The Lions have announced the first 19 of 21 players they released today on their way down to the 53-man roster limit. Most notable among the cuts were linebacker Buster Davis, safety Greg Blue, cornerback Dovonte Edwards and receivers Devale Ellis and John Standeford. They also placed running back Brian Calhoun on injured reserve with what coach Rod Marinelli termed a "thigh muscle tear." Calhoun has finished all three of his NFL seasons on IR.

By cutting Ellis, Standeford and Brandon Middleton, the Lions appear to be going with just four receivers — Calvin Johnson, Roy Williams, Mike Furrey and Shaun McDonald — and extra help at fullback (Sean McHugh) and tight end (John Owens). Rookie fifth-round pick Kenneth Moore was released and is a prime candidate for the practice squad.

Davis had a strong camp but got caught in a numbers game at linebacker. The Lions are committed to second-round pick Jordon Dizon as Paris Lenon's backup at middle linebacker and wanted reserves at both outside positions. They kept Anthony Cannon and Gilbert Gardner, who will back up Alex Lewis on the strong side, over Davis and Leon Joe. If Davis is not claimed, the Lions will try to re-sign him to the practice squad

With two cuts to go, here's the list of those waived so far:

WR Ron Bellamy, LB Darnell Bing, S Greg Blue, LB Buster Davis, OG Frank Davis, DE Victor DeGrate, CB Dovonte Edwards, WR Devale Ellis, DE Rudolph Hardie, TE Clark Harris, QB Drew Henson, S LaMarcus Hicks, OG Corey Hulsey, LB Leon Joe, WR Brandon Middleton, WR Kenneth Moore, RB Artose Pinner, WR John Standeford, CB Kiwaukee Thomas.

Lions president Matt Millen told his linebackers earlier this week that the team only plans to keep six backers when it settles its 53-man roster Saturday. That means, assuming the Lions follow the rule of 25 — 25 offensive players, 25 defensive players and three special teamers — the final defensive roster spot will go to a ninth man in the secondary.

Already, the Lions look poised to keep 10 defensive linemen, a position of great depth. If seventh-round pick Landon Cohen is the odd man out, he'll land a spot on the practice squad (if he's not claimed by another team).

At linebacker, only starters Ernie Sims, Paris Lenon and Alex Lewis and second-round pick Jordon Dizon are guaranteed roster spots. Buster Davis, currently running second at middle linebacker, should make the team, too, but that would leave either Sims on the weak side or Lewis on the strong side without a true backup. If the Lions keep three middle linebackers, Dizon is a candidate to move outside to improve his chances of getting on the field.

Gilbert Gardner is the most versatile of the Lions' remaining linebackers, having played both strong and weak side in Indianapolis. Gardner and Anthony Cannon have been alternating as Sims' backup throughout the preseason, while Leon Joe has shown flashes of playmaking ability on the strong side. Cannon made his mark on special teams the last two years, but Millen indicated in his meeting that only five linebackers are likely to dress on gameday.

Cases can be made for safety Greg Blue and cornerbacks Dovonte Edwards and Ramzee Robinson as the ninth defensive back. I'd give the edge to Blue for now for reasons I've already explained, but what happens in Buffalo could be the deciding factor.

Every day during training camp, Lions beat writer Dave Birkett takes you inside practice at Allen Park with notes, quotes and observations of interest.

• Now that linebacker Takeo Spikes has officially spurned the Lions — he signed with San Francisco late Sunday— it's time for the Lions to figure out which middle linebacker will change positions. The way I see it, there's two choices. Either Paris Lenon moves from starting middle linebacker to starting on the strong side, or Jordon Dizon moves from Lenon's backup to the SAM position, where he'd eventually start as well. In my opinion, Buster Davis is a backup middle linebacker, either to Lenon or Dizon.

• For the 100th time this camp, defensive coordinator Joe Barry said Monday a change of position has not even been approached yet, though he acknowledged it could happen. "We'll keep however many linebackers we keep, six or seven," Barry said. "Those will be the best six or seven linebackers. And the three guys that start will be the three best linebackers that we have on this team." Dizon, the rookie second-round pick, isn't in the top three yet, but he will be by the end of the year. He needs to be on the field. Barry said he wouldn't expect a player to change positions and be ready to start a week later at their new spot. In other words, if Dizon stays in the middle until cut day Aug. 30, it's unlikely he'll start on the strong side in the season opener Sept. 7. "We've still got three preseason games left to play," Barry said. "There's not been any talk of moving anybody, middle linebackers included, to another position."

