Steelers 26, Lions 20: Pre-Season Game # 2 ( 2021 )

[D6]

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Thoughts in ****


www.mlive.com/lions/2021/08/instant-observations-jahlani-tavai-could-be-in-trouble-after-detroit-lions-ugly-loss-against-steelers.html



Instant observations: Jahlani Tavai could be in trouble after Detroit Lions’ loss against Steelers

Updated: Aug. 21, 2021, 11:52 p.m. | Published: Aug. 21, 2021, 10:31 p.m.

By Kyle Meinke | [e-mail]

PITTSBURGH -- Perhaps the Detroit Lions should consider burning this game tape during a sacrificial ceremony, and the linebackers’ room might be a good place to start.

Those guys were picked apart in the Lions’ 26-20 exhibition loss on Saturday night in Pittsburgh, their second straight setback to open the preseason. That leaves new head coach Dan Campbell still searching for his first win heading into next week’s finale against the Indianapolis Colts.

Detroit opens the regular season on Sept. 12 against the San Francisco 49ers. And if the preseason is any indication at all, this club still has a lot of work to do before it’s ready to open the doors to Ford Field.

Of course, the preseason is a notoriously unreliable predictor of regular-season success. Read into the Lions’ lackluster start at your own peril. The Steelers also played most of their starters, even leaving receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in the game through two quarters and playing tight end Eric Ebron -- yes, that Eric Ebron -- into the third quarter.

The Lions, meanwhile, sat most of their starters on both sides of the ball, and that includes everyone not named Alim McNeill in the defensive front seven. So it was basically the Lions’ backups against the Steelers’ starters for about half the game, and it went about like you’d expect. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger picked apart Detroit’s defense, leading two long touchdown drives on his three series and finishing 8 of 10 passing overall for 137 yards and two TDs.

The Lions were outgained 285-65 in the first half and trailed 23-0 before the benches cleared in the fourth quarter, at which point quarterback David Blough entered the game for Detroit and led three straight touchdown drives to make the score respectable. Fullback Godwin Igwebuike (7-yard run), receiver Javon McKinley (10-yard catch) and running back Craig Reynolds (3-yard run) accounted for Detroit’s touchdowns, none of whom is expected to make the team.


**** The most telling aspect of this game for the Lions, is the Lions depth at far too many positions, is at the very least currently not good enough.

Craig Reynolds is making a solid case to be on the Lions 53 man opening day lineup. Javon McKinley probably isn't versatile enough to beat the odds without a stint on a Practice Squad. But at the very least I think he's earned a Practice Squad opportunity with the Lions. ****

Let’s get to some observations:

-- The linebackers were awful, and perhaps none more so than Jahlani Tavai. He’s fallen from second-round pick to the roster bubble in just 28 months in Detroit, and if the first two exhibitions are any indication, he might be on the wrong side of that bubble heading into the finale. Tavai blew an assignment in the opener that led to a wide-open touchdown pass, then had yet more issues in pass coverage in Pittsburgh. He missed a tackle on a check-down to Najee Harris that turned a 3-yard pass into a 46-yard chunk play. He also appeared to be following the wrong man multiple times in coverage, leaving two Lions players covering one man while another ran wide open.

****Jahlani Tavai doesn't have the athletic margin of error to compensate for hesitation, let alone flat out mental mistakes. His limitations were on display in Pittsburgh. Even with Shaun Dion Hamilton on season ending IR, Tavai looks like he's no better than the Lions 7th best Inside LB, out of 7 Inside LBs. The only reason to even consider keeping him for the pre-season finale against the Colts is having enough Inside LBs to get through the game. He doesn't belong on the 53 man regular season roster..****

-- That said, it’s not like the other starting linebacker was much better. Jalen Reeves-Maybin got beat twice on passes to Eric Ebron and was beaten by Pat Freiermuth for a touchdown. Reeves-Maybin will make the team because of what he can do on special teams, but like Tavai, he just doesn’t look ready to help the defense when San Francisco comes to town next month.

**** The difference between the two LBs is JRM looks like he has the skills to play in space. The TD JRM gave up was an impressive throw and catch, with Ben Roethlisberger buying time to make the throw. ****

Jamie Collins and Alex Anzalone will start at linebacker this season, and Detroit better hope they stay healthy, because rookie Derrick Barnes is the only thing standing between them and some really bad football.

