Steelers 19, Lions 9 : Pre-Season Game # 3 ( 2022 )

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Lions backup quarterbacks struggle in preseason loss to Steelers

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Though there were a plenty of positives for the Lions in the pre-season finale, the Lions QB play was by far the # 1 story in this pre-season game. Even with the risk of the Lions losing Tim Boyle or David Blough on waivers or if Boyle or Blough elects to sign with a Practice Squad of another team if released, the Lions can't afford to keep both of them on the 53 man roster. The Lions should have signed a QB during training camp who would give the team some insurance, if the decision is made to release Boyle or Blough. Regardless, the Lions can't keep both on the 53 man roster, as there are much better players at some other positions on the roster bubble.

I think the best way to proceed at QB is to name David Blough the # 2 QB, release Tim Boyle, and then make it a priority to re-sign Boyle to the Practice Squad if he clears waivers. I think there's at least a 75 % chance Boyle would clear waivers. The reason why I prefer Blough over Boyle is Blough has much better improvisation skills. Boyle is far too mechanical. While Boyle makes some terrific throws in the Red Zone, far too often, he doesn't lead the Lions Offense into the Red Zone.

This new thread is a continuation of the following thread:

Lions at Steelers preview: Pre-Season Game # 3 ( 2022)

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1499/lions-steelers-preview-season-game

This new thread relates to the following threads:

Lions projected 53 man roster ( 2022 season )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1393/lions-projected-roster-2022-season

Do any Lions roster bubble players have trade value?

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1506/lions-roster-bubble-players-trade

[D6]

Detroit Lions stock watch: Jeff Okudah, Craig Reynolds lock up jobs, QBs put on notice

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The only reason why I wouldn't put Craig Reynolds at or close to a lock to survive the cutdown to 53 is he was used as a rusher in the 4th QTR, when Jermar Jefferson's day was done and Justin Jackson was either done for the day or near finished for the day. Having said that, I think Reynolds has a good chance of surviving the cutdown to 53.

I think Jermar Jefferson is going to be released in the cutdown to 53. While he did get a 1st Down on a draw play, on 3rd and 17 (the blocking was excellent, including a downfield block by Penei Sewell), Jefferson bobbled ad pass that cost him around 3 yards once he secured it and gave up a sack in pass protection on a blitz. Jefferson did improve on Special Teams but he's not a complete enough RB.

If Reynolds secures the # 3 RB spot, the decision for the Lions probably will be whether to keep Godwin Igwebuike, Justin Jackson, or both, on the initial 53 man roster. Jackson was used as a Kickoff Returner in this game and did a good job. If the Lions brass feels that Jackson's overall skills are good enough to offset the overall Special Teams value of Igwebulke, Jackson wHll likely survive the cutdown to 53.

Isaiah Buggs probably can help the Lions more early this season and maybe for the season as a whole, compared to Demetrius Taylor. Because Taylor has higher upside long term potential and probably is a higher risk of being claimed off waivers, I think the Lions should expose Buggs to waivers. It seems like a very close call what the Lions will end up doing.

Though Bruce Hector did get plenty of snaps early in the game and for most of the game, I don't think he's going to survive the cutdown to 53.

Jashon Cornell didn't appear to get any early game snaps and overall, his snap count seemed low. Cornell was a major disappointment in the pre-season. I think he's going to be released. It wouldn't even surprise me that he ends up with another NFL Practice Squad, instead of the Lions P.S.

Saivion Smith had some positives at CB in Pittsburgh but too many negatives. While I think Smith will fall short of surviving the cutdown to 53, he has an outside chance because he was a 2nd team CB in this game. If Smith is released and isn't claimed off waivers ( I think there's around a 65% chance he won't be claimed), it's likely that Smith will be a P.S. priority for the Lions. Which would make a great amount of sense.

Kalil Pimpleton will almost certainly be released. I think the Lions will try to sign him to the P.S. The Lions didn't use him on returns in the pre-season. I think this was by design, to attempt to try to hide his huge potential as a returner. The dropped pass (it wasn't his first in the pre-season) around the goal line on a 4th Down actually helps the Lions from the standpoint that there's that much less chance he will be claimed off waivers. It's very likely Pimpleton will clear waivers.

[D6]

What’s being said nationally after Lions end preseason with sloppy offensive showing

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The following thread relates to this thread.

Lions Quarterback situation ( 2022 season )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1373/lions-quarterback-situation-2022-season

Even if the Lions add a QB from elsewhere who projects to becoming the Lions # 2 QB, it's extremely unlikely that QB will be ready to be in that role for at least the opener vs. the Eagles.

[D6]

4 Takeaways From Lions' Preseason Loss: Backup QB Help Wanted

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I definitely agree with the Lions decision to keep the 5 players mentioned out of the game. With Jared Goff at the top of the list, because of the ultra-importance of the QB positions and the Lions backup QB situation.

The Lions DE situation looks very promising, even with Romeo Okwara and Josh Paschal on the Regular Season PUP list.

[D6]

Snap counts: Lions get starters some run while taking close look at bubble players

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Shane Zylstra dropped a short pass from Tim Boyle. While I believe Zylstra has a slightly better than 50-50 chance of surviving the cutdown to 53, it's realistically possible the Lions expose him to waivers. With the Lions making him a Practice Squad priority (if he claims waivers), if he's not re-signed. Zylstra more likely than not would clear waivers but there would be significant risk for the Lions to expose him to waivers.


I think Jarrad Davis offers more on Defense than Anthony Pittman. The latter offers more on Special Teams, though was called for a Holding Penalty on a Kickoff. My protection is both will be released. One might be re-signed if this happens. I think both will clear waivers, with Pittman even more likely to clear waivers. One or both probably will be signed to the Practice Squad, if released and available.