LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 1999, Lost to Washington, 27-13 in NFC wild card

COACH (RECORD): Jim Schwartz (8-24 in two seasons with Lions)

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Scott Linehan

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Gunther Cunningham

OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKS, 2010 (NFL): 26th rushing, 26th passing, 28th scoring

DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKS, 2010 (NFL): 24th rushing, 13th passing, T-23rd scoring

KEY ADDITIONS: LB Justin Durant (free agent, Jaguars), LB Stephen Tulloch (free agent, Titans), CB Eric Wright (free agent, Browns), WR Rashied Davis (free agent, Bears), S Erik Coleman (free agent, Falcons), DE Nick Fairley, (first round, Auburn), WR Titus Young (second round, Boise State), RB Mikel Leshoure (second round, Illinois)

KEY DEPARTURES: LB Julian Peterson (released), WR Bryant Johnson (released), LB Zack Follett (released), DE Turk McBride (to Saints), RB Kevin Smith (not tendered), S C.C. Brown (free agent), CB Eric King (free agent), LB Landon Johnson (free agent), LB Jordon Dizon (released)

THIN BLUE LINE: QB Matthew Stafford's laser-like passing early in training camp indicates he's recovered from the shoulder injuries that have defined his career. Keeping Stafford healthy is the linchpin of Detroit's 2011 offensive plans. The O-line had quality pass-protection stats last season (26 sacks allowed, T-6th fewest in NFL), and they must reprise that performance this season. That job's gotten much more difficult thanks to multiple OT injury issues. 2010 starting LT Jeff Backus' streak of 160 consecutive regular-season games played is in jeopardy because of a pectoral muscle injury. RT Gosder Cherilus' recovery from offseason microfracture knee surgery is moving much slower than the Lions would like, and young reserve Jason Fox sustained a foot injury during the opening week of camp. The injuries leave Detroit with only three healthy OTs (Tony Ugoh, Corey Hilliard, Johnny Culbreath), who share a combined eight NFL starts since 2009. Detroit's attempting to downplay the injury concerns. They believe Backus will be ready before the regular season begins, and that Hilliard is a capable replacement if Cherilus' knee doesn't recover. The proof's in the pudding, however, and if Backus and Cherilus don't return to camp soon, Detroit will need O-line help capable of keeping Stafford on the field.

CATCHING UP: Detroit must improve its production at the third WR spot this season. The Lions released WR Bryant Johnson after a woeful 2010 performance (18 catches, 210 yards). Detroit drafted Boise State WR Titus Young to add speed, but he's been sidelined early in camp because of muscle tightness. The Lions hung a "help wanted" sign for receivers entering camp, and sparked competition by signing nine receivers to the 90-man roster. With Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, and return specialist Stefan Logan earmarked for three of Detroit's WR roster spots, seven players are fighting for one of two remaining places. Despite his injury issues, Detroit's committed to Young. The final roster spot likely will go to Derrick Williams or free agent Rashied Davis. Williams had only three catches in Detroit a season ago, but he's having an excellent camp. Davis had nine catches for 81 yards for Chicago last season. He provides Detroit with a veteran option, and is a player hungry for more touches. Maurice Stovall, Demario Ballard, Tim Toone, and Nate Hughes all are long shots to survive final cuts. At the end of the day, it'll be on-field performance that determines who stays.

LUCKY (FRONT) SEVEN: With the acquisition of free agent linebackers Stephen Tulloch (160 combined tackles last season) and Justin Durant (55 tackles), Detroit has a front seven that rivals any unit in the game. Tulloch and Durant offer much-needed help for LB DeAndre Levy, who continues to mature at the position. Levy, Durant and Tulloch are all capable of playing any LB position. Look for Tulloch to occupy the middle, with Durant and Levy on the edges. The trio will back up one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. DE Kyle Vanden Bosch has put the neck injury that ended his 2010 season behind him, and DT Ndamukong Suh shows no signs of a sophomore slump following his 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year performance. The D-line returns six players who combined for 34 sacks last season. They're deep enough that a foot injury to 2010 first-round selection DT Nick Fairley won't have any immediate negative effects on the line's performance. Perhaps the strongest endorsement of the line's prowess is the fact that each of the defensive free agents Detroit signed this season cited a desire to play behind the Lions' front four as a reason they came to Detroit.

SAFETY DANCE: One of Detroit's fiercest training camp battles will decide who starts alongside Louis Delmas at safety. Amari Spievey switched from CB to S midway through 2010. He's arrived in camp determined to make the position his own. Spievey's conditioning is much improved over last season, and he's clearly benefitting from a full training camp to learn the position. He's pursuing the ball well and looking sharp in coverage. Delmas offered an endorsement of Spievey's progress. "He's thinking like a safety now," Delmas said. Spievey's competition comes from Erik Coleman. The former Falcon clearly wanted to play in Detroit, signing with the Lions in February rather than waiting for the new CBA to take effect. Coleman lost his starting job in Atlanta, and is playing like a man with something to prove. CB Chris Houston believes Coleman offers the Lions a veteran option that will aid in the development of Detroit's young secondary. With both players looking good in camp, this competition will come down to the wire.

FINAL WORD: The number one preseason objective for Detroit is simply avoiding any further injury issues. Detroit finished the 2010 season with 19 players on injured reserve. That can't happen if Detroit wants to compete in the NFC North. The Lions must monitor the O-line's health closely. They've assembled a starting 22 that puts them in playoff contention. The difference between being a playoff contender and a playoff participant often comes from quality reserves capable of compensating for any injury situation. It's up to GM Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz to find the depth to back up Detroit's top guns.