imported_SomeOneYouKnow

The Lions' biggest offensive changes from last year are right at the top -- offensive coordinator Mike Martz replaces former head coach Steve Mariucci as the man running the offense and the "Greatest Show on Turf" replaces the West Coast offense. A training camp offensive outlook plus comments from Lions' WR Roy Williams inside.


The Lions' offensive outlook entering training camp:

The Lions' biggest offensive changes from last year are right at the top -- offensive coordinator Mike Martz replaces former head coach Steve Mariucci as the man running the offense and the "Greatest Show on Turf" replaces the West Coast offense.

But those are not the only changes that will be showing up at Ford Field this fall. Far from it.

Jon Kitna, an 11-year veteran, is the frontrunner to win the quarterback job, replacing Joey Harrington, who decided four years of misery and abuse from fans, coaches and teammates was all he could stomach. Harrington was traded to Miami.

There will be at least one change in the offensive line. It appears likely Ross Verba will take over at left guard, a position left vacant when Kyle Kosier left during free agency, and there is an even-money chance that Rex Tucker will take the right tackle job from Kelly Butler.

And it can be safely assumed that the receivers -- whoever the starters turn out to be -- will be better prepared and will execute better than they did in last year's disappointing 5-11 season.

Roy Williams is the only one of the three first-round receivers who is locked in as a starter. Charles Rogers is showing signs of improvement after three troubled seasons with injuries and a drug suspension, but Mike Williams still has to prove he's disciplined and fit enough to win a starting job.

The disciplined approach of coach Rod Marinelli and Martz have brought a whole new realization to the Lions offensive unit.

"He's very demanding," Roy Williams said, referring to Martz. "I don't know if I can say it but I jokingly said to myself he's like a terrorist on a football field. He can blow things up at any time he feels like it and that falls on our shoulders. He can dial it up and we've just got to execute it.

"I'm making no predictions this year. I just want to go out there and play and see (what happens). We've got the best offensive coordinator/head coach/mastermind in the country. As long as we do what he tells us to do there's no stopping us."