Scouting Report: Brian Kelly

by Tom Kowalski
Tuesday June 03, 2008, 6:06 AM
BRIAN KELLY
2008 Scouting Report

Kelly replaces Fernando Bryant (who signed with the Patriots as a free agent) and will give the team more of a physical presence. Not so much against the run because Bryant was more than willing to stick his nose into run support, but against the pass. Kelly has the size and strength to effectively jam receivers off the line of scrimmage, a staple of the defensive scheme. He isn't going to stop them in their tracks, but he's savvy enough to keep them from where they initially want to go.

Because of his many years in the Tampa Two system - Kelly is another of the many Lions defenders who once played for Rod Marinelli in Tampa - Kelly does a good job of reading routes in zone coverages. Kelly doesn't have great speed for downfield routes and can be exposed in man-to-man coverage.

There is an issue of injuries for the 32-year-old Kelly, who missed five games last year and all but two games in 2006.

The real value with Kelly, in addition to what he brings in terms of his physical ability and smarts is that, along with a few other former Tampa Two guys, he's allowed the Lions to make changes and upgrades without having to suffer through a learning period with the new scheme.



MY THOUGHTS
When i heard about this signing i was very excited. This is the first CB we have had that has any experience in the Tampa 2. I think he will be a good guy to have Smith learn behind. I know he had some injuries but i have a feeling he will have a good year and be healthy.