LIONS AT A GLANCE
	Herman Moore
	Last year: 5-11, fourth place in NFC Central Key returnees:: QB Charlie Batch (2,178 yards and 11 TDs); WR Herman Moore (82 receptions, 983 yards); WR Johnnie Morton (69 receptions, 1,028 yards); DL Robert Porcher (11½ sacks); KR Terry Fair (28.0 yards per KR) New faces: QB Gus Frerotte (Redskins); DL Kelvin Pritchett (Jaguars); DB Kevin Franklin (Raiders) New places: RB Barry Sanders (retired); QB Scott Mitchell (Ravens); OL Jim Pyne (Browns); LB Rob Fredrickson (Cardinals) Watch out: Can coach Bobby Ross keep the ship afloat after the surprise retirement of Sanders? Better than '98: The defensive unit, with Porcher and Luther Elliss, isn't as bad as some people might think. Worse than '98: Without Barry, will the Lions running game be buried alive?

Like one of those nasty, unwanted Y2K bugs, however, it is here, and there is nothing the Lions can do except swallow hard and get on with their business. As unpleasant as the task might be, that's what coach Bobby Ross and the Lions will try to do -- improve on last year's dismal 5-11 record without the help of one of the best running backs in NFL history.

Ron Rivers will get first crack at replacing the retired Sanders, whom Rivers backed up at running back the past five years. But the major burden of the offense will fall on second-year quarterback Charlie Batch.

Ross says the Lions will play a looser, more wide-open style of football to compensate for the loss of Sanders and to capitalize on their residual talent, namely Batch and his receivers: Herman Moore, Johnnie Morton, Germane Crowell, Brian Stablein and tight end David Sloan.

If the Lions can get the defensive improvement they're anticipating from the addition of tackles James Jones and Kelvin Pritchett, they might be at least respectable, even if they can't make a run at the playoffs. But it won't be easy. The Lions were beset with foul luck early in training camp, and they might suffer for it all season. They could lose as many as two of their top three draft picks. OT Aaron Gibson (shoulder) is out for the year, and DL Jared DeVries (foot) might be.

Here's a position-by-position look at Detroit's roster:

Quarterbacks
Ross made a bold move by elevating Batch to starting status after just two games last year. Batch finished his rookie season strong, throwing six TD passes and no interceptions in his final six games, with a passer rating of 98.1. This year in training camp, Batch has shown confidence, a great feel for the game, a strong arm and good maneuverability. Backing him up is former Redskin Gus Frerotte, who signed a three-year, $3.6 million contract in free agency. Grade: C+

Running backs
Although Rivers is no Sanders, Ross believes he can move the chains, which is all Rivers will be asked to do. Rivers has powerful legs, good balance and quick feet, but he's undersized (5-foot-8, 207 pounds) and lacks pure speed. The Lions gained another option by acquiring Greg Hill in a trade with the Rams on Sept 1.

In addition to Hill and Rivers, Detroit has rookie Sedrick Irvin as a third-down back and FB Cory Schlesinger, who runs like a Mack truck and blocks just as hard. Grade: C-

		Barry Sanders, the Lions' biggest issue is clearly the running back position. Detroit just needs one player, whether it's first-stringer Ron Rivers or Greg Hill or rookie Sedrick Irvin, who can be productive -- breaking tackles and producing on first downs. He doesn't have to be a game-breaker like Sanders. This offense is going to be based on production from the ground game. Charlie Batch will need all the help he can get from the running attack in order to be an effective quarterback, throwing to the likes of Herman Moore and Johnnie Morton. You can't replace a player like Barry Sanders. So the Lions will probably be facing a 4-12 season.

Receivers
With the healthy return of Sloan, the Lions are loaded. Moore still has the hands, strength and leaping ability of a stud receiver. He and Batch spent a great deal of time this offseason and in training camp becoming better acquainted with each other.

One criticism of Batch's play last year was his failure to develop a consistent rapport with Moore. Crowell doesn't have quite the same hands as Moore, but the second-year man has better speed. He's expected to become more in-volved in the offense in his second season. Morton seems to have plateaued at the 80-catch, 1,000-yard level, and Stablein is a great route runner with tremendous hands. Grade: A-

Offensive linemen
The injury to Gibson throws Ross' offseason maneuvering out of whack. After struggling badly at guard, Juan Roque was moved back to right tackle, leaving the OLG job up for grabs among Tony Ramirez, Tony Semple, Kerlin Blaise and Barrett Brooks. But Roque must perform well to keep the job, or Ramirez could move back outside.

The Lions' top offensive lineman is ORG Jeff Hartings. OLT Ray Roberts can be better than he's been, and Mike Compton can handle his new job at center, provided he recovers from a sprained knee. Grade: C

Defensive linemen
The addition of free agents Jones and Pritchett gives DT Luther Elliss much-needed help inside, where the Lions struggled last year to stop the run and get a push on the pocket. Detroit's run defense ranked 25th in the league last season, allowing an average of 131.4 yards per game.

DeVries will work at right end with incumbent Tracy Scroggins if both get healthy in time. Veteran Robert Porcher, who's recorded double-digit sacks in each of his last three seasons, can play either DE spot, and Travis Kirschke can help at either end or tackle. If everyone's healthy, this unit should be improved. Grade: B

Linebackers
Approximately one second after he was drafted, first-round pick Chris Claiborne became the Lions' weak-side linebacker. He'll have to learn the system, but he's talented. MLB Stephen Boyd is coming off shoulder surgery, but he's steady, smart, reliable and a hard worker.

Hopefully, Allen Aldridge will have a more productive season at strong-side linebacker than he had on the weak side last year. The loss of Matt Russell (knee) leaves Richard Jordan, Scott Kowalkowski and Steve Morrison as backups. Grade: C+

Defensive backs
The Lions are hoping that LCB Bryant Westbrook (third season) and RCB Terry Fair (second season) have the worst of their growing pains behind them, and that safeties Mark Carrier and Ron Rice continue to play as well as they did last year.

Kevin Abrams is slotted for nickel-DB duty unless J.B. Brown or Lamar Campbell shows he's better. Grade: B-

Special teams
The kicking game is solid. Jason Hanson is strong and accurate on kickoffs and field goals, and John Jett is coming off a season in which he recorded a career-high 43.8 yards per punt.

The kickoff-return game is in good hands as well, with Fair leading the league last year with an average of 28.0 yards per return. The addition of rookies Clint Kriewaldt and Ty Talton and the return of Kevin O'Neill from offseason knee surgery should help the coverage units. Still to be determined: a punt returner. Grade: B

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