REPORT DATE: July 31st

SITE: Detroit Lions Training Facility, Allen Park, MI

CAMP OBJECTIVES: Formerly terrible teams with a host of new faces have proven that they could win immediately (see: 2008 Dolphins), but the manner in which the club is able to come together during the month of August is absolutely critical to that success. New Lions head coach Jim Schwartz has a gargantuan order on his hands for a team that was 0-16 and had the most turnover in the league, but there is more talent here than existed in 2008 and Schwartz and his staff must find a way to get the most out of it. Offensively, it looks like Matthew Stafford will win the starting job from Daunte Culpepper, and must show some summer chemistry with both his offensive line and a receiving group that added the likes of Bryant Johnson (ex-49ers), Dennis Northcutt (ex- Jaguars), and third-round pick Derrick Williams (Penn State). Last year's atrocious defense needs to develop a pass rush in the worst way, will require new linebackers Julian Peterson (ex-Seahawks) and Larry Foote (ex-Steelers) to provide a steadying force in the front seven, and must have new secondary members Louis Delmas (Western Michigan), Anthony Henry (ex-Cowboys), and Phillip Buchanon (ex-Buccaneers) take firm hold of assumed starting roles during the late summer.

PRESEASON SCHEDULE:

Aug 15 - vs. Atlanta, 4:00 PM Aug 22 - at Cleveland, 7:30 PM Aug 29 - vs. Indianapolis, 1:00 PM Sep 3 - at Buffalo, 6:30 PM