Lions' new additions could push Travis Swanson
Allen Park — After the Lions officially acquired him from the Denver Broncos Friday, veteran offensive lineman Manny Ramirez said he hoped to be a starter in 2015.
The past couple of years, center was Ramirez's best position, so for him to be in the lineup, he'll likely have to beat Travis Swanson, a third-round pick in 2014 who's supposed to be the long-term replacement for Dominic Raiola.
No matter who starts, the addition of Ramirez and first-round pick Laken Tomlinson gives the Lions improved depth on the interior of their offensive line, and the team won't yet commit to who will be snapping the ball to Matthew Stafford.
"I don't know," offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn said of how those acquisitions will impact Swanson. "I am not trying to be evasive, I just don't know. It's May 2. The depth just develops itself which is a nice thing. Going through OTAs, minicamp, training camp, it always takes care of itself."
The most likely scenario is Swanson at center, Tomlinson at left guard and Larry Warford at right guard for the third straight year. But Swanson played four games at right guard last year and could be an option on the left side if Tomlinson needs time to develop. Ramirez could play guard or center, too, and for that reason, either player will be valuable as a backup.
Another part of Ramirez's value is his experience. The 32-year-old is entering his ninth season and started 43 games for a playoff team in Denver the last three years. The Lions lost Raiola as well as veterans Rob Sims, Garrett Reynolds and Corey Hilliard, and besides Ramirez, the oldest lineman who's started a game for the Lions is 26-year-old left tackle Riley Reiff.
Lions coach Jim Caldwell said offensive line coaches Washburn and Terry Heffernan should help the group overcome the overall loss of veteran leadership.
"In my estimation, it's a challenge, but also, that's our job," Caldwell said. "We don't care about the difficulty and what that looks like. Our job is to win games."
Swanson suffered a knee injury in the Lions' playoff loss to the Cowboys, but general manager Martin Mayhew downplayed that as a factor in adding Ramirez.
"He's going to be fine," Mayhew said.
The GM also said "it's up to Travis" on whether Swanson will start. Though the competition at center will be among the most hotly contested in training camp this summer, Mayhew said the team is treating it like any other position battle.
"I don't have any expectations either way," he said. "Everybody competes for every job. It's a meritocracy, so everybody comes in and competes. We'll see what happens."
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