****Derrick Barnes impressed for the 2nd straight game. With impact once again vs. the Run, in Coverage, and on a well timed blitz. Though Barnes reacted too late on a couple of plays, including the game sealing reception, the good clearly outweigh his inexperience. I hope Barnes is used as as a starter against the Colts. That should provide a better gauge of his progress, going into the regular season. ****

-- It wasn’t all bad for the defense, as rookie A.J. Parker continued his surprising surge up the depth chart in the secondary. He went undrafted out of Kansas State and opened camp behind Mike Ford and Corn Elder at slot cornerback, but has earned a lot of first-team reps lately. Then the Lions started their first-team secondary against Pittsburgh, and it was Parker back in the slot. He was one of the rare defensive players to play well, too, racking up six tackles in the first half alone and finishing with a team-high eight for the game. He also separated running back Najee Harris from the ball with a massive hit. With just one preseason game to go, Parker looks like he’s closer to a starting job than the roster bubble.

****A.J. Parker is the most likely Lions 2021 UDRFA to be on the 53 man opening day roster. At this time, he probably will be the only one. Parker is making a strong case to be the Lions top Nickel /Slot CB. He seems to have the intangible elements that this coaching staff is looking for.****

-- Nobody needs to be reminded of all the big plays allowed by Jeff Okudah as a rookie last season, and he allowed another on Saturday night, getting torched for a 43-yard pass by Ben Roethlisberger in the first half. But unlike last year, that’s more so the exception than the rule. Okudah has actually been very good in camp, and he was very good the rest of the way against Pittsburgh too, including running in JuJu Smith-Schuster’s hip pocket on a second-quarter pass into the end zone. Smith-Schuster nearly made a spectacular TD catch anyway, and probably would have if not for the excellent coverage by Okudah. So, yes, the former first-round pick got beat deep (though it’s possible he thought he’d have help from Will Harris over the top, and Harris was late). But I don’t think it’s worth worrying about either.

**** I agree with this assessment. Jeff Okudah wasn't beat physically on the 43 yard pass play. If Okudah was at least partially responsible for the completion ( I will assume he was unless proven otherwise ), it was a mental mistake. ****

-- Some notable Lions players who did not play in Pittsburgh: Quarterback Jared Goff, running back D’Andre Swift, running back Jamaal Williams, tight end T.J. Hockenson, receiver Tyrell Williams, receiver Kalif Raymond, center Frank Ragnow, left tackle Taylor Decker, defensive tackle Michael Brockers, defensive tackle Nick Williams, defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand, edge Trey Flowers, edge Romeo Okwara, linebacker Alex Anzalone and linebacker Jamie Collins.

**** Kalif Raymond probably has all but officially secured a spot on the Lions 53 man roster, following the cutdown to 53. I don't think he was kept out because of injury.

The only 2 players on this list that I still believe have uncertainty about their roster status are Nick Williams and Da'Shawn Hand.****


-- Based on the rep distribution, Tim Boyle is probably the favorite for the backup quarterback job behind Jared Goff. He gets most of the QB2 snaps in practice, then started in Pittsburgh. But you really have to wonder at what point the Lions must reconsider that approach. Boyle was awful against the Steelers. Of course he was surrounded by mostly backups, while Pittsburgh played most of its starters. Still, he completed just 2 of his first 8 passes while missing a wide-open Breshad Perriman (twice) and Amon-Ra St. Brown. He finished 7 of 1 overall 5 for the game, and gained just 44 yards through the air. None of his six drives net more than 20 yards. None even crossed his own 40-yard line. It was really bad.

**** Tim Boyle doesn't look like a # 2 QB. I have doubts he will ever warrant that role for the Lions. ****

-- David Blough, on the other hand, provided an instant spark by leading three straight touchdown drives of 74, 87 and 54 yards when he entered the game in the second half. He scrambled twice for 26 yards on his first series to finally get the Lions into opponent territory for the first time, and fullback Godwin Igwebuike finished off the drive with 7-yard touchdown run. Blough came back on the next series and found undrafted rookie Javon McKinley for a 10-yard touchdown pass, before getting excellent field position via a successful onside kick and leading a third straight TD drive. Blough finished 12 of 17 passing overall for 143 yards, one touchdown, no turnovers and a passer rating of 115.6 -- not to mention 26 yards on the ground. Yes, it all came against deep reserves. Still, you have to really wonder whether the Lions might be better off with him than Boyle.

