Post by D6 on Aug 19, 2024 2:57:28 GMT -5
Thoughts in ****
Instant observations: Hendon Hooker shines in Lions’ comeback win over Chiefs
Instant observations: Hendon Hooker shines in Lions’ comeback win over Chiefs
Updated: Aug. 17, 2024, 11:09 p.m.|Published: Aug. 17, 2024, 7:19 p.m.
Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs (preseason Game 2) Benjamin Raven
By Kyle Meinke | kmeinke@mlive.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Detroit Lions launched their epic 2023 season here in Kansas City. The return trip offered no stakes at all, but they have to feel better about their backup quarterback situation heading into 2024. After last week’s lemon, they’ll take it.
Hendon Hooker came off the bench in his return from a brain injury, misfired on two straight passes, then missed just once the rest of the way while leading a 24-23 win against the Chiefs. Hooker ran for a 7-yard touchdown that pulled the Lions within two points late in the fourth quarter, then hit Tom Kennedy with a 14-yard pass to move into position for a 40-yard field-goal attempt with 2 seconds left. Jake Bates split the uprights as time expired, and the Lions notched their first victory of the preseason.
Hooker mostly impressed with his feet in his preseason debut last week, then departed with a concussion that kept him off the practice field most of the week. In Kansas City, he flashed poise and accuracy while completing 12 of his final 13 passes for 150 yards. He finished with a passer rating of 108.3.
Yes, Hooker also bobbled a snap deep in Chiefs territory with a little more than 2 minutes left, and botched the ensuing handoff to Zonovan Knight. He also took two sacks, one of which came on a 2-point conversion that could have tied the game late. But for a guy who just needs reps, this kind of pressure performance offers a reminder of why the Lions burned a third-round pick on him last year. He can pass, he can really run, and if he can ever figure out the turnover issues that have plagued him in camp, he could become the sort of high-end backup quarterback that Detroit has lacked for more than a decade.
At this point, it feels like Hooker is trending up in the backup quarterback race. Nate Sudfeld earned another start in Kansas City, but treaded water at best. He connected with Kaden Davis on a 61-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown, but also had a terrible pick on the following series while throwing to a well-covered Donovan Peoples-Jones. He finished 14 of 27 passing for 196 yards and a QB rating of 72.5.
It’s tough to say who will back up Jared Goff when the season kicks off against the Los Angeles Rams, but it’s starting to feel like only a matter of time before Hooker is that guy.
**** Overall, Hendon Hooker looked noticeably improved as a passer, compared to the pre-season opener at the Giants. After his first 2 passes, Hooker's accuracy was a positive much more often than not. His decision making was noticeably better in this game. I don't blame Hooker for the sack on the two point conversion. RB Jack Funk got beat on a blitz. If Hooker made a risky throw at that point, a fumble or interception could easily have resulted. The Chiefs would have ended up with 2 points if a fumble or an interception on a PAT attempted would have been returned to the Lions end zone. If Hooker follows up with at least a solid performance in the pre-season finale vs. the Steelers, there's no question on this end that he should be the Lions # 2 QB to begin the regular season. Nate Sudfeld was substantially better in this game than he was against the Giants. But he still didn't perform well enough to even warrant a spot on the 53 man roster.****
****
Let’s get to some more instant observations:
-- For a deep team full of known commodities, rookie running back Sione Vaki has been the biggest revelation of the summer. He played safety until the final six games of his college career, and was scouted as a safety by 31 teams during the draft process. But he switched to running back for those final games at Utah, and the Lions believed so much in his potential at that position that they went into the final day of the draft determined not only to take Vaki as a running back, but to trade up the board to do it. Vaki didn’t need long to show why.
Vaki used his legs to pop a couple big runs in a preseason opener that otherwise lacked offensive fireworks, then showed off his hands in Kansas City. In a nine-play stretch at the end of the first half, Vaki caught four passes for 56 yards -- and each of those catches were made behind the sticks, before Vaki made something happen to find his way to a first down. The first extended the drive on third-and-7, the last moved the ball inside the 5-yard line, and Detroit booted a field goal that closed the gap before intermission.
No one has to be told how much Ben Johnson loves pass-run versatility in his skill players, and it might not be long before Vaki seriously threatens Craig Reynolds for the right to back up David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Not bad for a safety, eh?
