Post by D6 on Aug 18, 2019 21:05:01 GMT -5
Thoughts in ****
www.mlive.com/lions/2019/08/observations-lions-sit-matthew-stafford-struggle-again-in-30-23-loss.html
Observations: Lions sit Matthew Stafford, struggle again in 30-23 loss
Observations: Lions sit Matthew Stafford, struggle again in 30-23 loss
The Lions took on Houston in their second exhibition of the season on Saturday night.
Observations: Lions sit Matthew Stafford, struggle again in 30-23 loss
Updated Aug 18, 2:37 AM; Posted Aug 17, 2019
By Kyle Meinke | kmeinke@mlive.com
HOUSTON -- No Matthew Stafford. Same old problems for the Detroit Lions.
The Lions were outgained 113-13 in the first quarter, didn’t move the chains until the second quarter and didn’t score an offensive touchdown until midway through the third quarter of a 30-23 exhibition loss on Saturday night against the Houston Texans.
Zach Zenner finally ended the touchdown drought when he scored on a 5-yard pass from David Fales with 6:52 remaining in the third quarter. That snapped a skid of more than six quarters without an offensive touchdown to open the preseason for Detroit.
Rookie safety Will Harris actually got the defense on the board first, returning a fumble 19 yards for a second-quarter touchdown against Houston. Romeo Okwara forced the fumble, while Jamal Agnew helped keep the play alive.
It was a great, heady play that kept the Lions hanging around for a while despite their punchless offense. But the defense struggled to do much of anything too, especially with Deshaun Watson in the game. There was no pass rush whatsoever, and Watson was able to stuff 5 of his 7 passes down Detroit’s throat, for 60 yards and one touchdown on his lone series.
Running back Mark Thompson finished off the scoring for Detroit on a 1-yard touchdown run with 6:34 remaining in the game.
**** The forced fumble / fumble return for a TD was by far the highlight play for the Lions in the first 2 combined pre-season games.
Josh Johnson struggled for the most part. Maybe, Johnson will be sharper physically and mentally with more reps and snaps with the Lions. In this game, Johnson didn't look like a viable # 2 QB option.
David Fales was much better in Houston than vs. New England. Yet, I have major doubts he can be counted on to hold the fort as a # 2 QB.
Jake Rudock looked like a better option than the backup QBs currently on the Lions roster.
Bob Quinn needs to develop a QB. So far, it hasn't happened under his watch.
The Lions committed far too many penalties in this game.
Depth remains a major concern on the Offensive Line. ****
Here are some more observations from another messy night for Detroit:
-- Let’s just get the Matthew Stafford thing out of the way first, shall we? I don’t know what Matt Patricia will say after the game about why his quarterback didn’t play, but no matter the rationale, it’s peculiar as hell. Stafford has never sat two straight weeks in the preseason. Heck, he had never sat even one week until last year -- and even then, he got three series in Week 2. So why are they giving him more rest now? When he has a new offense to learn? And a new center too? And hasn’t exactly been lighting training camp on fire? Doesn’t he need more work, not less? My best guess is this was a way to protect Stafford after yet another up and down week of practice. (He also would have been playing with a slew of backup receivers, which wouldn’t exactly have helped him look any better.)
**** Hopefully, Matthew Stafford isn't dealing with a significant injury. If he is, the Lions season could already be on the verge of being derailed. The Lions would probably not win more than 2 games if Stafford is out. Another 0-16 season would realistically possible. The Lions might have the worst backup QB situation in the NFL. ****
-- Josh Johnson got the start at quarterback and played into the third quarter, which tells you all you need to know about David Fales. That guy isn’t making this team. The lingering question at quarterback is whether Johnson or Tom Savage will back up Stafford this season. Savage was the leader for the job, but suffered a brain injury in the opener and hasn’t practiced since. With three concussions in four years, the Lions are going to have some trepidation about trusting Savage to finish a game if needed.
Johnson impressed coaches by catching on quickly in practice, but struggled in a live setting. The Lions averaged fewer than a yard per play on his first two series against Houston. They didn’t have a first down on their first three series, and only got one on the fourth because of a 42-yard pass interference call -- a penalty that went for more yardage than Detroit’s other first 15 plays combined.
On eight series with Johnson under center, Detroit had five punts, one fumble, one pick and the one field goal because of the pass interference. His final line: 8 of 19 passing for 85 yards, no touchdowns, one pick and a QB rating of 40.3.
