Going mano a mano on the Lions’ O-line

By Os Davis  |   Wednesday, August 27, 2008  |  Comments( 3 )

Detroit Lions
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With the left side of the Detroit Lions' offensive line seemingly set with Jeff Backus, Edwin Mulitalo and Dominic Raiola, the team’s brain trust admits that on the right side and lower down the depth charts, “Everybody’s still in the mix.”

Public indecision on specifics aside, the 1-2 quinellas at the right guard and right tackle positions haven’t budged since training camp, also shoring up two of the four backup linemen spots the Lions have announced they’ll be keeping on the active 53-man roster.

So what questions are remaining? Let’s have ‘em fight for it!

Right tackle: Gosder Cherilus vs. George Foster.

The challenger: The 6-foot-7, 319-pound native of Haiti wears the weight of the Lions’ future around his neck after being selected No. 17 overall in this year’s draft. Not only was Cherilus taken by Detroit ahead of also-promising Jeff Otah, the Lions' scouting report was glowing enough for Matt Millen to rapidly sign Cherilus to a five-year deal worth up to $15 million. Cherilus is either the future in Detroit or another high draft pick washout.

The champion: The 6-5 Foster may be giving up a couple of inches to Cherilus, but he does have 20 pounds and four years of injury-free experience on the rookie. While pundits everywhere are reckoning Cherilus will and/or should snatch the starting spot from Foster, it seems that knowledge is working to Foster’s advantage thus far, and the man has been most commended for amassing just one penalty in three preseason games. Figure the 28-year-old Foster to be given more opportunity to show what he’s (still) got in Buffalo on Thursday.

The winner: Foster. While the Lions would like to establish a nice power running game, the truth is that they’ll be airing it out just as much as they did last season, with over two-thirds of all plays passing attempts. With Cherilus more of a run specialist, look for Foster to hold the starting spot until Detroit’s hopes are gone for another season (Week 10 or so).

Right guard: Stephen Peterman vs. Manny Ramirez.

The challenger: How much are Lions fans loving their team’s performance in recent drafts? Here’s Ramirez, the team’s fourth-rounder in 2007, suddenly having come from out of nowhere to contend for the starting RG spot. Not quite from out of nowhere, actually, as the Lions traded up to get a key lineman from the 2003-2006 Texas Tech Horned Frogs -- who were a top-three NCAA passing team an incredible three times. In the preseason thus far, Ramirez has looked great in protecting the pass on the right side; one wonders if Jon Kitna has thanked Ramirez for his “perfect” QB rating. The only problem? Given the recent frailty of the Lions' O-line, how concerned would you be about a "minor" injury suffered in July?

The champion: Twice Peterman has risen to the starting spot at right guard for the Lions, and this year he was thought to be the heir to the position for 2008. In 2006, Peterman got two starts on the line thanks to injuries. Likewise in 2007. With no obstacles in his way this season, however, the former third-round pick may play himself right out of the starting spot sooner rather than later; Peterman was particularly criticized for his play against a much stronger New York Giants D-line.

The winner: Ramirez by a knockout. If Peterman’s still starting in Week 1 of the regular season, here’s to thinking he won’t by Week 2. Heck, if this observer were calling the shots, no starter from the past two seasons of 114 sacks allowed would be safe; even the Lions' staff has to realize some change has to come. Ramirez makes a potentially fearsome Detroit passing attack even more daunting; plus, he’s bringing, what, 35 home runs a year to this team? Manny being Manny ...

Training Camp: An entirely new kind of fantasy game!
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About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's...
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