Scouting Report: Brian Calhoun

by Tom Kowalski
Tuesday July 01, 2008, 12:09 AM
BRIAN CALHOUN

2008 Scouting Report

Despite not showing much in his first two years because of the same knee injury, the coaching staff remains extremely high on Calhoun because of his speed and running ability. It should be noted, though, that the Lions still found it necessary to trade up in the third round and draft Kevin Smith.

That's not to say the team doesn't have a role for Calhoun.

The Lions see him as a third-down back who can put pressure on the outside and also a player who can contribute on special teams. Calhoun didn't get a lot of chances last year - he only played in four games and didn't appear 100 percent - but he still made some big plays in key situations.


The question is whether Calhoun can keep up that playmaking ability and whether he can stay healthy. At 5-10 and 208 pounds, he's solid but small and isn't going to break many tackles. On special teams, he has to play "bigger.'' He needs to do more than return kickoffs, which he did a decent job of number-wise, even though he doesn't appear to have a natural knack for that spot.

Calhoun, a former third-round pick, is going to have an interesting training camp. His draft status is going to help him, but it will only take him so far. Calhoun has to prove that he's 100 percent and that he can practice every day - and show more than just the flashes he's displayed in the past.