**** Hopefully, a game under Josh Johnson's belt will make a positive difference. I don't know if Johnson has enough physical talent at this stage of his career to compensate for him not joining the Lions until after the 1st pre-season game. I'm currently not optimistic that he can demonstrate enough positives in the final two pre-season games. ****
-- With all that said, David Fales did connect on deep passes to Travis Fulgham and Andy Jones to set up Detroit’s first offensive touchdown of the year, a 5-yarder pass to Zach Zenner midway through the third quarter. He’s almost certainly not making this team, but it was good to see him break up this miserable preseason with just a bit of -- dare I even say it? -- rhythm. He finished 12 of 19 passing for 226 yards, one touchdown and no picks. He even had a shot at the end zone to knot the score as time expired, but couldn’t connect with Brandon Powell.
**** Brandon Powell ( as a WR ) and Travis Fulgham helped their cause in this game. ****
-- By now you’re surely in need of some good news. So Kerryon Johnson, come on down. The second-year back looked fast and sharp in his first action of the preseason, turning three carries into 16 good yards before taking a seat for the night. Nothing wrong with that guy. That’s some grown-man football.
**** At most Kerryon Johnson should play two more series of downs in the pre-season. I would be comfortable if Kerryon Johnson is kept out of the remainder of the pre-season. ****
-- Matt Prater finally got the Lions on the board with a 49-yard field goal early in the second quarter. That’s the good news, I guess. But I don’t really understand why the Lions would kick the field goal there, rather than go for it on fourth-and-2 from Houston’s 32-yard line. Seems like Detroit would get more value out of that kind of high-pressure situation than some meaningless field goal from one of the most bankable kickers in the league.
**** Matt Prater didn't have the type of season in 2018 than he's accustomed too. I think it made sense attempting the 49 yard FG. It's also practice for others on the FG unit. ****
-- What do Graham Glasgow, Kenny Golladay and Tracy Walker have in common? Answer: They are Bob Quinn’s third-round picks. They also all played as rookies. Glasgow and Golladay even worked their way into the starting lineup in Year 1, with Glasgow overtaking a former first-round pick to do so. But I haven’t seen that same kind of upside from Will Harris, this year’s third-rounder. Not until Saturday night, anyway.
Harris capped a big first half by returning a fumble 19 yards for a touchdown. He also broke up a pass and finished with a team-high six tackles. Then again, he was also beat for a 5-yard touchdown (that won’t show up in the box score because of a penalty away from the ball). I still don’t think he’ll play much defensively this year, with Walker, Quandre Diggs, Tavon Wilson and probably Andrew Adams all ahead of him.
**** I thought Will Harris was more consistent vs the Patriots than ladt night. He also got beat to the outside in Man Coverage in a 3rd and 6 situation. That resulted in a 1st Down.
-- Speaking of Adams, yes, he picked off yet another pass. That’s something we’ve seen from him throughout camp, time and time and time again. He also picked off four passes in Tampa last year. He just seems to have a nose for the ball, and that’s a big reason why he was brought in. Detroit forced just 14 takeaways last season, fewer than everyone except San Francisco.
-- Then again, Adams was posterized on another play.
**** The interception was impressive. However, his tackling, which was problematic before he got to Detroit, still is. He also didn't show enough range over the top on a completion. Adams is far from a lock in surviving the cut to 53, let alone being on the 53 man opening day roster. ****
-- Patricia said while the tape was bad from Week 1, he liked what he saw from Jalen Reeves-Maybin against New England. The same could be said of Week 2. The Lions might have struggled on both sides of the ball, but Reeves-Maybin had himself a bit of a night while he was out there, including registering a tackle for loss and pass breakup on back-to-back plays in the first half. He finished with five tackles, just one off the team lead.
**** JRM looked like he had the best splash play/ consistency combination of all of the Lions players on either side of the ball. Despite being undersized in this Defensive scheme, JRM looks like he has a great chance to be on the Lions opening day 53 man roster. With plenty of playing time on Defense. ****
-- The Amani Oruwariye film, on the other hand, won’t look so good. The rookie was beat a few more times against Houston, including getting flagged for a 36-yard pass interference that turned a third-and-5 into a first-and-goal from the 5.
