Training camp is right around the corner, so let’s see what the 53 man roster might look like when things shake out, and get to some news and analysis.

OFFENSE

QB (3): Jon Kitna, Drew Stanton, Dan Orlovsky, on the bubble: none

Kitna sometimes tries to do too much and under Mike Martz that was OK to a certain degree. Martz didn’t mind the occasional interception as long as you were aggressive and throwing the ball down the field. In the new simplified offensive scheme look for Kitna’s turnovers to drop, but his yardage and TD totals will also drop. He is clearly a fantasy backup in 2008. The name Chris Simms keeps coming up, and that could be a bad sign when it comes to Detroit’s level of confidence in Drew Stanton. Stanton will be one of the key players to watch in camp because they need to know if he is anywhere close to being able to play and right now nobody knows. As for Simms, I hope the Lions don’t give up much if they do trade for him as he would likely get cut soon by Tampa Bay. Then again, the Lions already have approximately 94 former Bucs players and coaches so why not go out and add one more. Also over the last couple of days it has been reported that Daunte Culpepper recently contacted the Lions. The Lions would usually have four quarterbacks on the roster going into camp and right now they only have three, so stay tuned as something could happen here.

RB/FB (5): Kevin Smith-R, Tatum Bell, Brian Calhoun, Jon Bradley (FB), Jerome Felton-R (FB); on the bubble: Artose Pinner, Aveion Cason

Another name that has been mentioned in the rumor mill is Lamont Jordan, and I don’t know why anyone would be excited over this guy. I don’t see how he would be an upgrade over the guys that will be battling for playing time. This should be Kevin Smith’s job, and the competition should be to see who can fill the various situational roles as backups. However, it wouldn’t shock me to see Bell start early in the season with Smith getting phased in slowly. Draft Smith as a backup because he has upside. Last year Detroit’s run/pass ratio was 35/65 which resulted in only 324 total rushing attempts. I can’t see it totally switching the other way to Minnesota type of numbers but even going to something reasonable like say 48/52 would result in about 120 more rushing attempts than last year.

WR (6)/TE (3) : Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, Shaun McDonald, Mike Furrey, Kenneth Moore-R, Brandon Middleton; Michael Gaines (TE), Dan Campbell (TE), Casey Fitzsimmons (TE); on the bubble: Devale Ellis, John Owens (TE), Sean McHugh (TE)

Williams is in a contract year so keep that in mind if you use that as a factor when ranking your fantasy players. We’ll find out if it was really that back injury that limited Calvin Johnson last year. With a simplified offense and fewer four wide sets, Johnson should get plenty of looks and is a fantasy breakout player for 2008. McDonald is the #3 and Furrey is #4, but since McDonald is best utilized in the slot, if a starter gets hurt Furrey could start and McDonald would stay in the slot. Detroit has not had productivity from the tight end position over the last several years and that won’t change. Gaines and Campbell are better blockers than pass catchers.

OL (9): Jeff Backus, Edwin Mulitalo, Dominic Raiola, Stephen Peterman, Gosder Cherilus-R, George Foster, Jonathan Scott, Corey Hulsey, Manny Ramirez; on the bubble: Frank Davis

This unit is on the spot. They didn’t like being asked to do so much pass blocking under Martz, so now they need to prove they can open holes for the running game.

DEFENSE

DL (9): Dewayne White, Jared DeVries, Cory Redding, Chuck Darby, Corey Smith, Cliff Avril-R, Ikaika Alama-Francis, Andre Fluellen-R, Langston Moore; on the bubble: Shaun Cody, Landon Cohen-R

So far Avril is the only 2008 draft pick that has signed a contract as things are moving slowly in that area. Cody needs to have a good preseason or else he could get caught in a numbers game. I don’t anticipate any individual getting to double digits in sacks so don’t look for much here if you are in an IDP league.

LB (6) Ernie Sims, Jordon Dizon-R, Paris Lenon, Alex Lewis, Alfred Fincher, Gilbert Gardner; on the bubble: Anthony Cannon, Buster Davis, Caleb Campbell-R

Dizon had a legal issue before the draft (DUI) but it won’t result in a suspension as it falls under the substance abuse policy and not the personal conduct policy. Once again we hear the name of a veteran being mentioned and this time it is Takeo Spikes. I don’t know if he has much left but since there isn’t much depth here maybe this would be a logical move.

DB (9) Leigh Bodden, Travis Fisher, Keith Smith, Stanley Wilson, Brian Kelly, Dwight Smith, Gerald Alexander, Daniel Bullocks, Kalvin Pearson; on the bubble: Ramzee Robinson, Greg Blue

If I had to guess today I would say Bodden and Fisher would start at the corners with Smith and Alexander at safety, but they are not locks by any means.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3): Kicker Jason Hanson, Punter Nick Harris, Long Snapper Don Muhlbach

No question marks here as these three guys are set. Hanson is a draftable kicker in fantasy leagues.

There will be a select number of Lions training camp practices open to the public so I will try to make it to one of them. The first preseason game is on August 7 against the New York Giants.