Post by D6 on Aug 9, 2019 12:13:28 GMT -5
Thoughts in ****
Observations: Injuries pile up in Lions’ ugly 31-3 loss against Patriots
Observations: Injuries pile up in Lions’ ugly 31-3 loss against Patriots
Updated 8:52 AM; Posted Aug 8, 10:34 PM
By Kyle Meinke | kmeinke@mlive.com
DETROIT -- The best thing about the Lions preseason opener is that it didn’t count.
The Lions opened the exhibition slate by allowing 31 unanswered points to New England and lost at least five players to injuries in an ugly 31-3 loss on Thursday night at Ford Field. They allowed nine sacks, did not reach New England territory until 5:24 remained in the game and did not score until Ryan Santoso kicked a 37-yard field goal with 2:21 left.
They didn’t even have positive net passing yardage until 4 minutes remained in the game -- and then two false starts and yet another sack put them in a third-and-27, killing that drive too and their only real chance to find the end zone all night.
Detroit did sit most of its starting lineup, including quarterback Matthew Stafford. Kerryon Johnson, Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay, Snacks Harrison, Trey Flowers, Jarrad Davis and Quandre Diggs were among the slew of notable players who didn’t suit up. So whatever the final score was going to be tonight, win or loss, it wouldn’t have mattered.
Still, they looked bad. Really bad.
Consider the first half numbers, although please note viewer discretion is advised.
The Lions were outgained 262-41 in the half, and 24 of their yards came on a pass to Brandon Powell on the third play of the game. They dropped back to pass 13 times, and allowed six sacks. Tom Savage and David Fales combined to complete 4 of 7 passes for 53 yards, but also lost 55 yards on their sacks. That’s a total of minus-2 yards in net passing.
For an entire half of football. If you want to call it football.
And for those hoping for better in the second -- they didn’t complete their first pass until 6:16 remained in the game.
****This was the worst all around performance I can recall seeing by a Lions team in an opening pre-season game. The injuries in the game overshadow everything. Yet, there isn't much positive to take from the game with all 3 units. Only a handful of players appeared to have had pretty good performances. ****
Let’s just get to the observations, for those with a strong stomach:
-- Adding injury to insult, the Lions seemed to lose at least five players to injury. Receiver Jermaine Kearse was carted off the field after just five plays, and the NFL Network is reporting he has a broken leg. He had been the leader for the No. 4 receiver job. Running back Zach Zenner was examined in the medical tent and did not return to the game, while defensive tackles Darius Kilgo and P.J. Johnson both returned to the locker room with leg injuries. Savage -- starting for Stafford at quarterback -- lasted just two series before getting sacked on back-to-back plays and leaving the game when he landed on his head. Teams don’t usually release injury information during the preseason, so it remains unclear whether Savage was diagnosed with a brain injury. He finished 2 of 3 passing for 40 yards before exiting the game.
**** Hopefully, all of the players injured will make full and speedy recoveries. This pre-season game is exhibit A why many coaches keep key players out of the 1st and final pre-season games. Jermaine Kearse's injury could have occured to Kenny Golladay or Marvin Jones. Tom Savage's injury could have occurred to Matthew Stafford.
Darius Kilgo was arguably the best performer on the Lions Defense in this game. He had at least two quality run Defenses and deflected a pass.
On the bright side, Brandon Powell was able to play despite an apparent knee injury late in the joint practice on Tuesday. With Powell probably the best performer in this game of the Lions WRs. ****
-- Last year, Matthew Stafford sat out a preseason opener for the first time in his career and played in a career-low two exhibitions overall. Then he turned in his lowest-rated season opener since he was a rookie. But the Lions apparently don’t feel like he needs any extra work, because they sat out the quarterback once again. And given all the injuries they sustained tonight, you can’t blame them. Yes, Stafford needs the work, but that’s a big reason why the Lions booked two weeks of joint practices with the Patriots and Texans. That allows guys like Stafford to get in their work without putting them in harm’s way.
