FanHouse BrianCalhoun

The Lions are supposed to dedicate this season to the halfbacks, the residuals of Mike Martz's pass-wacky offense. The goal is that people will hear the word "runs" so much during Lions game broadcasts that they'd think they were watching a Pepto Bismol commercial.

That improvement has yet to fully manifest itself, although the team did hand it off 29 times (Drew Stanton added two carries). But one thing is indisputable -- meaningless or not, the Lions' passing offense has looked good.

Through two games Jon Kitna has a perfect quarterback rating. You might be able to peg that on the vanilla scheming of exhibition season, but Calvin Johnson's first-quarter catch last night is remarkable by any standards. He appears to build on last season and realize his promise. Even Stanton looked good in mop-up action, and Dan Orlovsky didn't screw anything up. High five.

About that running game, though. Kevin Smith started and looked impressive, but the other two tailbacks slated to get carries this season, Tatum Bell and Brian Calhoun, combined for 21 yards on 12 carries.

The team will figure out the running game -- the zone blocking scheme is one predicated on backs and linemen coordinating their timing to a tee, something that will come with. Until then, at least they know they can rely on the teachings of an old friend to score points.

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: Jon Kitna -- man of God, man of many passing yards, man of many lapses in judgement. With Kitna, Mike Martz found a quarterback who could air it out appropriately in his offense. Appropriately, in this instance, means bombing away with little regard to risk, and the interception and sack totals with Kitna under center reflect that. Martz is gone and the Lions are shifting to a more conservative offense. Kitna isn't the right man to helm it, and, turning 36 early this season, should be on his last tour in Detroit. The problem is that the Lions aren't sure if they have anyone behind him to take over, with Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton possessing exactly zero starts and only 17 passing attempts between them, all Orlovsky's. Heat Index: 5

Running back: That conservative offense will put more work at the feet of the team's tailbacks. The Lions' running game in 2007 was 31st in the league and lost their best runner in Kevin Jones. Still, they're going about improving in the right way. They kept Tatum Bell and Brian Calhoun from last year and tailored their attack to a one-cut zone blocking system that suits their skills. Bell had almost 2,000 yards and 10 touchdowns running in that system in 2005 and 2006. Assuming he stays healthy, he should bring a big-play punch. But the biggest impact will be made by the biggest unknown -- rookie Kevin Smith. He also excels in a zone system, and the wildly productive college back is one of the players I think is going to absolutely turn heads this year. Heat Index: 7

The Lions placed veteran DE James Hall and 2006 3rd round draft pick RB Brian Calhoun on the injured reserve list yesterday. The loss of Hall, who has been the team's most consistent pass rusher, is particularly damaging.

The Lions thin defensive line rotation, once considered the team's strongest personnel group, is becoming extremely patchwork in orientation. Earlier in the season, the Lions needed to place second year DE Bill Swancutt, whom the team had high hopes for due to his consistent, high level of effort, on injured reserve. DT Shaun Cody has recently missed several games since injuring his toe against Minnesota. With the additional loss of Hall, the Lions have to be increasingly disappointed in All-Pro DT Shaun Rogers for failing a league administered drug test.

The injuries to the Lions defensive front does provide opportunity to several players like DE's Kalimba Edwards and Jared DeVries and DT Cleveland Pinkney to establish their future worth to the organization. The Lions also added former San Francisco DE Corey Smith (after placing Hall on IR), who will now be given the opportunity to gain some playing time.

The Lions also added veteran return specialist and 3rd down back Aveion Cason, who has previously played with both the Rams (while coached by Mike Martz) and the Lions. Cason's versatility is valuable, but heaven forbid RB Kevin Jones sustain any significant injury. I hate to imagine a Lions backfield that would feature a combo of Aveion Cason and Arlen Harris. In regards to Calhoun, he never contributed much for the Lions this year. Considering his high draft selection, and the Lions need for quality depth throughout their roster, Calhoun's selection in the third round becomes increasingly dubious as the season marches on.