Amsterdam Lions (4-6)
After 4 games, Amsterdam was 3-1 and looking like a contender; after 10, they are floundering at 4-6 and the future looks pretty bleak.
The Lions average the fewest yards per game by 50 yards, which needs to improve to take some of the burden off the running game (which, at 178 yards per game, is second in the league).
The Lions have the best overall defense in the league–#1 against the pass and #2 against the run.
#Bottom Line
Roster Moves. John Gordy demoted.
Draft Needs. WR, OL, DL. OL is probably the strongest, the other two are about the same, especially since it is a lost year for Amsterdam, and the DL will be strong once they get healthy.
Week Four Draftee Update: Jimbo Covert, now starting and doing fantastically on the OL.
#QB
Cam Newton has been the starter and has been, essentially, perfectly fine, completing 64% of his passes, but also throwing 8 interceptions for a passing rating of 82.8. Not bad, but not great–perhaps he becomes better than average if you factor in his 347 yards rushing, including 4 TDs.
The problem is that Newton is hurt and Matthew Stafford has been, well, miserable as his replacement, with 5 interceptions in under 50 throws over nearly 2 full games.
Newton is expected back in Week 11.
#RB
Barry Sanders has been good, picking up 727 yards on the ground so far. that’s not elite for this league, but it’s solid, and when you add 449 from backup Billy Sims, the Lions’ ground game is effective. Sims and Sanders have 2 100 yard games each with Sims being more of a feast or famine back, tending to average under 4 or over 7 yards per carry. Tom Tolbert has added solid blocking and another 232 yards.
No worries here.
#WR & TE
The challenge is how to make opposing defenses focus on anyone other than Calvin Johnson, who has caught 43 passes for 557 yards and 5 TDs. The logical answer is Steve Smith, but injuries have limited him to 7 games, and he is out for the rest of the season. In his absence, the most likely alternative to Megatron is TE Greg Olsen, who has 298 yards on 24 catches.
Golden Tate and Johnnie Morton have been solid as alternatives.
#OL
Injuries have decimated the offensive line all year: there are currently 8 OL players on IR for Amsterdam.
Ryan Kalil has been magnificent–and healthy–opening up 27 big holes, and Lomas Brown has chipped in 13. Midyear draftee Jimbo Covert has 7 in 4 games, and looks to have solidified the left side of the line. Beyond that, though, there are worries: Andrew Norwell and Nate Chandler have been adequate at best, and John Gordy has struggled mightily.
#DL
Alex Karras and Al Baker have 5 sacks each and Mike Rucker has added 4. Add in the general mayhem caused by Ndamukong Suh (18 tackles, 3 sacks, 13 hurries, 6 stuffs) and the defensive line has been quite good. But, Rucker and Baker are done for the season, making this an area of need for the Lions.
Robert Porcher, who had 3 sacks in the first game and then got injured in the second is rounding back into shape, which will help some.
#LB
Luke Kuechly has been great, leading the team in tackles with 56 despite missing one game (he has 3 10 tackle games), but he could use some help. Joe Schmidt has added 40 and 7 stuffs, but Paul Naumoff hasn’t been all that effective. Thomas Davis is due back this week.
#DB
Jack Christiansen and Night Train Lane are 2nd and 3rd on the team in tackles. So, yay for them, but it’s not what you want from your DB’s. Lane’s 15 deflections, on the other hand, are exactly what you want.
James Ihedigbo has been the surprise of the secondary, forcing his way onto the field with consistently strong performances.
#P & K
Matt Prater has been perfect on XPs and has hit 20 of 26 FGs, including 3 from 50+. Solid.
17 of Sam Martin‘s 33 punts have ended up inside the 20. Again, solid.
#Returns
Mel Gray is simply the best in the league, averaging 39.8 yards on kickoff returns, guaranteeing Amsterdam good field position on almost every return. Tate has been solid on punts at 7.8 yards, but that could be improved.