Positional Analysis: Defensive Backs...

Cornerbacks

1. Leigh Bodden: At 6'1", 193 lbs, Bodden has the ideal mix of speed and size to matchup with other top receivers. He comes from the Browns, which means he doesn't have alot of experience with the cover 2, but he's a perfect match for what the Lions need. He has had a problem of staying on the field, so he needs to stay healthy to keep the extension bonus he signed for.

2. Brian Kelly: At age 32, Kelly is an old warhorse for a corner, but he's got plenty of talent around him, as I would bet the Lions would want to groom others behind him to take over. He's showed a great deal of moxie, and adds a presence that is needed for the Lions to succeed.

3. Keith Smith: Smith finally started to come into his own last year, as he's an adept cover corner. He's improved with his tackling, but still has work to do. He flashed last year, when his interception for a TD beat the Bears. He has excellent ball skills.

4. Travis Fisher: Largely underappreciated due to his horrific ball skills, Fisher is the top Nickel corner the Lions have, due to his solid tackling ability. He's almost 29, so he's a vet, but doesn't have too much time left. One thing to note is that he's played in the cover 2 for his entire career, so he knows what he's doing, and can play any corner. He has 9 career INT's, but only 2 the past three years.

5. Ramzee Robinson: If he's proven anything in his time with the Lions, Robinson has proved that he's a really tough cookie who will get everything out of his talent base. His play in the preseason was so special, that he beat out athletically superior Dovonte Edwards, who production was as bad as Robinson's was good. Here is a case where the Lion's coaches got it right.

Safeties

1. Gerald Alexander: Always at the right place at the right time, Alexander is an example of what coach Rod Marinelli preaches. Not a flashy player, but always uses the correct techniques, whether it be in coverage or in tackling. He doesn't miss many tackles. He and Dan Bullocks should man the safeties for a long time in Detroit.

2. Daniel Bullocks: Just as he was blossoming into a star, Bullocks blew a knee. He's being slowly added back to the mix, as the Lions are pretty deep with Dwight Smith and Alexander both starting, but when he's one hundred percent, he should be starting as he is a better overall player than Smith.

3. Dwight Smith: Smith is valuable to the Lions, since he not only is a capable starting safety, but is also a terrific backup at nickel corner. He's been a pretty consistant ballhawk, as he's taken 22 picks in his career. He's not going to wow you with big hits, but he's always good for a few picks.

4. Kalvin Pearson: Known as a special teams dynamo, Pearson got to start one game in 2007 and made 16 tackles, which is pretty impressive. He'll be needed on special teams coverage units more than in the Lions defensive backfield.

Positional Analysis: The Lions defensive backfield is in the best shape it's been in a long time. Theres great size and athleticism all around, as the Lions are relatively stacked right now.