**** After seeing what occurred with Tom Savage in this game, it's safe to say that Matthew Stafford will continue to be kept out the first and final pre-season games as long as Matt Patricia is the Lions HC. ****
-- With Stafford unavailable and Savage out, David Fales -- the No. 3 quarterback most of camp -- played all but 11 of the offensive snaps. He finished with fewer completions (five) than sacks (six), completed just 35.7% of his throws and had one pick. His passer rating (20.5) was barely better than mine, and I was busy housing coneys in the press box. There are a lot of reasons for Fales’ lousy numbers, most notably some lousy protection, but there’s no getting around his performance either. It wouldn’t shock me if Detroit pokes around the QB market this week for a guy who knows this system, especially if Savage is going to miss time. The Lions have joint practices with Houston next week, too, which adds another wrinkle.
****David Fales didn't perform well enough to be viewed as a viable # 2 QB option. Yet, the play of the Offensive Line and the WRs was worse. ****
-- The Lions did start their projected opening day offensive line, featuring left tackle Taylor Decker, left guard Kenny Wiggins, center Frank Ragnow, right guard Graham Glasgow and right tackle Rick Wagner. Those guys got one series together, with Wiggins and Glasgow getting additional time. But it was mostly reserves everywhere else on both sides of the ball. The rest of the starting offense: QB Tom Savage, RB C.J. Anderson, WR Brandon Powell, WR Andy Jones, WR Jermaine Kearse and TE Jesse James.
**** Kenny Wiggins got called for a holding penalty that wiped out a sizable running play. As a Guard, Wiggins didn't perform well enough. I think the team brass is kidding themselves if they are comfortable with him as a starter. ****
-- Yes, first-round pick T.J. Hockenson was held out of the starting lineup. But he did play, getting about two snaps before calling it day. He had a nice block while he was out there, too.
**** I think the next two pre-season games will help measure the progress of T.J. Hockenson. ****
-- Cornerback Darius Slay made the surprising start on defense. He did miss the first eight practices of camp while on the non-football injury list, I get it, but it was still weird to see the All-Pro play one series of completely meaningless football. If it’s not worth the risk to put Stafford out there, even for a series, why is it worth the risk to put Slay out there, even for one series -- and against Brian Hoyer at that? I don’t get it. What exactly is that accomplishing?
**** Agreed. The risk of Darius Slay playing in this game was far greater than the reward. ****
Justin Coleman was the other outside cornerback, then slid inside when Amani Oruwariye came onto the field in three-corner formations. The rest of the starting defense: DT Darius Kilgo, DT John Atkins, DE Romeo Okwara, DE Eric Lee, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB Jahlani Tavai, LB Miles Killebrew, S Tracy Walker and S Tavon Wilson.
**** Darius Kilgo and Miles Killebrew were bright spots. Tavon Wilson probably helped his cause to be with the Lions at the beginning of the regular season. ****
-- I have seen some people wondering whether Amani Oruwariye could push for a starting job this year. Please don’t be one of those people. That’s nothing against Oruwariye. The rookie has good size and comes highly regarded from Penn State. Hey, he even picked off Matthew Stafford last week. But rookie corners don’t usually start in Year 1 for a reason, and Oruwariye is a fifth-round pick at that. He looked like one, too, getting beat for one touchdown by Maurice Harris and nearly another by Dontrelle Inman that was brought back out to the 1-yard line after a challenge. He also allowed key catches on two other scoring drives deep in Lions territory. On the bright side, he was credited with two passes defended.
**** Amari Oruwariye needs plenty of seasoning. There are plenty of teaching moments for him from this pre-season game. ****
-- The Lions have spent all offseason building an offense that is expected to feature the run more prominently. But they didn’t move the chains on the ground at all until Ty Johnson’s 17-yard run with 12:14 remaining in the third quarter. But if you’re looking for silver linings in this mess, look no further than Johnson. The sixth-round pick is fast as hell and been effective as a pass-catcher throughout camp. He looked good as a runner against New England, too, and finished with three carries for a team-high 22 yards. That doesn’t include a 13-yarder that was nullified by a Kenny Wiggins holding penalty, either.
