Lions are better, with a long way to go

John Niyo / The Detroit News

Allen Park

If you don't mind, Jim Schwartz will take a pass on his first midterm exam as the Lions' head coach. And that's probably smart: His 1-7 team would get mostly failing grades right now at the halfway point of the 2009 season.

"A coach's focus is so short term, and so to say, 'This is where we were going to be after eight games' or 'This is where we expected to be' -- it never even registered," Schwartz said Monday at his weekly news conference, on the heels of a 32-20 loss at Seattle. "Are we happy where we are? Absolutely not. Do we have a long way to go? Yes, we do. Are we working? Sure. Are we seeing positive signs? Yeah. Are we seeing inconsistencies? Yes. Are there changes to be made still? Yes. But to label us happy or unhappy or anything else? We have work to do every Sunday, and we're not there yet."

But are they making progress from last year's 0-16 season? Here's a position-by-position breakdown:

Quarterback

Then: Daunte Culpepper, Dan Orlovsky, Drew Stanton, Drew Henson

Now: Matthew Stafford, Daunte Culpepper, Drew Stanton

 A year ago, a 290-pound Daunte Culpepper was coming out of semi-retirement to start against Jacksonville, with three days of practice under his belt and perhaps a dozen plays on his wristband. Jon Kitna had been exiled, Dan Orlovsky was hurt, and the coaching staff didn't want to "embarrass" Drew Stanton.

 So, yes, this is progress, despite the Lions' ugly statistics and the obvious growing pains from rookie Matthew Stafford. The Lions are confident their No. 1 overall pick is the franchise quarterback they've been looking for what seems like an eternity. And while a knee injury and some reckless decisions raise concerns, the 21-year-old Stafford certainly has shown flashes of that potential in his first six months on the job. The second-half goal: Consistency.

Stats through eight games

Running back/fullback

Then: RB -- Kevin Smith, Rudi Johnson; FB -- Jerome Felton, Moran Norris, Darian Barnes

Now: RB -- Kevin Smith, Maurice Morris, Aaron Brown; FB -- Jerome Felton, Terrelle Smith

 Efficient, maybe, but not explosive. That's the knock on this position group, where Kevin Smith remains the constant in his second NFL season. Slowed by injuries, Smith can move the chains and he's effective as a receiver, but can he make the big plays? He needs to show it in the second half or his job's in jeopardy going forward. As it is, Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown, who adds speed and assignment errors, will continue to get carries. Health is an issue at fullback, too, where Felton's strong start was derailed by shoulder and ankle injuries.

Stats through eight games

Wide receiver

Then: Calvin Johnson, Shaun McDonald, Mike Furrey, John Standeford, Brandon Middleton

Now: Calvin Johnson, Bryant Johnson, Dennis Northcutt, Derrick Williams

 Last year, the Roy Williams trade was an excuse for under-performance. This year, Calvin Johnson's injury is the first-half crutch, but it doesn't hold much weight. There's still a production issue behind No. 81, despite offseason additions through free agency, trades and the draft. Slot receiver Dennis Northcutt was benched after a poor showing against St. Louis, and the coaching staff might want to see what they've got in rookie Derrick Williams. Time for Shawn Jefferson's crew to starting catching on.

Stats through eight games

Tight end

Then: Casey FitzSimmons, Michael Gaines, John Owens

Now: Brandon Pettigrew, Casey FitzSimmons, Will Heller

 Pettigrew shook off a couple rough outings and had a breakout game at Seattle -- he and FitzSimmons combined for a 100-yard receiving day -- reminding critics why the Lions invested a first-round pick in a tight end that can block and catch. Pettigrew's on pace to post better numbers than Pro Bowlers like Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten and Dallas Clark did as rookies. Drops have been a problem lately, but there's no arguing this position group got an upgrade from 2008. Last year's starter -- Gaines -- is now a fourth-stringer in Cleveland.

Stats through eight games

Offensive line

Then: Tackle -- Jeff Backus, Gosder Cherilus, George Foster, Damion Cook; Guard -- Edwin Mulitalo, Stephen Peterman, Manny Ramirez, Andy McCollum; Center -- Dominic Raiola

Now: Tackle -- Jeff Backus, Gosder Cherilus, Jon Jansen, Ephraim Salaam; Guard -- Stephen Peterman, Manny Ramirez; Daniel Loper, Dylan Gandy; Center -- Dominic Raiola

 The rushing totals have improved along with the play calling. But pass protection remains an issue -- insert Jeff Backus fan rant here -- and so does the unsettled starting job at left guard. The hope was a big step forward from second-year tackle Gosder Cherilus, but he still struggles with technique at times. The Lions are determined to establish the run, but they've probably also determined some of the line's issues need to be addressed through the 2010 draft and free agency.

Stats through eight games

Defensive line

Then: Ends -- Dewayne White, Jared DeVries, Cliff Avril, Ikaika Alama-Francis, Corey Smith Tackle -- Cory Redding, Shaun Cody, Chuck Darby, Andre Fluellen, Landon Cohen

Now: Ends -- Cliff Avril, Dewayne White, Jason Hunter, Andre Fluellen, Turk McBride; Tackles -- Grady Jackson, Sammie Hill, Landon Cohen, Joe Cohen

 The Lions might have unearthed a second-day draft diamond in Hill. And the offseason waiver claim of Jason Hunter looks like a good move as well. But this figures to be the No. 1 target area at the top of next year's draft for the Lions, who've been markedly better against the run but still haven't generated much of a pass rush with the front four. Injuries haven't helped, obviously, but Cliff Avril & Co. still need to bring more pressure off the edge.

Stats through eight games

Linebacker

Then: Ernie Sims, Paris Lenon, Ryan Nece, Alex Lewis, Jordon Dizon, Anthony Cannon

Now: Ernie Sims, Larry Foote, Julian Peterson, Jordon Dizon, DeAndre Levy, Zack Follett, Vinny Ciurciu

 Defensively, this has been the most-improved group, both in terms of talent and performance. Sims' injuries helped pave the way for more playing time for rookie surprise DeAndre Levy -- and he'll get even more in the second half -- while Foote has been solid in the middle. Peterson started slow, but has been a playmaker the last month and his versatility as a pass-rushing end helps keeps opponents off-balance.

Stats through eight games

Defensive backs

Then: Safety -- Kalvin Pearson, Daniel Bullocks, Dwight Smith Cornerback -- Leigh Bodden, Brian Kelly, Travis Fisher, Keith Smith, Ramzee Robinson

Now: Safety -- Louis Delmas, Ko Simpson, Marquand Manuel, Kalvin Pearson; Cornerback: Will James, Phillip Buchanon, Anthony Henry, Kevin Hobbs, Jack Williams

 Delmas is coming on strong now after making his share of rookie mistakes early on. Simpson assumed the other safety spot after a preseason trade and injury problems. But the cornerback spot has been mostly a disaster, with starters Phillip Buchanon and Anthony Henry both getting benched. Buchanon's back as a starter opposite Will James, but the secondary still is getting picked apart. Expect another offseason overhaul in the secondary.

Stats through eight games

Special teams

Then: Jason Hanson, Nick Harris, Don Muhlbach

Now: Jason Hanson, Nick Harris, Don Muhlbach

 It's not the kicking that's the issue. It's the coverage units that have been a glaring problem all season, as the Lions rank 31st (kickoff) and 24th (punt) in the NFL. Meanwhile, the return game -- a point of emphasis in the draft after last season's neglect -- has produced only a few big plays of its own. Throw in that fake field goal by St. Louis and it's easy to see why Stan Kwan might be on the firing line at season's end if things don't get fixed.

Stats through eight games