I think the Lions have done fairly well under the new staff so far. We've managed to not spend big cash in FA while picking up some role players, took BPA in the first 2 rounds of the draft (while taking role players after), and picked up a native Detroit player in Larry Foote after he was released by SB Champ Pittsburgh Steelers.

Upgraded: Future at QB (arguably upgraded), 1st string all around TE, LB core (Sims, Foote, Peterson), solid depth at CB (Buchanon, Henry, King), and a ball hawking FS (Delmas).

Stayed the same / Downgraded: #2 RB (I'm not sold on Morris but he could arguably be an upgrade over former #2s R Johnson and T Bell), WR core (it's debatable if rookie Williams and veteran B Johnson are better than Furrey [who I liked a lot] and McDonald), Offensive Line (we only seemed to add depth to an underachieving group), and the DL (Jackson was a good pickup but losing Redding and taking two projects at DT didn't upgrade the DL... yet).

Overall

Offense
I think other than a new OC, the offense will look similar on the field as last year. Only change is Pettigrew will be our starter and Williams will probably win out the #3 WR (and we might see a rookie QB starting under center). C

Defense
The most upgraded side of the football is definitely the defense (which ranked 32/32 last season). The LB core is more solid than it has ever been under Millen (who was fired after 7 seasons as GM) and the DB group has been upgraded with proven vets and potential. The only knock is the DL and unfortunately, the upgrades at LB and DB will not matter as much if the DL can't get to the QB or stop the run. B+

Special Teams
Jason Hanson stayed (which is awesome, signed a four year deal) and now we have some guys who could give us an upgrade at the return game (Williams, Buchanon, King, whoever it ends up being). A+

The Team Grade: B/B+

Favorite Offseason Move: Trading Redding and a 5th for OLB Julian Peterson (Seattle)

Favorite Draft Pick: Louis Delmas - Western Michigan

Favorite FA pickup: Larry Foote (Pittsburgh Steelers - MLB)

Early 2009/10 Season's Prediction: I think the rebuilding mode is going great in Detroit. With a new staff, a good looking defense, I think the Lions will be 7-9 on the season, winning in weeks 2 (vs Minnesota), 8 (vs St. Louis), 9 (at Seattle), 11 (vs Cleveland), 13 (at Cincinnati), 16 (at San Francisco), and 17 (vs Chicago).

Second Prediction: Matthew Stafford will be starting by week 8 (game after bye week)