The long, hot month of August has passed, we're into September and the final exhibition game of 2010 for the Lions. The Buffalo Bills are in town to end the living Hell known as the NFL preseason.

Once again, the game being broadcast locally via tape delay on WWJ-TV, channel 62 in Detroit. Thank GOD it's their final broadcast of the season. As usual, I'll try to update this post with any online live feeds I stumble across. Please feel free to post any you may find in the comments, especially if they are of high quality (though beggars like myself can't be choosers), and I'll post them ASAP.

If nothing turns up (always a possibility with a team with unhappy fanbases), I'll be struck watching the tape delay...starting a 9 PM.  9 F'N PM? The NFL still has their collective heads up their asses when it comes to their broadcast policies.

Even if the game itself is meaningless, there are a few story lines worth watching tonight. But first, here's what I want to see from the Lions.

Five things:

1. No injuries!
2. No injuries!
   
3. No injuries!
   
4. No injuries!
   
5. No injuries!

Oh, yeah. Let me add...NO INJURIES!

The game meas less than jack shit. If it means playing guys who will be meeting the Turk on September 4th, and may never play in the NFL again, all to keep the Matthew Stafford's and Ndamukong Suh's of the world hale, healthy and wise, so be it.

Let me add a caveat. Hopefully wise, as long as Suh has learned that the the heads of quarterbacks aren't to be treated like twist off caps.

Ndamukong Suh, destroyer of worlds and quarterbacks!

Other story lines to watch:

1. How well Kevin Smith plays (I think he brings it tonight)
2. The battle for the third running back spot between Aaron Brown and Maurice Morris (My money is on the speedy Brown)
3. The right tackle battle between Gosder Cherilus and Jon Jansen (If Jansen wins, we may have seen the last of another of Matt Millen's draft picks wearing the Honolulu blue and silver)
4. The battle for the final few wide receiver roster openings (I'm rooting for Mr. Irrelevant, Tim Toone...and his dreads...over Dennis Northcutt)
5. If Drew Stanton plays well enough to keep his spot on the roster (It's already being floated out on the interwebs the Lions may roll the dice, and roll with only two quarterbacks to start the season)

And let's say it together...NO INJURIES!

Final note: I'm not sure if I'll be watching the game in real time, watching in tape delay, or both. But like last three weeks, I'll bet you dollars to donuts I'll be posting on Twitter tonight, trading bon mots with Lions fans. Follow along at @Big_Al_TWFE.

Kevin Smith has done nothing but play his best as a member of the Detroit Lions. He sure as Hell doesn't deserve bile I've seen generated in his name since his poor outing against the Browns.

It's time everyone took a breath, shut their damn yaps for a second, and think about what they're saying. Because, as usual, the mob screaming for Smith to turn in his playbook is wrong.

With Jahvid Best making like a reasonable facsimile of Barry Sanders, but with more straight line speed, in three exhibition games, many fans are all but counting the days till the much slower Smith gets (rightfully, in their eyes) cut.

And it's the lack of speed, exacerbated by Smith's ACL tear suffered last season, an injury I think he's not yet fully recovered from, that has Lions fans ready to cut bait. There's a certain very vocal minority //cough//Mlive fourm-ites//cough// ready to dump the 3rd year back like so much spoiled meat.

Even Jim Schwartz admitted Smith making the roster is not a sure thing.

Via the Freep's Carlos Monarrez:

The Lions have been fond of Smith, but when NFL rosters have to be trimmed to 53 players by Saturday, the Lions may have a tough decision with Smith.

"I don't know," coach Jim Schwartz said Tuesday. "I'll cross that bridge when we get there. I don't know that there's very many people that have 100% earned a spot."

Cross the bridge...slowly...many a Lions fan would add.

Speed has always been an issue with Smith, and it's become a bigger issue with the Lions drafting Best. A healthy Best runs like the wind. The recovering from knee surgery Smith has run like a emission control choked '77 Chevette.

Any resemblance between the two is unintentional

It's like comparing a thoroughbred to a plow horse. It's an unfair comparison. And let's not forget they both have their place on a farm.

Despite Smith having left body parts all over the field, and the fact he averaged 4.1 YPC as a rookie running behind a makeshift offensive line on the worst NFL team in history, it seems fans and possibly even the Lions, want to wash their hands of a player who could still be a productive RB2 in the NFL.

