{Numbers in braces are Approximate Value, other stats are labeled as appropriate.}
Year I was a mixed bag for Amsterdam: they finished 6-11 and 6th in the Northish division, but they also scored more points than they allowed. This was a good team that played some very poor games and lost some close ones, so there is reason for hope, and expectations to at least challenge for a playoff spot in Year II.
Key Additions: WR Miles Austin {2} from RIO; LB Chuck Howley {3} from LON.
Key Departures: DT Roger Brown {3}; DB Melvin White {3}.
#Year I Leaders
Rushing: Barry Sanders: 1421 yards, 6 TDs.
Receiving: Calvin Johnson: 85 receptions, 1087 yards, 8 TDs.
Blocking: Ryan Kalil: 40 big holes.
Pressuring: Alex Karras: 6 sacks; Ndamukong Suh: 13 hurries.
Tackling: Luke Kuechly: 87 tackles; Joe Schmidt: 13 stuffs.
Defending: Jack Christiansen: 5 interceptions; Night Train Lane: 17 deflections.
AV: J. Schmidt {14}, R. Kalil {12}, D. Lane {12}, C. Newton {11}, J. Christiansen {10}, A. Karras {10}, L. Brown {10}.
#Year I Award Winners
All-League: Ryan Kalil.
All-Pro’s: Mel Gray, Luke Kuechly, Night Train Lane, Sam Martin, Barry Sanders, Joe Schmidt.
Defensive Player of the Week: Jack Christiansen, Robert Porcher
Special Teams Player of the Week: Mel Gray (x2)
#QB
The biggest question for the Lions was whether Cam Newton {11} would retain his starting role. He will, but he needs to improve on his 81.1 QBR, and expect the Amsterdam coaching staff to turn quickly to Matthew Stafford if the season starts slowly for them.
#RB / WR / TE
Barry Sanders {9} was solid, but not, perhaps, spectacular. At a minimum, Amsterdam expects a repeat performance, with Billy Sims {5} still his primary deputy. Joique Bell‘s late season performances earned him a roster spot, and Mike Tolbert {5} returns as the primary blocking back.
WR was an issue for Amsterdam in Year I, as there was virtually no depth behind Calvin Johnson {8} (who accounted for 85 catches and 1087 yards). Steve Smith–a big disappointment last season–returns, but question marks remain, and the Lions need Mel Gray {2} (who has largely abandoned the return duties that earned him a Pro Bowl selection to concentrate on being a full time receiver), free agent pickup Miles Austin, stalwart TE Greg Olsen {5}, or Harry Ebding to step up as a viable offensive threat.
#OL
One of the strengths of the team is largely preserved, led by C Ryan Kalil {12}, and T’s Lomas Brown {10} and Jimbo Covert {6}. Andrew Norwell {4} beat out Nate Chandler {5} in preseason competition at one G spot, and Larry Warford {3} returns in the other.
#DL
Somebody here needs to step up. Alex Karras {10} led the team in sacks, but he only had 6 and the Lions need more production from the front four of him, Julius Peppers {5}, Mike Rucker {3}, and Ndamukong Suh {6} if they are to win some of their close games.
#LB
The starting trio at LB of Luke Kuechly {8}, Paul Naumoff {5}, and Joe Schmidt {14} are strong, and the pickup of Chuck Howley in the offseason makes this a very deep squad, and allows the possibility of switching to a 3-4 if needed.
#DB
Night Train Lane {12}, Jack Christiansen {10}, and Yale Lary {9} combined for 11 interceptions and almost 200 tackles: a repeat of those numbers would be just fine. Roman Harper {9} steps into a starting role at S as the fourth DB, and is much more of a question mark.
#ST
A new PK, Eddie Murray, joins returning P Sam Martin {2}, and look for Steve Smith and RB Stefan Logan to handle the bulk of the return duties.