**** There's a place for both Craig Reynolds and Sione Vaki on the Lions roster. If Vaki can handle protecting on blitzes, he can be an asset in 3rd Down passing situations, if called upon. Vaki's receiving performance in this game was terrific! He did a great job with his routes, hands, and after the catch. ****
-- Dan Campbell said he’s still waiting for a receiver to step up behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. May I introduce you to Kaden Davis and Isaiah Williams? Davis had two explosive plays during practice this week, then caught a Sudfeld pass over the middle and outran the only guy standing between him and the end zone for a 61-yard touchdown.
Williams, meanwhile, continues to shine brightest in the exhibitions. He led the Lions in receiving against the Giants, then did it again with a team-high six catches for 71 yards against the Chiefs. He opened the game by spinning out of a tackle on an 11-yard run, added an impressive 17-yard catch-and-run that moved the sticks on third down, hauled in a 37-yard pass in the fourth quarter, plus returned one punt for 19 yards and another for 20 yards, the latter of which gave Detroit outstanding field possession for the game-winning drive. Williams also lost a fumble while trying to do too much on kick return, and still hasn’t popped much in practice. It’ll be interesting to see how the Lions weigh the merits of consistency in practice with big plays in the actual games.
**** As a receiver, Isaiah Williams looks like he belongs on the Lions opening day 53 man roster. Williams' Punt Return late in the game, that helped set up the game winning FG by Jake Bates, helps Williams' roster chances. His lack of consistency on returns though in the pre-season is concerning. I'm much more concerned about that than how he's performed as a receiver in practice. ****
-- While the Lions chose to dump their bench onto the field, Kansas City opted to run with a bunch of starters in the first quarter. That includes none other than Patrick Mahomes. You would figure that guy working a bunch of second-teamers would be a huge matchup issue, and Mahomes did complete a behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce. But I thought the Lions held up well against the MVP. Mahomes had to throw away half of his six passes on the opening drive, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin held Kansas City to a field goal with outstanding pass coverage on third down. Mahomes got one more series and drove deep into Lions territory, but Brandon Joseph forced a fumble (that KC recovered), Amik Robertson broke up a pass in the end zone and Mitchell Agude blew up a pass-catcher 9 yards in the backfield to force a second straight field goal. Six points and no touchdowns on two drives against Mahomes? You’ll take that any day, and it’s a big win for a second-team defense.
**** The Lions Defensive performance against Patrick Mahomes and most of the Chiefs starters on Offense was better than I expected. Definitely a positive. ****
-- Dave Fipp is always smiling, but he won’t be after this one. The venerable Lions special teams coordinator has overseen some of the best units in the league since arriving in Detroit, but he’s watched his return men cough up three fumbles in two exhibitions, one by Maurice Alexander in the opener -- and nearly another on a play that was blown dead -- then another by Jalon Calhoun on kick return and yet another by Isaiah Williams on punt return against the Chiefs. They also allowed a 47-yard punt return and a 42-yard kick return, while Jake Bates also missed a point-after try. It was a mistake-filled afternoon by the special teams unit -- the sort of thing that can tip a game in the regular season.
**** The Lions Special Teams definitely need to play a lot better. The Lions seem to be struggling in adjusting to the new Kickoff rules. A positive regarding the latter is the Lions forced a holding penalty on the Chiefs final Kickoff Return. ****
-- Jake Bates figures to have one of the most interesting roster cases on the team. He has All-Pro leg strength, including bagging a 64-yarder with room to spare during practice this week. He also banged in a 53-yarder in a driving rain in the exhibition against New York, pummeled a 55-yarder in Kansas City, then booted the 40-yard winner at the buzzer. Then again, he also missed a point-after try, something that has dogged him at times in camp. Long balls are sexy, but ultimately what a championship contender needs out of the position is consistency, especially when Detroit opts to go for most fourth-and-shorts anyway. Bates remains the only kicker in camp, but don’t be surprised if the Lions explore the waiver wire for a more known commodity in the coming week.
**** The missed PAT is concerning but I believe that Jake Bates will be the Lions opening day kicker, barring a meltdown before then.****
-- Elsewhere on special teams, there’s nothing wrong with Jack Fox. The dude blasted a 71-yard punt on the fly in the fourth quarter. Put that man in bubble wrap, he’s ready for the Los Angeles Rams.
