FanHouse Alexlewis

Despite a belief that Takeo Spikes didn't have the ability to be a starter in the NFL anymore, both San Francisco, where he signed, and Detroit, where he didn't, had visions of him running with their first teams. And now that Spikes has chosen the 49ers over the Lions, there's a hole at strongside linebacker in Detroit. Technically the Lions do have a depth chart at that position in that they've got names written on paper, but in an ideal world there will be a better option than Darnell Bing, Alex Lewis, or Leon Joe taking backs head on this season. And so a decision has to be made.

Spikes was the best option available, unless the team wants to try to finagle Bobby Carpenter, who has been a disappointment playing out of position in a 3-4, from Dallas via trade. So a bit of creative accounting is in order, and the Lions are pretty flush at middle linebacker.

Rookie Jordan Dizon, incumbent starter Paris Lenon, and Buster Davis, a talented 2007 third-round pick let go by Arizona, all reside in the middle, and the starter will either be Dizon or Lenon. The thinking is that the loser of that battle will automatically win the strongside spot. But for now it's all moot anyway as defensive coordinator Joe Barry keeps any potential leverage with outside help in tact by insisting nobody is changing positions. Don't expect that to last.

It seems smart to just move forward with the guys you've got and pick a guy to slide over so that he can get reps at that position, but that's not happening. And thus, the Lions will probably begin their season with an underprepared linebacker on the outside.

Coming off of this past week's bye, Lions Defensive Coordinator Donnie Henderson faces some serious challenges in implementing the Lions Cover-2 Zone defensive scheme, as well as extracting the quality of play necessary from his defense so that the Lions can remain competitive throughout the season's duration. The Lions defense has been injury-ridden and will struggle mightily to replace Pro Bowl DT Shaun Rogers, who is serving a suspension for failing the NFL's drug testing program.

If Henderson is able to draw a higher quality of play from his defense, one that has been lackluster thus far, he may not only be able to preserve his own future within the Lions organization, but likely will also enable the team to garner a win or two more down the stretch. Henderson's unit will be bolstered immediately by the impending return of SS Kenoy Kennedy, SLB Alex Lewis, and MLB Teddy Lehman. The return of Lehman and Lewis are particularly important. The linebackers should benefit greatly from the expanded depth and stronger inter-squad competition among the personnel to gain playing time. Lehman will likely be a little rusty from missing nearly two seasons and it still remains to be seen whether or not he has added the necessary upper body strength to adequately fend off blockers in the middle of the defense. That being said, Lehman consistently made plays as a rookie and his athleticism should be well utilized in the Lions new defensive scheme.

The Lions face a huge, immediate challenge against their Sunday opponents, the Falcons. The Jets ground game, which previously had been average at best, excelled against the Lions who entered the contest without both of their starting defensive tackles. The Lions will now face one of the better rushing attacks in the NFL and will still be without their starting defensive tackles. They also have the misfortune of facing Falcons QB Michael Vick after two successive career best games. The Lions, with their expanded defensive personnel, are going to have to play an inspired game if they are going to weather the upcoming challenges they face in playing the Falcons.