FanHouse ShaunCody

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

I'm going to do my best to avoid use of the phrase "Well, things can't get any worse," or anything like that. Really, I am. But it's worth pointing out that this is a true statement. Things are looking up for the Detroit Lions because they absolutely can't get any worse.

With two first-round picks and a ton of available cap space, a well-managed organization could make a significant dent in one year.

Apparently, Lions DT Shaun Rogers' recovery from knee surgery is going to take longer than originally expected. Rogers, who had surgery while serving a 4 game suspension, has been unable to regain adequate playing condition since he returned to the team two weeks ago. It is becoming increasingly likely that Rogers will not return this season and will be placed on injured reserve.

Rogers, a former Pro Bowler, has been among the Lions biggest disappointments, during one of the most disappointing seasons in the team's history. I think it becomes highly questionable whether or not Rogers will ever play another down for the team. The Lions have attempted to trade him in the past and could be strongly compelled to pursue that possibility again if they are able to receive an equitable offer for Rogers' services. Rogers seems to have never truly bought into the new defensive scheme that was implemented this off season and was reported to have butted heads with more than one of the member of the current coaching staff. I believe that Rogers may still have considerable value to a contender and a change of scenery may help him.

The Lions have been continually dogged by injury all season. They have lost three important members of their defensive line to injury (DE's Bill Swancutt, James Hall and DT Shaun Cody) and if you add Rogers, they will have lost three of their original four starters. The offensive line has also lost two of it's starters in G Damien Woody and T Rex Tucker. Tucker was obtained as free agent during the off season in an attempt to upgrade the weak Lions offensive line. Tucker was a risky acquisition, he has had an extensive injury history. Damien Woody has never lived up to his former Pro Bowl billing. The combination of weight and personal issues may put an end to his future in Detroit. These personnel losses alone have made it patently obvious that the Lions primary objective has to be to upgrade their offensive and defensive lines during the upcoming offseason.

The Lions recently placed second year DT Shaun Cody on injured reserve due to a nagging toe injury which limited him to six games this season. Cody, a former second round pick from USC, was the heir apparent to veteran DT Dan Wilkinson, who was released prior to the season. Cody was not a major contributor this year when he was active, and unfortunately didn't live up to the team's performance expectations. I would go as far as to say that if you were looking for a place to lay blame upon the Lions poor season, the loss of DE James Hall and DT Cody, along with the unexpected suspension of DT Shaun Rogers would reside near the top of that list of contributors to the team's demise.

The team's defensive front was perceived to be one it's strengths prior to the season. At this point, it is one of the most obvious areas that demand to be upgraded this off season. The lack of a consistent pass rush has allowed opponents to complete nearly 70% of their passes. The loss of Cody, Hall and Rogers also has exposed a giant void in the Lions defense which opposing offenses have been able to run the ball through at will. The Lions inability to stop the run, or pass, has severely impaired their chances for winning games.

RB Kevin Jones is set to return from his ankle sprain to play against New England this Sunday. The Lions have struggled offensively in Jones two game absence. Jones' replacements, Arlen Harris and Aveion Cason, have a combined 24 carries for 81 yards (3.3 yards/carry) and are nowhere near the play makers that Jones is. Jones will provide Lions QB Jon Kitna with a quality receiving outlet to counter the Patriots pressure. Jones also presents the Patriots with the possibility that the Lions may actually run the ball, which may slow down the pressure that they apply upon Kitna. Jones is emerging as one of the few bright spots during this disappointing season, so it is good to see that he will be able to provide Lions fans with some small measure of pride, in spite of the team's continued struggles.

The Lions DT Shaun "Big Baby' Rogers returned to the team yesterday from his five week vaca--er, I mean five game suspension for failing a league-administered drug test. Rogers, who had a minor knee surgery while under suspension, utilized his time away from the team to rehab his recovering knee. Apparently, even though Rogers was rehabbing his knee, he is still remains over his playing weight and is not in good enough condition to play Thursday. Rogers, a former Pro Bowler, has the hurt the team with his absence. It may be necessary for the Lions to consider what Rogers' future will be with the organization after the season.

Rogers' absence has been very costly. In the four games he has been away, teams have rushed 132 times for 689 yards, or about 5.2 yards per carry. In Rogers' defense, the Lions were also without injured starting DT Shaun Cody while Rogers was suspended. It is also likely that the Falcons, with their strong ground game, would have been able to run effectively even if the Lions had Rogers available in their game. I do think the relative success of the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets running the ball is at least, partially attributable to Rogers' suspension, though. Rogers' continueed absence must provide no small amount of joy to Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown as he awaits Thursday's game.

The Lions wide receiver personnel has been unsettled throughout the entire 2006 season. They have been unable to find receivers to play consistently enough, or remain healthy enough, as compliments to the team's starters, Roy Williams and Mike Furrey. The injuries of WR's Eddie Drummond and DeVale Ellis against the Cardinals may necessitate the re-activation of WR Mike Williams, who has been left off of the game day roster for several weeks now. Williams, a disappointing former first round draft selection, is very unlikely to play except for emergency situations. It has been reported that Williams has continued to allow his weight to balloon and that during a recent 7-on-7 passing drill Williams had no clue what passing routes he was supposed to run.

Last night the NFL announced that two-time Pro Bowl DT Shaun Rogers has been suspended for four games due to testing positive for a banned substance. Rogers, who has battled sleep apnea and weight-related issues, tested positive for a banned over-the-counter supplement he says he purchased at a GNC store. Rogers may be the most important member of the Lions defense and his absence will be acute and immediate.

In the Bills game last Sunday, Shaun Rogers played Nose Tackle and was much more effective than he had been in recent weeks playing his customary tackle position. In his absence, combined with the continued recovery of NT Shaun Cody from a toe injury, the Lions will be very short-handed in their defensive line rotation. Likely, the Lions will have to enlist back-up run stuffer Marcus Bell to assume the starting nose tackle role. Bell will be a liability in passing situations, so I expect that veteran Tyoka Jackson and versatile Jared DeVries will pitch in on passing situations. Starting Defensive End Cory Redding will remain as starting tackle until both Cody and Rogers are each respectively able to return. The biggest factor in this personnel shuffling will be to the detriment of the team's depth and ability to rotate quality players with the absence of two starters. I would not be at all surprised to see the Lions sign either DT's Damian Gregory or Cleveland Pinkney (who both were the team during the pre-season) for additional roster depth.

Rogers, who possesses a wealth of talent, has been one of the more dependable Lions in recent years. Yet, Rogers is also often conspicuous in his inconsistency and apparent lack of internal motivation. At one time, Team President Matt Millen attempted to motivate Rogers by floating his name as a potential trade candidate. Rogers is one of the cornerstones of the organization and this latest episode may have damaged his future status within the organization.