Post by D6 on Aug 30, 2019 5:21:47 GMT -5
Thoughts in ****
www.mlive.com/lions/2019/08/observations-lions-cap-first-winless-preseason-since-1989-with-loss-against-browns.html
Observations: Lions cap first winless preseason since 1989 with loss against Browns
Updated 2:16 AM; Posted Aug 29, 10:52 PM
By Kyle Meinke | kmeinke@mlive.com
CLEVELAND -- The worst part about this game is that someone actually got a trophy for it.
Listen, we all know the deal when it comes to preseason finales. Teams are going to rest anyone with a name you’re actually going to hear on Sundays, and empty their benches onto the field for something NFL executives would like you to call “football.” But Detroit’s 20-16 loss on Thursday night against Cleveland was especially unappetizing.The teams had more penalties (14) and punts (13) than points (12) in the first half of the game. Detroit had more penalty yardage (60) than total yardage (40), and quarterback Tom Savage net just 6 yards on nine pass attempts before leaving the game at halftime.
Of course, a lot of that had to do with the pressure he and every other quarterback continues to take behind Detroit’s backup offensive line. Savage was sacked for a 7-yard loss on the first play of the game, and three times overall.
Savage was making his first appearance since suffering a concussion in the preseason opener against New England, but all that pressure made it difficult to get any kind of evaluation on him. He completed 5 of 9 passes for 33 yards on seven drives, six of which ended in punts. (The other was the end of the first half.)
The Lions mustered just two points heading into the break, and even those came courtesy of a Browns penalty in the end zone.
They finally got on track in the second half when Jonathan Wynn tipped a pass that Johnathan Alston intercepted, and if you’ve never heard of either of those guys, well, welcome to the fourth game of the preseason. Josh Johnson, who relieved Savage at quarterback, capped the ensuing drive with a nifty little 1-yard touchdown run that drew Detroit within a 10-9 score.
But Ryan Santoso missed a go-ahead field-goal attempt from 51 yards in the third quarter, Cleveland tacked on a touchdown early in the fourth quarter and then held off a late rally by ending the game with -- what else? -- yet another sack.
Cleveland captured the Great Lakes Classic Trophy (no, really, there is actually a trophy) while the Lions went home winless in the preseason for the first time since 1989.
**** The 0-4 pre-season record by the Lions is meaningless by itself. What isn't meaningless for the Lions is the team's Offensive Line depth is as concerning as I can recall in a pre-season. Bob Quinn needs to address the Lions Offensive Line depth.
Tom Savage reminds me of David Fales in terms of his football instincts seem off. It's indeed hard to make a thorough evaluation of Savage because of the inability of the Lions to handle the Browns pass rush. Even with that, Josh Johnson probably is the better # 2 QB option. Johnson has much more NFL exposure. That can aid Matthew Stafford with preparation. If Stafford is sidelined for an extended period, it probably won't matter which of the current Lions backup QBs is in the game.
On a positive note on Offense, Travis Fulgham helped his cause with a strong receiving game.
Defensively, the Lions Defensive Line roster decisions are going to be more difficult than was the case going into the game. A number of D-Lineman stepped up. Eric Lee might have helped his cause as much as any Lions player. Kevin Strong and P.J. Johnson look like they have NFL futures. Mitchell Loewen forced a holding penalty on a passing play. I was surprised Loewen was in the game very late. For a player who isn't a rookie or in his 2nd pre-season as an NFL player, being in a pre-season game late is not a favorable situation to be in. ****
Let’s just get to the observations, and for the love of God, on to the regular season.
-- If the Lions are looking for the best arm to back up Matthew Stafford, then they should go with Tom Savage. He has a strong arm and has been around long enough to know the offense better than the other backups. But man do I like Josh Johnson. His running ability is such a contrast to Stafford, which could pose some challenges for a defense if he ever did get into a game. That was a nice little cut he put on the defender on his touchdown run. He also piloted a 91-yard touchdown drive with his arm, by the way, connecting with Travis Fulgham on a 52-yard bomb before finding Isaac Nauta streaking down the right sideline for a 20-yard score. He finished 9 of 15 passing for 157 yards, one touchdown and no picks.-
**** Josh Johnson hasn't be in the Lions Offense even close to as long as Tom Savage. However, Johnson has been in the NFL much longer and doesn't have Savage's concussion history. I prefer Johnson. ****
- The fourth preseason game is such a waste that you often learn more by who doesn’t play than who does. Consider Teez Tabor as Exhibit A. He sat out the game with the rest of the starters, which is probably a good sign of his roster chances. It’s possible he was held out because two practices wasn’t enough for him to get his conditioning up after that leg injury, but more likely, he’s already sewn up a roster job. The injury threw a wrinkle into his evaluation, but he was practicing well throughout the spring and early summer. He’s probably going to be the top outside guy off the bench.
**** I have doubts that Teez Tabor will be on the Lions opening day 53 man roster. He realistically could still be dealing with an injury that could land him on a version of IR. Tabor didn't play in any of the pre-season games. How can the team brass have confidence in him? The Practice Squad could also be an option the Lions attempt with Tabor. ****
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-- Oday Aboushi and Kenny Wiggins also did not play, which indicates they’ve likely wrapped up bench jobs on the offensive line.
**** At the very least, both very likely will survive the cutdown to 53. ****
-- One offensive lineman who did play was Tyrell Crosby, although he probably wishes he hadn’t. Crosby committed two penalties on Detroit’s first four plays of the game, then added another holding call that wiped out a 25-yard run by Mark Thompson. That play would have been Detroit’s longest run of the night.
