Grading the Detroit Lions offensive starters
By Mike Payton
OFFENSIVE LINE
Aug 15, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Lions right guard Larry Warford (75) as quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The offensive line was another strength from last season that wound up being a weakness this year.
Riley Reiff.
Riley Reiff Quietly had a decent season. He is by no means elite, but in terms of development he is coming along nicely. He managed to stay healthy for the most part. Some bad holding penalties that stalled drives will be what he is remembered for this year.
Grade:12
Rob Sims
Rob Sims is ready to go. There were countless times this season that he let guys go by him. He also got called for drive killing penalties far too many times. A trait that Rob used to not have.
Grade:8
Dominic Raiola.
Goodbye Dominic Raiola. For some it’s good riddance. Coming off the best statistical season of his career, Raiola regressed back into is old undisciplined self. Even serving a suspension for in my opinion the most blatantly dirty thing I’ve ever seen in NFL. It was time for this marriage to end.
Grade: 8
Larry Warford.
While he did regress a bit from his great rookie year, Larry Warford remains the class of the Lions offensive line. Warford suffered through some injuries that slowed him down this season. I expect a big bounce back next season.
Grade:14
LaAdrian Waddle.
LaAdrian Waddle wasn’t even supposed to be the starter this year. Corey Hilliard went down in the first half of the Lions week 1 outing against the Giants. Waddle was injury prone all season. When he wasn’t hurt, he was about to get hurt. I think Waddle will have a great future as a rotational player but I believe he has started his last game for a while.
Grade: 10
So what do you think? How would you have graded using the P.M.O.G.S? Leave your comments below or argue with me on Twitter. Stay tuned for the defensive grading later this week