So who are Justin Miller and Drew Coleman and what will their roles be in 2012?  While neither of them are expected to make a large impact, below is a little report for both players.

Justin Miller

What should Lions fan expect from Miller this year?  Not much, if anything.

Miller played his college ball at Clemson before being drafted in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft.  Miller made the biggest impact early in his career with the Jets as a kick returner.  2006 was the best year of his career as he was named to the Pro Bowl and was selected to the All-Pro team as a returner.  Since then he hasn’t done much except get charged for punching a woman in a night club.  He last played in 2009, where he only appeared in two games with two different teams (Raiders and Jets).

I don’t really understand this signing.  For a guy who hasn’t played in the past two years and only two games in 2009, it seems like a wasted roster spot.  Maybe to compete for the kick return spot but it seems like either Stefan Logan or Titus Young has that job.  Miller will be fighting for a roster spot throughout camp.  Oh well, In Mayhew We Trust.

Drew Coleman

October 24, 2011; Jacksonville FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Drew Coleman (30) celebrates after intercepting a pass thrown by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) (back left) in the fourth quarter of their game at EverBank Field. The Jaguars won 12-7. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

Now Lions fans should expect more from Coleman.  He likely will be in the mix for a starting cornerback spot.

Coleman was picked in the 6th round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing at TCU.  In his rookie season, Coleman played all 17 games for the playoff Jets, playing nickelback and helping out on special teams.  2010 was his best year statistically.  That year he compiled 4 sacks, 41 overall tackles, an interception, and forced 5 fumbles.  Coleman’s specialty seems to be forcing fumbles as he has eight in his career.  Before being released, he played in all 16 games for the Jaguars last year.

As this article from Jacksonville.com talks about, the Jags kept Drew Coleman only at the nickelback position.  This seems strange especially as the article points out, that there were a lot of injuries at the cornerback position for Jacksonville.  Coleman also expresses that he wished he would have gotten a lot more playing time on the outside.

Personally, I like this pickup.  Coleman seems like he has decent talent along with a good amount of experience in the recent years.  Also, I’m sure that Coleman is motivated to prove people wrong that he can play on the outside.  Whether or not Coleman gets a starting job or not is unsure, but expect him to be a contender for Aaron Berry’s old position.

If you’ve followed the Detroit Lions and the 2012 NFL Draft at all, you should know the Janoris Jenkins story by now.  Jenkins first got in trouble when he was involved in an altercation where he claimed someone tried stealing his gold chain around his neck.  Then he had two misdemeanors for marijuana position.  Jenkins is also the father of four children with three different women.  Eventually, he was kicked off Florida and ended up playing for North Alabama last year.

October 30, 2010; Jacksonville FL, USA; Florida Gators cornerback Janoris Jenkins (1) intercepts the ball during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

For the most part, I don’t think Lion fans are bothered much by the two misdemeanors for marijuana.  One occurred when police found Jenkins with a bag of pot in the bathrooms at a Gainesville club and the other occurred when he was spotted by police smoking in his car.  I’m not backing Jenkins actions at all as it is still illegal, but I wouldn’t put too much into his incidences with marijuana.  He’s young and he isn’t some drug lord like ex-Bear, Sam Hurd.

The fact that he is raising four children with three different women is more troublesome to Lion fans.  That definitely shows carelessness and lack of responsibility.  It is hard to defend that.  I’ve heard many comparisons to Antonio Cromartie who has been a bust in the NFL.  Yes, Jenkins and Cromartie’s issues are similiar, but I don’t like the comparison.  Cromartie has nine children with eight women in six different states.  That’s more than double the children and women.

So should the negative baggage carried by Jenkins prevent the Lions from drafting him?  It is a big, if not the biggest, question Lion fans are talking about.

First, myself and I hope other Lion fans fully trust Martin Mayhew.  Mayhew has made great moves in his short time as general manager.  I trust that Mayhew will make the right choice.  As the saying goes, “In Mayhew We Trust”.

However, in my own opinion, I believe the Lions should take Jenkins if he is available and others are off the board.  There is no question that Jenkins has really screwed up in the past.  Unlike Ryan Mallett last year, Jenkins isn’t avoiding questions about his past.  Instead, he steps up and answers them.  He says that he is “done with that stuff”.  Is it just lip service?  I’m not sure, but I like that he doesn’t avoid it his past.

If the Lions do draft Jenkins, I’m sure that they can provide help for Jenkins.  The NFL now has a mandatory rookie symposium which teaches many different lessons including financial seminars.  If Jenkins learns to take care of the finances of his family, I don’t think it should carry over to the football field.

I want a good football player.  For the most part, draft analysts agree that Jenkins posses great talents at cornerback.  If it wasn’t for his off-the-field issues, I doubt that Jenkins would even be available this late.  Whatever goes on in Jenkins’ life is his problem, as long as it doesn’t affect the team, it would be a good pick for the Lions.

Others argue that Jenkins would tear apart the locker room.  I’m not buying that.  Jenkins doesn’t play quarterback or another position that is crucial to the team.  He’s a corner and unless he does something really, really bad, I don’t think his actions will ruin the locker room.  There are veterans on this team like Kyle Vanden Bosch that won’t let that happen.

In the end, after thinking about if for upwards of an hour, the Detroit Lions selected Janoris Jenkins in my mock draft.

Offensive Line Prospects

Riley Reiff – Tackle – Iowa – (vs Oklahoma, Dec. 30th 10 PM)

Perhaps even more so than the tight end position, the University of Iowa is an absolute offensive lineman factory. Kirk Ferentz is a former NFL offensive line coach, and the Hawkeyes have one of the best strength and conditioning programs in all the land. Riley Reiff was a 250 pound defensive end when he came to Iowa, and with one year of strength, conditioning, and a change in diet, the Hawkeyes got him up to 300 pounds and in two years have developed him into a first round offensive tackle. Reiff will likely be an All Big Ten performer in 2011 and if he stays healthy, could be a top 15 pick in the draft. A great athlete with a blue-collar style of play, and a name to keep an eye on.

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