ORT Gosder Cherilus hasn't fallen completely out of favor with the Lions' brass, but it's clear he needs a strong offseason to enter 2010 as the clear-cut starter. He was benched in the Week 15 loss to the Cardinals and rotated every third series with Jon Jansen in Week 16 against the 49ers. His problems this season mostly have been pass blocking and penalties. Cherilus allows far too many rushers to get pressure, and it's not clear if he can be an anchor on the right side without TE help. The fact that the coaching staff was willing to bench him and play Jansen, who does not project as a future starter, shows their disappointment and willingness to send Cherilus a serious message that he must improve this offseason to prove he can be a part of the rebuilding Lions' future plans.

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