Lions

Lions hope shake-up sparks offensive line

John Niyo / The Detroit News

Allen Park -- A week off brought changes, as promised.

And while the Lions staff wasn't offering any details about a reshuffled offensive line -- "We're looking at a lot of different things," coach Jim Schwartz said Tuesday -- the players couldn't ignore it.

Heading into Sunday's game against St. Louis, Jon Jansen appears to be the new starting left guard, supplanting Daniel Loper, who has moved to right tackle, where he'll back up starter Gosder Cherilus.

Manny Ramirez, who started four consecutive games at left guard in an unsettled position battle with Loper, and Dylan Gandy are the backups at guard behind Jansen and Stephen Peterman. Veterans Jeff Backus and Dominic Raiola remain starters at left tackle and center.

"We're just trying to improve as a unit and see what players can play what and just trying to put the best five on the field," offensive line coach George Yarno said. "We just have to find the best combination and try to play a bit better as a unit."

Jansen, an 11-year veteran who signed with Detroit after getting released by Washington in late May, had been the backup right tackle, starting one game in place of an injured Cherilus. But while Jansen, a former Michigan All-American, has yet to start an NFL game at guard, he saw plenty of practice time there -- as well as at center -- late in his tenure with Washington.

"The fact that Jon has played a lot of different things and been in the game a long time and knows the game of football is a huge help," Yarno said. "You can put him in any position and you know he's going to be in the right spots doing the right things. It's very valuable."

Said Jansen: "We started last week. I feel very comfortable in there. Obviously, I've worked with Jeff before, so it's something I'm looking forward to."

So is Backus, who's reunited with Jansen -- a pair of bookend tackles at Michigan in the 1990s.

"It's just funny how things have come back around and now he's playing right next to me," Backus said. "I know what type of player he is. He's the same guy I played with at Michigan, and he's gonna bring the same skills to the left guard position. I'm just excited for the opportunity to play next to him."

Loper, another offseason free-agent signing who was hampered by a neck stinger at the start of the season, and Ramirez, have struggled with inconsistent play the first six weeks.

"No one's really grabbed the position," Yarno said.

So the switch didn't come as a complete surprise.

"It's tough," said Loper, 27, who was a backup tackle for most of his first four seasons in Tennessee. "One thing about backing up, and I've unfortunately done quite a bit in my career, is you still have to be prepared for anything. And especially when you're shuffling around, you've got to be prepared at any position.

"It's always a lot easier when you know what's gonna happen. But that's their decision and you just gotta go with what they do. ... It's been a rough start. But we've got a long season ahead of us (with) 10 more games to improve -- myself, and as a team."

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