Ultimate Fantasy Football Strategy - Offensive Line Analysis

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Detroit Lions

2008 Projected Starters:
Left Tackle: Jeff Backus
Left Guard: Edwin Mulitalo
Center: Dominic Raiola
Right Guard: Stephen Peterman
Right Tackle: Gosder Cherilus / George Foster

2007 Injuries:
G Edwin Mulitalo: Week 16
G Stephen Peterman: Weeks 1 to 3
T Damien Woody: Weeks 4 to 7

2007 Statistics:

LEFT END		LEFT TACKLE		MID/GUARD		RIGHT TACKLE		RIGHT END		Passing
ALY	Rank	ALY	Rank	ALY	Rank	ALY	Rank	ALY	Rank	Sacks	Rank
4.24	13	4.31	17	3.79	26	4.02	22	3.86	19	54	30

ALY (Adjusted Line Yards): It is an alternate measure for yards per carry developed by Football Outsiders that takes into account various factors including down, distance, situation and opponent.
Source: www.footballoutsiders.com

Overview:
There was some hope for Lions fans in 2007 as they saw their team jump to a 6-2 start but unfortunately they followed with six losses and missed the playoffs once again. This was the first seven wins season for the Lions since 2000 when they had nine. It was definitely a step in the right direction but the offensive line still gave up 54 sacks after giving up 63 in 2006. The Lions ranked 31st in rushing yards but this was mainly due to the pass first attack because the yards per carry average was a very respectable 4.0.

Starting at left tackle for an eighth 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. It was obvious that he did not fit Mike Martz’s system and did not get along with him. Backus is an average pass protector because of his technique and decent agility. He lacks strength to be a good run blocker but his initial quickness allows him to hold his own. Overall Backus remains an average tackle at best but he creates consistency along the line because he will not miss any starts and should be better in a new system. Starting on the right side is likely to be 2008 first round pick Gosder Cherilus. He is a very big and strong tackle at 6’7” and 320 lbs and is a force as a run blocker. He is powerful with enough athleticism to get to the second level and has good awareness which should allow him to adjust quickly to the NFL game. The downside with him is that he is occasionally slow to react 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. Cherilus is the favorite to win the job but he will have to compete with 2006 fifth round pick Jonathan Scott and 6’5” and 340 lbs George Foster. Scott started a few games in his first two NFL seasons but has been slowed down by injuries. He has quick feet, good work ethic and is a pretty good pass protector but lacks the strength to be effective as a run blocker. His skills are more suited for a left tackle but he is unlikely to have much of a chance on that side with Backus as the starter. George Foster also brings depth at tackle but he was disappointing last season and lost his starting job later in the year so the Lions are hoping that Cherilus is impressive enough in training camp to start as a rookie.

At left guard, the Lions will start the veteran Edwin Mulitalo. Mulitalo was acquired as a free agent after being released by the Baltimore Ravens last season and started 14 games but he will be 34 years old when the season begins. He is a good run blocker and the reason why the Lions had some success running to the left side last season. He however has short arms and has little athleticism so will struggle in pass protection and will not be able to pull to the outside to block. Mulitalo is approaching the end of his career and is likely to struggle even more in pass protection this season. On the right side is the much younger Stephen Peterman who was signed to the practice squad in 2006 after being released by the Cowboys. He became the starter at right guard when Woody went down with an injury in week four and was impressive enough that Woody moved to tackle when he returned and replaced George Foster. Peterman is strong and explosive coming off the line but has little lateral movement so will struggle in pass protection. He is very tough and works very hard so should continue to improve as he gains experience but he remains a below average guard for now. Providing depth at guard will be 2007 fourth round pick Manny Ramirez. Like the other guards on the roster, Ramirez is strong and a good blocker in limited space but struggles when asked to move laterally or pull to the outside. The Lions also signed Corey Hulsey who started five games for the Raiders in 2006 but did not play last season

Dominic Raiola will be the starting center for the Detroit Lions for the seventh consecutive season. He has not missed a game since being drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. 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. Raiola struggled last season with the running scheme because of his lack of strength but should be much more effective in a zone blocking run scheme in 2008. There is little depth at center but it is not really needed since Raiola is unlikely to miss a start.

2008 Outlook:
The Lions line struggled with pass protection last season and lost Damien Woody to free agency in the off-season which does not help. The line did improve however later in the year as it gave up only 18 sacks in the final nine games after giving up 33 in the first seven. Furthermore, the Lions averaged 4.5 yards per carry in the three games that Woody missed when the four returning starters were playing and Foster was at right tackle. This is very interesting if we also consider that Cherilus is an excellent run blocker and that the new zone run blocking schemes will help Backus and Raiola. Backus also played through injuries all of last season so should improve his play this season. The downside of this line is that it has little depth and the Lions certainly do not want to count on Scott, Foster or Ramirez for an extended period of time. Overall this line will remain below average in pass blocking but could surprise many in the running game as long as Mulitalo can keep up at 34 years old and Cherilus adjusts quickly to the NFL.