2021 Pre-season thread

[Gulf of Brazil]

well, this seems the norm

Da’Shawn Hand left practice early with a leg injury

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

With Breshad Perriman still not participating in team drills, Kalif Raymond was repping with the first-team offense as the outside receiver opposite Tyrell Williams. Raymond had a big play on a one-minute drill (more on that later), and he pulled a brilliant double move against the second-team defense that had safety Alijah Holder reacting a bit too late.

His ability to play inside and outside makes him pretty darn close to a roster lock. Just look at what Dan Campbell had to say about him.

“Kalif’s a stud. He embodies everything we’re about. Anybody that has flexibility, versatility, position, flex, smart, on top of the ability that he has, it helps significantly.”

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

PK is gonna suck this year too no matter who they bring in
Should Bullock stay, asking him to connect on any FG over 45 yards is like a coin flip

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Lions sign kicker Zane Gonzalez, waive Matthew Wright

The quest to find a kicker rolls on.

www.prideofdetroit.com

The Lions’ kicker battle has been lackluster at best. Ten-year veteran Randy Bullock has been consistent from short distances but has struggled with the lengthier kicks, missing most of his attempts from beyond 50 yards. Wright struggled with consistency in both areas.

Gonzalez was a seventh-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2017 (pick No. 224 overall), but after a rookie season that saw him connect on just 75 percent of his kicks, his status was vulnerable. In 2018, he missed three of his first five attempts and was released after just two weeks.

Two months later, the Arizona Cardinals needed a replacement kicker after starter Phil Dawson was injured. The Cardinals signed Gonzalez and he would successfully connect on seven of his nine attempts to close the 2018 season. In 2019, Gonzalez found his groove and nailed 31 of his 35 attempts, and earned a second-round RFA tender from the Cardinals. 2020, was a bit rockier and a back injury landed him on injured reserve after 12 games.

At just 26 years old, Gonzalez has struggled with consistency, but he has successfully made field goals longer than 50 yards (56 is career-high) recently, including six of his nine attempts while in Arizona.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

St.Brown might wanna temper his hurdling over players before he ends up like Hockenson

You may remember from last week that Detroit Lions rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown has made a habit of showing off his hurdling abilities during the team’s one-on-one tackling drills. He did it on the first day of pads last Wednesday, then he did it again on Friday to Lions No. 1 cornerback Jeff Okudah.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

nothing major with injuries to Hock and Hand

buttttttt

Onwuzurike

Da’Shawn Hand, T.J. Hockenson’s injuries ‘minor’, Levi Onwuzurike will practice next week

Good news on the Lions injury front.

www.prideofdetroit.com

The Lions head coach also provided an update on second-round rookie Levi Onwuzurike, who has been held out almost all of training camp with an unknown issue. As it turns out, Onwuzurike is dealing with some injuries from his college days at Washington, including a tight back, that they wanted to make sure was completely right before throwing him into contact.

“So we wanted just to get some clarity on where that was at. We’ve sent him around to a couple of specialists—just making sure—and everything seems to be good,” Campbell said. “So we just chose that, let’s just really think about rehab, strengthening, things of that nature this week, and then let’s fire it up next week. So you’ll see him next week is the plan.”

Obviously, there is some concern that a young player like him is not getting the early reps he needs to be ready for the start of the regular season, but Campbell didn’t seem too worried.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Detroit Lions sign RB Javon Leake, waive/injured RB Michael Warren

Leake is a spark plug player with return ability.

www.prideofdetroit.com

Leake, 6-foot-0 and 215 pounds, is most successful at outside zone runs where he can create big gains when he gets to the edge. He possesses one-cut agility—a trend among Lion’s backs—and his acceleration affords him the potential to create plays as a situational back. His ability to throw his hat into the mix in both kick and punt returns is a bonus that could help him stick around the roster—even if it’s only on the practice squad.

Leake had only 155 total touches at Maryland, but he gambled on his skill set and jumped to the NFL after his junior season in 2020. With COVID-19 limiting his ability to showcase his athleticism and sparse game film, Leake went undrafted and signed with the New York Giants. He was released at cutdowns and eventually signed with Washington Football Team as a practice squad player.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

^^^^^^

Leake has ability in both KR/PR

ouch !!!!

 

[Mebert]

nothing major with injuries to Hock and Hand

buttttttt

Onwuzurike

Da’Shawn Hand, T.J. Hockenson’s injuries ‘minor’, Levi Onwuzurike will practice next week

Good news on the Lions injury front.

www.prideofdetroit.com

The Lions head coach also provided an update on second-round rookie Levi Onwuzurike, who has been held out almost all of training camp with an unknown issue. As it turns out, Onwuzurike is dealing with some injuries from his college days at Washington, including a tight back, that they wanted to make sure was completely right before throwing him into contact.

“So we wanted just to get some clarity on where that was at. We’ve sent him around to a couple of specialists—just making sure—and everything seems to be good,” Campbell said. “So we just chose that, let’s just really think about rehab, strengthening, things of that nature this week, and then let’s fire it up next week. So you’ll see him next week is the plan.”

Obviously, there is some concern that a young player like him is not getting the early reps he needs to be ready for the start of the regular season, but Campbell didn’t seem too worried.

I don't mind giving him a shot to completely recover. Early snaps is great, but I would rather miss those and start with a clean bill of health than risk his back becoming a chronic issue. Hopefully he hits the ground running, but by the sounds of things, the slow start will make it a tough spot with McNeill killing by all reports.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I don't mind giving him a shot to completely recover. Early snaps is great, but I would rather miss those and start with a clean bill of health than risk his back becoming a chronic issue. Hopefully he hits the ground running, but by the sounds of things, the slow start will make it a tough spot with McNeill killing by all reports.

completely agree with you regarding the staff being conservative in their approach to getting him on the field and not making the problem worse.