**** Jack Fox remains a Pro Bowl caliber Punter and the Lions best Special Teams asset.****
-- With cornerbacks like Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw and Emmanuel Moseley all down with injuries, the Lions ran with Khalil Dorsey, Kindle Vildor and Amik Robertson for most of the first half. I thought Vildor played especially well, even against the Chiefs’ first team. He played three long balls down the right sideline very well, using the boundary to help him squeeze the receiver.
**** For the most part, I thought the Lions CB play was good in this game. Even factoring some big plays against Lions CBs by the Chiefs. Khalil Dorsey, Kindle Vildor and Amik Robertson all helped their situation with the Lions in this game. Robertson is in essence a roster lock, who performed very well as a Slot CB in his game, except on the TD by Chiefs rookie 1st Round Pick WR Xavier Worthy. Kindle Vindor continues to have a very good summer with the Lions. Khalil Dorsey had a much better performance in KC than he did at the Giants in New Jersey. ****
-- Dan Skipper earned the start at left tackle, but quickly left the game after getting rolled up on. Edge rusher Malik Jefferson left the game with an injury in the fourth quarter, while edge rusher Isaac Ukwu also left the game before returning. Ukwu wound up sacking Chris Oladokun at the end of the third quarter, and continues to build a strong case to make the practice squad.
**** Isaac Ukwu did a good job with his hustle on what was a coverage sack by him. While I believe Ukwu is in the mix to be on the Lions initial 53 man roster, Edge/ LB Mitchell Agude looks like he's on a path to be on the Lions initial 53 man roster. His all around performance in this game on Defense was good to very good.****
Other than that, the Lions seemed to escape this one without major injury. After a week filled with notable losses, Dan Campbell will surely consider that the biggest win of all.
****
Unfortunately, WR Tre'Quan Smith suffered a hand injury that will likely land him on IR.****
............
his new thread is a continuation of the following thread:
Lions at Chiefs preview: Pre-Season Game # 2 (2024)
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/2214/lions-chiefs-preview-season-game
Instant observations: Hendon Hooker shines in Lions’ comeback win over Chiefs
Instant observations: Hendon Hooker shines in Lions’ comeback win over Chiefs
Updated: Aug. 17, 2024, 11:09 p.m.|Published: Aug. 17, 2024, 7:19 p.m.
Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs (preseason Game 2) Benjamin Raven
By Kyle Meinke | kmeinke@mlive.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Detroit Lions launched their epic 2023 season here in Kansas City. The return trip offered no stakes at all, but they have to feel better about their backup quarterback situation heading into 2024. After last week’s lemon, they’ll take it.
Hendon Hooker came off the bench in his return from a brain injury, misfired on two straight passes, then missed just once the rest of the way while leading a 24-23 win against the Chiefs. Hooker ran for a 7-yard touchdown that pulled the Lions within two points late in the fourth quarter, then hit Tom Kennedy with a 14-yard pass to move into position for a 40-yard field-goal attempt with 2 seconds left. Jake Bates split the uprights as time expired, and the Lions notched their first victory of the preseason.
Hooker mostly impressed with his feet in his preseason debut last week, then departed with a concussion that kept him off the practice field most of the week. In Kansas City, he flashed poise and accuracy while completing 12 of his final 13 passes for 150 yards. He finished with a passer rating of 108.3.
Yes, Hooker also bobbled a snap deep in Chiefs territory with a little more than 2 minutes left, and botched the ensuing handoff to Zonovan Knight. He also took two sacks, one of which came on a 2-point conversion that could have tied the game late. But for a guy who just needs reps, this kind of pressure performance offers a reminder of why the Lions burned a third-round pick on him last year. He can pass, he can really run, and if he can ever figure out the turnover issues that have plagued him in camp, he could become the sort of high-end backup quarterback that Detroit has lacked for more than a decade.
At this point, it feels like Hooker is trending up in the backup quarterback race. Nate Sudfeld earned another start in Kansas City, but treaded water at best. He connected with Kaden Davis on a 61-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown, but also had a terrible pick on the following series while throwing to a well-covered Donovan Peoples-Jones. He finished 14 of 27 passing for 196 yards and a QB rating of 72.5.
