By George B. Eichorn
Year 2 of the Matt Patricia Era is here. The Detroit Lions visit the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday, September 8, 4:25 p.m. kickoff, as they open the new National Football League season. WJBK/ FOX 2 has the game along with WJR-AM 760.
Patricia hopes to improve upon the 6-10 record of one season ago with about a 45 percent roster change taking place at Ford Field and in Allen Park. Matthew Stafford, 31, returns for his 11th season as starting quarterback. He was given a six-day throwing break in training camp and played in just one of Detroit’s four pre-season losses. A back injury hampered Stafford last season. There’s little depth in backup QBs John Johnson and David Blough.
New offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell tries to improve upon the dismal Lions rankings of 2018: 24th in yards per game and 25th in points per game. A run-heavy approach to the offense is entirely likely as the club stocked up with rushers such as Kerryon Johnson, C.J. Anderson, Ty Johnson, Nick Bawden and J.D. McKissic.
The receiving corps features top Lions draft pick T.J. Hockensonand Jesse James at tight end. Wide-outs are Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Armendola, Travis Fulgham and Chris Lacy.
Center Frank Ragnow was injured in week three of the pre-season as was starting linebacker Jarrad Davis. Both should be healthy soon the club hopes. On the Detroit 0-line are Taylor Decker, Joe Dahl, Graham Glasgow, Rick Wagner, OdayAboushi, Tyrell Crosby, Breau Benzschawel, Kenny Wiggins and Ragnow.
The defensive line is anchored by former New England standout Trey Flowers with Romeo Okwara, Damon (Snacks) Harrison, Mike Daniels, A’Shawn Robinson, De’Shawn Hand, Kevin Strong and Austin Bryant. Linebackers with Davis are Christian Jones, Devon Kennard, second-round pick Jahlani Tavai, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Miles Killebrew.
The Lions secondary is led by Pro Bowler Darius Slay with Rashaan Melvin, Justin Coleman, Jamel Agnew, Amani Oruwarlye, Dee Virgin, Mike Ford, Tracy Walker, QuandreDiggs, Tavon Wilson, Will Harris and C. J. Moore. The specialists are placekicker Matt Prater, punter Sam Martin and long-snapper Don Muhlbach.
The team’s practice quad includes DT John Atkins, WR Jonathan Duhard and Tom Kennedy, LB Steve Longa, Jason Cabinda and Anthony Pittmam, TE Isaac Nauta, OT Matt Nelson, RB Mark Thompson and DE Jonathan Wynn.
The Lions face a very tough early schedule as they follow the Cardinals game with the home opener September 15 versus the Los Angeles Chargers, at Philadelphia, home to Kansas City, a bye week, and at Green Bay. It’s crucial for Stafford to lead his team to .500 or better start to the new season. The division is stacked with defending division titlist Chicago plus Minnesota and the Packers in the hunt.
Owner Martha Firestones Ford told an ESPN special recently that she will not be satisfied owning the Lions until she can clutch the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Of course the Lions are looking for their first-ever Super Bowl appearance and first NFL Championship Game appearance since winning the title in 1957.
Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com.
