Kowalski on WDFN: Four rookies may start when regular season rolls around

by Philip Zaroo | MLive

Friday August 08, 2008, 11:28 AM

Tom Kowalski and Jamie Samuelsen agree on one thing: It was just one game.

Still, there were a few positives and a few negatives to gleen from the Detroit Lions' 13-7 win over the New York Giants in their first preseason games. And as opposed to seasons past, the positives involved some of the team's draft picks, including offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus.

"If he keeps making penlties, no, he won't (crack the starting lineup)," MLive's Lions Insider said on WDFN's The Morning Show with Jamie Samuelsen. "I think he's going to (start) because I think he's got more ability. Sometimes you've got to play some of those young guys and take your lumps because that's how they get better. They don't get better sitting on the bench.

"So, I think (Cherilus) is going to start; I think (running back) Kevin Smith is going to start; I think (fullback) Jerome Felton is going to start; and I think that (linebacker) Jordon Dizon should start on the strong side.

"I think you could have four rookie starters who could actually be pretty good. I mean, again, it's only one game, Jamie, like you said. But at least the trend is there, which is a lot better than in recent years."

Listen to Killer's talk about why Calvin Johnson should have an absolutely explosive yearr:

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