• Dizon put a great spin move on Sean McHugh in a one-on-one blocking drill today. In the drill, a running back stands seven yards from an oncoming linebacker and tries to prevent him from reaching a nearby tackling dummy. Kevin Smith fared well in protection, winning battles with Lenon and Leon Joe but getting steamrolled by Ernie Sims.

• Sims, by the way, is virtually unstoppable in the drill. He practices with such violence and intensity it's fun to see.

• Coaches aren't standing for any penalties in camp after having six in the preseason opener. Michael Gaines false-started on one play and was immediately replace. Same with John Owens a few plays later.

• Fullback Jon Bradley and receiver Taye Biddle were held out of practice Monday for injury reasons. Owens, Cory Redding and Calvin Johnson were back after resting minor ailments, and safety Daniel Bullocks, tight end Dan Campbell and receiver Shaun McDonald came off the physically unable to perform list. Campbell will be a welcome addition to both the passing and running games this year.

Every day during training camp, Lions beat writer Dave Birkett takes you inside practice at Allen Park with notes, quotes and observations of interest.

First thoughts from the preseason opener, a 13-10 win over the Giants:

• If Calvin Johnson stays healthy, he will be the best receiver in the league in three years. He's that good. And he's headed for a huge year in the meantime. Johnson played about a quarter Thursday and caught four passes for 78 yards. On one 25-yard gain that should be a typical play this season, Johnson was running down the sideline in one-on-one coverage with Corey Webster. Jon Kitna threw the ball up, and Johnson had it tucked away before Webster could even bother making a play. If the Lions can keep Kitna clean, either Johnson or Roy Williams will make the Pro Bowl.

• Rookie Gosder Cherilus is going to catch some heat for his three penalties, as he should. But Lions coach Rod Marinelli said he was pleased with Cherilus' blocking and Cherilus said he felt like he could play against everyone he was matched up against. "I think he did some good things on his blocking," Marinelli said. "I felt it a couple times."

• The rest of the Lions' rookies were up and down, too. Kevin Smith doesn't dance much, that's a good thing, but averaged just 2.8 yards on his eight carries. Jordon Dizon is a great instinct guy, as everyone knows, but Marinelli said "we just got to make sure he's going the right way all the time." Got to watch the tape more before I comment on Cliff Avril and Andre Fluellen, defensive linemen who it's not going out on a limb to say aren't expected to have much of an impact this year.

• Drew Stanton ended his first rushing attempt Thursday with — get this — a slide. Stanton said he never slid at Michigan State. Former MSU quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier always told Stanton to be the aggressor and dive at a defender's legs. He's always been a gutsy runner and sometimes ended up on the wrong end of collisions. In the NFL, he'll be smarter about things. "They hit with a different authority" in the NFL, he said.

• One player who stood out in a good way that no one mentioned post-game: Buster Davis. He made four tackles, deflected a pass and proved he can deliver a hit. One player who struggled (in my estimation): Dovonte Edwards. Don't know the numbers off the top of my head, but the Giants seemed to pick on him a couple plays in a row. In Edwards' defense, he'll take the blame for a deep completion he allowed, but I think safety Greg Blue was late with the help.

• A quick injury report before I punch out for the night. Cornerback Stanley Wilson is likely done for the season with an Achilles tendon injury. He had to be carted to the locker room. Things don't look good. Jason Hanson left with a strained left thigh and will be re-evaluated Friday, and Gilbert Gardner suffered a concussion. That means more playing time for a backup like Tyrone Pruitt.

Every day during training camp, Lions beat writer Dave Birkett takes you inside practice at Allen Park with a few notes, quotes and observations of interest.

• The Lions just wrapped up their morning practice, their first public workout of the summer (previous sessions were open to invited guests and scheduled season-ticket holders) and drew more than 500 fans. One walked away with an autographed Mike Furrey football (courtesy of the team) and anyone who stuck around filled their autograph book with signatures. Just about every player stopped to sign. Kevin Smith and Dwight Smith were two of the most accommodating, while coach Rod Marinelli signed or chatted with anyone who said hi.

• The biggest cheers of the day came when Mike Furrey beat Ramzee Robinson down the middle of the field for a deep touchdown pass. Safety LaMarcus Hicks tipped a ball on the next play, and a group of defensive players turned to the crowd to encourage cheers for their unit, too.

