Detroit Lions: Who's in & Who's Out

The worst NFL team of the decade and maybe ever, the Detroit Lions will begin trying to figure out who to keep and who to give the boot before next year. Personally, I hope at least half the team is cut. The Lions were ridiculously hard to watch as they just didn't have the talent to compete with other teams.....again.

Below is Tom "Killer" Kowalski's position-by-position breakdown of the 2009 key players and whether they will be around in 2010.

Quarterback
Matthew Stafford is the starter and Daunte Culpepper won't be back. Look for the Lions to bring in a veteran free agent to compete with Drew Stanton for the No. 2 job.

• Who's in: Stafford
• Who's on the bubble: Culpepper, Stanton

Running back
The Lions likely will try to upgrade their No. 1 spot, but they like Kevin Smith and Aaron Brown in backup roles. Fullback Jerome Felton will have to show improvement in camp.

• Who's in: Smith, Brown
• Who's on the bubble: Maurice Morris, Felton

Wide receivers
The Lions won't give up on Derrick Williams after just one year. Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt still are under contract, but it's unlikely both will stay, especially if the Lions draft a speedy receiver.

• Who's in: Calvin Johnson and Williams
• Who's on the bubble: Bryant Johnson and Northcutt

Tight ends
The position is pretty much set. Brandon Pettigrew is the starter and Casey FitzSimmons is the all-purpose guy who also is strong on special teams. Will Heller is an unrestricted free agent and the Lions will look to sign a blocking specialist.

• Who's in: Pettigrew and FitzSimmons
• Who's on the bubble: None

Offensive line
Other than the four top starters, this unit could undergo a huge transformation. Dylan Gandy could be back because he can play guard and center, while Jon Jansen provides excellent experience at backup tackle.

• Who's in: Jeff Backus, Dominic Raiola, Gosder Cherilus and Stephen Peterman
• Who's on the bubble: Jansen, Gandy, Manny Ramirez and Daniel Loper

Defensive line
Cliff Avril had a disappointing season but he has some special skills, while Sammie Hill is a work in progress. Grady Jackson's future is uncertain if the Lions draft a tackle and some of the other veterans have a chance to stay, but nobody's a lock.

• Who's in: Jared DeVries, Avril and Hill
• Who's on the bubble: Jackson, Jason Hunter, Dewayne White, Landon Cohen and Andre Fluellen

Linebackers
The Lions could look to replace Larry Foote and Julian Peterson. DeAndre Levy can fill one of those spots. Foote is an unrestricted free agent and Peterson has a huge contract, and it's very unlikely he'll take a pay cut.

• Who's in: Ernie Sims, Levy and Zack Follett
• Who's on the bubble: Peterson, Foote and Jordon Dizon

Cornerbacks
Will James and Anthony Henry are unrestricted free agents, while Phillip Buchanon played well in the second half of the season but his inconsistency irritated the coaching staff.

• Who's in: Eric King
• Who's on the bubble: Buchanon, DeAngelo Smith and Brian Witherspoon

Safeties
If he keeps on his current track, Louis Delmas is on the verge of something special. He needs some help. The Lions need to add speed and savvy. One of the veterans could return, but, again, no one is a lock.

• Who's in: Delmas
• Who's on the bubble: Ko Simpson, Kalvin Pearson, Daniel Bullocks and Marvin White