The Detroit Lions training camp and preseason are over; now comes the hard part. Trying to file the roster down from 90 players to 53. That's going to mean that there's going to be some hard cuts and maybe some that Lions fans didn't see coming.

Detroit's defense is anchored by a back end that is going to make life difficult for opposing offenses. Brian Branch had a solid camp and Kerby Joseph is working his way back from knee irritation. Both should be in the conversation for All-Pro and Pro Bowl-caliber seasons.

The Lions and the rest of the NFL must have their initial 53-man roster set by 4 p.m. Tuesday. There are not as many roster bubble battles as we’ve seen in previous years. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t tough decisions to make, and some roster maneuvering to accomplish.