Projections (9/02/03)

Passing Stats

Rush Stats

Receiving Stats

Fantasy

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Quarterbacks
Starter - Joey Harrington
Backups - Mike McMahon, Ty Detmer

Starting Quarterback: The Lions passing attack is on the way up. Joey Harrington struggled a season ago as most rookie quarterbacks do but did show poise beyond his years. The weak receiving core was greatly enhanced this season with the addition of Charles Rogers and he'll help develop the passing attack into the future. Harrington has a lot of positives to his game including intelligence, touch on his passes and vision on the field. He knows how to get rid of the ball to avoid sacks as well. His fantasy worth for this season is marginal at best but he does have a lot of potential in future seasons and that increases his worth in Dynasty Leagues.

Backup Quarterback(s): Mike McMahon has played pretty well when given the opportunity over the last two seasons. His 42% completion percentage was awful but some of that can be contributed to awful receiver play a year ago. He also has little to no fantasy value for the upcoming season but has the skills to perhaps win a job somewhere in the NFL down the line if he can improve his accuracy.

Update - 8/28: Harrington has looked fine in preseason and has a lock on the starting position.

Running Backs
Starter - James Stewart
Backups - Artose Pinner, Shawn Bryson, Luke Staley
Fullbacks - Corey Schlesinger

Starting Running Back: Stewart's one of the more undervalued, and intriguing running backs in fantasy football. While he's past thirty, injury prone (two full seasons in eight years), and on a bad Lions team, there's a good deal of upside as well. Check out Stewart's line the past four seasons, averaged into a sixteen game season:

275 carries, 1092 yds, 4.00 ypc, 8 TDs; 35 rec, 277 yds, 8.00 ypr, 1 TD

A healthy and productive Stewart could certainly top 300 carries and double digit touchdowns, and be a steal in your fantasy draft. The 6-1, 224 lb Stewart has become a receiving threat in recent years, and should succeed in Coach Steve Mariucci's offense. With a young but talented quarterback, and the best receiver in this year's draft, expect the Lions offense to be improved this season. With inexperience at QB and WR, and injury concerns with the other RBs on the depth chart, Stewart won't be facing much competition to start.

Backup Running Back(s): Bryson had a couple of 100 yard games down the stretch in 2001 for the Bills, but joined the Lions this offseason to backup Stewart. Bryson isn't anything special, but does give the Lions some insurance. Stewart is an injury risk, the rest of the running backs are unproven, and Bryson has similar size to Stewart (6-1, 228). Pinner, a 5-10, 229 lb rookie from Kentucky, is a strong, hard-nosed, north-south style of runner. He's got strong running skills, but isn't very explosive or very fast. His fumbling and pass blocking concerns will likely prevent him from getting on the field a whole lot this year unless (until?) Stewart gets injured. Staley is an interesting talent out of BYU, and fits the West Coast Offense well. He's had numerous injury problems though, and is nothing more than a long shot to earn significant playing time this season.

Fullback(s): Corey Schlesinger is one of the top fullbacks in the NFL, and the six foot, 247 pound veteran can do it all. He's a decent runner (five touchdowns the past two years), a talented receiver (sixty catches in 2001) and a tough blocker. Expect Mariucci to use him the way Fred Beasley was employed in San Francisco-meaning his football value will far exceed his fantasy value.

Update - 8/28: Stewart suffered a separated shoulder and now the team is scrambling for a suitable replacement. No word yet on how many weeks Stewart will be out, but it is likely 4-6 weeks. Staley was released by the team. Pinner was added to the PUP list.

Wide Receivers
Starters - Charlie Rogers, Bill Schroeder
Backups - Az-Zahir Hakim, Shawn Jefferson, Scotty Anderson, David Kircus, Travis Anglin, Scott Vines

Starting Receiver(s): Charlie Rogers, the rookie phenom from Michigan State, will be inserted into the starting lineup immediately. Rogers should instantly become Joey Harrington's favorite target, as he has the rare combination of size, speed, hands and route-running ability that makes him a 'can't miss' prospect. While even the best rookie receivers usually go through some growing pains, Rogers' ability to run any route, go deep or catch passes over the middle will ensure that he sees plenty of action. Consider Rogers as one of your backup receivers on draft day and hope for upside, a 1,000-yard season isn't out of reach.

Starting alongside Rogers will most likely be Bill Schroeder, the seventh year speedster. Schroeder isn't the most fluid route runner and his hands could be better (11 drops in 109 chances over the last two seasons), but he has a history of finding the end zone, and his ability to beat the secondary deep will give an added dynamic to the offense.

Backup Receiver(s): Az-Zahir Hakim is projected as the slot receiver. Hakim, a starter last year, is strikingly similar to Schroeder in many ways. Both are relatively small with track star speed, neither runs great routes, and both rely on their quickness to make plays. Hakim is coming off a severe hip injury, which should be monitored, but the WR3 position should suit him better than being counted on to start. Shawn Jefferson joins the Lions as a veteran presence and can help in third down situations. The X Factor is Scotty Anderson, who has shown glimpses of raw ability, but hasn't put it together on the field consistently. Rookie FA Scott Vines is expected to battle fellow rookies David Kircus and Travis Anglin for the final spot on the active roster.

Update - 8/28: " Lingering injuries have limited the coaching staff from fully evaluating the depth chart, and coach Mariucci has suggested that he won't name the regular season starting lineup until game day. Az Hakim, expected to play a significant role this year (as a starter or the third receiver out of the slot) hasn't practiced at all this preseason, and recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. Hakim is expected back for the regular season opener, but this has to be a concern. Charles Rogers seems to be finally earning some of Mariucci's respect after missing early training camp practices with a finger injury. Rogers got the start in the third preseason game and it would be a minor shock if he wasn't in the opening day starting lineup. Bill Schroeder has been impressive during training camp leading the team with nine receptions for 131 yards through three preseason games. He would have to be considered the odds on favorite to start opposite Charles Rogers to open the season. Scotty Anderson has been the surprise of camp, scoring three touchdowns in preseason game action. Anderson has played well enough to fuel speculation that Shawn Jefferson may be in line to be waived when final cuts are announced.

Tight Ends
Starter - Mikhael Ricks
Backup(s) - John Owens
Converted wide receiver Mikhael Ricks finished his second season as a full time tight end ranked #17 in fantasy scoring at his position. This will be his first chance to play with the same team in consecutive years since entering the NFL in 2000. Ricks can be classified as a poor man's Shannon Sharpe. Ricks drew extra attention last season due to the lack of wide receiver talent on the team. Detroit rewarded Ricks with a three-year contract in the offseason. Ricks has tremendous upside potential and may make a great backup tight end on your fantasy roster.

Place Kicker
Jason Hanson: Hanson is a great kicker being hampered by a poor offense. He has the leg strength to make the long ones and has been one of the more consistent kickers during his eleven-year career.

Offensive Line
C-Dominic Raiola; G-Ray Brown; G-Tony Semple; T-Jeff Backus; T-Stockar McDougle
Nobody expected much out of the Lions offensive line in 2002 but they actually played pretty well considering the lack of weapons the team had on offense. The team has Brown penciled into the starting lineup. Considering he is 40 years old already, that could be a scary proposition. The rest of the line is young and talented and should hold its own this year. McDougle is a huge individual who weighs in at 367 pounds and is a very tough man to get around to sack the quarterback.