Not since the immortal Barry Sanders have the Lions had such pedigree in a runningback. He nearly matched Barry’s single-season rushing record, falling just 61 yards short (2,567 yards, 29 touchdowns) and also like Barry, holds the hopes of the team and their fans in his hands as the Lions move from the pass-happy Mike Martz offense to the power running game implemented by new offensive coordinator Jim Colletto. Even with those numbers, Smith realizes the National Football League is a far cry from Conference USA.

“I’ve got a lot to prove,” Kevin states. “To me, my mind-set, I proved what I could do in college. I come from Conference USA. I dominated Conference USA every year I played. Now I’m on a different level with good players. Every player is as good as me. Now I’ve got to work on things to get an upper hand on people, and that’s my plan. I’m not saying I’m the best person. I’m Kevin, I’m entering the NFL and I’m going to work hard to be all I can be.”

Numer four overall pick Darren McFadden has LaMont Jordan and Justin Fargas waiting for him in Oakland. Jonathan Stewart was selected at thirteen by the Carolina Panthers and will initially split carries with DeAngelo Williams and play situational roles. Rashard Mendenhall was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers and will be part of a somewhat crowded backfield with Willie Parker returning from injury. Felix Jones is going to be the change of pace to Marion Barber in Dallas. Smith is coming in expected to be the future and will challenge veterans Tatum Bell, Artose Pinner, and Brian Calhoun for playing time to replace former starter Kevin Jones and knows being a rookie comes with its own trials and tribulations.

“No one told me I was going to come here to be a starter or even play, for that matter,” he realizes. “I think you just come here and compete. As a rookie, you have to be on special teams, so I’ll bust my behind on special teams. I just play football. I just play running back, and wherever I fit on the depth chart, that’s where I belong.”

One huge advantage Smith has over other rookie runningbacks in 2008, and may even have over the veterans on the Lions, is the offense. The zone blocking scheme, the play calls, snap counts, and the assignments are all things Smith has already played with at UCF under his college offensive coordinator Tim Salem, who had once worked under Colletto at Purdue. This certainly shortens the learning curve and give Smith a running start once camp begins.

Smith in my mind is the absolute key in this draft class, even though he was selected in the third round. I feel that the offensive line the Lions fielded last season was solid, but asked to play away from their strengths. Being asked to pass block in games where your running attack has six or eight carries in an entire game at times is mind-boggling, let alone pass plays that take numerous five and seven step drops while facing an all-out blitz because your running game doesn’t strike fear in opposing defenses. Commitment is step one and the Lions have made that by replacing Martz with Colletto, a move many non-Lion fans may have questioned, but us diehards applauded.

Smith has the aspirations that all rookie backs have when they enter the league. And although he has the potential to reach things like future Pro Bowls and rushing titles, Kevin realizes that when the dream of playing pro football becomes reality, talk can be cheap and actions speak louder than words.  

“This is not the right time to talk about stuff. You don’t come to a team sport and say, ‘I’m going to be rookie of the year.’ That’s just a dream inside there, but it’s nothing to talk about. You just do it. It just happens. Adrian didn’t talk about that,” he said (meaning Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings), Adrian just made it happen. I just want to make it happen.”

I certainly believe that if things work out according to plan, we should see Smith surpass 1,000 this season as he becomes acclimated to the league. Although the team may find it necessary to start Tatum Bell as they brought him back after under using him last season, you don’t have to look no furthers than Smith’s workhorse-like 450 carries last season to know the Lions perhaps the next king of the jungle and Lion pride leader.

I am also a Detroit Lions, NFL, and general all-around sports fan as is many of Americans as well as military personnel. It is not hard to imagine the relief a sports fan serving over seas gets from the distraction sports can bring them and the sense of normalcy following their teams and players. The 2008 NFL Draft brought about an intriguing debate in its last round; the status of Lion draft pick, safety Caleb Campbell from Army.

At the time of his selection, I really didn’t think it was that big of a deal. He is a football player, a player who plays defense which the Lions are in dire need of, and of course, available. Was I touched by his story? Of course. Did I mind the ovation he got at Radio City Music Hall? Not in the least. I will admit, I did not know of the new rule the Army has implemented where it concerns professional sports. After I was informed, I still didn’t have any concerns over Campbell’s selection.