Smith is a more complete back than Aaron Brown, younger than Maurice Morris, faster than Jerome Felton and just plain better than DeDe Dorsey.

If there is one thing I'm concerned about when it comes to Smith, more so than the injury, it's the abuse he suffered at UCF. As a college back, it's a certainty Smith was rode hard, and put away wet.

His 450 carry senior season is finally taking a toll.. That's insane in any league, at any level. Smith set an NCAA record in 2007, which is 34 more than the NFL record of 416 set by Larry Johnson in 2006.

Johnson carried the ball 752 times in 06-07, and has not been the same back since. Smith had 688 carries between his senior season at UCF and his rookie campaign with the Lions. With so much tread off the tires, he may never be the same back...but that's not to say Smith couldn't remain a productive back, if used correctly.

Every team needs a pro like Smith in the backfield. He may not be a home run hitter anymore...if he ever was...but Smith can do all the little things a running back must. He can block, pick up the blitz, catch the ball out of the backfield, and run with power...if not with speed.

I'm sorry, but if one bad game (an EXHIBITION game at that) is enough to convince Lions fans Smith is ready for the waiver wire, then they should also have been crying to waive damn near every player on the roster at one time or another last season.

If you can blame Smith for anything, it's his coming back too fast after his knee injury...and you can toss the Lions just as much blame for allowing Smith to come back before he was truly ready.

The finger pointing at Smith isn't fair, nor is it correct.

Let Kevin Smith be...and more importantly, let Smith get fully healthy. Then we can talk about the kid's future in Detroit...and I do believe Smith has one.

At ESPN.com today, one of the 4 Letter's talking heads, John Clayton, ranks the NFL's 32 starting quarterbacks. Breaking the quarterbacks down even further, he places them in one of three divisions, "Elite", "Chad Pennington", and "Hit or miss." In the two lower divisions, Clayton also rates the chances those QBs have to reach "elite" status.

Though I do have second (and third) thoughts about the rankings when I see just how far Clayton is willing to stretch the term "elite". Tony Romo, Joe Flacco, Eli Manning and Matt Ryan are included in the same tier as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Are they good? Sure. Elite? I don't think so. Not yet, anyway.

Regardless of what Clayton thinks, the NFL does NOT have 14 "elite" quarterbacks.

With the procedural crap out of the way, lets cut through the BS. I'm only concerned with one Matthew Stafford here at TWFE.

Stafford is listed in the "Hit or miss" division, ranked 27th overall. Here's what Clayton has to say about the face of the Lions' franchise.

27. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Analysis: Stafford survived a painful rookie season in which he was pounded by defenses (24 sacks, 20 interceptions), but he showed flashes of greatness. Tight end Tony Scheffler and wide receiver Nate Burleson will pull coverage away from go-to receiver Calvin Johnson and give the Lions' offense -- and Stafford -- a chance.
Chance of being elite: 55 percent

Who's going to keep Stafford from becoming the best Lions QB in 50 years?
Not this coach...

OK, sounds fair enough. I agree with the flashes of greatness statement, and the fact new receiving options will help. Why Clayton doesn't mention Jahvid Best possibly giving Stafford something even more important,  a running game (or even the threat of one), is beyond me.

But here's where it gets ridiculous. According to Clayton, at 55%, Stafford has the best odds of being an "elite" NFL quarterback out of either the "Pennington" or "hit or miss" categories...save for two other players.

Jay Cutler is rated 15th, and given a 95% shot at becoming elite. I'm sure Bears fans will have something to say about that after watching Cutler throw away game after game after game in 2009 thanks to Cutler's penchant for throwing backbreaking, life shortening, game losing, interceptions. But that ranking doesn't bother me nearly as much as the other quarterback given a better chance...

Sam Bradford.

Yes, Bradford. A rookie who has yet to play a regular season game. He of the three career NFL exhibition games, is pegged at 80%

Has Clayton even watched any of Stafford's performances? Like the Cleveland game last season, the best game ever (422 yards passing is an NFL rookie record, 5 passing TD's ties the rookie record) by a rookie quarterback?  What about any of Stafford's impressive exhibitions in 2010? That has to count for something, as (obviously) Clayton considers Bradford damn near a can't miss player on the basis of three whole exhibition games.