**** Ty Johnson was indeed a bright spot. His playmaking ability is apparent. ****
-- Miles Killebrew moved from safety to linebacker in last year’s camp, then didn’t play a single snap of defense all year. But he seems to be making some progress at the position in camp, and even earned a start against New England with Jarrad Davis, Devon Kennard and Christian Jones all held out. Killebrew finished with three tackles, one of which was for loss, but was also beat by undrafted rookie Jakobi Meyers for New England’s first touchdown of the day.
**** This is a game Miles Killebrew can build on. I think he's going to see action on Defense in the 2019 regular season. ****
-- Matt Patricia has worn a cast on his left leg throughout training camp after undergoing offseason surgery. He’s been getting around practice on an ATV, but NFL rules prohibited him from using it in the game. In fact, rules prohibited him from even having a cast, and he said as recently as Wednesday he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to be on the sideline for the game. He wound up getting clearance to coach from the sidelines, although did so perched up on a platform behind the water coolers. He also got a chance to test out the new pass interference rules, challenging a non-call on a deep ball intended for rookie Travis Fulgham. He lost the challenge.
**** It was worth challenging the non Pass Interference call, even though it didn't look like enough to overturn the call. The pre-season is the time to experiment with P.I. challenges. ****
-- The first boos of the season rained down with 3:23 remaining in the second quarter, and grew louder when David Fales was sacked to end that dreadful first half. The loudest cheers of the night might have been for a fan wearing a Barry Sanders jersey who ran onto the field and tumbled into the end zone before being taken away in handcuffs. He wound up being the only person in a Lions jersey to make it into the end zone all night.
**** This was a difficult 'game' to watch. After seeing the first half last night, I decided not to watch the 2nd half until this morning. ****
…………….
This new thread is a continuation of the following thread:
Lions vs Patriots preview: Pre-Season Game # 1 ( 2019 )
Observations: Injuries pile up in Lions’ ugly 31-3 loss against Patriots
Observations: Injuries pile up in Lions’ ugly 31-3 loss against Patriots
Updated 8:52 AM; Posted Aug 8, 10:34 PM
By Kyle Meinke | kmeinke@mlive.com
DETROIT -- The best thing about the Lions preseason opener is that it didn’t count.
The Lions opened the exhibition slate by allowing 31 unanswered points to New England and lost at least five players to injuries in an ugly 31-3 loss on Thursday night at Ford Field. They allowed nine sacks, did not reach New England territory until 5:24 remained in the game and did not score until Ryan Santoso kicked a 37-yard field goal with 2:21 left.
They didn’t even have positive net passing yardage until 4 minutes remained in the game -- and then two false starts and yet another sack put them in a third-and-27, killing that drive too and their only real chance to find the end zone all night.
Detroit did sit most of its starting lineup, including quarterback Matthew Stafford. Kerryon Johnson, Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay, Snacks Harrison, Trey Flowers, Jarrad Davis and Quandre Diggs were among the slew of notable players who didn’t suit up. So whatever the final score was going to be tonight, win or loss, it wouldn’t have mattered.
Still, they looked bad. Really bad.
Consider the first half numbers, although please note viewer discretion is advised.
The Lions were outgained 262-41 in the half, and 24 of their yards came on a pass to Brandon Powell on the third play of the game. They dropped back to pass 13 times, and allowed six sacks. Tom Savage and David Fales combined to complete 4 of 7 passes for 53 yards, but also lost 55 yards on their sacks. That’s a total of minus-2 yards in net passing.
For an entire half of football. If you want to call it football.
And for those hoping for better in the second -- they didn’t complete their first pass until 6:16 remained in the game.
