Three things we learned about the Lions this week:

1. Former Lion Alex Karras is one of almost 1,200 former NFL players to sue the NFL because of concussion damage. It was revealed this week Karras has been suffering from dementia for seven years. Not too many of us young folks (hold the comments please) remember seeing Karras play. He was a four-time Pro Bowler. He was also suspended for a season for gambling. I remember him most as Mongo in “Blazing Saddles” where he punched a horse. A classic. Here’s hoping the best for Karras.

2. After what seems like a long winter, the players start their offseason workouts at the Lions practice facility next week. Could see some stories unfold when the veterans get a chance to talk with the youngsters in particular Mikel Leshoure, Nick Fairley and Johnny Culbreath.

3. That the remote chance that the Lions would draft cornerback Janoris Jenkins got more remote this week when it was revealed that he had not learned his lesson after getting kicked off the Florida team because of marijuana transgressions. It came to light this week that he continued to smoke marijuana after he transferred to North Alabama. There’s speculation he could drop out of the first round due to character issues.

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1. Three members of the 2011 draft class have worked their way out of the Lions’ favor but not off the roster. Marijuana charges for Mikel Leshoure were revealed this week, Nick Fairley was stopped this week in Alabama and cited for marijuana possession and, of course, Johnny Culbreath was charged with marijuana possession in January. All three are expected to step up this season after injuries slowed them down or in Leshoure’s case kept him off the field for his rookie season. Coach Jim Schwartz seems to be a fair guy, but I wouldn’t want to face his wrath if I were one of these three.2. Last summer the Lions didn’t sign LB Bobby Carpenter until camp was under way even though he had played well in 10 games for them in 2010. Carpenter signed as a free agent with the Patriots on Thursday. He was solid on special teams and played well at linebacker when he got his shot. He was an ironman of sorts too, playing in all 16 games last season with three starts. The Lions still have backups Ashlee Palmer and Doug Hogue, but they will miss Carpenter.

3. Gregg Williams revealed himself in a pre-game audio that was released Thursday. The former Saints defensive coordinator was firing up the Saints before the 49ers playoff game, a week after New Orleans had beaten the Lions. I don’t for a moment think that Williams had this history of paying players to knock opponents out of the game, but didn’t use it against the Lions. You know the NFL has folks closely examining every game from last season and the Lions played at New Orleans twice. I don’t think this is nearly over, I think it’s just getting started.

4. If there was a chance the Lions were looking to draft cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins (can’t see it at all) or Dre Kirkpatrick (certainly a possibility) I believe they’ll think twice now. Both have marijuana possession charges on their resume. Kirkpatrick (Alabama) and Jenkins (North Alabama) are considered among the best cornerbacks in the draft but not sure the Lions should take a chance on them in the light of what happened with three draft picks from last year.

5. The Lions’ new Nike uniforms just aren’t much different. But love the new gloves with the Lions logo across the back of both hands.

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Look at it this way, the Lions drafted five players in April 2011.

Since January three of the five have been charged with marijuana possession.

In order, in January offensive tackle Johnny Culbreath was charged with simple possession of marijuana in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. He paid a fine of $412.

Running back Mikel Leshoure was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 18 and again on March 12 in Berrien County. He paid a $485 fine on the first violation and skipped his Monday arraignment on the second. Not good.

Neither Leshoure or Culbreath played a snap in their rookie season due to injuries.

Defensive tackle Nick Fairley was charged with marijuana possession on Tuesday in Mobile, Ala.

Fairley was slowed down in his rookie season with a foot injury. He played in just 10 games and had 15 tackles and a sack.

Lions management was counting on all three to come back strong.

Legal ramifications are still unknown. NFL suspensions are also up in the air. A suspension usually comes after the second offense.

The Lions can’t be too happy with the three players. In fact in a statement on Tuesday four words stood out: “We are extremely disappointed.”

Coach Jim Schwartz expects the best. I would expect him to be tough on all three. Facing a judge might be easier then going one-on-one with an angry (and rightfully so) Schwartz.

Of course the jury is still out on the 2011 draft class. But three out of five haven’t got off to a great start.

Wide receiver Titus Young, who got better as his rookie season wore on, and linebacker Doug Hogue, who contributed mostly on special teams, have stayed clean in the off-season.

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ALLEN PARK — A four-year starter at South Carolina State, offensive tackle Johnny Culbreath said he’s excited to get to Detroit and play for the Lions who drafted him in the seventh round (109 overall).

Culbreath, who is 6-foot-5 and 322 pounds, was not invited to the Combine, but the Lions were impressed enough at his pro day that they brought him in for a visit.

“He had a really, really good workout, his tape was good. We brought him in here, he spent some time with our coaches,’’ Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. “We like his size, we like his athletic ability, (he’s) a little bit of a developmental project. He’s a guy that our coaches are very anxious to work with.’’

The coach said it's too early to tell if he will play tackle like he did in college or if he'll move to guard.

Culbreath was the Lions final pick.

They also drafted DT Nick Fairley, WR Titus Young, RB Mikel Leshoure and OLB Doug Hogue.

Schwartz said it’s not a big draft class, but he likes the quality.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)