Whether incoming rookie or already some existence as a Pro player, reading about player x having a back injury is a little deflating. I hope the kid comes through this as nothing more than a bump in the early going. He didn't play in 2020 so conditioning may have already been an issue. We'll see what transpires.

 

[Mebert]

completely agree with you regarding the staff being conservative in their approach to getting him on the field and not making the problem worse.

Whether incoming rookie or already some existence as a Pro player, reading about player x having a back injury is a little deflating. I hope the kid comes through this as nothing more than a bump in the early going. He didn't play in 2020 so conditioning may have already been an issue. We'll see what transpires.

I was also wrong about competing with McNeill, he needs to compete against Nick Williams/Hand.

Brockers has one side locked down, but the other is looking to get filled with 2 injury risks and a journeyman. If Onwuzurike and Hand both stay healthy that is a good 3 man rotation and a solid 4th in Williams.

 

[Old Lion]

I'll go all PFF - the bad scores - on you - as it was against alize mack and dan skipper for 2 of his three sacks

Detroit Lions training camp Day 12 observations: 1-minute drill struggles

The Lions offense needs a little more urgency.

www.prideofdetroit.com

Bryant picked up three sacks during team drills, two of them on back-to-back plays.

On the first, he simply beat Dan Skipper to the edge. The next play, the Lions tried to put a tight end in front of him (Alize Mack). Bryant easily disposed of him and came crashing down on the quarterback again.

Outside linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard was impressed with big plays here and there, but he still looking for consistency from Bryant.

“He’s catching my eye as well. Just with him, like I said, you can flash, but this isn’t a flash business,” Sheppard said. “You better have a level of consistency that’s continuing to ascend, ascend, ascend as the year goes on.”

Though he did say that level of consistency is starting to come with Bryant.

It is better to hear about him beating these guys routinely then not hear about him beating them.

 

[Old Lion]

PK is gonna suck this year too no matter who they bring in
Should Bullock stay, asking him to connect on any FG over 45 yards is like a coin flip

I would take Gonzalez over those other 2 any day. They both suck.

 

[Old Lion]

nothing major with injuries to Hock and Hand

buttttttt

Onwuzurike

Da’Shawn Hand, T.J. Hockenson’s injuries ‘minor’, Levi Onwuzurike will practice next week

Good news on the Lions injury front.

www.prideofdetroit.com

The Lions head coach also provided an update on second-round rookie Levi Onwuzurike, who has been held out almost all of training camp with an unknown issue. As it turns out, Onwuzurike is dealing with some injuries from his college days at Washington, including a tight back, that they wanted to make sure was completely right before throwing him into contact.

“So we wanted just to get some clarity on where that was at. We’ve sent him around to a couple of specialists—just making sure—and everything seems to be good,” Campbell said. “So we just chose that, let’s just really think about rehab, strengthening, things of that nature this week, and then let’s fire it up next week. So you’ll see him next week is the plan.”

Obviously, there is some concern that a young player like him is not getting the early reps he needs to be ready for the start of the regular season, but Campbell didn’t seem too worried.

I don't mind giving him a shot to completely recover. Early snaps is great, but I would rather miss those and start with a clean bill of health than risk his back becoming a chronic issue. Hopefully he hits the ground running, but by the sounds of things, the slow start will make it a tough spot with McNeill killing by all reports.

completely agree with you regarding the staff being conservative in their approach to getting him on the field and not making the problem worse.

Whether incoming rookie or already some existence as a Pro player, reading about player x having a back injury is a little deflating. I hope the kid comes through this as nothing more than a bump in the early going. He didn't play in 2020 so conditioning may have already been an issue. We'll see what transpires.

I was also wrong about competing with McNeill, he needs to compete against Nick Williams/Hand.

Brockers has one side locked down, but the other is looking to get filled with 2 injury risks and a journeyman. If Onwuzurike and Hand both stay healthy that is a good 3 man rotation and a solid 4th in Williams.

I was wondering why PJ Johnson was back. I was hoping we kept him last year at least on the practice squad.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I was also wrong about competing with McNeill, he needs to compete against Nick Williams/Hand.

welcome to my and @Old Lion dilemma.

we knew what you were referencing.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

It is better to hear about him beating these guys routinely then not hear about him beating them.

should he stay healthy, Bryant, - a Huge If - and continues to ascend in his play then I'd expect Charles Harris to get the boot as the latter has struggled against sealing the edge during camp and his lack of pass rush doesn't help his chances either. At best, I doubt Harris makes it past game 3 or 4.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I was wondering why PJ Johnson was back. I was hoping we kept him last year at least on the practice squad.

because the dumbasses running and ruining the team struggled to get anything right when it came to personnel decisions

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

He GONE

Roster impact of the Lions releasing CB Quinton Dunbar

All of the sudden, the Lions are lacking veteran depth on the outside.

www.prideofdetroit.com

Unfortunately, Dunbar’s departure leaves the Lions in a precarious spot, but they appeared to be planning for this situation during the past week of training camp.

“Mike Ford is going to transition a little from nickel going to outside,” coach Dan Campbell said. “We’re going to get a pretty good look at him out there, too. So it just - he gives us more flexibility and a guy who’s done it and played it, knows it. That was really kind of the premise behind doing it.”

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Looks like Oruwariye and Ford to battle it out for the CB2 position

We'll probably see another pick-up for outside CB relatively soon

2022 draft has better outside CB prospects than this past year

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I'm also anticipating the Lions to pick up a vet RB to add as RB4 to the mix with Swift, J. Williams and Jefferson.

Maybe not until final cuts are made or possibly not until after game 1 or 2.