As we wrap up the Lions’ trip to New Jersey and look ahead to a week of practice before another road game against the Kansas City Chiefs, here are five things we’re watching and thinking about.
▶ Could a change at QB be in the works?
Since Thursday night, there have been increasing calls to bring in experienced quarterback Ryan Tannehill as a replacement for the Lions, like Teddy Bridgewater did the season before. But this time, it’s not that easy.
The Lions Love Nate Sudfeld for what he does in the room. Coaches and players have repeatedly praised his ability to be a second set of eyes for starter Jared Goff. Sudfeld is also a big supporter of Hendon Hooker, evidenced by the fact that he was able to openly praise Hooker after a very disappointing night for himself in the season opener. It’s an advantage to have him there, whether you see it or not.
The ideal scenario would always have been for Hooker to emerge as a reliable backup option. Unless the long-term concerns surrounding his concussion are too great, it will be difficult to convince a player of Tannehill’s caliber – he lost his starting spot less than 12 months ago – to join a team hoping to demote him to third quarterback at some point.
Outside of Tannehill, the options are rather uninspiring: Trevor Siemian, Blaine Gabbert, Brian Hoyer and AJ McCarron are among the best players available. Maybe they’ll bring in a player if Hooker misses a week or two, but none of those players represent a huge upgrade over Sudfeld’s on-field skills. It’s probably safe to assume they’ll hold out for at least another week.
▶ Who wants a job? CB edition
The Lions’ three cornerbacks were among the best defenders on the field on Thursday night. Even before Emmanuel Moseley’s injury (and especially after), it was safe to assume that Amik Robertson would soon be an important player at the slot corner position. In addition, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. took a big step forward with his performance, while Terrion Arnold We know this guy is going to be a starter and we just want him to see what a live game looks like Treatment.
Although Kindle Vildor has the advantage of being in the starting lineup late in the season, he still has to break away from Khalil Dorsey and Steven Gilmore. Right now, it’s hard to say how many spots are open for that trio. The Lions retained seven cornerbacks last year, and one could argue that Moseley’s injury keeps two – or even all three – players in line for a spot on the roster once cutback day arrives. But players across the roster are showing potential on special teams, so it’s not a given that they’ll take on a role there. Safety Brandon Joseph has been strong in coverage aside from his simple interception, and Morice Norris, who admittedly struggled quite a bit in the season opener, has been one of the biggest surprises of camp. For all three returning cornerbacks at the bottom of the order, now is the time.
▶ Which linebacker(s) will maintain the momentum?
Depending on how you want to rank James Houston, there are probably five surefire linebackers: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Malcolm Rodriguez. The Lions had six linebackers on the initial 53-man roster last year and five the year before that, so there aren’t many jobs up for grabs in that area – especially with Reeves-Maybin (a 2023 Special Teams All-Pro) and Rodriguez contributing significantly on special teams.
Still, there were a few linebackers that gave the coaching staff some pause. Veterans Malik Jefferson and Ben Niemann performed well against the Giants, while DaRon Gilbert’s play was a little more inconsistent, but that’s to be expected from a UDFA playing middle linebacker for the first time in the NFL. Gilbert also tied for the most snaps (40) of any defensive player on the roster. This will be one of the battles to keep an eye on in the second week of preseason play.
▶ Is there still time for Betts?
The most surprising number in the Lions’ snap count on Thursday night was seven – the number posted by edge rusher Mathieu Betts. Even Hogan Hatten, a UDFA competing for the long snapper job, was able to nearly match him defensively. Hatten logged five snaps at linebacker and had two tackle assists.
Betts, the reigning best defensive player in the Canadian Football League, has slowly slipped down the rankings since arriving in Detroit as a free agent last spring. After the Lions held off on signing linebacker SAM, it was fair to wonder if he would be strong in the area where he excels – the passing game. But so far, he just hasn’t produced much to write home about, and with UDFAs Isaac Ukwu and Nate Lynn shining against the Giants, you have to wonder if Betts can overcome his setbacks.
The caveat is that Lynn suffered a shoulder injury that knocked him out of the loss, but if he can play this week, expect the Lions to give him every opportunity to build on his performance.
▶ Who wants a job? WR edition
The receiver topic has been covered at length throughout camp (and especially in the days following Thursday’s opening game), but since this is one of the few areas on the field where starting positions are still available, we’ll just have to keep discussing it.
Will Daurice Fountain continue to get the majority of first-team action after his Thursday night exit? Has UDFA Isaiah Williams (four catches on four attempts) done enough to establish himself as a player to keep? After a three-catch night was cut short by a concussion, what will Antoine Green be able to show in practice and preseason in the coming weeks?
There has been very little movement among the reserve receivers throughout camp, so we are paying close attention to whether the disappointing team performance impacts individual training opportunities.
@nolanbianchi
