The Lions are going to select a linebacker sometime early in this month's NFL draft, possibly even the first round. All indications are they'd like to upgrade middle linebacker and move Paris Lenon to the strong side. They brought free agents Al Wilson and Dan Morgan in for visits this winter, and tried to trade for Jonathan Vilma.

USC's Keith Rivers is the draft's top-rated linebacker, though he projects to play outside (more specifically on the weak side, where budding star Ernie Sims already is entrenched). Still, he might be the Lions' best option if he's available at 15 (he would likely play strong side). Top middle linebacker prospects Jarod Mayo of Tennessee and Dan Connor of Penn State would be reaches at 15, and Lions coach Rod Marinelli has hinted he wants a veteran in the middle (though a rookie's learning curve no doubt would be helped by new NFL rules that allow two defensive players to wear communication systems in their helmet).

One other thing to consider. Sims said Monday he "learned a lot" playing beside Lenon and hopes Lenon stays at middle linebacker next year. Lenon, at the end of last season, shared the same sentiment.

"I feel like right now he has a good grasp of the whole defense," Sims said of Lenon. "Last year, he did a pretty good job of getting in all the calls, making all the checks, there wasn't a lot of busts on the field. So I would feel real comfortable having him inside me."