Alphonso

Smith

Smith missed the Lions’ first three games last season after breaking his foot in July, and was also inactive in Weeks 10 and 12. He graded out negatively in coverage by Pro Football Focus, though he did manage to notch three interceptions. It doesn’t speak well to Smith’s future, however, that he’s being shopped by a club in need of upgrading its secondary. Smith was acquired from the Broncos in 2010 after being a second-round pick in 2009.

NFL Net’s Jason La Canfora reported in February that the Lions were “willing to move” Smith via trade. “Alphonso is a young player that plays a position that is difficult to play, and he certainly made some plays for us last year, the last couple years,” said Mayhew. “We’ll see how he turns out this year. ... He’s on our roster now, and I don’t have any plans to let him go.”

Smith has been in and out of the doghouse the past two years, but it’s a make-or-break offseason after the team signed Jacoby Lacey and drafted three corners. As low as seventh on the depth chart, Smith remains on the roster bubble.

Bentley has enjoyed a “consistently good camp” lining up with the first-team defense after the release of veteran Aaron Berry. It’s a good sign that the rookie is ahead of nickel candidates Jacob Lacey and Alphonso Smith, though the Lions still figure to be a plus matchup for opposing fantasy receivers.

Smith opened camp in the mix to start opposite Chris Houston, but the 2009 second-round pick’s roster chances took a major hit when the Lions acquired Kevin Barnes from the Redskins. Barnes and Bill Bentley could rotate snaps at right corner with Jacob Lacey manning the slot. With 38 appearances under his belt the past three seasons, Smith should be able to find a new job.

A franchise beleaguered by off-field issues had enough of Berry’s antics. He was busted for DUI on June 26 and arrested again Saturday night after reportedly pointing a firearm at three different people. The firearm was loaded, according to police. Berry was penciled in as the Lions’ starting right corner, a job for which Alphonso Smith, Dwight Bentley and Jacob Lacey will now battle. It’s a blow to the Lions’ secondary.

Coach Jim Schwartz cautioned not to read too deeply into who got the first reps where, but with the Lions preferring Jacob Lacey in the slot, Smith should get the first crack at replacing Aaron Berry. Third-rounder Dwight Bentley is also in the mix at right corner.

The Lions are desperate for corner help with Bill Bentley (shoulder) and Jacob Lacey (concussion) in doubt for Monday’s game against the Bears. Smith knows the scheme after spending all of training camp with the Lions.

Smith was signed in mid-October. He recorded just eight tackles in four games played with the team. Detroit claimed CB Pat Lee off waivers from the Raiders in a corresponding transaction.

Smith is ahead of veteran pickup Nate Jones. Smith wasn’t so bad in his first year that the Broncos would give up on him, but he lost the nickel position to undrafted free agent Tony Carter. He’s getting another chance this spring.