**** Expected growing pains. It's good that Amari Ourwariye is getting plenty of snaps on Defense in the pre-season. ****
-- Patricia and Texans coach Bill O’Brien tested the new pass interference rule once apiece. Both lost their challenges. Throw in last week’s review, and all three pass interference challenges have failed to overturn the original call. I think we’re seeing a pretty high bar being set for when officials will be willing to change the call on the field
**** It makes sense testing this facet of the Instant Replay system in the pre-season. ****
-- Detroit elected to sit starting receivers Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola and Marvin Jones (who didn’t make the trip), but most of the rest of the starters played. The offensive lineup: LT Taylor Decker, LG Joe Dahl, C Frank Ragnow, RG Graham Glasgow, RT Rick Wagner, QB Josh Johnson, RB Kerryon Johnson, TE T.J. Hockenson, TE Jesse James, WR Tommylee Lewis and WR Chris Lacy.
**** Joe Dahl was called for a holding penalty and a false start. Otherwise, I thought he was solid. I still believe he's favorite to be the Lions starting LG. Kenny Wiggins was the Lions # 2 RT. I don't recall Wiggins getting any snaps at either Guard position in this game. If Wiggins contract doesn't cost him a roster spot, I think he will be a backup at both Guard and RT. Wiggins was adequate at RT. The rest of the Lions backup O-Lineman that played look like liabilities at this time. Rick Wagner and Frank Ragnow looked like the best performers of the Offensive Line starters. Chris Lacy didn't seem to do enough to help his cause. ****
-- Jarrad Davis, Trey Flowers and Snacks Harrison were the notable defensive starters to sit. That lineup: DL Fred Jones, DL A’Shawn Robinson, DL Romeo Okwara, LB Jahlani Tavai, LB Devon Kennard, LB Christian Jones, CB Rashaan Melvin, CB Darius Slay, CB Justin Coleman, S Quandre Diggs and S Tracy Walker.
**** i thought the play of Jahlani Tavai was favorable. Especially, against the run. The lack of pass rush made the starting DB's job more difficult. A'Shawn Robinson is not where he needs to be. Romeo Okwara was impactful in the 2nd QTR. Including, the forced fumble. Darius Slay performed well. ****
-- The matchup was the first ever in the preseason between the Lions and Texans.
-- Players who did not appear to make the trip for Detroit: Receiver Marvin Jones, defensive tackle Mike Daniels, defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, defensive end Austin Bryant and cornerback Teez Tabor.
This thread is a continuation of the following thread:
Lions at Texans preview: Pre-Season Game # 2 ( 2019 )
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/335/lions-texans-preview-season-game?page=1&scrollTo=1298
www.mlive.com/lions/2019/08/observations-lions-sit-matthew-stafford-struggle-again-in-30-23-loss.html
Observations: Lions sit Matthew Stafford, struggle again in 30-23 loss
Observations: Lions sit Matthew Stafford, struggle again in 30-23 loss
The Lions took on Houston in their second exhibition of the season on Saturday night.
Observations: Lions sit Matthew Stafford, struggle again in 30-23 loss
Updated Aug 18, 2:37 AM; Posted Aug 17, 2019
By Kyle Meinke | kmeinke@mlive.com
HOUSTON -- No Matthew Stafford. Same old problems for the Detroit Lions.
The Lions were outgained 113-13 in the first quarter, didn’t move the chains until the second quarter and didn’t score an offensive touchdown until midway through the third quarter of a 30-23 exhibition loss on Saturday night against the Houston Texans.
Zach Zenner finally ended the touchdown drought when he scored on a 5-yard pass from David Fales with 6:52 remaining in the third quarter. That snapped a skid of more than six quarters without an offensive touchdown to open the preseason for Detroit.
Rookie safety Will Harris actually got the defense on the board first, returning a fumble 19 yards for a second-quarter touchdown against Houston. Romeo Okwara forced the fumble, while Jamal Agnew helped keep the play alive.
It was a great, heady play that kept the Lions hanging around for a while despite their punchless offense. But the defense struggled to do much of anything too, especially with Deshaun Watson in the game. There was no pass rush whatsoever, and Watson was able to stuff 5 of his 7 passes down Detroit’s throat, for 60 yards and one touchdown on his lone series.
Running back Mark Thompson finished off the scoring for Detroit on a 1-yard touchdown run with 6:34 remaining in the game.
**** The forced fumble / fumble return for a TD was by far the highlight play for the Lions in the first 2 combined pre-season games.
Josh Johnson struggled for the most part. Maybe, Johnson will be sharper physically and mentally with more reps and snaps with the Lions. In this game, Johnson didn't look like a viable # 2 QB option.
David Fales was much better in Houston than vs. New England. Yet, I have major doubts he can be counted on to hold the fort as a # 2 QB.
Jake Rudock looked like a better option than the backup QBs currently on the Lions roster.
