7:39AM Monday
March 25, 2013

Even with hot-shot quarterbacks and game-breaking receivers, it still comes down to the trenches in the NFL. You have to get to their quarterback and you have to protect yours.

Otherwise, you're going nowhere.

The Detroit Lions made headlines during the first few days of free agency. Reggie Bush will restore the big-play potential at running back and safety Glover Quin should help solidify the secondary.

But in a salary-cap era, when you plug one hole, another is often created. The concerns for the Lions have now shifted to the offensive and defensive lines.

Bush, Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson are nothing if there's unreliable blocking up front. An improved secondary remains vulnerable in the end if the other team's quarterback has too much time to throw.

Think back to the start of last season. Continuity on the offensive line was a strength. The entire group was returning for its third straight year together. There was also talk that the defensive line had the potential to be one of th