At first, I wondered if this was a ploy by the team. Matt Millen has been under fire for years here and his popularity isn’t about to improve regardless. Head coach Rod Marinelli is a veteran of the Vietnam War and brings a militaristic tone to his team and staff. Was this pick, considered by many as “the feel good story” of the draft, an attempt to play to the football fans of not only the Motor City, but the nation? I would not be surprised, but it was my cynical Lion mind that placed it in my mind.

I thought it a wise pick and it getting the reaction it got was a bonus to me. Frankly, the Lions can use any positive publicity and recognition it can get. After years of continued futility, its about time he had something to smile about if we cannot celebrate division championships, playoff wins of even a Super Bowl appearance let alone a win. I really did not expect the debate to be so strong on the “rule” and the vast array of emotions and opinions the issue has spawned.

Because Campbell was drafted by a professional team, he has the option of not being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. He can serve as an Army recruiter and “general ambassador” and with his new-found popularity is considered an asset to draw recruits to West Point. It makes sense that high-profile West Point graduates could be very valuable in this regard. And for an guy who could have remained anonymous his entire life, Campbell’s new found fame as an NFL player (providing he makes the team, which I don’t see how he gets cut), means even more of the public eye.

Wow, how far and beyond the football field this truly is, and I feel somewhat disappointed in myself that I don’t feel stronger about one side or the other. My father served in the Army and fought in the Korean War and I have cousins that have been, are in line to go, or are in Iraq. For my family members, I hope they are safe and sound and come back home just as they left. I wish our country could bring the war to a positive end and bring everyone home. To concern myself with whether or not Caleb Campbell should stay and play or be assigned as if he did not get a shot at pro football simply doesn’t make my list of priorities.

Considered a better tackler than cover man, Campbell may be groomed to add a little bulk and become a linebacker for the Lions. After signing Dwight Smith and Kalvin Pearson and having holdovers Gerald Alexander and Daniel Bullocks, safety may not be a pressing need. Nevertheless, a versatile defender that can be a fit for the Tampa Two and play multiple positions is always welcome. Marinelli is interested in Campbell as a player, not because of his military background or sentimental appeal. Marinelli explains:

“I don’t have a whole lot of sentimental. That’s just me. I like guys who run, hit and tackle, and if he does that, then I’m pretty sentimental. He was a draft-eligible player. My job is to find guys who can play football, and if he’s draft-eligible, you would expect me to find him.”

Campbell has obviously received many good wishes and encouragement, which I don’t have a problem with. As I’ve said, to go through four years of education and training at West Point is extremely commendable and any role he may be able to fill is to be applauded. It is my understanding that not all graduates go into combat automatically. I also have read that is is likely Caleb would have been assigned to Iraq or Afghanistan. This is where the debate heats up.

There are those, both former military personnel and others, who believe Campbell should not have the NFL opportunity. Some talk of the estimated $250,000 it takes for a four-year program at West Point and how it is financed. Some ask how can Campbell even look his classmates in the face. Questions of his loyalties and priorities have made their way into the papers and talk radio. Words like “abandon” are bandied about.

Campbell has remained steadfast and while taken aback by the new celebrity, says the “nasty” letters are minimal but troubling but that the positive greatly outweighs the negative and it is the support from soldiers that inspires him to chase his dream and play in the National Football League.

“I’ve gotten some nasty letters from people questioning what I’m doing, asking me how I can look my classmates in the face,” Campbell recounts. “But that’s been a very small minority. On the day I was drafted I got over 300 e-mails, lots of them from soldiers serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those guys said they were behind me and so were their commanding officers.”

The Army has enacted this rule while the Air Force and Navy have not. The Lions also have Army defensive lineman Cameron Craig and Air Force linebacker Drew Fowler trying out in camp. While the debate is liable to continue, Fowler is hoping for a similar chance and is hopeful.

“It definitely looks positive for us with what Army’s done allowing Caleb to get drafted and this and that,” Fowler states. “This biggest thing, what it boils down to for me in my case is, I have to make a team first. Once that happens, that opens up a lot of doors.”

This is where sports and real life collide with resounding impact. Who is right and wrong is up for grabs and is a matter of opinion. With opinions coming from each side of those doors, opening them may not be pleasant to start, but also may be a nice change from simply slamming them shut.