****David Blough needs to be more accurate than he was in this game, despite the 12 for 17 numbers. Having said this, Blough was more resourceful than Boyle and most importantly led the Lions to 3 straight TD drives. I hope Blough is given the opportunity to start vs. the Colts ( knowing that Jared Goff will almost certainly be kept out of the game ).


-- Darren Fells earned the start for T.J. Hockenson at tight end. He’s normally a terrific blocker and capable in the passing game, though he had a rough one in Pittsburgh, getting flagged for three penalties in the first half alone.

**** I think it was the exception, not the norm for Darren Fells. The good news is Fells' catch and run for a 1st Down ( that was one of Tim Boyle's best plays in the game...arguably his best ) indicates he still has plenty of athletic ability. ****

-- It was an ugly night of football in most regards for Detroit, though Jack Fox continues to do Jack Fox things. Three of his five punts were sent into the Pennslyvania sky for at least 60 yards, including one shot that went 67 yards and another that went 70 before trickling out of bounds inside the 5-yard line. It was one of the best punts I’ve ever seen, period.

**** Jack Fox was the best player in the game for the Lions. Great job by Fox!....****

-- First-round pick Penei Sewell was among three starting offensive linemen who played, and he stayed in the game longer than the others too as the Lions try to help him shake off some rust. Sewell opted out of last season at Oregon, and is now learning to play right tackle for the first time since high school. I want to watch the tape before saying too much about how he played, but he seemed mostly fine, though did get off-platform multiple times in his pass sets against Melvin Ingram.

**** Penei Sewell had his share of problems, especially as a pass blocker. I'm glad Sewell got plenty of snaps. He needs to play extensively vs. the Colts, as well. ****

-- Death. Taxes. Eric Ebron dropping a pass that him in both hands on third down. In this crazy world, it’s reassuring to know some things will never change.

**** Overall though, it was a good receiving performance by Eric Ebron.****


This new thread is a continuation of the following thread:

Lions at Steelers preview: Pre-Season Game # 2 ( 2021 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1146/lions-steelers-preview-season-game

[D6]

Lions stock report: One linebacker is gaining steam while two others struggle

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In fairness to Tim Boyle, it looked like a screen pass to Jermar Jefferson was the play call on the play in which Intentional Grounding was called. I disagree with the officiating call. The pass was in Jefferson's direction. It was a good play by the Steeler defender recognizing a screen.

With D'Andre Swift being a question mark to get through games, it would make sense for the Lions to kept an extra RB on the roster. Craig Reynolds deserves serious consideration for that role, if he's not the Lions # 3 RB ( Halfback ).

Tom Kennedy was used on a Punt Return. I believe that was the Steelers only Punt in the game. Kennedy is getting the attention of the coaches in a way that signifies to me that they are looking for a path for Kennedy to be on the Lions regular season 53 man roster.

I didn't notice Dean Marlowe in the game. It might have reached the point that the Lions are counting on Marlowe to start at Safety, opposite Tracy Walker. With the coaches believing that it's best not to risk the experienced Marlowe any further in the pre-season. After seeing C.J. Moore miss two tackles on Defense, on top of what was mentioned in the article about Will Harris, Marlowe's chances of being a starter look better than ever.

[D6]

I stand corrected regarding the TD that Jalen Reeves Maybin gave up. The TD throw and catch play I described in the opening message of this thread was the one with Tracy Walker closest to TE Pat Freiermuth. That was the first TD to Freiermuth.

JRM gave up the 2nd one. It was a good catch. But the Defense by JRM needs to be better.

[D6]

Lions studs and duds from the preseason loss to the Steelers

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The Offensive Pass Interference penalty against Breshad Perriman looked like a questionable call.

I'm not optimistic with Perriman as a # 2 WR. But the accuracy issues with Tim Boyle make it more difficult to gauge Perriman's performance on TV feeds.

I don't think Jeff Okudah belongs in the Dud category.

Dan Skipper looked much better at RT last night than he did at LT vs. the Bills.

