Quick Look at the Lions offseason

     With the offseason, winding down and organized team activities and training camp on the horizon, here is a quick look at the additions and subtractions that the Lions has made the last few months.  This is another little series, as my next post will be the grades of each offseason move.

     Key additions:  RB Reggie Bush (MIA), S Glover Quin (HOU), DT/DE Jason Jones (SEA),
                              K David Akers (SF), DT CJ Mosley (JAX), P Blake Clingan (no team)

     Key re-signings: CB Chris Houston, S Louis Delmas, LB Deandre Levy

     Key losses: K Jason Hanson (retired), OT Jeff Backus (retired), DE Lawrence Jackson (MIN) DE Cliff Avril (SEA), OT Gosder Cherilus (IND)

     Draft:  1st round: Ezekial Ansah, DE, BYU
                2nd round: Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi St.
                3rd round: Larry Warford, OG, Kentucky
                4th round (compensation pick for Eric Wright): Devin Taylor, DE, South Carolina
                5th round: Sam Martin, P, Appalachian St.
                6th round: Corey Fuller, WR, Virginia Tech
                6th round: Theo Riddick, RB, Notre Dame
                7th round: Micheal Williams, TE, Alabama
                7th round (compensation pick for Drew Stanton): Brandon Hepburn, LB, Florida A&M

   Perhaps the biggest losses this offseason were the retirements of kicker Jason Hanson and left tackle Jeff Backus.  The Lions signed David Akers to compete to replace Hanson for this season and the Lions are content with making last year's first round pick Riley Reiff Backus' replacement.

    Each acquisition made through free agency or through the draft will step in and help this team in many different ways.  The Lions gained more than they lost this offseason.  On paper right now, the Lions appear to have built a solid running game and a more solid defense.  This team will most definitely not be 4-12 and have made moves to make another run at making the playoffs.