Bob Quinn needs to develop a QB. So far, it hasn't happened under his watch.
The Lions committed far too many penalties in this game.
Depth remains a major concern on the Offensive Line. ****
Here are some more observations from another messy night for Detroit:
-- Let’s just get the Matthew Stafford thing out of the way first, shall we? I don’t know what Matt Patricia will say after the game about why his quarterback didn’t play, but no matter the rationale, it’s peculiar as hell. Stafford has never sat two straight weeks in the preseason. Heck, he had never sat even one week until last year -- and even then, he got three series in Week 2. So why are they giving him more rest now? When he has a new offense to learn? And a new center too? And hasn’t exactly been lighting training camp on fire? Doesn’t he need more work, not less? My best guess is this was a way to protect Stafford after yet another up and down week of practice. (He also would have been playing with a slew of backup receivers, which wouldn’t exactly have helped him look any better.)
**** Hopefully, Matthew Stafford isn't dealing with a significant injury. If he is, the Lions season could already be on the verge of being derailed. The Lions would probably not win more than 2 games if Stafford is out. Another 0-16 season would realistically possible. The Lions might have the worst backup QB situation in the NFL. ****
-- Josh Johnson got the start at quarterback and played into the third quarter, which tells you all you need to know about David Fales. That guy isn’t making this team. The lingering question at quarterback is whether Johnson or Tom Savage will back up Stafford this season. Savage was the leader for the job, but suffered a brain injury in the opener and hasn’t practiced since. With three concussions in four years, the Lions are going to have some trepidation about trusting Savage to finish a game if needed.
Johnson impressed coaches by catching on quickly in practice, but struggled in a live setting. The Lions averaged fewer than a yard per play on his first two series against Houston. They didn’t have a first down on their first three series, and only got one on the fourth because of a 42-yard pass interference call -- a penalty that went for more yardage than Detroit’s other first 15 plays combined.
On eight series with Johnson under center, Detroit had five punts, one fumble, one pick and the one field goal because of the pass interference. His final line: 8 of 19 passing for 85 yards, no touchdowns, one pick and a QB rating of 40.3.
**** Hopefully, a game under Josh Johnson's belt will make a positive difference. I don't know if Johnson has enough physical talent at this stage of his career to compensate for him not joining the Lions until after the 1st pre-season game. I'm currently not optimistic that he can demonstrate enough positives in the final two pre-season games. ****
-- With all that said, David Fales did connect on deep passes to Travis Fulgham and Andy Jones to set up Detroit’s first offensive touchdown of the year, a 5-yarder pass to Zach Zenner midway through the third quarter. He’s almost certainly not making this team, but it was good to see him break up this miserable preseason with just a bit of -- dare I even say it? -- rhythm. He finished 12 of 19 passing for 226 yards, one touchdown and no picks. He even had a shot at the end zone to knot the score as time expired, but couldn’t connect with Brandon Powell.
**** Brandon Powell ( as a WR ) and Travis Fulgham helped their cause in this game. ****
-- By now you’re surely in need of some good news. So Kerryon Johnson, come on down. The second-year back looked fast and sharp in his first action of the preseason, turning three carries into 16 good yards before taking a seat for the night. Nothing wrong with that guy. That’s some grown-man football.
**** At most Kerryon Johnson should play two more series of downs in the pre-season. I would be comfortable if Kerryon Johnson is kept out of the remainder of the pre-season. ****
-- Matt Prater finally got the Lions on the board with a 49-yard field goal early in the second quarter. That’s the good news, I guess. But I don’t really understand why the Lions would kick the field goal there, rather than go for it on fourth-and-2 from Houston’s 32-yard line. Seems like Detroit would get more value out of that kind of high-pressure situation than some meaningless field goal from one of the most bankable kickers in the league.
**** Matt Prater didn't have the type of season in 2018 than he's accustomed too. I think it made sense attempting the 49 yard FG. It's also practice for others on the FG unit. ****
-- What do Graham Glasgow, Kenny Golladay and Tracy Walker have in common? Answer: They are Bob Quinn’s third-round picks. They also all played as rookies. Glasgow and Golladay even worked their way into the starting lineup in Year 1, with Glasgow overtaking a former first-round pick to do so. But I haven’t seen that same kind of upside from Will Harris, this year’s third-rounder. Not until Saturday night, anyway.
