Updated

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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