It’s tough to say who will back up Jared Goff when the season kicks off against the Los Angeles Rams, but it’s starting to feel like only a matter of time before Hooker is that guy.
**** Overall, Hendon Hooker looked noticeably improved as a passer, compared to the pre-season opener at the Giants. After his first 2 passes, Hooker's accuracy was a positive much more often than not. His decision making was noticeably better in this game. I don't blame Hooker for the sack on the two point conversion. RB Jack Funk got beat on a blitz. If Hooker made a risky throw at that point, a fumble or interception could easily have resulted. The Chiefs would have ended up with 2 points if a fumble or an interception on a PAT attempted would have been returned to the Lions end zone. If Hooker follows up with at least a solid performance in the pre-season finale vs. the Steelers, there's no question on this end that he should be the Lions # 2 QB to begin the regular season. Nate Sudfeld was substantially better in this game than he was against the Giants. But he still didn't perform well enough to even warrant a spot on the 53 man roster.****
****
Let’s get to some more instant observations:
-- For a deep team full of known commodities, rookie running back Sione Vaki has been the biggest revelation of the summer. He played safety until the final six games of his college career, and was scouted as a safety by 31 teams during the draft process. But he switched to running back for those final games at Utah, and the Lions believed so much in his potential at that position that they went into the final day of the draft determined not only to take Vaki as a running back, but to trade up the board to do it. Vaki didn’t need long to show why.
Vaki used his legs to pop a couple big runs in a preseason opener that otherwise lacked offensive fireworks, then showed off his hands in Kansas City. In a nine-play stretch at the end of the first half, Vaki caught four passes for 56 yards -- and each of those catches were made behind the sticks, before Vaki made something happen to find his way to a first down. The first extended the drive on third-and-7, the last moved the ball inside the 5-yard line, and Detroit booted a field goal that closed the gap before intermission.
No one has to be told how much Ben Johnson loves pass-run versatility in his skill players, and it might not be long before Vaki seriously threatens Craig Reynolds for the right to back up David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Not bad for a safety, eh?
**** There's a place for both Craig Reynolds and Sione Vaki on the Lions roster. If Vaki can handle protecting on blitzes, he can be an asset in 3rd Down passing situations, if called upon. Vaki's receiving performance in this game was terrific! He did a great job with his routes, hands, and after the catch. ****
-- Dan Campbell said he’s still waiting for a receiver to step up behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. May I introduce you to Kaden Davis and Isaiah Williams? Davis had two explosive plays during practice this week, then caught a Sudfeld pass over the middle and outran the only guy standing between him and the end zone for a 61-yard touchdown.
Williams, meanwhile, continues to shine brightest in the exhibitions. He led the Lions in receiving against the Giants, then did it again with a team-high six catches for 71 yards against the Chiefs. He opened the game by spinning out of a tackle on an 11-yard run, added an impressive 17-yard catch-and-run that moved the sticks on third down, hauled in a 37-yard pass in the fourth quarter, plus returned one punt for 19 yards and another for 20 yards, the latter of which gave Detroit outstanding field possession for the game-winning drive. Williams also lost a fumble while trying to do too much on kick return, and still hasn’t popped much in practice. It’ll be interesting to see how the Lions weigh the merits of consistency in practice with big plays in the actual games.
**** As a receiver, Isaiah Williams looks like he belongs on the Lions opening day 53 man roster. Williams' Punt Return late in the game, that helped set up the game winning FG by Jake Bates, helps Williams' roster chances. His lack of consistency on returns though in the pre-season is concerning. I'm much more concerned about that than how he's performed as a receiver in practice. ****
-- While the Lions chose to dump their bench onto the field, Kansas City opted to run with a bunch of starters in the first quarter. That includes none other than Patrick Mahomes. You would figure that guy working a bunch of second-teamers would be a huge matchup issue, and Mahomes did complete a behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce. But I thought the Lions held up well against the MVP. Mahomes had to throw away half of his six passes on the opening drive, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin held Kansas City to a field goal with outstanding pass coverage on third down. Mahomes got one more series and drove deep into Lions territory, but Brandon Joseph forced a fumble (that KC recovered), Amik Robertson broke up a pass in the end zone and Mitchell Agude blew up a pass-catcher 9 yards in the backfield to force a second straight field goal. Six points and no touchdowns on two drives against Mahomes? You’ll take that any day, and it’s a big win for a second-team defense.
