Cappers Buzz

As Yogi Berra put it, this is deja vu all over again. I started out the previous week in love with the Lions to cover and get their first W over Green Bay. Then, each day during the week the Lions kept piling up the bad news. On Monday Alex Lewis, their best LB in pass coverage went down with a leg injury that didn’t look that bad on Sunday when he left the Chicago game. Right tackles Rex Tucker & Barry Stokes came up with injuries on Tuesday and were officially out by Wednesday, leaving the position to rookie Jonathan Scott, who did not impress coaches during exhibition season. Left guard Ross Verba’s status(tender hamstring) flip-flopped every 12 hours or so throughout the middle of the week. Then late in the week starting corner Fernando Bryant’s grandmother died, causing him to miss Green Bay.

So I passed on Detroit, and it was a good thing. Detroit’s pass D wasn’t much to begin with, and without Alex Lewis Brett Favre had a field day hitting guys releasing late out of the backfield after helping out with max protection schemes.

This week the shoe is on the other foot. The Rams starting center is gone for the season and all-World tackle Orlando Pace is doubtful with a concussion. You don’t want the Lions’ defensive line to get pressure, because if they do you then can’t exploit their poor pass coverage. Without Pace that is going to be a tall order. Look for Detroit’s pass rush to cause havoc this afternoon.

Detroit’s offensive line looks a lot better a week later. Rookie Jonathan Scott had a surprisingly good game against Green Bay, and he gets the call today even though regular backup Barry Stokes is healthy. That means that Stokes may be able to help out beleaguered left guard Rick DeMulling, who figures to start in front of the still doubtful Ross Verba.  Also, TE Casey Fitzimmons condition continues to improve. Fitzimmons returned to the active roster last week, but did not play much due to a lack of conditioning. He figures to see more time today, giving Mike Martz something he has wanted since the start of training camp: two healthy TE’s to scheme with.

The Lions get one more guy back from the injured list: rookie free agent speed merchant Shaun Bodiford. Bodiford is the guy that put the final nail in Charles Rogers’ career. The coaching staff is very high on this kid, lavishing praise on him every chance they get. Bodiford should see some time in the return game, and maybe in the regular offense too. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bodiford break a big play this afternoon.

Look for the returning Mike Martz to get his pound of flesh today in revenge as the Lions notch their first win of the season.