As Detroit continues to work on the Tampa Two, you can see where the team is trying to pick players who resemble those who have excelled in the defense before, such as Derrick Brooks. Lion defensive coordinator Joe Barry has repeatedly said that quickness and instincts rank higher in his grading system than size, although you have to be big enough in areas to compete.

Lion draftee Jordon Dizon has those qualities and has the stats to prove it. His 463 tackles in college were made with speed, quickness, and instincts Barry has labeled as “insane”. While the team wouldn’t mind Dizon adding some weight, they don’t want it to deter who he is and what he does.

“I want him to be as big as he can with still having the movement and the speed and the instincts that he has,” Barry explained during minicamp Saturday. I don’t care about size. I care about instincts, I care about speed and I care about a guy being able to make plays. He can do all those things.”

On a defense as dismal as the Lions fielded last season, making plays, especially on third down, will be a welcome change and something to strive for. Dizon looks to have the tools to play the middle and when the Lions plug him in there is yet to be seen. Rookie minicamps are helpful but without the full squad present, everything remains hopeful speculation. But if the plan works out, this draft may have provided Detroit with two fast, hard hitting, and instinctive playmakers in Dizon and Army’s Caleb Campbell.

Many of the experts, including Mel Kiper (I only tend to agree with him when it suits me), think the Lions reached a little early on Dizon, the Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year. However, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like Dizon and what he brings. Dizon was going to get selected, more than likely in the second round, but perhaps closer to the bottom he felt. Mel gave his opinion during a draft chat and gave his insight on Dizon when asked if the Lions valued him too high.

“I had him going the last pick in the second round to the Giants. I had him going in the second round. He went a little higher than I thought, but he fits their scheme. He can cover, he has range and he can run.”

Will Marinelli and his staff be around long enough to fully implement their defense and their “guys”? Wins and loses are going to play a part, but how fast can they bring this thing together? We’ll keep a close eye throughout the minicamps and OTA’s leading up to training camp and sit with optimistic fingers crossed as Lions fans usually do.

Pinner is an example of the former Detroit players who come back to haunt us. As a member of the Vikings, in a December 10, 2006 game at Ford Field, Pinner stuck it to his former team with 29 carries, 125 yards, and three touchdowns in a 30-20 Minnesota win. Much like Joey Harrington coming back with the Dolphins and ripping the Lions, Pinner was unstoppable in the game and bringing him back will be an underrated move but in my opinion, a smart one. I know many will view this as revisiting another Millen draft mistake, or team error in cutting the man, but he’s back and I think he’ll be motivated to help.

It is obvious that Tatum Bell is the immediate present and rookie Kevin Smith is the future at the position. I am hoping that the result will be the cutting of Brian Calhoun, who has been injured since his arrival from Wisconsin in 2006 (3rd round) as he never panned out as a runner or slot receiver (an ill-advised idea from the start). Aveion Cason, who is serviceable and fast, but ineffective unless the planets are properly aligned, may be the kick returner this season while fullback Jon Bradley, a novelty at 300+ pounds should also be handed his walking papers as Pinner has played the position and rookie Jerome Felton is an accomplished playmaker drafted in the fifth round (146th) that will certainly contribute if utilized.

You have to like the club sticking to its policy of everyone competing for their playing time.

Much of it may be justified and especially during the Millen era. But In watching each and every pick for many years, I know that many of the picks at the time were lauded as smart. It is only in hindsight that many of these picks haven’t panned out and the Lions have simply not only had clouded draft patterns, but also some of the worst luck in the NFL.

With the arrival of Rod Marinelli, the focus shift has been to more of the eternal make-up of the players as well as the external. Numbers still make sense, but the Lions are looking for a different breed of animal. The love of the game and the appreciation of the NFL is also a major component of what the team is looking for. With the interview process looking like it played a bigger role than any recent Lion draft, you have to think that the players selected were taken by those interviews, out of need, and direction.

Like it or not (and some don’t), the Lions believe Jeff Backus is their left tackle of the present and the future. He’s tough, he plays hurt, and doesn’t miss a start. He was asked to play in a system that did not play to his strengths as many of the Lion lineman were. He kept it to himself until the departure of offensive coordinator Mike Martz and has been vocal in his appreciation of the new direction the offense is going to go in. This why the team passed on the available Jeff Otah of Pittsburgh and went with the player they needed, right tackle Gosder Cherilus of Boston College.