At best, Bradford's odds at being an "elite" quarterback is a 50-50 coin-flip. Why Bradford gets the benefit of the doubt, while Stafford (and Mark Sanchez, Chad Henne, Kevin Kolb, Josh Freeman, and Matt Moore) don't is something only Clayton can explain.

After seeing every snap Stafford has taken as a pro (something I wonder a national NFL writer would bother to do, considering the Lions have won two games over the past two seasons), factoring in his monster game against the Browns, the willingness to lead and take punishment, the crazy strong arm, and his excellent performances so far in 2010, I'm fairly confident in saying I'd take Stafford over any of the quarterbacks mentioned from 15 on down by Clayton.

Stafford is going to take the next step this season. He won't yet be "elite", but will be on his way to joining the likes of...well, in the eyes of Clayton...Tony Romo.

I know I shouldn't let articles like Clayton's get my goat. I don't want to play the "no respect" card when it comes to the Lions. But this ridiculousness of ignoring and/or underrating Lions players has got to stop. This franchise is slowly, surely, and most importantly, FINALLY, developing players who have a great shot at becoming elite level players.

Players like Matthew Stafford.

The Seahawks and Lions continued to show their feelings for each other by consummating another deal late Monday.

Via the Freep's Carlos Monarrez and Dave Birkett:

The Detroit Lions have traded offensive lineman Tyler Polumbus to Seattle, although it is unknown what the Lions received in return.

Polumbus’ agent, Jack Mills, said his client was traded to the Seahawks on Monday night.

They aren't sleepless in Seattle when it comes to Detroit and Lions GM Martin Mayhew. Apparently they'll take a call from him anywhere, anytime, about any player.

Polumbus was a waiver wire wonder the Lions picked up last week. As an extra training camp body, he didn't have a future in Detroit. So Martin Mayhew picked himself up a player/draft pick for essentially nothing, other than the cost of the waiver move and a week's salary for Polumbus.

This trade is very similar to the Kevin O'Connell saga from last September. Mayhew claimed QB O'Connell off of waivers from the Patriots, then traded him to the Jets a week later for 7th round pick in 2011.

Martin Mayhew had to have been a horse trader in another life. He's become a master of the player flip, getting something for nothing.

Free agent linebacker Rocky Boiman, who got his start in the NFL playing for Jim Schwartz from 2002-05 with the Titans, and has bounced around the NFL as a backup linebacker-special teams player ever since, is expected to sign with the Lions today.

I'm sure you're asking, "So the Lions signed a 30 year old depth linebacker. What's the big deal?"

The big deal?

Rocky is a Ginger Kid.

A GINGER! AHHHHHH!

You know what they say about Ginger Kids...

Rocky Boiman, Satan's linebacker

It's hard to top the Mangenius' reaction after Colt McCoy's game ending Hail Mary wasn't much of a hail, landing well out of bounds.

Mangenuis: "Is it that hard to throw the ball in-bounds?"
If you're Colt McCoy, the answer is, "Yes."

As I'm up to absolutely nothing on a Saturday night, here's my quick thoughts on tonight's 35-27 Lions victory over the Browns.

Jahvid Best: Is really, really good. Please direct me to his bandwagon, as I'm ready to jump on.

Those guys in white? They didn't have a chance against Best...

Kevin Smith: If you were on Twitter during the game, or listening to sports talk radio afterward, the fanbase wants Smith gone...tonight.

I will admit to be greatly annoyed by his fumble, which was returned for a touchdown. The one thing a back can't do is put the ball on the turf. His lack of speed was glaring, especially after watching Best leave burn marks on the field behind him, and even Aaron Brown, who played very well himself...be it against the Browns' 2nd team.

Average yards per carry also says something about Smith, and it isn't good.

• Jahvid Best: 1-51, 51.0 YPC
• Aaron Brown: 5-34, 6.8
• Jerome Felton: 6-37, 6.1
  
• DeDe DorseyDorsey: 2-9, 4.5
  
• Kevin Smith: 8-20, 2.5
  
• Maurice Morris: 2-4, 2.0

Smith had the most carries, yet the worst YPC average. Even bruising fullback Jerome Felton looked better than Smith when carrying the ball. (Felton will definitely get carries this season, he's looked that good)

But before we start writing Smith off, let's remember something. He's coming off of a severe knee injury. I was surprised Smith was ready at the start of camp...as were the Lions. The concern I have is, did Smith come back too early? By his seemingly losing a step, the answer maybe yes.

