Professor

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...605280621/1049

Lions' Bryant healthy, bigger and primed

May 28, 2006

Fernando Bryant's first two seasons with the Lions were disappointing. The cornerback missed six games because of injuries in 2004. Then he missed almost all of last season after suffering a dislocated left shoulder in Week 2. But Bryant is back -- stronger, heavier and as confident as ever. The new coaching staff wanted him to bulk up his upper body to protect his shoulders, and he has gone from about 177 pounds to about 189.

"As far as range of motion and strength and everything like that, I'm pretty good," Bryant said recently. "I'm further along than I was last year, just because you have to work so much harder after you get hurt."

Bryant, 29, expects competition for the starting spot he has held in the past. But he isn't anxious. He's excited.

"I think it's refreshing for everybody, but especially for me because the last two years just haven't been great," he said. "Just going in with a clean slate is actually probably better for me. ... One thing about the corner position, you have to have confidence. You can bring in as many good corners as you want to. It's only going to help the team.

"I feel like I'm still 'who am I?' in this league. As long as I'm healthy, I'm OK. The problem is

MisplacedLionsFan

the problem is...I suck and the Lions wasted money in signing me.

I hope he is ready to play, CB is a question mark for the Lions beyond Bly.

vikingsfan2006

i hope he can make an impact he has alot of potential but his injuries ar a real problem

Professor

if he can stay healthy, with the dline they have, the lions defense could be really good next year, as long as the offense does thier job and helps to keep the D fresh, then they should perform very well with marinelli there.

MisplacedLionsFan

we have no LBers either though...the defense is a year away I think from making a jump.

Professor

you just got ernie sims as the prototype derrick brooks for marinelli's defense. Also, I wouldn't say bailey is a slouch at all, especially with sims on the other side. They could use someone up the middle, but lehman is serviceable, also holt, kennedy and bullocks at safety are pretty nice.

MisplacedLionsFan

Bailey is a slouch. He is never healthy, he overpursues, he misses too many tackles.

I hope Bailey, Sims, and Lehman pan out though. I am just not ready to do it this season.

and Holt screwed up his chance to be a starter last season. It looks like Bashir, McGraw and Bullocks will get more of a chance then Holt.