Point blank, George Foster, the right tackle that came over with Tatum Bell from Denver, had a horrible season and his failure was felt up and down the line. Was he a fit for Matrz’s offense? Of course not. But false starts are not acceptable and although his pass blocking responsibilities may have caused him anxiety, he couldn’t pass block, run block, sun block, nothing. He was brought back for depth reasons and perhaps he will be a better fit for the new power running game.

Cherilus is a run blocker. He is an earth mover. Could he have been had lower that at 17? Yes, I do not dispute that. But just as I have said before, they selected Ernie Sims where they wanted to take him and did not allow the “experts” dictate where they select whomever they want. This is where the team wanted their new right tackle and public opinion or the media did not dictate, which you have to admire. And for all intents and purposes, Cherilus is a good fit for the team and should excel.

At 6-6 and 313 pounds, he has a nastiness and mean streak that you love in an offensive lineman. He has quick feet, exceptional balance and comes off the ball quickly. He has his areas in which he will need improvement of course . His interview must have convinced the team that he will be receptive of coaching and is willing to work on these weaknesses.

Cherilus needs to work on his technique, finishing his blocks and his on-field awareness in order to be efficient in blitz pick-up, stunts, and second level blocking. Although the power running game will allow for less thinking and more reacting, on-field intelligence is still vital for Cherilus to improve on to lessen situational mistakes that can result in not only penalty but a play-breakdown.

Overall, the Lions stuck to their guns and drafted the player they needed to move forward. They have a plan and a direction, maybe more so now than at any time during the Millen era. Cherilus will be under a microscope and there will be pressure there. Its up to the Lion staff to make sure this was the right choice as well Cherilus to get into camp on time and put in the work. He has the opportunity to make the Lion brass look good here and for the fans, lets hope so.

The feel good story of the draft, the Lions hope Campbell can be versatile enough to play outside linebacker as well as safety. At 6-2 and 230 pounds, he runs a 4.57 forty and is a sure tackler as well as being the first cadet drafted since 1997. He is strong in run support, has a nose for the football and loves hitting. He had 97 tackles and three forced fumbles this past season.

A lot of nice ironies with this selection. We all know Rod Marinelli was a Vietnam War veteran and Campbell’s sophomore year, he was coach by former Lion, Army, and Citadel head coach Bobby Ross, also a military man. Campbell played with Matt Millen’s son Marc as well.

The Lions came away impressed with Cohen after his visit to Allen Park on April 11th and believe the 6-3, 275 pound tackle with 4.95 speed will bring quickness to the defensive trenches. He started all 12 games for the Bobcats and was second team All-MAC as he finished with 59 tackles, 27 solos, and 12 tackles for loss.

In 575 rushing attempts in his college career(2,652 yards, 4.6 avg), Felton was stopped only 15 times and lost 22 yards and scored 63 touchdowns. He is Furman’s career scoring leader with 414 points and has been referred to as “The Bus, only much quicker.”

He is a two-time all-academic with a 3.25 grade point average and produced first downs on nearly 42% of his career carries, 76 of 92 third-down carries, and 17 of 20 fourth-down carries. He is a short-yardage monster and will see time with the Lions in their new power running scheme.

Without a sure fire plan to bring back Troy Walters, the Lions make a pick here to add a solid punt returner with some receiving credibility as well. Having a breakout season in 2007, Moore moved himself into draft contention by leading the ACC in receptions with 98 (9th in the country) for 1,011 yards, only the third time in school history a receiver has eclipsed the 1,000 mark. He scored five touchdowns.

In 2006, he played some halfback and rushed for 507 yards on 105 carries. In ‘07, he gained 316 yards on 44 carries (7.2 avg) for another three scores. He returned 35 punts for 355 yards and another touchdown. He was second in the conference with 142.6 all-purpose yards per game.

With the 92th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Cliff Avril, defensive tackle from Purdue. This pick is solely designed off a need to get to the opponent’s quarterback and I feel this was a good get for the Lions here.

Though perhaps undersized for an every-down defensive end, he will make a good situational pass-rusher and would have be nabbed by a 3-4 team to play a rush linebacker and plays well in space versus the run and pass.