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Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

Detroit parted ways Wednesday with cornerback Keith Smith, according to multiple reports. The occasion prompts us to revisit our discussion on the Lions' horrendous draft record this decade.

Smith was the last remaining member of the Lions' 2004 class. Safety Daniel Bullocks' departure last month left one member of the 2005 class. By my count, the Lions drafted only 35 percent of their current roster. And of their 26 "home-grown" players, 17 came from the past two drafts -- a predictable number given that teams don't quickly give up on their most recent selections.

The foundation of a team should be from drafts dating back three or four years, but the Lions have only three players on hand from the seven drafts between 2000-06.

Below is an updated list of Lions players originally drafted by the team. I think it pretty much explains why Detroit has loaded up on veterans acquired via free agency or trades. We'll revisit this compilation, and add those who make the team from the 2009 class, next week.

• 2000: 0
• 2001: 2 (Tackle Jeff Backus, center Dominic Raiola)
• 2002: 0
• 2003: 0
• 2004: 0
• 2005: 0
• 2006: 1 (Linebacker Ernie Sims)
• 2007: 5 (Receiver Calvin Johnson, quarterback Drew Stanton, defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis, guard Manny Ramirez, cornerback Ramzee Robinson)
• 2008: 7 (Tackle Gosder Cherilus, linebacker Jordon Dizon, tailback Kevin Smith, defensive tackle Andre Fluellen, defensive end Cliff Avril, fullback Jerome Felton, defensive tackle Landon Cohen)

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

Hat tip to Philip Zaroo of Mlive.com for scouring Detroit's Web site for this bit of news: The Lions released linebacker Alex Lewis last Friday, according to this page of transactions.

Lewis was a part-time starter last season but wasn't going to be in the mix this year after the acquisition of veteran Julian Peterson from Seattle. Lewis, a fifth-round draft pick in 2004, spent five seasons in Detroit and totaled 176 tackles.

By my count, that leaves the Lions with one member of the 2004 draft class on their roster: Cornerback Keith Smith. Earlier this offseason, we discussed the eradication of the 2005 class. All told, I count 17 players remaining from the Lions' first nine drafts of this decade. Here's the breakdown:

2000: 0
2001: 2 (Tackle Jeff Backus, center Dominic Raiola)
2002: 0
2003: 0
2004: 1 (Smith)
2005: 0
2006: 2 (Linebacker Ernie Sims, safety Daniel Bullocks)
2007: 5 (Receiver Calvin Johnson, quarterback Drew Stanton, defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis, guard Manny Ramirez, cornerback Ramzee Robinson)
2008: 7 (Tackle Gosder Cherilus, linebacker Jordon Dizon, tailback Kevin Smith, defensive tackle Andre Fluellen, defensive end Cliff Avril, fullback Jerome Felton, defensive tackle Landon Cohen)

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

Rick Telander of the Chicago Sun-Times addresses the delicate topic brought forth by Tuesday's Pro Bowl selection announcement: Despite strong popularity with fans, Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is no longer regarded as a top middle linebacker by his peers in the league.

Urlacher finished second in fan voting among NFC middle linebackers, which counts one-third of a player's total vote. The other two-thirds comes from other players and coaches. While we don't know where Urlacher ranked in those votes, it was low enough to finish the overall voting as the NFC's third alternate.

Writes Telander:

But it is also possible, likely even, that Urlacher is simply reaping the reasoned deflationary status he deserves -- and maybe has deserved -- as a highly hyped and highly paid poster boy in the historic City of Middle Linebackers. Though he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2000 after being snatched out of New Mexico by the Bears in the first round of the draft, Urlacher almost immediately made some folks feel he was being overly promoted because he held down the sacred spot once worked by legendary Bill George, Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary.

Urlacher has had a solid season in 2008, but you need more than solid from a middle linebacker in a Tampa-2 system -- especially when your contract was upgraded by $18 million this summer. Urlacher has always been about making big plays, but this season he has two interceptions, no forced fumbles and no sacks. Outside linebacker Lance Briggs, the Bears' lone Pro Bowl selection, has nearly 40 more tackles than him.

Is it time for the Bears to start a search for a new middle linebacker? Telander:

Every year, a fresh crop of young savages comes out of our colleges, lurching toward the NFL like zombies smelling blood. One day soon, the Bears will be looking at an Urlacher replacement. It is time to see a re-emergence of this city icon, a final late surge, guided perhaps by offseason frenzy from the potential Hall of Fame man in the middle. Either Urlacher does that, or the Pro Bowl kid from the high desert drifts into the sunset.

Continuing around the NFC North on a Wednesday morning:

• Briggs on his status as the Bears' top defensive player: "I do feel like ... obviously after four Pro Bowls, I'm definitely a big piece of what we do. Whether it's my defense or whose defense it is, that's not necessarily for me to decide right now. I do think that my role, as far as what we do, is definitely bigger." Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune has the story.
• Bears tailback Matt Forte isn't worried about his injured right big toe, writes Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald.
• Green Bay cornerback Charles Woodson said Tuesday it is "disappointing" that the Packers defense hasn't played better considering its talent level. Woodson and safety Nick Collins were named to the Pro Bowl. Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette has details.
• Collins was at an ultrasound appointment with his wife when he learned the news, writes Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal.
• Minnesota linebacker Ben Leber has stepped up in the absence of E.J. Henderson, writes Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune.
• Receiver Bobby Wade has been the Vikings' leading receiver since joining the team in 2007, writes Sean Jensen of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• Detroit placed three more players on injured reserve Tuesday: Receiver Shaun McDonald (ankle), safety Dwight Smith (ankle) and cornerback Keith Smith (groin). John Niyo of the Detroit News has details.
• Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com to the Lions fans base: "I firmly believe that once you start rooting for your team to lose, you're no longer a fan."
  

