May 11, 2012; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Patrick Edwards (83) during rookie mini camp at the Detroit Lions training facility. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

The roster cuts over the last week or so weren’t necessarily the end of the line for all the players cut up in the shuffle. League rules provide for a practice squad of up to eight players. The rules for eligibility are as follows:

• Player must not have one season of accrued service towards free agency
• Player must not have been on the 46-man active roster for more than eight games
• Player can not be on a practice squad for more than three seasons

Undrafted rookie Patrick Edwards was among the final cuts despite a strong start to training camp. Although he didn’t do enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, he did show enough promise to warrant a practice squad spot with the Lions. That allows the Lions coaching staff to keep working with him and keeps other teams from snatching him up.

The Lions have also retained offensive lineman Rodney Austin, running back Stephfon Green, linebacker Carmen Messina and cornerback Ross Weaver to bring the total of known practice squad signees to five.

That leaves three spots remaining, one of which could be taken up by cornerback Jonte Green should he be bumped off the 53-man roster with the addition of Drayton Florence.

Detroit is expected, according to most members of the media, to keep six wide receivers on its final 53-man roster. The Lions currently have four of the spots locked up in wide receivers Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Titus Young and Ryan Broyles. If you know anything about math, you can clearly tell that there are two spots up for grabs. However, one of those spots is most likely going to be given to undrafted rookie free agent Patrick Edwards, out of University of Houston, because of his talented playmaking skills as a slot receiver and his tremendous ability to return kicks, which can be beneficial, should any of the Lions’ starting kick returners ever go down with an unforeseen injury.

Dec 18, 2011; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Stovall (80) warms up before the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

That leaves the Lions’ potential sixth and final wide receiver spot on the depth chart available, but who deserves the opportunity to own it?

I don’t think that Maurice Stovall deserves that spot at all. The reasons why are blatantly clear.

Stovall does not help the Detroit Lions’ offense in any manner and is strictly a special teams ace at best.  For Detroit last season, Stovall recorded one reception for eight yards, which, ultimately, means he is a nonfactor if any of Detroit’s top three wide outs go down with an injury, are suspended or are unable to dress on game day.

Although he is clearly the leader of the special teams, how much value can you place on Stovall’s leadership when he only hustles down to cover punts or tackle players on kickoffs? I applaud Stovall’s effort, especially after what he did last year, but the Lions cannot afford to keep a, “good job, good effort” player on the team this year because of how much depth the team has at other positions. The Lions are at a place where they are cutting players who are third- and fourth-string guys who could be starters for struggling teams like the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals.

There is more value in the Lions keeping a key rotational player like defensive tackle Andre Fluellen, second-year linebacker Doug Hogue and rookie defensive end Ronnell Lewis instead of releasing them to keep a sixth receiver like Stovall to primarily play special teams.

The Lions should take a gamble and cut Stovall after the fourth preseason game and keep one of the “on the bubble” wide receivers who can be effective in the passing game, but can also come close to providing the production that Maurice Stovall does on special teams.

I support Stovall’s effort and on-the-field abilities to the fullest, but the Lions are at a different place than they were in 2009. Detroit no longer is content with adding players who are willing to sign with the franchise because said players wouldn’t be able to start for other NFL franchises. The Lions need to look at keeping players like wide receivers Nate Hughes, Lance Long, Dominique Curry and Jarett Dillard who are pretty much unknown in the NFL. Can these guys add value to both the passing game and the special teams squad? That is what the Lions need to figure out throughout the next two preseason games.

For now, it is safe to say that Maurice Stovall is a nonfactor in helping the Lions score touchdowns and, simply put, the Lions should invest in a player for that sixth wide receiver spot that can be a dangerous option for Matthew Stafford on the offense and also have the ability to hustle down the field and cover kicks for the special teams.

August 10, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Keiland Williams (34) runs for 1st down during the first half between the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-US PRESSWIRE

2. Where did that running game come from? Keiland Williams and Joique Bell looked inspiring against the Browns and it will be interesting to see if Mikel Leshoure and Jahvid Best can produce just as well.

3. The Lions clearly made a mistake letting punter Nick Harris go last year. For the Panthers Saturday, Harris made a couple of kicks against the Texans that prove teams shouldn’t cut a kicker after one lousy preseason showing. Not to mention, Harris was the MVP of Jacksonville’s special teams last season because he kept the Jaguars in most games and set opposing offenses up with bad field position.

4. Barring any future injuries to the Lions’ secondary, the Mike Jenkins-to-Detroit trade rumors should be put to bed. Chris Houston, Bill Bentley and Alphonso Smith played well as a group against the Browns. Jenkins appears to be unneeded and now the spot where the Lions need added depth is at the safety position.

5. The biggest weakness on defense is going to be at the safety position this season, especially after the injury to Louis Delmas. The defensive line looks solid and improved, and the play from Everette Brown against Cleveland was surprising. The linebackers maintain its core from last season and the cornerbacks appear to be much more talented this year. The Lions will struggle to keep its safeties healthy and the position will continue to look patchwork at best.