New and improved Lions have key pieces in place
The Detroit Lions team that comes into Soldier Field for the season opener Sunday is not the same team that went 2-30 over the past two seasons and lost four times to the Bears.
The 2009 draft brought franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford, starting tight end Brandon Pettigrew and stud free safety Louis Delmas, all three of whom are already core players. This year's draft ushered in two first-rounders who have become immediate starters: defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and running back Jahvid Best.
"They're better," Bears cornerback Zack Bowman said. "They've got two good tight ends. They've got a good running back, and also their receiver corps is really good."
The Lions traded for ex-Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler to complement Pettigrew and provide Stafford with another weapon in the passing game. They signed free-agent wide receiver Nate Burleson to ease the burden on Calvin Johnson, who has been double-teamed incessantly yet still has 3,071 receiving yards in his first three NFL seasons.
Best may not be handle the pounding of a 20-carries-a-game workhorse, but he runs under 4.4 in the 40 and is a threat to score on every touch.
"He's fast and explosive," Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. "He's the same guy he was in college (he averaged over 7 yards per carry at Cal), so you know what he is. They've added a tremendous threat to their offense."
Bears safety Chris Harris was with the Carolina Panthers last season and didn't play against Stafford when the quarterback was a rookie, but he has watched enough film this week to have an appreciation for Stafford's talents.
"He's got a very strong arm," Harris said. "One of the things we talked about on the back end is, 'Don't underestimate the arm that he has.' One throw he made he was on the opposite edge and he threw a 40-yard out to the wide side of the field."
Brian Urlacher played in just one game last season, so he hasn't face Stafford either, but he's been impressed with what he's seen this year.
"He's got a great arm," Urlacher said. "He's finding guys. I don't put much stock in the preseason, but he did stand in there and threw some nice balls. He's tough. He's a big boy, and knows where to go with the football."
Detroit's improvement is not limited to the offense. While Suh is expected to anchor the middle of the rebuilt defensive line, free agent Kyle Vanden Bosch should jump-start what was a timid pass rush last season. The 10-year veteran had just 71/2 sacks the past two seasons, but he had 12 in 2007 and 12 1/2in 2005.
"They're definitely improved, especially along the front four," Bears tight end Desmond Clark said. "They've revamped that defensive line. They should be a whole lot better this year."
The Lions also traded for Browns tackle Corey Williams to play next to Suh, although the rookie doesn't look like he'll need much help.
"His hype is well deserved," Bears center Olin Kreutz said. "He's a good player. Anybody who is the No. 2 (overall draft pick) has earned it. So we'll go out there and play against him and find out what he's about."
And the Bears will find out what the new and improved Lions are about.