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A look at important injuries for the three NFC North teams with games this weekend:

Detroit
The Lions placed defensive tackle Cory Redding on season-ending injured reserve. Langston Moore re-joined the team as his replacement. Receiver Shaun McDonald (ankle) also won't play Sunday at Indianapolis. Defensive end DeWayne White (calf) is expected to play, according to defensive coordinator Joe Barry. Cornerbacks Leigh Bodden (groin) and Keith Smith (groin) will have their status determined Sunday morning.

Green Bay
Safety Atari Bigby (ankle) is out, leaving Charles Woodson to start his third consecutive game at safety. Fullback Korey Hall (knee) is doubtful and not expected to play Sunday at Jacksonville. Defensive tackle Justin Harrell returned to practice Friday but is questionable because of a sore hip. His status might not be clear until Sunday morning. Linebacker Brandon Chillar (groin) is probable and expected to play.

Minnesota
Quarterback Gus Frerotte (back) and right tackle Artis Hicks (elbow) are doubtful and aren't expected to play Sunday at Arizona. Tarvaris Jackson and Ryan Cook, respectively, will replace them. Rookie kick returner Darius Reynaud (toe) has been ruled out as well. Defensive end Jared Allen (knee) returned to practice Friday and should start.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

I haven't heard an outcry since the dissolution of our Friday "Revealed" feature. But just so you know our thinking, it seemed like re-printing the entire Friday injury report was more confusing than helpful. So we've streamlined things a bit and will now tell you, as my NFC West colleague Mike Sando would say, about the "injuries that matter."

So here you go:

Chicago: Receiver Marty Booker (knee) has been declared out of Sunday's game at St. Louis. It will be interesting to see if the injury opens an opportunity for rookie Earl Bennett. ... The Bears also ruled out linebacker Darrell McClover (hamstring) and tackle Fred Miller (shoulder). Everyone else should be available.

Detroit: Receiver Mike Furrey (concussion), center Dominic Raiola (hand), cornerback Keith Smith (hand) and defensive end Dewayne White (calf) all will miss Sunday's game against Tampa Bay. ... Safety Dwight Smith (foot) and guard Edwin Mulitalo (knee) are questionable. Their status will be determined Sunday.

Green Bay: The Packers still have one more day of practice before Monday night's game at New Orleans, but the big question is whether receiver James Jones (knee) will play. Jones was added to the injury report Friday and is listed as questionable. He appeared to re-injure his knee last week against Chicago. ... Cornerback Jarrett Bush (ankle) hasn't practiced all week.

Minnesota: Tailback Adrian Peterson returned to practice, was removed from the injury report and will start Sunday at Jacksonville. Peterson was wearing a wrap on his right knee, but coach Brad Childress said it was nothing out of the ordinary. ... Defensive end Jared Allen (shoulder) was limited in practice but should play. Tight end Garrett Mills (ankle) is doubtful and isn't expected to be in uniform.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press read the tea leaves Thursday and seems convinced quarterback Dan Orlovsky will start in place of Jon Kitna (back) Sunday at Minnesota.

That would be a mildly interesting turn of events for the Lions, but I read something much more enlightening in an interview transcript with defensive coordinator Joe Barry. It turns out that veteran cornerback Brian Kelly didn't play last Sunday against Chicago because of a mistake.

As the Lions were giving up a career day to Bears quarterback Kyle Orton, Kelly stood on the sideline in full uniform. Leigh Bodden, Travis Fisher and Kevin Smith manned the cornerback and nickel positions.

Kelly hadn't been officially demoted. Apparently, he just wasn't noticed. Here's how Barry described the situation:

"[W]e wanted to get Keith Smith playing a little bit. We didn't have a plan or a game plan or a scheme that we were going to go in and say, 'Hey, Brian Kelly's not playing.' Unfortunately for Brian, it worked out that way in the sense that he didn't play a down. That was not planned out, it just kind of happened."

Kelly is expected to play against the Vikings. Barry is to be applauded for his honesty, but the admission -- and omission -- isn't a great reflection of a defense that has appeared pretty unorganized. It's also a good way to lose the attention of veteran players, and it's worth noting what Kelly told Dave Birkett of the Oakland Press:

"Obviously I was unhappy with it. I'm suited up to play. If I'm standing there with my T-shirt on and sweats and a Lions cap I know I'm not playing. But I was suited up to play and it didn't work out that way."

Kelly isn't considered a top-flight cornerback anymore, but the Lions signed him in part to set an example for how to play in the Tampa-2 defense. Regardless of the degree to which he has slipped, you don't want to give up 334 passing yards while one of your better coverage men stands on the sideline.