Let's give Smith the benefit of the doubt, and let him get healthier over the next few weeks. Smith does the little things a back has to do, namely pick up a blitz and catch the ball out of the backfield, better than any of the backs on the roster. That ability has got to be worth keeping, right?

Penalties: The 2nd quarter was God awful when it came to penalties. Gosder Cherilus' holding call nullified a wonderful 50 yard pass play from Matt Stafford to Nate Burleson. Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosch extended Browns' drives with personal foul calls (Suh with a facemask on Jake Delhomme and Vanden Bosch hit Delhomme on the helmet). An offensive pass interference call on Burleson caused a Lions' drive to stall.  It was not one of the Lions' finer exhibitions of football.

Jim Schwartz nailed it when interviewed at the end of the quarter, saying,  "We played crappy football."

If there's one thing about the Detroit Lions that drives me to total distraction, it's their penchant to commit stupid penalties. It doesn't matter who is coaching, or who is wearing the uniform...over the decades, the Honolulu blue and silver brings out the utter boneheadedness in players.

Louis Delmas: Was on the field for 21 snaps. It's a start.

Amari Spievey: The 3rd round pick looked good on a safety blitz, sacking Seneca Wallace. But it was the only time he made a play. There were also missed tackles and getting beat on coverage. The Lions don't think Spievey can cover as a corner. So they moved him to safety...where he's being badly outplayed by...

Randy Phillips: The Lions may have whiffed on Spievey, but Phillips continues to impress. The undrafted free agent out of the U had 6 tackles and a forced fumble. This kid better make the team. Phillips is always around the ball, and makes plays. Speaking of making plays...

Willie Young: The 7th round pick did it again. For the 2nd week in a row, Young sacked the quarterback and seperated him from the ball. The young defensive end stopped a Browns 4th quarter drive when he sacked Browns' quarterback Colt McCoy, stripping him in the process, allowing Landon Johnson to recover the fumble. The turnover led to a Aaron Brown touchdown run.

Willie Young doesn't like quarterbacks...

When it comes to Young, I'm going to let Armchair Linebacker speak for me, as quoted on Twitter:

I WANT MY WILLIE YOUNG AND I WANT HIM NOW.

Attendance: The announced attendance was 36K. Trust me, that was complete BS. Ford Field was not just empty, it was EMPTY. Wide swaths of empty seats could be seen on the NFL Network broadcast.  Yes, it was only an exhibition game. But the Lions' fanbase, what's left of it after essentially being pissed all over during the Matt Million error, is taking a "Show me" attitude with this franchise.

Burned once, shame on you. 3rd degree burned for a decade, you're a Lions fan.

Drew Stanton: There's one thing a quarterback shouldn't do when trying to run out the clock in the 4th quarter with a eight point lead. Fumble the ball...which Stanton did. The Lions recovered, but Jebus...DON'T DO THAT!

Dan Gronkowski: The 2nd year tight end does nothing but catch the ball. Every single time. If the Lions are going to run a two tight end offense as much as they claim, Gronk needs to make the roster. Even if they don't, Gronk needs to make the roster.

Derrick Williams: His night? One catch for eight yards, and is apparently no longer a part of the return game. Williams did, for lack of a better term, dick. What's with Mayhew and 3rd round selections?

Overall: The offense wasn't quite as good as they were in the first two exhibition games, but they still showed plenty. They were better in the red zone as well, which was a nice change of pace. But much of why the offense didn't put up numbers on the scoreboard was due the defense's inability to get off the field.

Jake Delhomme carved up the Lions defense to the tune of 20-25-152-1 TD. That's a completion percentage of 80%, and a 105.3 QB rating. Both unaccepable. This is the same Delhomme who was so damn awful in Carolina last season, they couldn't get rid of him fast enough. And the Lions' defense couldn't get him off the field.

The back seven is really, truly that damn bad. The defensive line is trying to do too much to cover for the back seven, committing penalties of aggressiveness.

The Lions will win some games this season. But they may have...no...they WILL have to outscore teams in shootouts, as the defense is one in name only.  The back seven will be the Lions' Achilles heel all season long.

UPDATE #3: The firtstrow.net link was shutdown. I'm back to the StreamTorrent.

UPDATE #2: Via SMDB in the comments - Here's a link to watch online - http://www.firstrow.net/watch/22955/2/watch-nfl-network.html [HD] Note from Al: It's of EXCELLENT quality! Thank you, SMDB!

