think if you depend on him to hold up one of the tackle positions as a starter, you're asking for trouble, because I just don't expect him to be able to play though the season.

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to give Nagy a chance to compete with Peterman or Raiola, but he's had injury problems of his own (a surgically repaired ankle that's landed him on IR in two straight seasons), but I can't pencil him in as a starter or even an heir apparent.

As of right now I'm expecting:

LT - Backus
LG - Sims
C - Raiola / Rookie
RG - Reiff / Rookie / Free Agent
RT - Cherilus
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[TheROARisBACK]

[detroitroar]

Relying on Fox at this point would be almost as bad as relying on Best to come back. I'll believe it when I see it.

My hope is that Joeckel falls to us at 5. That can only happen if KC goes QB at #1.
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[batrobj]

I would put reiff at lt. sims at LG. rookies at c and rg. fox at rt.

[Nnivolcm]

[DrRay11]

[diehardlionfan]

While it isn't the direction I want them to go I expect big changes in the offensive line simply due to the salary cap.

It wouldn't shock me at all to see four new starters on the line with the only returning starter being Sims.

As much as I like Backus he is up there in age and he has to be let go at some point. Same goes for Raiola. Both players make good salaries and the Lions are desperate for cap room so they could be casualties. Cherilus has improved every year and had a fantastic season last year. His return is probably dependant on what his salary demands are and how confident the team is in Fox.

So it wouldn't surprise me to see

LT.......Reiff
LG......Sims
C........Nagy or a rookie from this upcoming draft.
RG......Warmack
LT.......Fox


What the Lions do have is some flexibility along the offensive line. It really boils down to how confident they are in some of the players ability to take the next step.

The Lions have some serious decisions to make this year and unfortunately the cap is going to figure prominently in those decisions. It's to bad there have to be casualties because both Backus and Cherilus deserve to play.

Personally I would make every attempt to resign Cherilus but I think his play will get him a contract bigger than the Lions can afford.

In the long run the cap is the big issue and where they think they can get the biggest bang for the buck. Cutting Backus and Raiola while not resigning Goz free's up some decent cash. If they van also get some renegotiations and extensions done then the Lions could add some talent on the defensive side of the ball.
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Sig by LionsFTW

To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.

[stylish313]

I see a lot of parallel's between Cliff in 2011, and Gosder in 2012. The biggest difference being, no way could you call Gosder the Lions best OL, whereas, not only could you call Cliff the Lions best DL in 2011, he was their defense's best play-maker period.

Neither were worth what they were probably gonna receive though. And whereas fans were prepared to buy into Cliff's overrated backups like Willie who had more personal fouls than impact plays, everyone seems ready to write off Jason Fox who was once considered a high 2nd round prospect.
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Are you getting Ziggy with it?

[diehardlionfan]

[detroitroar]

[jaylittle03]

Sounds like there might not be a huge interest in offensive line at number 5.....
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Props to wi7son

[diehardlionfan]

[Jrugges]

Jeff Backus
Rob Sims
Rookie
Rookie
Riley Reiff