Scanning the Savanna

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is recovering from offseason surgery on his right shoulder, says he’s right on track with his rehab process to the point where he is sure he’ll be healthy for a full season of games.

Fourth-year Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril – whose rookie year coincided with the team’s infamous 0-16 season – is pretty sure he can pinpoint the moment he felt real change was taking over.

It came in the form of veteran defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who the Lions signed as a free agent last offseason.

The Detroit Lions have gone 8-40 over the last three years. So, it stands to reason that not every player gets the notoriety he may deserve.

Now, pundits and critics alike are starting to take notice of the Lions again and shine the spotlight on bonafide superstars like Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosch.

Yet, teams aren’t just build at the top of the roster, but from the bottom up as well. Good football teams have quality depth at many positions and not just passable starters.

Here are five Detroit Lions players who are talented, yet too often overlooked.