UPDATE: I found a watchable steam of the Lions game, but you need to install a program called StreamTorrent to watch it. Details are at the MyP2P forums: http://bit.ly/9cgaBv

Kickoff at Ford Field is 5PM. Locally, tonight's Lions game will be televised by WWJ-TV, channel 62, at 8PM...via the evil that is tape delay. Last week's broadcast was somewhat improved. It went from amateurish to cable public access quality, so the improvement was relative. I'm not expecting much better tonight.

If you aren't in Detroit, but do live in the mitten, the UP, or in NW Ohio, and want to witness the awfulness of WWJ televised exhibition games, tune here:

WXMI – Grand Rapids
WNEM – Flint, Saginaw, Bay City
WSYM – Lansing
WFQX – Cadillac, Traverse City
WJMN – Marquette

If you live out of the blackout area, the game is being televised by the NFL Network. So you out of staters get to see the game as it happens..if you are lucky enough to have the the NFL's pet TV project on your cable system.

The first place I look for a live stream is the forums at MyP2P.eu. You can find more info on Week 3 of the preseason at this link.

There's going to be a stream available, but you'll likely have to install a program called stream torrent to watch it. Read the thread, and you'll learn all you need to know. But they don't have any web streams confirmed as of yet.

Another video site worth poking around for a feed is Veetle.com.

If all else fails, a live radio stream should be available at the website of 97.1 The Ticket. No such luck today.

If I find anything online, I'll post it here at TWFE and on my Twitter feed.

Lions players confirmed out for this evening’s game against Cleveland:

* K Jason Hanson
* CB Jonathan Wade
* CB Jack Williams
* S C.C. Brown
* CB Aaron Berry
* DE Lawrence Jackson

So what do I want to see tonight? (As I'm short on time due to my being out of the house most of the day due to family obligations, I'll be short and to the point.)

More of the same from the 1st team:

Both the 1st string offense and defense have played quite well in the first two exhibition games...though the offense has looked more capable than the defense...defensive line excepted.

Finish in the red zone:

Only getting to the end zone once in four red zone trips against the Broncos is unacceptable. I want to see better. Much better. Sure, the Lions did get three field goals, but they very easily could have put up 28 points on the Broncos, instead of 16. A 28-14 lead at the half would have looked one Hell of a lot better than the 16-14 it actually ended up.

No injuries:

As I said above, this is the exhibition game where your 1st team offense and defense get the most playing time. I'd expect them to play at least a series or two into the 3rd quarter. As depth is going to be an ongoing issue all season long, I want to see the Lions come away from this game clean, injury-wise.

Will at least one safety please step up their game?

Need I say more? I'm getting more than a little tired of the merry-go-round at the position. The only player who has truly stood out is the undrafted FA out of the U, Randy Phillips. But the Lions still need someone to step up, and soon. At the very least, Louis Delmas is scheduled to play tonight, which is a big step in his recovery from a long lingering groin injury.

The offensive line continues to play well:

Again, need I say more? In the first two exhibition games, Matthew Stafford has been only sacked once, and Jahvid Best has had his pick of holes to burst through. Keep on keeping on, gentlemen. Prove you can continue to play well, no matter which team you're playing.

Final note: I'm not sure if I'll be watching the game in real time, watching in tape delay, or both. But like last two weeka, I'll bet you dollars to donuts I'll be posting on Twitter tonight, trading bon mots with Lions fans. Follow along at @Big_Al_TWFE.

Six weeks ago, the Lions had seven safeties on the roster. So I wrote a post with the title, "There's 3 certainties in life: Death, taxes and the Lions looking for a safety."

It was true then, even more so now. Safeties are here, there and everywhere.

Yesterday, the Lions moved 3rd round draft pick Amari Spievey from safety to corner. Today, another was cut, but and today the Lions added another player to the position with a depth chart seemingly 5 deep.

Via Mlive's Killer Kowaslski:

The Lions also made a couple of roster moves, placing recently signed safety Dave Roach on the waived/injured list and signing two free agents - defensive tackle Jaron Baston and safety John Wendling.

The Lions are seemingly using the FIFO plan with their backup safeties. First in, first out.  Or would BIWO be a better acronym...better in, worst out?

