It didn't matter to Daniel Bullocks whether he was facing the Buffalo Bills' second- and third-string offense. The Detroit Lions safety was eager to make a case to regain his old starting job while playing in his first game in nearly a year since tearing a ligament in his right knee. "The knee, it felt good," Bullocks said happily after the Lions' 14-6 preseason-ending win Thursday night.

The Lions entered training camp with two main goals - one, install their new zone running scheme, and two, improve a defense that allowed the most yards and points last season.

The running game remains a work in progress. But the defense looks better - leaner and quicker on the front end, more skilled and solid on the back end. If the Lions can get the running game going, they have a chance to have their first winning season since 2000 and first playoff berth since 1999.

The key to the Lions' total team approach is their running game. Last yea=