ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham has a new nickname for second-year safety Ricardo Silva.

"I called him Spider-Man this morning," Cunningham said. "He's all arms and legs."

At 6-foot-3, Silva is taller and longer than any other defensive back on the team's roster, but it's not just the physical gifts that's seen him steadily climb up the depth chart. If you ask anyone in the organization, the first thing anyone mentions is the safety's dedication to his craft.

"He's up here early, stays late and is always asking questions. He's just a sponge," teammate Erik Coleman said. "That's the kind of guy you need to play safety in this league."

Silva's work ethic has brought him a long way.

After graduating from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, he went on to play for Division II Bowie State. After two years, he transferred to Hampton, where he earned first team All-MEAC honors as a senior in 2010.

Silva joined the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2011, and after a strong preseason, he was signed to the team's practice squad. He was elevated to the main roster late in the season, playing primarily on special teams.

Silva earned a spot on Detroit's 53-man roster coming out of training camp this season, but was cut shortly after, when the team signed veteran cornerback Drayton Florence. After Silva cleared waivers, the Lions quickly added him back to the practice squad.

Earlier this season, Detroit made a stunning roster move, signing Silva off the practice squad just days before the team's game against the Minnesota Vikings and immediately thrusting him into the starting lineup.

Silva made his second start last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, filling in for injured starter Amari Spievey. In the third quarter of the Lions' 28-24 victory, Silva intercepted his first NFL pass.

It's been an amazing ride for a player Cunningham once wanted to cut loose.

"He is one of the biggest surprises I've had in a long time as coach," Cunningham said. "He came in as a scout team guy and I was looking to replace him. Talking to Jim (Schwartz) and Martin (Mayhew), he just wouldn't have it any other way. He just kept working.

"You know, he started playing well last year in preseason, kind of caught our attention, and he's been working really hard. He knows everything there is to know about the defense. He's really played well to this point. I hope he keeps it up."

Silva said the biggest difference from the time he arrived to now is his understanding of the team's defensive scheme.

"Mentally, getting the calls right, making the checks, and being trustworthy and dependable," he said. "I've got the skill set, so I've just got to be a trustworthy and dependable guy."

Silva's work ethic comes from his brother-in-law, who taught him the motto, "Work harder than anybody you've ever seen."

Since Silva has been with the Lions, he's modeled his approach after defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, a notoriously hard-worker. Silva also credits veteran safeties John Wendling and Coleman with helping him mature on and off the field.

As for the Spider-Man nickname, Silva wouldn't mind if it stuck.

"I don't know what that's supposed to mean," Silva said. "I'll take that. I'll be a superhero."

While having super powers would be nice, Silva would be happy to continue making plays on the football field. His focus is building upon the success he's already had as he works to earn a permanent job in the starting lineup.

"My goal is to be a starter, to be successful. Every day I come in early, leave late," Silva said. "I'm going to continue to do that because that's all I know, that's all I want to do."