Six weeks ago, here were the seven safeties on the roster:

The names are a little different, but the Lions have whittled the position down to a not-so-minuscule six:

C.C. Brown, Louis Delmas, Randy Phillips, Amari Spievey, Ko Simpson, and John Wendling.

Saturday's exhibition game will tell us volumes as to what the safety positon depth chart looks like. But if I were to venture a guess as to who makes the 53 man roster, Delmas is obviously a no-brainer. The only no-brainer, unfortunately.

Spievey was drafted too high for the Lions to cut bait, and there's no way he would pass through waivers in order to be placed on the practice squad. Another team would snap Spievey up. So he makes the 53 man as a backup.

His undrafted free agent status be damned, Phillips has been seeing time with the 1st team defense. He's well on his on his way to a spot on the roster. Phillips is another player I seriously doubt the Lions can sneak through waivers. If the Lions want to keep him, Phillips has to be kept on the 53 man...though I think he's going to make it on merit alone.

As I don't see the Lions carrying five safeties on the opening day roster, the final spot, and the probable starter next to Delmas, comes down to a battle between Brown and Simpson. It's pretty much a coin flip between the two at this point, though I'd think Simpson has a better chance at sticking. Brown is dinged up, having been seen wearing a cast on his hand this week...though the ever secretive Jim Schwartz won't say why. Simpson started camp on the PUP, but appears ready to play.

There's no guarantees any of the safeties, save for Delmas, will be on the team in two weeks.  But I wouldn't put it past Mayhew picking up another safety when the roster cuts start next week.In fact, it's quite likely, going by his tract record.

We all need a hobby. Some people collect stamps. Others collect beer cans. Matt Millen loved to collect bad wide recievers.

Martin Mayhew has his own collection. One full of mediocre safeties.

This week, the questions for the Lions congregation revolve around the sudden move of Amari Spievey from cornerback to safety. It's has Lions

1.  Tim H.: What is with the move of Spievey to safety?  Is he a bust already?

As a cornerback, apparently Spievey is a bust. A pretty big one at that, considering his 3rd round draft status.

But the Lions must have seen something in his skill set they think will transfer to the safety position...or Spievey really is a massive bust and the coaches are scrambling in the hope he can become useful at another position of even greater need.

Let's hope it's the first scenario, not the second.

Either way, it's not very encouraging news in regard to either Spievey's talent or the Lions' secondary as a whole, if a fairly high draft pick is being moved to a new position more than halfway through the preseason.

If Spievey's skills were better suited to be used at safety, then he should have been working out at safety during mini-camp and OTA's. Why move him now, when time is of the essence?  You'd think the coaches would have noticed Spievey's skills not translating to corner in the NFL during those numerous OTA's, right? I find it hard to believe the coaching staff just realized this, considering Spievey's lack of playing time against the Steelers and Broncos.

Before we start throwing the "Bust" word around with malice aforethought, let's see if Spievey will step in capably at safety. It's not like the Lions are set at the position, save for Delmas...who's trying to nurse his gimpy groin through camp. There's no guarantee Delmas will be ready for the season opener, which is less than 2 1/2 weeks away.

Even if filling one need by creating another isn't exactly the optimum way to fix the defensive backfield, it's a better option than sending the Turk to collect Spievey's playbook.

2. John G.: Cornerback was already weak.  With Spievey at safety, do they make a move - and who is really left out there?

Cornerback was already weak when Spievey was in the mix.  It's now scary weak, and there isn't anyone out there for the Lions to pick up...yet.

I just hope to Hell we don't see what happened last season with the secondary. The Lions spent the much of the '09 season picking up a waiver wire wonder off the street on Tuesday, and have him starting at corner on Sunday. More often than not, that same player would end up on IR or cut the next week, only to be replaced by another waiver wire wonder on the next Tuesday...when the ugly circle would begin again.

So I'm guessing the Lions do make a move, but the player (or players) are still on other NFL rosters at the moment.

There's sure to be players of interest (and not just at cornerback) to the Lions after the cutdown to 75 players on August 31st, and when the final 53 man rosters are set on September 4th. As they'll have waiver priority over every other NFL not named the Rams, the odds are damn good Martin Mayhew will get his man...or more likely, men.

The Lions congregation answers your questions every week. So if you have a Lions query you'd like to see answered, you can email the congregation at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

As always, to read the rest of the Lions blogosphere answering questions submitted to Joshua, aka DetFan79, head over to Roar of the Lions every Friday!