Lions appear to be thin on talent at cornerback after not appearing to address glaring need

Detroit Lions cornerback Rashean Mathis runs through drills during an NFL football training camp in Allen Park, Mich., Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014. The Lions appear to be thin on talent at cornerback, counting on veteran Mathis and second-year pro Darius Slay in the starting lineup. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (The Associated Press)

Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay runs through drills during an NFL football training camp in Allen Park, Mich., Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014. The Lions appear thin on talent at cornerback, counting on veteran Rashean Mathis and second-year pro Slay in the starting lineup. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (The Associated Press)

The Detroit Lions appear to be thin on talent at cornerback, counting on veteran Rashean Mathis and second-year pro Darius Slay to be starters.

Behind them, only Cassius Vaughn has significant experience in the NFL.

Mathis says if critics think the group is the team's weak link, he hopes to prove them wrong.

Detroit's cornerbacks will face opponents for the first time this year on Saturday night at home against the Cleveland Browns in an exhibition game.

Mathis believes Slay is ready to be a first-string player in his second season, replacing Chris Houston, who was cut in June because the team did not know when he would recover from foot surgery.

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