The Bills at at Detroit on Sunday and here's what you've got to know by game time:
- The Lions' O-line is devastated by injuries. Starting right guard, Damien Woody, is out. His replacement, Blaine Saipaia, was signed a couple weeks ago and got smoked by former Bill Pat Williams for a crucial sack-fumble-touchdown combo in the Lions' loss to the Vikings. Left guard Ross Verba has struggled with a hamstring injury and probably won't play. Right tackle Rex Tucker is also listed as questionable with a knee injury. Backup Barry Stokes has an ankle injury and a sore hamstring, but is probable for Sunday. Center Dominic Raiola and left tackle Jeff Backus are the only two starting o-linemen remaining for the Lions and they have both played well. Look for rookie fifth-round pick Jonathan Scott and Rick DeMulling to fill the o-line gaps on Sunday.
- Roy Williams, the Lions' 2005 MVP and #1 wide receiver is out (though listed as questionable). That doesn't mean anything. The Lions' #2 WR, Mike Furrey, has put up some serious numbers, averaging over 5 catches and 70 yards a game. Don't forget that the Lions' also have former USC star Mike Williams in the doghouse, waiting for a chance to impress the coaches, as well as former Ram Az-Zahir Hakim. Hakim regularly pulls in 500 yards each year and had 8 grabs and nearly 100 yards when Roy Williams went down last week. The Lions pulled WR Devale Ellis off the practice squad to fill the void.
- Other injuries to the Lions starting line up include defensive tackle Shaun Cody, strong safety Kenoy Kennedy, and strong-side linebacker Alex Lewis.
- Lions CB Dre' Bly has been big this year with solid coverage and three forced fumbles. He has no interceptions, but it's only a matter of time as Bly has 30 picks over his career.
- The Lions love to throw to their running backs. Kevin Jones has been held to 3.6 yards per carry, but has 25 grabs for 173 yards. Former Bill Shawn Bryson now plays for Detroit. Bryson has just two rushing attempts for one yard through five games, but eight catches for 98 yards.
- QB Jon Kitna has lit it up thus far with 1,300 yards passing (compare that to J.P.'s 900 yards), but has thrown six picks.
# posted by Riley @ 1:04 PM