Charles Harris was arguably the Lions best edge player in this game. He seemed to play with purpose. It wasn't a spectacular highlight performance but it was the type that helps his cause to be on the 53 man opening day roster.

Some others players that I thought played well are:

1. Levi Onwuzurike. He was the Lions most impactful Interior Defensive Lineman in the game. Including a pressure on a 3rd Down Red Zone incompletion. This after a strong week of practice, after being out with a back injury.

2. Tavante Beckett. Very active against the run when given an opportunity late in the game. Including in the Steelers backfield. He looks like a noticeably better option than Jahlani Tavai. If a 2nd UDRFA makes the Lions 53 man opening day roster, Beckett made a case last night for that opportunity.

Some other players who I thought didn't play well:

1. Matt Nelson. Played most of the game at LT. Looked much better at RT last season. Struggled both against the run and in pass protection at LT.

2. Bobby Price. Looks like he will need to go the Practice Squad Route again. The transition to from S to CB didn't look natural for Price in this game. Also didn't play at the level he needed to on Special Teams ( at least as a blocker ).

[D6]

Derrick Barnes leads big night for Detroit Lions’ rookie class

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The play of Levi Onwuzurike, Derrick Barnes, and A.J. Parker in this game is to a very large extent why I don't view the Lions overall pre-season performance last night negatively. This season is realistically about putting a foundation in place. The progress and play of the Lions 2021 Draft crop and UDRFA CB A.J Parker could be a huge part of a much better Lions future.

Lions latter 3rd Round pick CB ifeatu Melifonwu, who wasn't mentioned in any of the game result articles I've seen so far, hasn't been spectacular in the two pre-season games. However, his play in the pre-season has been noticeably better than most of the training camp practice reports I've seen describe how has performed in practice. Melifonwu is responding well to the challenge of playing on the NFL, after the road bumps of the earlier part of training camp.

[D6]

The Lions' PFF grades from the preseason loss in Pittsburgh are not pretty

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Miles Brown and Bruce Hector have a difficult path to survive the cutdown to 53, let alone be on the Lions opening day 53 man roster. But both have made a solid case that they belong on a 53 man roster.

Robert McCray also probably will get caught in a numbers game. But he could easily be on the Lions 53 man roster at some point this season.

Austin Bryant's upside will likely earn him an opportunity on the Lions 53 man roster at the beginning of the season. But his regression from the Bills game is disappointing. He needs to step up vs. the Colts.

Penei Sewell is probably going to be a work in progress in the early part of the regular season. He definitely needs to play extensively vs. the Colts.

[frenchylions]

I certainly agree with all of your thoughts here, neither the offense nor the defense are able to keep up with a top-tier team, at least not with the players on the field in this game, it may be a different story with the missing starters ?
The final score is flattering for the Lions and does not fully reflect the stranglehold of the Steelers.

Penei Sewell will not have an easy rookie season imho. Nelson didn't look solid enough to compete for a starter spot.
I was pleased by the mobility of David Blough, he succeeded to extend the play more than once, but unfortunately, his accuracy leaves much to be desired.

[D6]

The Lions would probably need the vast majority of the starters that didn't play in Pittsburgh to have a realistic chance at beating the Steelers. The lack of quality depth at far too many positions is a huge obstacle to winning. It's going to make it difficult for the Lions to even be a middle of the pack team, unless some players emerge that right now that are question marks at best or not on the roster.

At the very least, Penei Sewell probably will have plenty of growing pains this season.

The huge accuracy issues with Tim Boyle certainly don't erase the accuracy concerns with David Blough. While Blough is probably the better option of the two QBs, neither seems remotely close of challenging Jared Goff for the Lions starting QB position.

[D6]

Snap counts: Detroit Lions get good look at reserve OL in preseason loss to Steelers

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I didn't even notice Victor Bolden in the game, let alone get 13 snaps on Offense. The fact that he had no Special Teams snaps doesn't bode well for his chances of surviving the cut down to 13. Javon McKinley also didn't have a Special Teams snap. For a # 5 or # 6 WR, Special Teams usually is critical.

This info confirms Dean Marlowe didn't play. Assuming he's relatively healthy, that likely means the Lions are counting on him to either start at Safety or at least play extensively regularly.