****This was the worst all around performance I can recall seeing by a Lions team in an opening pre-season game. The injuries in the game overshadow everything. Yet, there isn't much positive to take from the game with all 3 units. Only a handful of players appeared to have had pretty good performances. ****
Let’s just get to the observations, for those with a strong stomach:
-- Adding injury to insult, the Lions seemed to lose at least five players to injury. Receiver Jermaine Kearse was carted off the field after just five plays, and the NFL Network is reporting he has a broken leg. He had been the leader for the No. 4 receiver job. Running back Zach Zenner was examined in the medical tent and did not return to the game, while defensive tackles Darius Kilgo and P.J. Johnson both returned to the locker room with leg injuries. Savage -- starting for Stafford at quarterback -- lasted just two series before getting sacked on back-to-back plays and leaving the game when he landed on his head. Teams don’t usually release injury information during the preseason, so it remains unclear whether Savage was diagnosed with a brain injury. He finished 2 of 3 passing for 40 yards before exiting the game.
**** Hopefully, all of the players injured will make full and speedy recoveries. This pre-season game is exhibit A why many coaches keep key players out of the 1st and final pre-season games. Jermaine Kearse's injury could have occured to Kenny Golladay or Marvin Jones. Tom Savage's injury could have occurred to Matthew Stafford.
Darius Kilgo was arguably the best performer on the Lions Defense in this game. He had at least two quality run Defenses and deflected a pass.
On the bright side, Brandon Powell was able to play despite an apparent knee injury late in the joint practice on Tuesday. With Powell probably the best performer in this game of the Lions WRs. ****
-- Last year, Matthew Stafford sat out a preseason opener for the first time in his career and played in a career-low two exhibitions overall. Then he turned in his lowest-rated season opener since he was a rookie. But the Lions apparently don’t feel like he needs any extra work, because they sat out the quarterback once again. And given all the injuries they sustained tonight, you can’t blame them. Yes, Stafford needs the work, but that’s a big reason why the Lions booked two weeks of joint practices with the Patriots and Texans. That allows guys like Stafford to get in their work without putting them in harm’s way.
**** After seeing what occurred with Tom Savage in this game, it's safe to say that Matthew Stafford will continue to be kept out the first and final pre-season games as long as Matt Patricia is the Lions HC. ****
-- With Stafford unavailable and Savage out, David Fales -- the No. 3 quarterback most of camp -- played all but 11 of the offensive snaps. He finished with fewer completions (five) than sacks (six), completed just 35.7% of his throws and had one pick. His passer rating (20.5) was barely better than mine, and I was busy housing coneys in the press box. There are a lot of reasons for Fales’ lousy numbers, most notably some lousy protection, but there’s no getting around his performance either. It wouldn’t shock me if Detroit pokes around the QB market this week for a guy who knows this system, especially if Savage is going to miss time. The Lions have joint practices with Houston next week, too, which adds another wrinkle.
****David Fales didn't perform well enough to be viewed as a viable # 2 QB option. Yet, the play of the Offensive Line and the WRs was worse. ****
-- The Lions did start their projected opening day offensive line, featuring left tackle Taylor Decker, left guard Kenny Wiggins, center Frank Ragnow, right guard Graham Glasgow and right tackle Rick Wagner. Those guys got one series together, with Wiggins and Glasgow getting additional time. But it was mostly reserves everywhere else on both sides of the ball. The rest of the starting offense: QB Tom Savage, RB C.J. Anderson, WR Brandon Powell, WR Andy Jones, WR Jermaine Kearse and TE Jesse James.
**** Kenny Wiggins got called for a holding penalty that wiped out a sizable running play. As a Guard, Wiggins didn't perform well enough. I think the team brass is kidding themselves if they are comfortable with him as a starter. ****
-- Yes, first-round pick T.J. Hockenson was held out of the starting lineup. But he did play, getting about two snaps before calling it day. He had a nice block while he was out there, too.