****Tyrell Crosby looked like he has a bright future on some plays. But on other plays, he looked rusty at best. He doesn't look like an even solid option in the beginning of the regular season. Having said that, the Lions probably will be patient with Crosby. I expect him to be on the Lions opening day 53 man roster. ****
-- Those who did start on offense: LT Tyrell Crosby, LG Beau Benzschawel, C Leo Koloamatangi, RG Luke Bowanko, RT Andrew Donnal, RB Mark Thompson, TE Isaac Nauta (at fullback), TE Jerome Cunningham, WR Travis Fulgham and WR Chris Lacy.-
**** Mark Thompson helped his cause as a runner and receiver. What hurts his cause is he badly was beat in a blitz pickup situation. Thompson is probably around 50-50 or a little less to survive the cutdown to 53. ****
- And while we’re at it, the starting defense: DL Jonathan Wynn, DL John Atkins, DL Kevin Strong, DL Eric Lee, LB Garret Dooley, LB Anthony Pittman, CB Mike Ford, CB Andre Chachere, CB Amani Oruwariye, S Will Harris and S Andrew Adams.
**** Andrew Adams was in The game very late. That doesn't bode well for him.****
-- Rookie Amani Oruwariye started the game at cornerback and figured to get his longest playing time for the foreseeable future, but suffered a leg injury while covering a punt in the second quarter. He tried to tough it out, but was beat on back-to-back plays on defense before coming out of the game. He was evaluated by trainers for a couple minutes, then headed to the locker room. The fifth-round pick was not expected to contribute this season, barring injury, which is a luxury Detroit has because of the depth at cornerback. This is supposed to be a sort of “redshirt” year for a guy like that, where he can learn the ropes while practicing behind veterans such as Darius Slay, Rashaan Melvin and Justin Coleman.
**** The injury explains the sudden struggles. Early in the game, Amani Oruwariye was having a strong CB performance. Not just in coverage. ****
-- Give Brandon Powell credit. His roster chances aren’t good -- he was out on my last projection, and will be out on my next one too -- but he’s not going out without a fight. He returned one kick 67 yards, had another long one called back and averaged 33.0 yards per return for the game.-
**** Brandon Powell helped his cause because of his kickoff returns. Yet, he didn't do much as a WR. I hope the Lions don't expose him to waivers. But he is at best a 50-50 shot to stick through the cutdown to 53.****
- There weren’t too many jobs legitimately up for grabs in this game, and I doubt running back was one of them. But with Zach Zenner getting cut earlier this week, Mark Thompson became the default leader for the RB4 job if Detroit elected to keep one. He didn’t exactly help himself against the Browns, though. After Powell’s 67-yard kick return gave Detroit its first scoring opportunity, Thompson was blown up in pass protection for a 6-yard loss, then had the ball glance off his hands on the next play. That pushed Detroit out of field-goal ranged and forced a punt. Yet. Another. Punt. Thompson finished with a team-high 35 yards on 11 carries.
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**** Mark Thompson did show promise as a receiver in this game. Including, after the catch ability. The issue that hurts his chances the most from the game was the poor blitz pickup. ****
- C.J. Moore faces an uphill battle onto the roster, but man can that guy play some special teams. He teamed up with Charles Washington to completely stop a gunner in his tracks on punt team, and later dove to keep a ball out of the end zone on punt coverage. The ball was downed inside the 5 by Mike Ford.
**** A penalty by C.J. Moore on Special Teams is what he didn't need. I think he probably will have to go the P.S. route. ****
The greatest surprise to me in this game is Charles Washington was used extensively on Special Teams. His chances of being with the Lions on Saturday Night is less than I thought was the case. I hope the Lions keep him but I'm concerned.
I didn't notice Dee Virgin in the game. If this wasn't injury related, Virgin has a good chance of surviving the cut to 53. Tavon Wilson apparently didn't play as well. That would be good news for him if he's not dealing with a significant injury. ****
-- In addition to Alston, Jamar Summers also picked off a pass for Detroit. It was really a very nice play, again, on a night just too devoid of them.
**** Jamar Summers looks like a good P.S. option. ****
-- PA announcers in Cleveland said T.J. Hockenson made a catch, when T.J. Hockenson didn’t even play in the game. They said Ty Johnson made a tackle, when Ty Johnson didn’t even play in the game (and plays on offense when he does). And my personal favorite, they said David Fales threw multiple passes when David Fales was cut by Detroit earlier in the week. Which leads me to my final point ...-
**** The Lions blue jersey numbers are even harder to identify than the white jersey numbers. ****
- For the love of all that is holy, cut the preseason to two or three games. Just do it already. This is bad, unwatchable football. You’ve got former players in the press box saying this is the worst (bleep) they’ve ever seen. And they’re right. Yes, OK, preseason games are extra opportunities for players to get on tape. But teams and players will adjust. This game was just so unnecessary. Did we really learn anything we didn’t already know about anybody?
**** Eric Lee looked better in this game than any game last season he played in or before he got hurt this pre-season. If Lee is on the Lions opening day roster, this pre-season game likely would be a major factor.****
......
This new thread is a continuation of the following thread:
Lions at Browns preview: Pre-Season Game # 4 ( 2019 )
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/354/lions-browns-preview-season-game
This thread relates to the following thread:
Lions projected 53 man roster ( 2019 season )
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/334/lions-projected-roster-2019-season