Team report: Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
Top player in 2006
Roy Williams, WR: This was an easy call, as Williams became the first Lions wide receiver to make the Pro Bowl in nine years, despite the team drafting wideouts with their first draft pick in three straight seasons. Roy had a big season all the way around, ranking third in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,310, scoring seven touchdowns and catching 82 balls on a last-place team. His receptions, yards and average yards per catch were all career-highs as first-year offensive coordinator Mike Martz brought in a pass-heavy attack to the offense.
Top sleeper in 2006
Mike Furrey, WR: Speaking of pass-heavy offenses, Furrey was one of many beneficiaries of that, having changed positions for the second time in his career when making the move to Detroit, then lighting up defenses across the league to the tune of 98 receptions, 1,086 yards and six touchdowns. Those were mind-boggling numbers for a guy who had only 21 catches in his previous three seasons in the league, two of those years spent as a defensive back in St. Louis. When former Rams head coach Martz came over to Detroit, he brought Furrey with him, changed him back to his original position and he blossomed into one of the feel-good stories of the year in the NFL.
Top flop in 2006
Mike Williams, WR: The Lions have waited for Williams and his potential to break out during each of his two years with the team, but it just wasn't to be. Laziness, injuries, then problems with Martz did him in last season, as the former No. 1 draft pick caught just eight balls for 99 yards and a score, the first two categories both ranking ninth on the team. The bond was broken on draft day, as the team finally parted ways with their failed receiver, shipping him off to Oakland along with backup quarterback Josh McCown.
Top off-season moves
Calvin Johnson, WR: The No. 2 overall pick in the draft marks the fourth time the Lions have used their No. 1 pick on a wide receiver in the last five years. As of now, only Roy Williams remains, but Calvin Johnson is a different animal. Every expert in America believes this kid will be an instant success, and you can include me in that bunch. His athleticism and football knowledge is as good as any receiver already in the league, so you have to like his chances at coming in and making an immediate impact.
Tatum Bell, RB: Bell is an interesting case, as he comes over from Denver, which was a tough place for him to show off what he could do. Unfortunately, Detroit could be a similar situation as long as Kevin Jones stays healthy. Of course, that's the big question. Can Jones keep himself on the field? When he did last year, he was one of the top three running backs in football. But he hasn't played all 16 games in any of his three seasons in the league so far, so Bell becomes extremely valuable in that regard. You can expect him to get a handful of carries every week, and he should start a few games along the way as well.
T.J. Duckett, RB: Duckett was signed on to be the team's No. 3 back and likely short-yardage specialist. If that's the case, he may just be able to steal some touchdowns away from the other two guys and be a worthwhile fantasy guy in deep leagues.
Shaun McDonald, WR: This goes back to Martz's conversion of Furrey. If he can turn him into a 1,000-yard receiver, just imagine what he can do for McDonald, who's had to languish behind Torry Holt, Isacc Bruce and Kevin Curtis in St. Louis for four years now. It's possible his pickup becomes a very important one for a team who looks to throw quite a bit this year.
Drew Stanton, QB: The rookie will be inserted as the team's No. 3 quarterback, but probably won't see any action unless the season gets really out of hand. Even then, he won't get in there until after Week 10 at the earliest, especially with Dan Orlovsky still on the roster as well. He'll really have to impress big-time in training camp for any of that to change, although he's obviously the quarterback of the future in Detroit.
Top fantasy players for 2007
Roy Williams, WR: Considering that Jones can't make it through an entire season and that Jon Kitna will be turning 35 in the first month of the season, Williams makes the most sense as this team's go to guy. The consistency over his first three seasons in the league suggests he'll be able to post big numbers for the Lions once again in '07, perhaps somewhere in the 85-reception, 1,250-yard area.
Jon Kitna, QB: Kitna was one of the positives in Detroit last year, throwing for more than 4,000 yards and 21 touchdowns. Unfortunately, he also threw 22 interceptions, although many of those were probably the fault of his protection breaking down. Either way, that many picks is unacceptable, but the yardage can't be ignored. WIth Calvin Johnson and Bell now in the lineup as well, this team has even more legitimate options to work with.
Calvin Johnson, WR: It's universally accepted that Calvin Johnson was the one guy in the NFL Draft most ready to contribute to his team. I won't argue that, as he looks to jump right into the starting lineup, despite Furrey's terrific '06 season. If Furrey can put up 1,000 yards in this offense, you have to love the potential for Calvin Johnson to really shine here. A 1,200-yard, 10-touchdown year wouldn't be a shock to me at all.
Kevin Jones, RB: If he can duplicate what he did before injuring himself last year, the Lions will be putting up a lot of points this season. Jones played in just 12 games in '06, yet was able to amass 1,209 total yards and eight touchdowns. Anyone who puts up 100 yards a game is a stud in this day in age. Just keep your fingers crossed that he won't go down in Week 12 yet again.
Who will surprise in 2007?
Dan Orlovsky, QB: Kitna's getting up there in age, so it's quite possible he won't make it through this entire season unscathed. If that turns out to be the case, Orlovsky will be the man in charge of this potentially high-powered offense. There are top-flight skill position players at every position onthis team, so he'd be able to show off some big numbers just by association.
Shaun McDonald, WR: I said it earlier, but if Furrey can catch 98 balls in this offense, the chances for McDonald to make some noise look good as well. Furrey had 21 career receptions in his career before last season, while McDonald has 106 along with four touchdowns, not to mention a good amount of success in playoff games. He also is able to return punts, so he could be a nice little secret weapon for your squad this year.
Fantasy depth chart
QB1: Jon Kitna
QB2: Dan Orlovsky
QB3: Drew Stanton
RB1: Kevin Jones
RB2: Tatum Bell
RB3: T.J. Duckett
RB4: Shawn Bryson
WR1: Roy Williams
WR2: Calvin Johnson
WR3: Mike Furrey
WR4: Shaun McDonald
WR5: Kevin Kasper
TE1: Dan Campbell
TE2: Casey FitzSimmons
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