**** I think the next two pre-season games will help measure the progress of T.J. Hockenson. ****
-- Cornerback Darius Slay made the surprising start on defense. He did miss the first eight practices of camp while on the non-football injury list, I get it, but it was still weird to see the All-Pro play one series of completely meaningless football. If it’s not worth the risk to put Stafford out there, even for a series, why is it worth the risk to put Slay out there, even for one series -- and against Brian Hoyer at that? I don’t get it. What exactly is that accomplishing?
**** Agreed. The risk of Darius Slay playing in this game was far greater than the reward. ****
Justin Coleman was the other outside cornerback, then slid inside when Amani Oruwariye came onto the field in three-corner formations. The rest of the starting defense: DT Darius Kilgo, DT John Atkins, DE Romeo Okwara, DE Eric Lee, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB Jahlani Tavai, LB Miles Killebrew, S Tracy Walker and S Tavon Wilson.
**** Darius Kilgo and Miles Killebrew were bright spots. Tavon Wilson probably helped his cause to be with the Lions at the beginning of the regular season. ****
-- I have seen some people wondering whether Amani Oruwariye could push for a starting job this year. Please don’t be one of those people. That’s nothing against Oruwariye. The rookie has good size and comes highly regarded from Penn State. Hey, he even picked off Matthew Stafford last week. But rookie corners don’t usually start in Year 1 for a reason, and Oruwariye is a fifth-round pick at that. He looked like one, too, getting beat for one touchdown by Maurice Harris and nearly another by Dontrelle Inman that was brought back out to the 1-yard line after a challenge. He also allowed key catches on two other scoring drives deep in Lions territory. On the bright side, he was credited with two passes defended.
**** Amari Oruwariye needs plenty of seasoning. There are plenty of teaching moments for him from this pre-season game. ****
-- The Lions have spent all offseason building an offense that is expected to feature the run more prominently. But they didn’t move the chains on the ground at all until Ty Johnson’s 17-yard run with 12:14 remaining in the third quarter. But if you’re looking for silver linings in this mess, look no further than Johnson. The sixth-round pick is fast as hell and been effective as a pass-catcher throughout camp. He looked good as a runner against New England, too, and finished with three carries for a team-high 22 yards. That doesn’t include a 13-yarder that was nullified by a Kenny Wiggins holding penalty, either.
**** Ty Johnson was indeed a bright spot. His playmaking ability is apparent. ****
-- Miles Killebrew moved from safety to linebacker in last year’s camp, then didn’t play a single snap of defense all year. But he seems to be making some progress at the position in camp, and even earned a start against New England with Jarrad Davis, Devon Kennard and Christian Jones all held out. Killebrew finished with three tackles, one of which was for loss, but was also beat by undrafted rookie Jakobi Meyers for New England’s first touchdown of the day.
**** This is a game Miles Killebrew can build on. I think he's going to see action on Defense in the 2019 regular season. ****
-- Matt Patricia has worn a cast on his left leg throughout training camp after undergoing offseason surgery. He’s been getting around practice on an ATV, but NFL rules prohibited him from using it in the game. In fact, rules prohibited him from even having a cast, and he said as recently as Wednesday he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to be on the sideline for the game. He wound up getting clearance to coach from the sidelines, although did so perched up on a platform behind the water coolers. He also got a chance to test out the new pass interference rules, challenging a non-call on a deep ball intended for rookie Travis Fulgham. He lost the challenge.
**** It was worth challenging the non Pass Interference call, even though it didn't look like enough to overturn the call. The pre-season is the time to experiment with P.I. challenges. ****
-- The first boos of the season rained down with 3:23 remaining in the second quarter, and grew louder when David Fales was sacked to end that dreadful first half. The loudest cheers of the night might have been for a fan wearing a Barry Sanders jersey who ran onto the field and tumbled into the end zone before being taken away in handcuffs. He wound up being the only person in a Lions jersey to make it into the end zone all night.
**** This was a difficult 'game' to watch. After seeing the first half last night, I decided not to watch the 2nd half until this morning. ****
…………….
This new thread is a continuation of the following thread:
Lions vs Patriots preview: Pre-Season Game # 1 ( 2019 )
