Lions' offense is potent, but not without flaws
By Carlos Mendez
cmendez@star-telegram.com
The Detroit Lions are taking a closer look at their offensive line after giving up five sacks last week against Minnesota.
They were the first sacks allowed this season by the Lions, and they rushed for only 20 yards.
Right tackle Gosder Cherilus, a first-round pick in 2008, was pulled after just two series after being unable to hold back Vikings defensive end Brian Robison.
Left tackle Jeff Backus, one of the Lions' most veteran players, allowed two sacks and committed two false starts in a tough outing against premier pass rusher Jared Allen.
Lions coach Jim Schwartz didn't commit to returning Cherilus to his place at right tackle or keeping backup Corey Hilliard, who had started in Week 2.
"We need to be more effective at that position. I will just leave it at that," Schwartz told Detroit reporters.
Former Cowboys third-round draft pick Stephen Peterman is the starter at right guard. Jason Fox, a second-year player who played at North Crowley High School, is the backup left tackle.
Rush offense
The Lions have an effective offense, but they have one of the NFL's worst rushing attacks.
Leading rusher Jahvid Best averages 2.9 yards per carry. Last week, he carried 12 times for 14 yards.
Like the Cowboys, they don't have many explosive runs -- only one run of 20 or more yards. The Cowboys got their first two 20-plus-yard runs Monday night.
"It's not all on the running backs," Jim Schwartz said.
"We had poor blocking at the point of attack on a couple. On a couple, we blocked poorly on the back side, and a couple were poorly blocked on the perimeter. We can get better in every facet."
The Lions' average of 78.3 rushing yards per game ranks 26th in the league. But their offense is still in the top 10 for yards per game (400.0) and in the top five in points per game (33.7).
Lions injuries
Nickel cornerback Aaron Berry left the game last week with a groin injury.
Backup linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter.
Jim Schwartz wasn't optimistic.
"He didn't finish the game. He could be out a while," he said.
Little-used receiver Rashied Davis has a hamstring injury.
First-round pick Nick Fairley is questionable for this week's game.
The defensive tackle suffered a fracture in his left foot in training camp Aug. 1.
Briefly
Calvin Johnson has six touchdown catches through three games. That's halfway to his career high of 12.
Kyle Vanden Bosch leads the Lions in sacks with three. The team had four last week and has eight for the season.
Jason Hanson is 8 for 8 on field goals, with a long of 51. He made four kicks last week.
The Lions allowed a kickoff return of 68 yards and a punt return of 53 yards last week.
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