**** The Lions Defensive performance against Patrick Mahomes and most of the Chiefs starters on Offense was better than I expected. Definitely a positive. ****
-- Dave Fipp is always smiling, but he won’t be after this one. The venerable Lions special teams coordinator has overseen some of the best units in the league since arriving in Detroit, but he’s watched his return men cough up three fumbles in two exhibitions, one by Maurice Alexander in the opener -- and nearly another on a play that was blown dead -- then another by Jalon Calhoun on kick return and yet another by Isaiah Williams on punt return against the Chiefs. They also allowed a 47-yard punt return and a 42-yard kick return, while Jake Bates also missed a point-after try. It was a mistake-filled afternoon by the special teams unit -- the sort of thing that can tip a game in the regular season.
**** The Lions Special Teams definitely need to play a lot better. The Lions seem to be struggling in adjusting to the new Kickoff rules. A positive regarding the latter is the Lions forced a holding penalty on the Chiefs final Kickoff Return. ****
-- Jake Bates figures to have one of the most interesting roster cases on the team. He has All-Pro leg strength, including bagging a 64-yarder with room to spare during practice this week. He also banged in a 53-yarder in a driving rain in the exhibition against New York, pummeled a 55-yarder in Kansas City, then booted the 40-yard winner at the buzzer. Then again, he also missed a point-after try, something that has dogged him at times in camp. Long balls are sexy, but ultimately what a championship contender needs out of the position is consistency, especially when Detroit opts to go for most fourth-and-shorts anyway. Bates remains the only kicker in camp, but don’t be surprised if the Lions explore the waiver wire for a more known commodity in the coming week.
**** The missed PAT is concerning but I believe that Jake Bates will be the Lions opening day kicker, barring a meltdown before then.****
-- Elsewhere on special teams, there’s nothing wrong with Jack Fox. The dude blasted a 71-yard punt on the fly in the fourth quarter. Put that man in bubble wrap, he’s ready for the Los Angeles Rams.
**** Jack Fox remains a Pro Bowl caliber Punter and the Lions best Special Teams asset.****
-- With cornerbacks like Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw and Emmanuel Moseley all down with injuries, the Lions ran with Khalil Dorsey, Kindle Vildor and Amik Robertson for most of the first half. I thought Vildor played especially well, even against the Chiefs’ first team. He played three long balls down the right sideline very well, using the boundary to help him squeeze the receiver.
**** For the most part, I thought the Lions CB play was good in this game. Even factoring some big plays against Lions CBs by the Chiefs. Khalil Dorsey, Kindle Vildor and Amik Robertson all helped their situation with the Lions in this game. Robertson is in essence a roster lock, who performed very well as a Slot CB in his game, except on the TD by Chiefs rookie 1st Round Pick WR Xavier Worthy. Kindle Vindor continues to have a very good summer with the Lions. Khalil Dorsey had a much better performance in KC than he did at the Giants in New Jersey. ****
-- Dan Skipper earned the start at left tackle, but quickly left the game after getting rolled up on. Edge rusher Malik Jefferson left the game with an injury in the fourth quarter, while edge rusher Isaac Ukwu also left the game before returning. Ukwu wound up sacking Chris Oladokun at the end of the third quarter, and continues to build a strong case to make the practice squad.
**** Isaac Ukwu did a good job with his hustle on what was a coverage sack by him. While I believe Ukwu is in the mix to be on the Lions initial 53 man roster, Edge/ LB Mitchell Agude looks like he's on a path to be on the Lions initial 53 man roster. His all around performance in this game on Defense was good to very good.****
Other than that, the Lions seemed to escape this one without major injury. After a week filled with notable losses, Dan Campbell will surely consider that the biggest win of all.
****
Unfortunately, WR Tre'Quan Smith suffered a hand injury that will likely land him on IR.****
............
his new thread is a continuation of the following thread:
Lions at Chiefs preview: Pre-Season Game # 2 (2024)
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/2214/lions-chiefs-preview-season-game