If there was a bright side to the injury woes that engulfed the Detroit Lions' linebacking corps last year, it was that Antwione Williams got more experience than anyone expected.
A fifth-round pick out of Georgia Southern, Williams started the second game of his NFL career and two more last season, and was the team's No. 3 linebacker for a good chunk of the year.
Instead of watching and learning and playing on special teams, as most expected, Williams went through a trial by fire that could help him emerge as a starter this fall.
The Lions drafted Jarrad Davis in the first round to be their starting middle linebacker, and Lions coach Jim Caldwell confirmed last week that Tahir Whitehead, last year's starting middle linebacker, will move to the weak side.