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2010 Offensive Line Analysis - Detroit Lions

2010 Projected Starters:
Left Tackle: Jeff Backus
Left Guard: Rob Sims
Center: Dominic Raiola
Right Guard: Stephen Peterman
Right Tackle: Gosder Cherilus

2009 Injuries:
T Goster Cherilus: Week 5
G Stephen Peterman: Weeks 11-17

2009 Statistics:

Overview:
The Detroit Lions have not won more than seven games in a season for nine consecutive years and seem to be amongst the worst in sacks allowed year in and year out. Last year’s total of 43 was their best since 2005 but still ranked them 24^th in the NFL. Things are very similar in the running game as their average of 4.0 yards per carry was their best since 2004, but once again, they were in the bottom ten in that category.

Starting at left tackle for a ninth consecutive season will be 6’5” and 305 lbs Jeff Backus. Backus was the Lions first round pick in 2001 and has not missed a single start in his NFL career. He is very tough, has good work ethic and will play even if he is hurt. Backus is an average pass protector because of his technique and decent agility but lacks strength to be a good run blocker. His initial quickness will however allow him to hold his own. Overall Backus remains an average tackle but he creates consistency along the line and should continue to be a decent starter for a few more years, although he could be moved inside at some point. Starting on the right side will be 2008 first round pick Gosder Cherilus. He is a very big and strong tackle at 6’7” and 325 lbs and has the potential to be a force as a run blocker. He is powerful with enough athleticism to get to the second level but still makes a lot of mental mistakes. He is also slow to react at times and does not have the quickest feet when moving sideways so will get beat to the outside by faster defensive ends. Cherilus does not have the pass protecting skills to play left tackle in the NFL but he should be a solid right tackle because of his run blocking abilities. The Lions brought in Jon Jansen last off-season as a veteran backup. 2010 fourth round pick Jason Fox adds depth at the position.

The Lions new acquisition, Rob Sims, will start the season at left guard and will offer some much needed stability. Last season, Daniel Loper, Manuel Ramirez and Jon Jansen all took some snaps at the position and all three struggled. Sims started 14 games last season at left guard for the Seahawks and was an above average starter. The Seahawks decided to get rid of him because he didn’t fit into Alex Gibbs’s new scheme but he will definitely help this struggling line. Opposite of him will be Stephen Peterman who went down with an ankle injury last season and missed the final seven games of the year. Peterman is strong and explosive coming off the line but has little lateral movement so will struggle at times in pass protection. He is very tough and works very hard so should continue to improve as he gains experience. Most would agree that he had his best season last year but he needs to stay healthy for all 16 games. Adding depth are Dylan Gandy and Manuel Ramirez who started 5 and 12 games respectively in 2009 but both struggled.

Dominic Raiola will be the starting center for the Detroit Lions for the eighth consecutive season. He has missed only four starts since becoming the starter in his sophomore season. Raiola is underrated by many around the league but is the best offensive lineman for the Lions. He is very tough and plays with intensity even though he is only 6’1” and 295 lbs and should continue to be a good lineman for the Lions for a few more years.

2010 Outlook:
The Lions will start four of the five guys that started for the first ten weeks of the season. Backus, Raiola, Peterman and Cherilus were responsible for 20 of the hits on Stafford while Jansen, Gandy, Loper and Ramirez were also responsible for 20 despite playing less than half of the snaps than the starting four. The addition of Rob Sims at left guard has the potential to make this line an above average one for the first time in awhile. Over the past two years, this group of four has proven to be reliable but injuries and inconsistency at the left guard position has really hurt them. Overall, we expect this line to be improved in both pass protection and run blocking but things will be just like last year if any of the starters go down.

See all of our 2010 Offensive Line Analysis Articles