Linebackers, Matthew Stafford and running backs are part of this week's Sunday Mailbag.
To ask a question for the Mailbag, use #LionsMailbag on Twitter, email me at michael.rothstein@espn.com or ask on my Facebook page here. On to your questions.
@mikerothstein Who are the Lions expecting most from regarding 2nd yr players?(not Ebron) Van Noy, Reid, Webster, Swanson? #LionsMailbag
- Jeremy Robert (@hyperboliclogic) May 29, 2015
@mikerothstein: There are varying degrees of expectations here. Kyle Van Noy -- more on this below -- is competing with Tahir Whitehead for the starting SAM linebacker spot. While Whitehead is a good player, the Lions drafted Van Noy specifically for this role, so they should expect him to win the gig. Caraun Reid could end up starting next to Haloti Ngata and at worst needs to be part of a revamped tackle rotation. Larry Webster is an unknown since he didn't play last year and there are no starting expectations there. Making the defensive end rotation would be big for him. Then there's Travis Swanson. He probably has the most non-Eric Ebron expectations on him since the Lions did not bring back Dominic Raiola. While Manny Ramirez is on the roster, the Lions should expect Swanson to be the starting center. If he doesn't win the job, that would likely be a disappointment. @mikerothstein bigger special teams' story between now and camp: new coord., prater adjusting to xp, or the returner battle? #LionsMailbag - Michael Holleran (@Mike33Holler) May 28, 2015 @mikerothstein: Matt Prater adjusting to the new extra point rule is the least concerning of the three. It's still the same motion, same general expectation. It's just a little bit longer of a kick now. The returner battle is the biggest story on special teams because it is an open competition between Jeremy Ross, likely Ameer Abdullah, possibly Golden Tate and maybe some others. Punt return will be bigger than kick return, as well, when it comes to that competition. The new coordinator is interesting but until games happen and his schemes and creativity (or lack thereof) show up, it will be an unknown. But returner -- that's a major storyline.
@mikerothstein will Diggs only be a slot CB? Or could he be a lockdown guy someday? #LionsMailbag
- Andrew Lamers (@AndrewLamers) May 28, 2015
@mikerothstein: Quandre Diggs was one of the bigger surprises of the first open OTA, but I'd imagine him being a slot corner for a while. His size -- and he is tiny even by cornerback standards -- would be a major detriment against outside receivers. His speed and instincts could make him into a really good slot corner, though. If he progresses he could get a shot on the outside, but considering the proliferation of passing in the NFL he could have a long career working the slot. @mikerothstein Who has the inside edge to be the other starting OLB: Whitehead or Van Noy? #LionsMailbag - Zack Hadaway (@Zack_Hadaway) May 27, 2015 @mikerothstein: Tough to handicap right now because Whitehead is going to be manning another linebacker spot until Stephen Tulloch is back in team drills. If the Lions had to play this month, Whitehead is probably the SAM linebacker at this point. By the end of training camp, Detroit would probably want Van Noy to win the job. The team invested a second-round pick in Van Noy and it was almost specifically for that role and to maybe be an edge rusher in certain passing situations as well. Plus, Whitehead is a standout special teams player and can play in the middle as well, so he has more flexibility. For those reasons, I'd say Whitehead has the inside edge as of today, but by Week 1, that should be Van Noy's job.
@mikerothstein can Stafford be elite? #LionsMailbag
- Dean McNally™ (@42MrRager) May 28, 2015 @mikerothstein: Depends what you consider "elite." Could he be one of the top 5 quarterbacks in the NFL? He has the talent -- but isn't close to that yet. Top 10? Sure, he could get there with good progress this season. Top half of the league? He's already there. One thing I've found is unless the quarterback has the last name Rodgers, Luck, Wilson, Brady or Manning (Peyton, not Eli), there is likely to be a segment of the team's fan base that has issues with the quarterback. I've had this debate often and feel free to play with your friends. If you were starting a team, which quarterback would you want? Run through the league. I think you'd find the answer would be Matthew Stafford over about two-thirds of the league at this point. Is that elite? No. Is that pretty good? Sure. @mikerothstein More 2-back sets? Not counting Riddick in slot though I like it. Motion into/from 2-back off that, or K.I.S.S.? #LionsMailbag
— Zach Strader (@Strader32) May 29, 2015