Over last week and this week, we'll be reviewing each position group for the Detroit Lions in multiple ways. We'll continue with the cornerbacks Thursday.
Every morning as part of the Roar, we'll have a quick statistical breakdown of that position group.
The cornerbacks as a whole: The Lions lost two players for the season in the first two weeks and had to patchwork their way through things for a little bit until they found a comfortable rotation at the nickel. But overall, Detroit's cornerbacks fared well in 2014. The group combined for 144 tackles and five interceptions. The corners helped create the No. 4 defense against QBR (44.0) and the No. 13 pass defense (231.63 yards).
The cornerbacks as individuals (regular season only):
Darius Slay: He played 952 snaps, making 61 tackles with two interceptions, 11 pass breakups, a batted pass and 13 total disrupted dropbacks. According to Pro Football Focus, opponents completed 59 of 105 passes on him (56.2 percent) for 734 yards and three touchdowns. He allowed 12.4 yards a reception and had an opponent passer rating of 79.6.
Rashean Mathis: He played 962 snaps with 51 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception, seven pass breakups and eight disrupted dropbacks. PFF reports he had 55 of 90 passes completed on him (61.1 percent) for 558 yards and three touchdowns. He allowed 10.1 yards per reception and had an opponent passer rating of 85.3.
Cassius Vaughn: In 356 snaps, Vaughn made 18 tackles and had two interceptions, a fumble recovery and three pass breakups. He had five disrupted dropbacks. According to PFF, opponents completed 32 of 43 passes on Vaughn (74.4 percent) for 472 yards and three touchdowns. He allowed 14.8 yards per reception and had an opponent passer rating of 113.7.
Mohammed Seisay: He played 16 snaps and had five tackles. According to PFF, opponents completed 5 of 7 passes on him (71.4 percent) for 63 yards and no touchdowns. He allowed 12.6 yards per reception and had an opponent passer rating of 99.1.
Danny Gorrer: Gorrer played in six games for the Lions this year before being cut. In 159 snaps, he made six tackles and broke up one pass. According to PFF, opponents completed 10 of 14 passes on Gorrer for 119 yards and no touchdowns.
Bill Bentley: He played three snaps this season before tearing his ACL.
Nevin Lawson: He played 59 snaps and made one tackle over two games before a season-ending foot injury. Opponents completed 3 of 4 passes on him for 43 yards. He allowed 14.3 yards per reception and had a 109.4 opponent passer rating.
And now, a look around the Interwebs in search of Lions and other news:
Reviewing the linebackers from 2014 with a look ahead to 2015. Viewing the linebackers from a statistical lens. An initial draft outlook at linebackers for 2015. Detroit has to look at defensive line in this spring's draft.
Jim Caldwell says Matthew Stafford's Pro Bowl selection is pretty special, writes Dave Birkett in the Detroit Free Press.
An Arkansas linebacker says Travis Swanson will be a leader, writes Josh Katzenstein in the Detroit News.
Dominic Raiola says Detroit will be in good hands at center, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.
In other Detroit sports news, I wandered by the Pistons on Wednesday night and Tom Gores told me he's surprised by the Pistons' fast turnaround.