• Jordon Dizon made his first interception of camp, picking off Jon Kitna in 11-on-11 team work. Fellow middle linebacker Buster Davis had the hit of the morning, blasting fullback Jerome Felton a few periods later. Felton had the hit of the day Monday when he knocked off Davis helmet with a ferocious block. That play was highlighted (and replayed) several times by Marinelli in the Monday night team meeting. No doubt it served as the impetus for Davis' good day.

• Two other football-related observations: First, Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams weren't flawless Tuesday by any means, but they ooze so much talent it's silly. Johnson beat Robinson for a deep touchdown and just ran away from him in the final 10 yards with the ball still in the air. I don't imagine he'll be a Pro Bowler this year, but it won't be long. Second, Dovonte Edwards has a shot to make the team if the Lions keep five corners. Edwards has had a better camp than Robinson and Stanley Wilson so far.

• Lastly, add two more names to the injury report in center Dominic Railoa and defensive tackle Langston Moore. Raiola has a sprained ankle and should be fine, though his absence Tuesday led to six fumbled quarterback-center exchanges. Moore sprained his shoulder Tuesday and is due for an MRI later today.

Every day during training camp, Lions beat writer Dave Birkett takes you inside practice at Allen Park with a few notes, quotes and observations of interest.

• Looks like the Lions will go conventional with their use of the new defensive speaker system. Middle linebackers Paris Lenon, Buster Davis and Jordon Dizon have had their helmets outfitted for the system and practiced using it for the first time today. During team drills, defensive coordinator Joe Barry used a walkie-talkie to relay play calls to Lenon and Co. At the same time, linebackers coach Phil Snow hand-signaled in the plays. The nuts and bolts of how that will work during the season still is being ironed out, but Lenon reported no hiccups with the dry run today. Hand signals aren't going away, but Barry said he hopes to test the speaker system another nine or 10 times during the preseason. On game days, two helmets will be wired for the system but only one player can have it on the field at any given time.

• Devale Ellis continues to have an eye-catching camp. Competing for the No. 5 receiver spot and return duties, Ellis made a few nice catches in traffic during full-team drills this morning. On special teams, I don't think he's dropped a punt yet. Passing-game coordinator Kippy Brown indicated the other likely candidate, fifth-round draft choice Kenneth Moore, has a ways to go as a receiver the other day. Moore was drafted for his return skills.

• The Lions are counting on Ikaika Alama-Francis to contribute at defensive end this year, and Rod Marinelli is after him to be more consistent. An example from morning practice: In one drill, Marinelli praised Alama-Francis for having good pad level and good get off (he got under right tackle George Foster's pads and knocked him backwards with ease). In the next, Marinelli hollered that Alama-Francis needed to get off the ball better and "I haven't seen you make one play all day."

• Dewayne White and Jeff Backus had two good, clean battles in one-on-one line work. There was a little pushing, however, between Langston Moore and Matt Butler.

• THIS NOTE UPDATED 12:30 P.M. TUESDAY A football man watching practice with a more trained eye than I said rookie defensive tackle Andre Fluellen looked quick and had good hips after seeing him in position drills. A third-round pick, Fluellen should make the team, but something tells me the Lions wouldn't mind if the left elbow injury he suffered last year flares up during camp. That way they could stash him on injured reserve for the year and keep Shaun Cody, who's having a great camp, and Moore as backup tackles.

Every day during training camp, Lions beat writer Dave Birkett takes you inside practices at Allen Park with a few notes, quotes and observations of interest.

• It's only two days in, but the most impressive player in camp so far is cornerback Leigh Bodden. When Bodden intercepted a deep pass in Friday's morning session, staying with receiver Brandon Middleton on an out-and-up route, safety Dwight Smith barked, "That's our money man."

• I know I've said this before, but the additions of Bodden, Smith and Brian Kelly make the secondary much, much better (and that's without even considering a potentially healthy Daniel Bullocks, who remains on the PUP list). I stand by my prediction that if the Lions are able to generate a consistent pass rush they'll be a top-half-of-the-NFL defense this year.

• By my count, the defense made five interceptions in the morning session, including one each by linebackers Paris Lenon and Buster Davis.

• Linebacker Gilbert Gardner took some No. 1 reps at weak-side linebacker with Ernie Sims still being careful with his surgically-repaired shoulder. Unless Takeo Spikes signs, there should be roster space for both Gardner and Buster Davis, who's had a good first two days.

• Rookie Kevin Smith is catching the ball well coming out of the backfield. Tatum Bell's a solid pass protector, which might give him the edge in the running-back competition to start, but Smith is primed for a very productive season.