Jamal Agnew of the Detroit Lions spoke with press reporters after a march on Belle Isle on Friday, June 5, 2020.
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Detroit Free Press
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field, Dec. 15, 2019. ( Photo: Tim Fuller, USA TODAY Sports).
Matthew Stafford is without a doubt the most essential gamer on the Lions roster. If Stafford plays well this fall, the Lions have an opportunity to surprise– and considering hell go 10 months between video games, there will be plenty of eyes on him in training camp.
Asking Okudah to be a Pro Bowl gamer off the bat is unjust, however the Lions do require him to be a capable, difference-making starter as a novice. Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson catches the very first goal pass as Kansas City Chiefs protective back Bashaud Breeland attempts to tackle him throughout the video game against the Kansas City Chiefs, at Ford Field, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. Hockenson isnt the only young gamer the Lions require to take a huge step forward this fall.
Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson catches the very first touchdown pass as Kansas City Chiefs protective back Bashaud Breeland tries to tackle him throughout the game against the Kansas City Chiefs, at Ford Field, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. The Lions lost, 34-30. ( Photo: Anntaninna Biondo, Detroit Free Press).
The young and agitated.
Hockenson isnt the only young player the Lions need to take a big step forward this fall. DaShawn Hand, Austin Bryant, Amani Oruwariye, Will Harris and perhaps even David Blough are under-the-radar players who might be asked to play bigger-than-expected functions at some point.
Household reunion.
The Lions didnt go bananas in free firm this spring. Rather, they generated some aging veterans with experience in Matt Patricias defense. Danny Shelton and Duron Harmon are anticipated to start at nose take on and free safety, respectively, but Jamie Collins is possibly the defensive beginner with the possibility to make the biggest impact. Collins played his best football in a couple stints with the New England Patriots, however he was less effective outside of Bill Belichicks lair. He can play and rush the passer off the ball, and he offers Patricia choices at linebacker. How the Lions utilize him this summer will provide everybody a concept of what they have in shop for Jarrad Davis, Jahlani Tavai, Christian Jones and Julian Okwara as well.
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[Canceling NFL preseason video games is ideal decision, but it could injure these Lions] Corner shop.
The Lions made 2 vibrant choices this offseason, trading Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles and utilizing their No. 3 overall badger Jeff Okudah to change him. Okudah is one of the very best cornerbacks to come out of college in the last few years, but its rare players at that position go in the leading 3 and nearly as rare that they are available in and star right away. Asking Okudah to be a Pro Bowl gamer off the bat is unjust, but the Lions do require him to be a capable, difference-making starter as a rookie. He has the work ethic and drive to be a star in time, and a couple veterans around him in Justin Coleman and Desmond Trufant who can assist him be successful early.
T.J. Time.
T.J. Hockenson had a beast debut, then vanished for the next few months prior to an ankle injury ended his novice season. The Lions are counting on him to be a bigger part of their offense this fall, and training school is his chance to show he can be the consistent gamer they prefer, both as a blocker and receiver. The five NFL teams that utilized 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) the most last season all made the playoffs, and the Lions have lots of two-tight sets in their playbook. They require Hockenson to be healthy and efficient to get the most out of their offense.
Hes back.
Matthew Stafford is without a doubt the most important player on the Lions roster. He played some of the finest football of his career in the first half of last season, then sat out the final eight games with a back injury. Stafford is healthy now and has actually been throwing with colleagues this offseason, however hes 32 and has actually handled back damaged bones in his back each of the last two years. No one would dare call Stafford delicate, but its fair to worry about his back at this point– especially considering that hell be playing behind an offending line with at least 40% turnover. If Stafford plays well this fall, the Lions have a possibility to surprise– and considering hell go 10 months in between video games, there will be lots of eyes on him in training school.
Lets take COVID-19 out of this for a minute, since theres no telling how much havoc the pandemic will wreak on training school across the NFL. Players will check positive and miss practice or workout time, and everybody hopes thats the least of their problems.
Teams have actually reconfigured locker spaces and training centers, and will host conferences in virtual, outside or small-group settings, to prevent the spread and try of the infection. Ingress and egress to structures has actually altered, and everyday schedules remain a work in development.
[Lions expect decreased capability in your home video games; masks will be required]
Those changes present brand-new obstacles to NFL groups as they open training school this week, and then theres the football to determine.
Detroit Lions players are scheduled to report Tuesday for their first round of coronavirus screening. Theyre a few weeks away from their a genuine, live practice, however when they lastly on the field, here are 5 things Ill be seeing in training school.
