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Post by D6 on Aug 10, 2023 8:55:32 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Aug 11, 2023 11:12:52 GMT -5
10 Lions to watch closely in the preseason opener vs. the Giants
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Regarding where things stand currently for Lions players to survive the cutdown to 53 and for extensive playing time / snaps early in the season, when a specific player enters a pre-season game is often an indicator. It's worth comparing a player's situation in the pre-season games that follow.
James Houston will almost certainly be on the Lions opening day roster and game day roster, barring a significant injury. The question on Defense regarding Houston is whether he will be more than a situational expected passing downs edge player?
If as I'm anticipating Dylan Drummond handles the pre-season stage well, I think he's going to be on the Lions opening day 53 man roster.
One thing in particular I plan on paying attention to regarding Levi Onwuzurike is he's playing lower more consistently.
Craig Reynolds is a valuable Special Teams contributor and someone who Dan Campbell thinks highly as culture fit for the Lions. Right now, I'm anticipating Reynolds being on the Lions opening day 53 man roster and being on the Game Day roster, barring a significant injury.
The more versatility Chase Lucas has (this applies to practically all non-starters, the better the chance he will survive the cutdown to 53, and be on the Lions 53 man roster at least early in the regular season.
Jameson Williams needs to improve each pre-season game.
Germain Ifedi might not even make it to the final pre-season game two weeks from tonight at Carolina, if he doesn't perform noticeably better in the first 2 pre-season games than what Jeff Risdon indicates has been the case in practices.
Adrian Martinez is a long shot to survive the cutdown to 53. In reality, he's playing for a Practice Squad opportunity with the Lions at the beginning of the regular season.
Versatility on Offense, would help Kayode Awosika's cause with the Lions, if he can demonstrate versatility the Lions have confidence in.
Benito Jones was noticeably improved in the latter part of the 2022 season. The greatest obstacle for Jones to survive the cutdown to 53 and be on the Lions opening day 53 man roster is the upgrades the Lions have in the DT/ Interior Defensive Line mix. If Jones ends up being released and isn't claimed off waivers by another team, I think the Lions will try to sign Jones to the Practice Squad.
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Post by D6 on Aug 11, 2023 11:23:59 GMT -5
Breaking down the initial Lions preseason depth chart
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A much better indicator of where thing stand with a specific player, compared to the initial pre-season depth chart, is when he enters the opening pre-season game. The earlier, the better.
In the case of Jared Goff and other players considered key players on the Lions roster, if they are kept out of the game, and are relatively healthy, the Lions view these players as players in which the risk of injury in the pre-season game is greater than the benefits of the players being in the game.
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Post by D6 on Aug 11, 2023 12:03:31 GMT -5
10 players who could shine for Detroit Lions in preseason game against New York Giants
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Nate Sudfeld is in a difficult spot. Sudfeld needs to block out his situation with the Lions, focusing on only what he can control.
Denzel Mims needs to demonstrate in the pre-season that he can help the Lions both at WR and on Special Teams.
The play of Brodric Martin in the pre-season, including the extent he's improved in the pre-seasons to follow, will likely determine whether Martin will be on the Lions Game Day roster for the NFL Thursday Night Opener in Kansas City.
Christian Covington will likely be on an NFL team 53-man roster at some point this season, even if he's not on the Lions opening day 53 man roster. Covington could easily be a prime Practice Squad candidate for the Lions, if he's released, and isn't signed by another NFL team to their 53 man roster.
Alex Anzalone is the only Lions Off the Ball LB, who I think is a candidate to be kept out of tonight's game, if relatively healthy.
Special Teams is critical for Ifeatu Melifonwu. The Lions are at the point in the Brad Holmes-Dan Campbell era that the team realistically expects to make the playoffs and advance in the playoffs. Melifonwu needs to demonstrate that he can help the Lions win games this season, to be on the Lions 53 man roster.
John Parker Romo likely needs to be much better than Riley Patterson in the pre-season, in order to beat out Patterson for a roster spot at the beginning of the season.
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Post by D6 on Aug 11, 2023 18:03:35 GMT -5
9 players to watch in Detroit Lions preseason opener against Giants
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Unless Colby Sorsdal is well ahead of schedule, he probably will be on the Game Day Inactive list in games early in the season.
Starling Thomas V will be counted on Special Teams, if he's on the Lions 53 man roster when the regular season begins.
A roster spot could realistically come down to Romeo Okwara vs. his younger brother Julian Okwara. I would give Romeo the edge, if a roster spot does indeed come down to the two.
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Post by D6 on Aug 11, 2023 18:10:03 GMT -5
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It makes sense for all of these players to play in the pre-season opener against the Giants. Having said that, getting Jahmyr Gibbs out of the game earlier than the other players mentioned in the Tweet is how I believe the Lions should proceed.
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Post by D6 on Aug 11, 2023 18:43:51 GMT -5
Five Detroit Lions players to watch in preseason opener against New York Giants
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When factoring in how well Dylan Drummond has done in training camp, and the Jameson Williams suspension, I believe Drummond would be on the Lions initial 53 man roster, following the cutdown to 53. With Drummond, being on the Lions opening day 53 man roster.
I plan on offering my thoughts about the Lions pre-season game vs. the Giants, beginning on Sunday.
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