For those of you who have more football to play, congratulations. For us Lion fans, this is status quo. We have to wash away the bad taste of another non-playoff season by turning our attention to what's next on the agenda, the beginning of free agency February 29 (trades may begin for 2008 also) and preparation for the NFL Draft April 26-27.

In my opinion, for what its worth, I still believe the Lions are not all that far off, in spite of ownership and Matt Millen. Finding the right scheme for the present talent always appears to be the largest obstacle and with the coaching changes that have taken place since the turn of the century, continuity is something the team consistently lacks. And with today's NFL, head coach Rod Marinelli may not get much more time to put it all together, because I believe the next change made will include Millen and much of the front office.

First up will be the January 26 Senior Bowl, held annually in Mobile, Alabama. The staff has looked over what the team has and what they feel they'll need. The trick is how to fill holes through free agency and the draft. For a team rebuilding, as the Lions are, the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine (February 20-26) in Indianapolis are critical.

As obvious as that sounds, it really cannot be understated, or overestimated. The right choices and decisions have to be made and if they aren't, people will be replaced by those who can. Lions fans know team needs and which method to fill them is yet to be determined. We won't take into account the possibility of franchise labels for free agents and there will be many possibilities at #15 in the draft.

In part one, we'll look at possible (or wishful) free agent candidates. Part II will focus on the draft.

Free Agents-Defense

Teams take a shot here first. They throw a ton of money around and see what sticks. No matter the method, Detroit need pass rushers. The one thing that can mask a deficient secondary is cutting down on their coverage time. Hurried decisions and throws mean incomplete passes and interceptions. This area may be best served by signing a experienced pass rusher.

Last season, many believed Gaines Adams would be the selection by the Lions were they able to move down from the number two pick. They did not and although Adams has a bright future, he did not begin to truly pay dividends until the latter stages of the year. Last season's signing of Dewayne White worked out well, and we are all tired of the Kalimba Edwards experiment. An experienced player would be a must here.

There is also the issue of Shaun Rogers, who has not endeared himself to coaches and fans with his disappearing act during the second half swoon. Would the team be able to lure one of the very qualified replacements away from their current clubs? We'll see, it only takes money.

Possibilities: DE Jared Allen, Kansas City, DT Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee, DT Pat Williams, DE Justin Smith, Cincinnati, DE Terrell Suggs, Baltimore, DE Paul Spicer, Jacksonville

The Lions aren't speculating publicly whether they intend on continuing their employment of Boss Bailey. His speed is great and has had some injury issues. While many fans believe he should go, I don't share that opinion. I believe the team has not utilized him the way they should. This guy has the speed to come off the edge and he rarely rushed the passer. When he did, he was effective. He should be retained. The jury is still out on Teddy Lehman, highly-touted coming out of Oklahoma, he seems to be STILL trying to comeback from the Lisfranc injury he suffered in 2005. After 103 tackles as a rookie, it is decision time on his status as well. The biggest move at this position may be no move at all, providing the Lions use their abilities to serve their defensive weaknesses instead of being immovable on scheme. If they do want to take the plunge into the free agent linebacker market, they could make a splash.

Possibilities: LB Carlos Dansby, Arizona, LB Calvin Pace, Arizona, LB Na'il Diggs, Carolina, LB Mike Vrabel, New England

The choices at corner are very limited in the free agency and we can be fairly certain the Dre Bly won't be an option. With a stable of young defensive backs and the likely retirement of the single veteran, Fernando Bryant, the Lions are going to look everywhere they can to find help in this area. The draft being a more likely avenue, there are a couple choices here. The same could be said for the safety position, as rookie gerald Alexander filled in for Daniel Bullocks and may be paired with him, leaving veteran Kenoy Kennedy out of the mix. He has not really been the force the team had hoped for and may or may not ever live up to that contract.

Possibilities: CB Quentin Jammer, San Diego, CB Drayton Florence, San Diego, CB Charles Tillman, Chicago, SS Sammy Knight, Jacksonville, Gibril Wilson, NY Giants, FS Mike Doss, Minnesota, FS Eugene Wilson, New England

Free Agents-Offense

The Lions would like to bring back Damien Woody, who filled in admirably at right tackle when the team needed him. He is another of the players who seem to be relieved that Mike Martz is off to San Francisco and he may return. He is going to test the waters elsewhere and he cannot be blamed for that. But if he does go, the team will need not only a right tackle, but depth along the line as he couple played both center and guard as well. The line was responsible for too many sacks of Jon Kitna and even an adjustment in scheme and play-calling cannot curb the problem entirely. With the team looking to run the ball more next season, some help is needed all along the front, anyway they can get it.

Possibilities: OG Alan Faneca, Pittsburgh, OG Floyd Womack, OT Sean Locklear, Seattle, OT Stacey Andrews, Cincinnati

Look for the Lions to retain restricted free agent Dan Orvlosky and pair him with last year's second round pick Drew Stanton to back-up Kitna. The club placed Stanton on injured reserve during the pre-season and have to see if they have their quarterback of the future while Orvlosky has time invested in the system and may also benefit from a scaled back version of Martz's offense. J.T. O'Sullivan is the odd man out and will probably be sent packing. Unless something unforeseeable happens here, the quarterbacks are set.

Runningback may be another story. Kevin Jones is into another off-season of heavy rehabilitation, this time with a knee, and we have to wonder what he has left. The team may look to retain T.J. Duckett, who came up with a solid performance in relief. A new dedication to running the ball and with his size, Duckett serves a dual purpose if given the opportunity. Money will be an issue, as well as the health of the incumbent Jones in determining who the club will address the position in free agency or the draft. However, if they choose, or need, there are some very attractive options, starters and back-ups.

Possibilities: RB Michael Bennett, Tampa Bay, RB Chris Brown, Tennessee, RB Justin Fargas, Oakland, RB Jamal Lewis, Cleveland, RB Fred Taylor, Jacksonville, RB Michael Turner, San Diego

The team is certainly set at wide receiver, at least for another season. But the position the team needs an upgrade at is tight end. The pool of available players here can provide that. The team lost Dan Campbell to injury and while being a serviceable player, a dynamic play-maker added here opens up a plethora of offensive options. Sean McHugh and Casey Fitzsimmons have had their moments, but are inconsistent in both blocking and receiving.

Possibilities: TE Eric Johnson, New Orleans, TE Billy Miller, New Orleans, TE L.J. Smith, Philadelphia, TE Jerramy Stevans, Tampa Bay, TE Ben Troupe, TE Tennessee, Jermaine Wiggins, Jacksonville

Of course they will be the usual factors that help dictate the path the Lions will take. The upcoming Senior Bowl will provide some more scouting insight, important as free agency begins before the combine and will play an important role in how to mix the two avenues in adding players. The salary cap will certainly come into play as well as the rookie pool after the draft. What we can hope for as Lion fans is that we can start looking forward to adding some players to get us over the hump, and stop being a bump in the road for teams who are playoff bound.

Part II will focus on the team's options at #15 in the NFL Draft and free agency will provide a map of how the team will spend the picks allotted to them.