Drew Stanton | Detroit Lions Tickets

Lions unlikely to make significant changes in 2011

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Allen Park— There have been times after the season’s final game when Dominic Raiola could look around and count on his hands the number of players likely to return.

That count took a lot longer after this year’s final game.

“I know the nucleus of this team is coming back,” he said. “We’ve walked out of here in the past not knowing what was going to happen. But I see most of these guys, coming back.”

That, as much as the season-ending four-game winning streak, is fueling optimism.

“Across the board, offense and defense, we are still looking to improve the roster,” coach Jim Schwartz said Monday. “We are still looking to improve our starting 22. But we aren’t looking at an overhaul. Even at the spots where we do have need, it’s not like it was last year with the defensive backs where we erased everybody except Louis Delmas.

“There are a lot of guys here that we will continue moving forward with, and a lot of them might not be starters.”

Every starter and main backup on offense is expected to return for 2011.

On defense, starting defensive end Cliff Avril can be a restricted free agent (pending a new collective bargaining agreement), while starting cornerback Chris Houston and defensive end Turk McBride could become restricted free agents.

The Lions, however, can tender offers to all three.

Among those who likely have played their final games in Detroit are outside linebacker Julian Peterson, cornerback Nathan Vasher (unrestricted) and safety C.C. Brown (unrestricted).

Outside linebacker Landon Johnson is also unrestricted, but the Lions may try to keep him.

“We have talked before about having to address the starting 22 before you can address your depth,” Schwartz said. “What has happened this year is, because of the injuries and other things, we have been able to address a lot of the depth issues. Now we have to start adding pieces to the starting 22.”

Offense Quarterbacks

The top two are set. Matthew Stafford , who said Monday his shoulder was nearly back to full strength, is the starter, and Shaun Hill , who led the team to three victories, is No. 2.

The Lions would love to re-sign Drew Stanton as the No. 3, but as an unrestricted free agent, he will be looking to compete for a No. 1 or No. 2 spot somewhere. Still, if no suitable opportunities come his way, he said he would have no trouble returning as the third option.

Running backs

The top two spots are set — probably. Jahvid Best (turf toe) said he will need at least eight weeks of rest to completely heal. He should be ready to resume the starting role next season.

Maurice Morris , entering his 10th season, will have the first shot to win the backup role, but the Lions are expected to bring in one and probably two other backs.

They will have to decide whether to bring back Kevin Smith , who has had health issues the last three seasons, and underachieving second-year man Aaron Brown . The guess is Smith comes back, not Brown.

FB Jerome Felton could be a restricted free agent, but the Lions are expected to bring him back.

Receivers

Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson will be back, as will return ace and jack-of-all-trades Stefan Logan .

But the Lions will be looking to upgrade the depth.

Bryant Johnson , who has one year left on his contract ($3 million), was unproductive all season.

Derrick Williams , a former third-round pick, has been a disappointment the last two seasons.

Tight ends

Absolutely set with Brandon Pettigrew , Tony Scheffler and Will Heller signed through next season.

Line

The starters are expected back, although there is some concern about RG Stephen Peterman , who struggled at times (partly due to a lingering foot injury).

Corey Hilliard , who filled in admirably when RT Gosder Cherilus went down, can be a restricted free agent. It’s hard to imagine the Lions letting him go, but some team could swoop in and steal him.

The Lions signed veteran T Tony Ugoh late, but he wasn’t able to get on the field before rookie Jason Fox did, so it’s doubtful he’s part of the plan.

Defense Line

At end, Kyle Vanden Bosch is expected to make a full recovery from neck surgery and start. E Lawrence Jackson also will return. And it seems improbable the Lions wouldn’t re-sign Cliff Avril and Turk McBride .

It will be interesting to see what they do about rookie Willie Young . They love his athleticism, but he’s going to have to show them a lot more maturity and a stronger work ethic next season.

At tackle, starters Ndamukong Suh and Corey Williams , as well as top reserve Sammie Hill , are back. The Lions will have to make a decision on backup Andre Fluellen , who can be a restricted free agent.

Linebackers

This is one of the biggest areas of need.

DeAndre Levy will return and probably start at middle linebacker. But there he might be moved outside, depending on whom the Lions draft or acquire through trade or free agency.

Most likely there will be two new starters on the outside. The Lions aren’t bringing back Julian Peterson and his $8 million contact. And Zach Follett , the starter before suffering a serious neck injury, may not be ready.

Bobby Carpenter and Ashlee Palmer will likely return, but not as starters.

Landon Johnson is a tricky one. They loved his play, but he has a history of concussions.

The Lions also will have to make a decision on Jordon Dizon , an undersized middle linebacker who blew out his knee in the first exhibition.

Backs

The Lions probably will invest significantly to bring Chris Houston back. He showed he could be a shutdown cornerback on the left side and drafting at No. 13, they aren’t likely to get the impact player they hoped for.

The right side corner spot is wide open. Alphonso Smith probably will get the first shot to win it. Tye Hill , Aaron Berry , Brandon McDonald , Prince Miller , Jack Williams and Eric King could be in the mix.

At safety, Louis Delmas is the only sure bet.

The Lions liked the development of rookie Amari Spievey , and veteran John Wendling is a valuable special teams player.

Special teams

The Lions may have a camp battle for the kicking spot.

Jason Hanson is coming off surgery the last two seasons. Although he is the incumbent, and coach Jim Schwartz said Monday his confidence hasn’t wavered, Dave Rayner has earned at least the right to compete.

Coaching staff

All the coaches are under contract and expected back.

Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan ‘s name may come up regarding coaching vacancies, but he has said numerous times he is content with his role in Detroit.

Lions coordinator Scott Linehan survives season of changes

Tim Twentyman / The Detroit News

Allen Park – Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is earning his paycheck this season.

A plethora of injuries at key positions on offense forced Linehan to game plan on the fly. He’s prepared three different quarterbacks to start games this season and also been through three starting running backs.

Consider the challenges Linehan has faced: Franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford has started only three games with backup Shaun Hill starting nine (before Sunday’s game against the Vikings). Third-stringer Drew Stanton got pressed into duty for three.

Rookie running back Jahvid Best battled turf toe most of the season, Kevin Smith recovered slowly from knee problems and Maurice Morris didn’t emerge as a real contributor until Week 15 (109 yards against the Bucs). But through all the scrambling, ups and downs, and plenty of patchwork, the Lions offense has maintained a steady flow of production. Lions coach Jim Schwartz credits Linehan for finding answers.

“It’s not just playing with those guys, it’s finding a way to keep being productive and I think Scott and our offensive has done a good job at both,” Schwartz said.

“It’s about production and putting points on the board and I think we’ve done a good job at finding a way to do that.”

Despite all the lineup changes, the Lions offense has scored at least 20 points in 10 games this season and 32 or more four times.

Linehan doesn’t appear to get too caught up in the pats on the back he’s received lately.

“It’s your job,” he said. “What happened this year is certainly the exception and not the rule.

“It’s challenging, but that’s why you’re a coach. If you have adversity you’ve got to be able to step in and go with somebody else and trust (them).”

Linehan has found of ways to get the football into the hands of his playmakers.

None has benefited more than Pro Bowl receiver Calvin Johnson, who’s been targeted 134 times this season, seventh-most in the NFL. Eight of Johnson’s 12 touchdowns on the season have come in the red zone.

Best also has benefited from Linehan’s guidance. He’s struggled to run the ball effectively all season, but has 52 receptions and is averaging 8.9 yards per catch with three touchdowns.

Stafford sees Linehan’s body of work as a reason to get excited about the future — when he envisions a healthier team.

“We’ve had a lot of different starts and he’s had to do a lot of work,” Stafford said.

“The best thing is that he’s stuck to his system. He knows it works. We know it works.”

Johnson to play?

Schwartz said Monday that Johnson could play in the season finale against the Vikings even if he wasn’t able to practice on his sore ankle all week. And that’s exactly what could transpire. Johnson did not practice again Friday and will be a game-time decision.

… Cornerback Chris Houston didn’t practice all week and has a shoulder injury that will require offseason surgery. Tye Hill will start in his place.

Drew Stanton provides Lions with options

Tim Twentyman / The Detroit News

Allen Park— Instead of lamenting on the parts of the passing game that might not be as good with Drew Stanton under center, the Lions are choosing to focus on the parts that might be betterwith Stanton.

Mainly, comfort.

“Just his knowledge of what we’re going to do when he’s in there,” said offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, who is in his second season with Stanton in the mix. “He knows I have a tendency to lean toward things I like and that he likes, so I’ll call the game and game plan for him.

“It puts him in a different comfort zone than you would have if you’re coming in for someone else. I think now in his second year in the system, I think he feels much more confident in knowing what he’s going to be called upon to execute, and I think that’s really going to help him.”

That execution is vital considering Stanton is facing one of the best defenses in the league Sunday in the Bears.

Chicago is No. 2 in points allowed (15.6), fourth in yards allowed (300.2) and second against the run (80.5).

“You have to try and make the most of the opportunities when they are presented,” Stanton said. “Unfortunately, Shaun (Hill) and Matt (Stafford) are unable to play. Now it’s my turn. Who knows how long this will be. I just have to make the most of it.”

Stanton, however, presents a different-type quarterback than Hill and Stafford.

The most mobile of all the Lions quarterbacks, you can expect the Lions to use more bootlegs and plays against the Bears that get Stanton out of the pocket and in more run-pass options.

Stanton is averaging 4.5 yards per rushing attempt during his two-plus years with the Lions.

“You treat him a little bit like No. 7 (Michael Vick) at Philly in terms of he can run,” Bears defensive coordinator and former Lions coach Rod Marinelli told the Chicago media Thursday. “Once he gets out of the pocket, his accuracy rate goes up.

“I have been very impressed because he is really developing as a pocket passer. You watch the New York Giants game, the second half, I mean he did a nice job, and we know what he can do with his legs. He can extend plays.”

Stanton finished that game 19 for 34 for 222 yards, one touchdown and one interception, filling in for the injured Hill.

The extension of plays Marinelli talked about, and Stanton’s ability to improvise and make a play out of nothing, is something the former Michigan State standout’s teammates see, too.

“You have to keep that clock going a little longer with Drew,” receiver Nate Burleson said. “Sometimes it’s not going to be your typical drop back, throw and catch. There might be times where he avoids the rush and changes the whole play.”

The biggest challenge for Stanton will be eliminating silly plays and turnovers.

In the only other start of his career — last season in San Francisco — Stanton threw three interceptions and was replaced in the second half by veteran Daunte Culpepper.

“I’ve seen all the different looks now, so the anticipation level is higher,” Stanton said of his development. “The answers come quicker now. I am reacting to coverage now as opposed to trying to diagnose what is going on and that is different.”

Stanton also should benefit from a week’s worth of first-team reps in practice.

“I see that look in his eye this week,” Linehan said. “He’s very determined.”