Utilizing Talents...

I'll admit, I haven't been a big fan of Brian Calhoun since he seemingly has flopped as a pro with the Lions. He showed a nice burst at Wisconsin, and I knew he ran track, but there were questions raised when he ran a 4.6 forty at the combine. He seemed to be faster than that in college, but we can all be fooled by Wisconsin's scheme; and wouldn't you know it, they ran a zone blocking scheme. According to reports, his knee is finally sound, so he must be given a fresh start, and given the benefit of the doubt. Also, he hasn't been used much, as he has been rehabbing the past two years, leaving him with some fresh legs. He's going to have to get used to some pounding first.

Another player who's talents have yet to be utilized is Dan Orlovsky. In college, he was at times erratic, but always displayed a strong arm. He has the best arm in my opinion of all the Lions current QB's. He has had some garbage time in games, but hasn't had enough time to be given a decent chance to show his talents.

It looks like things are changing, and the Lions must utilize the talents they have on hand to economize their roster. You get more value from starting younger players than most veterans. Veterans have a place on every roster, but it's time for the Lions to turn over their controls to those who are younger, faster, and cheaper. For instance, Keith Smith has more of a future at corner than Brian Kelly. Smith is the type of player who should be signed to a longer term deal, along with Leigh Bodden, who should solidify the position. Let Kelly play nickle back.

Zone Blocking Principles

Recently I have been doing research on zone blocking. It is the en vogue offense of the NFL right now, allowing teams to "run like the Broncos do"; which means a simpler approach to the running game, and a certain type of runner is preferred. This article is extremely helpful...

http://www.americanfootballmonthly.com/Subaccess/Magazine/2005/may/northwestern.html

Zone blocking occurs when two offensive linemen are responsible for blocking two defenders in a certain area towards the point of attack. The purpose of using the zone blocking scheme is to stop penetration, create movement on Level I (build a wall) and also seal off the onside linebacker. All zone blocks initially start out as an inside-out double team. As movement begins, either the outside blocker or inside blocker will gain control over the defender on Level I, allowing the other blocker to come off the block to handle the linebacker. In this type of blocking scheme, it is critical to create movement on Level I before coming off for the linebacker.

The Lions ran alot of zone blocking last year, but the key to running it effectively is through practice and repetition. When you run a zone blocking scheme, you have to be dedicated to it.

Rookie camp defensive players round-up...

In MLive, Tom Kowalski talked to Joe Barry about rookies and Buster Davis...

On Dizon's size:

"I know Shelton Quarles and Barrett Ruud, who I coached in Tampa, were right
around the 230 range. Before I got to Tampa, Hardy Nickerson was there and he
was a bigger man. But this kid is young and when we go to camp I hope he's about
230. He was 229 at the combine. But I don't care about size, I care about
instincts and I care about speed and I care about a guy who is able to make
plays. He can do all of those things.''

On Fluellen and Avril's size:

"I think we're going to try to get Andre up around 300 pounds. I think he was
295 at the combine and he was 292 (on Friday). Our defense is built on speed,
quickness and movement but you've got to be big enough to survive. The three
technique has to be able to hunker down and take on a double team, which Andre
has to. Avril is around that 255 range and that's fine. He is speed. He ran a
4.5 at the combine and that's what we want. We think he's perfect.''

On Caleb Campbell:

"I was impressed with Caleb at the combine athletically. He worked out with
the defensive backs and, at that time, I didn't even picture him as a
linebacker. The further we went on with this process, probably the last month of
the draft, we really viewed him as a linebacker. In three practices, I've really
been impressed. It's a different world now when in your whole career you're
lined up 10 yards from the line of scrimmage. Even when you come down into the
box, which he did a lot of in college, you're still a defensive back. You're at
10 yards and you're coming down into the box and the ball's snapped. Now he's
lined up with his toes at four yards over Gosder Cherilus who weighs 300 pounds.
That's a different world. He's got a lot of understanding of the position to do
but I'm excited about him athletically and mentally. We're not in pads yet but
just watching his college tape, he's a tough kid, he's never going to turn
anything down. I'm fired up to work with him the next couple of months.''