CAMP AT A GLANCE
	Steve Mariucci is the fourth Lions coach since 2000.
	Location: Lions Training Facility, Allen Park, Mich. Preseason schedule:  Aug. 9: Beat Pittsburgh, 26-13  Aug. 16: Lost to Cincinnati, 23-10  Aug. 23: Cleveland  Aug. 28: at Buffalo

In Pro Football Weekly's third and final installment of training-camp reports, we look at the good (biggest positive), the bad (biggest disappointment) and the ugly (injury update) factors surrounding every team halfway through the 2003 preseason. We also set our sights on a rookie to watch on each team, for whatever the reason.

Aug. 19

Biggest positive: Seems team president Matt Millen is rolling another game over 200 with his latest draft class. Almost every rookie drafted has a chance to be a contributor, and DT Cory Redding, WLB Boss Bailey, WR Charles Rogers and S Terrence Holt each have outside chances or better at cracking the starting lineup during the year. Rogers is a sure thing and will be the Lions' No. 1 receiver, and the progress of Redding, who moved from his collegiate position of defensive end, has been inspiring.

Biggest disappointment: A month ago, the Lions felt their deepest position was running back. But primary backup Shawn Bryson has been limited in practice and still hasn't played in the preseason, minicamp gem Avon Cobourne is nagged by a hamstring injury and rookie Artose Pinner will open the season on the non-football injury list as he waits impatiently for foot and leg damage suffered in January to heal completely.

Injury update: Several players have been or will be eased off the physically-unable-to-perform list, including LB Brian Williams (leg), DLE Kalima Edwards (hernia surgery), DT Luther Elliss (pectoral) and Pinner. Pinner and Cobourne aren't in the running for starting jobs, but Edwards, who has not practiced at full speed in weeks, and Ellis would be running with the first-team defense.

Rookies to watch: The obvious choice is Rogers, the do-it-all receiver who Lions head coach Steve Mariucci said is a big play waiting to happen. Rogers has the size, speed and charisma to be a great weapon in the West Coast offense but needs time to develop physically and mature mentally and emotionally. Keep an eye on Redding, who can play both the DT and DE spots. He's been a glaring bright spot in preseason work.

Part 2 -- Aug. 12

Veteran to watch: With his third team in three seasons, MLB Earl Holmes comes from Cleveland to be the much-needed thumper in the middle. Holmes makes the Lions' defense more physical and should dramatically improve the run defense. The Lions aren't concerned about his inability to cover because they plan to yank Holmes in passing situations.

Player on the verge: After a long talk with team president and CEO Matt Millen, who told him his reputation around the league was "fat and lazy," third-year veteran DT Shaun Rogers is in better shape and working harder on a day-to-day basis. The Lions see him as a player with big-time potential, but Rogers must stay serious and avoid injury.

Strongest position: The addition of rookie flanker Charles Rogers is expected to make everybody in the WR corps better because no longer will they be asked to play roles that don't suit their abilities. Early reports are that Az-Zahir Hakim is fine after dislocating his hip in 2002 and rookie sixth-round pick David Kircus has been a pleasant surprise in training camp.

Weakest position: The DT position opposite Shaun Rogers, who will move from the left side and back during games. With DT Luther Elliss nursing a pectoral injury that will keep him out until September, Kelvin Pritchett is the starter. Pritchett is great in a rotation, but he is not a good every-down player. Beyond Pritchett, rookie DL Cory Redding would have to be moved from defensive end, a move the Lions would prefer not to make.

Part 1 -- July 18

Most significant changes: Head coach Steve Mariucci takes over a franchise that went 5-27 the last two seasons under Marty Mornhinweg. Mariucci has been a catalyst to the franchise in his brief tenure and seems to be the best mentor this side of Bill Walsh to tutor second-year quarterback Joey Harrington and grow the team's crop of young talent.

Reasons for optimism: The Lions have talent on the offensive and defensive lines and capable people at the skill positions. The future of the franchise is in its young core of Harrington, wide receiver Charles Rogers, defensive tackle Shaun Rogers and defensive end Kalimba Edwards, but there is plenty of green talent on the roster that could develop quickly.

Causes for concern: Relying on inexperience is the top red flag. If the Lions are going to win, or at least post a winning record, first-, second- and third-year players are going to get them there. It may be asking too much too soon.

Training-camp battles to watch: A top cornerback was the priority in the offseason, and the Lions nabbed Dre' Bly to play on the left side. That leaves youngsters Chris Cash and Andr… Goodman, starters for part of their rookie seasons, to spar for the right cornerback spot.

Don't be surprised if: The Lions stick around the playoff hunt longer than expected. There doesn't seem to be a bowl-you-over favorite in the division, and .500 would be a huge jump and moral victory for this club.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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