Harris capped a big first half by returning a fumble 19 yards for a touchdown. He also broke up a pass and finished with a team-high six tackles. Then again, he was also beat for a 5-yard touchdown (that won’t show up in the box score because of a penalty away from the ball). I still don’t think he’ll play much defensively this year, with Walker, Quandre Diggs, Tavon Wilson and probably Andrew Adams all ahead of him.
**** I thought Will Harris was more consistent vs the Patriots than ladt night. He also got beat to the outside in Man Coverage in a 3rd and 6 situation. That resulted in a 1st Down.
-- Speaking of Adams, yes, he picked off yet another pass. That’s something we’ve seen from him throughout camp, time and time and time again. He also picked off four passes in Tampa last year. He just seems to have a nose for the ball, and that’s a big reason why he was brought in. Detroit forced just 14 takeaways last season, fewer than everyone except San Francisco.
-- Then again, Adams was posterized on another play.
**** The interception was impressive. However, his tackling, which was problematic before he got to Detroit, still is. He also didn't show enough range over the top on a completion. Adams is far from a lock in surviving the cut to 53, let alone being on the 53 man opening day roster. ****
-- Patricia said while the tape was bad from Week 1, he liked what he saw from Jalen Reeves-Maybin against New England. The same could be said of Week 2. The Lions might have struggled on both sides of the ball, but Reeves-Maybin had himself a bit of a night while he was out there, including registering a tackle for loss and pass breakup on back-to-back plays in the first half. He finished with five tackles, just one off the team lead.
**** JRM looked like he had the best splash play/ consistency combination of all of the Lions players on either side of the ball. Despite being undersized in this Defensive scheme, JRM looks like he has a great chance to be on the Lions opening day 53 man roster. With plenty of playing time on Defense. ****
-- The Amani Oruwariye film, on the other hand, won’t look so good. The rookie was beat a few more times against Houston, including getting flagged for a 36-yard pass interference that turned a third-and-5 into a first-and-goal from the 5.
**** Expected growing pains. It's good that Amari Ourwariye is getting plenty of snaps on Defense in the pre-season. ****
-- Patricia and Texans coach Bill O’Brien tested the new pass interference rule once apiece. Both lost their challenges. Throw in last week’s review, and all three pass interference challenges have failed to overturn the original call. I think we’re seeing a pretty high bar being set for when officials will be willing to change the call on the field
**** It makes sense testing this facet of the Instant Replay system in the pre-season. ****
-- Detroit elected to sit starting receivers Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola and Marvin Jones (who didn’t make the trip), but most of the rest of the starters played. The offensive lineup: LT Taylor Decker, LG Joe Dahl, C Frank Ragnow, RG Graham Glasgow, RT Rick Wagner, QB Josh Johnson, RB Kerryon Johnson, TE T.J. Hockenson, TE Jesse James, WR Tommylee Lewis and WR Chris Lacy.
**** Joe Dahl was called for a holding penalty and a false start. Otherwise, I thought he was solid. I still believe he's favorite to be the Lions starting LG. Kenny Wiggins was the Lions # 2 RT. I don't recall Wiggins getting any snaps at either Guard position in this game. If Wiggins contract doesn't cost him a roster spot, I think he will be a backup at both Guard and RT. Wiggins was adequate at RT. The rest of the Lions backup O-Lineman that played look like liabilities at this time. Rick Wagner and Frank Ragnow looked like the best performers of the Offensive Line starters. Chris Lacy didn't seem to do enough to help his cause. ****
-- Jarrad Davis, Trey Flowers and Snacks Harrison were the notable defensive starters to sit. That lineup: DL Fred Jones, DL A’Shawn Robinson, DL Romeo Okwara, LB Jahlani Tavai, LB Devon Kennard, LB Christian Jones, CB Rashaan Melvin, CB Darius Slay, CB Justin Coleman, S Quandre Diggs and S Tracy Walker.
**** i thought the play of Jahlani Tavai was favorable. Especially, against the run. The lack of pass rush made the starting DB's job more difficult. A'Shawn Robinson is not where he needs to be. Romeo Okwara was impactful in the 2nd QTR. Including, the forced fumble. Darius Slay performed well. ****
-- The matchup was the first ever in the preseason between the Lions and Texans.
-- Players who did not appear to make the trip for Detroit: Receiver Marvin Jones, defensive tackle Mike Daniels, defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, defensive end Austin Bryant and cornerback Teez Tabor.
This thread is a continuation of the following thread:
Lions at Texans preview: Pre-Season Game # 2 ( 2019 )
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/335/lions-texans-preview-season-game?page=1&scrollTo=1298