Fortunately for the Detroit Lions, who lost their preseason opener against the New York Giants on Thursday night 14-3, preseason games are never just about the score. Positive player performance, nevertheless, can occasionally be exaggerated given that the majority of the playing roster consists of backups or projected cuts. Nevertheless, a strong showing in a preseason game is unquestionably preferable to the opposite.
5 Detroit Lions who played themselves right off the roster in the first preseason game
5. DB Morice Norris
The Fresno State rookie who went undrafted, Norris, was just not able to translate his strong camp performance into a game environment. Eric Gray, a running back for the Giants, ran a 48-yard touchdown run and jacked him completely. He was nearly beaten for a touchdown on a rather easy route by Tyree Jackson, the tight end for the Giants. Even now, Norris is a long shot to reach the Lions’ 53-man roster. His really subpar performance on Thursday night virtually eliminated any hope that he would advance.
4. TE James Mitchel
As the Lions decide who will come in behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright at tight end on the depth chart, Mitchell is squarely on the bubble. With 20 offensive snaps against the Giants, the third-year player saw a lot of action. He had zero targets and mishandled a block on Sione Vaki’s 15-yard run, which was pointed out by John Whiticar of Pride of Detroit. In the midst of “blocking” for Vaki, Mitchell (#82) finds himself in the middle of the screen and just manages to grab a Giants defender who was about to be eliminated from the play.
Against the Giants, the Lions’ edge rushers, Nate Lynn and Isaac Ukwu, who were lower on the depth chart, performed admirably. Throughout 22 defensive snaps, Houston was unable to put any pressure on the quarterback, who only finished with two total tackles. On a run play, he did a good job of setting the edge, causing the runner to turn it inside. That, however, shouldn’t stand out as the standout moment of any preseason performance for a player with Houston’s kind of talent.
3. EDGE James HoustonAgainst the Giants, the Lions’ edge rushers, Nate Lynn and Isaac Ukwu, who were lower on the depth chart, performed admirably. Throughout 22 defensive snaps, Houston was unable to put any pressure on the quarterback, who only finished with two total tackles. On a run play, he did a good job of setting the edge, causing the runner to turn it inside. That, however, shouldn’t stand out as the standout moment of any preseason performance for a player with Houston’s kind of talent.
Houston is fading quickly from what once seemed like a locked-in roster spot as the Lions sort out the full makeup of their edge rusher group. He needs to do far better in the second preseason game against the Chiefs, or his status on the roster bubble will burst. It’s worth noting he came out of the game against the Giants with a bone bruise in his knee, but a tenuous roster status took a negative turn with or without the injury.
2. WR Maurice Alexande
Alexander’s route to a Lions roster spot is undoubtedly as a return man, and the position is available to anyone who might get a chance to prove themselves during the preseason. In general, only three wide receivers are currently guaranteed a berth on the team.
Against the Giants, Alexander had one catch for six yards and did manage a 20-yard kickoff return in the second half. But prior to that one promising return of a kickoff, he mishandled a punt and dropped another after being hit. Steven Gilmore, a cornerback, recovered the first fumble, and Alexander was declared down by contact on the second to reverse the error. In terms of being a possible turnover, the down by contact ruling—which was correct—barely overruled the second error. The decision undoubtedly did not make head coach Dan Campbell and special teams coach Dave Fipp forget their error.
Alexander could get a bit of a mulligan for his two drops of the football based on poor weather conditions. But his quest to swoop in and earn a roster spot took an undeniable hit on Thursday night.
1. QB Nate Sudfeld
Let’s get a little nuts here… but maybe it’s not that craz
We are aware of Sudfeld’s identity; he is a nine-year NFL veteran with 37 career regular season throw attempts. Against the Giants, though, he fully displayed it as he finished 13-for-24 for 96 yards and an interception (46.5 passer rating). His poor pass protection (four sacks) from the Lions’ backup lineman did him no favors, and he is not effective when moving (observe the interception on a throw across his body and at least one of the sacks he took). Additionally, he mishandled a quarterback sneak because he lacked feel for the play.
When Sudfeld had to re-enter the game in the fourth quarter due to Hendon Hooker’s injury, he actually boosted his stats a little bit, which included a 26-yard connection to Donovan Peoples-Jones. The journeyman signal caller, who played the full first half, completed 7 of 15 passes for 40 yards and a 25.7 passer rating. Following the game, Dan Campbell (via Lions Wire) gave a direct assessment of Sudfeld’s performance before offering an explanation for his error.
“I wish I had made some of those judgments differently. During his press conference following the game, Campbell stated, “I expect better from him.” “I know he can do better on a couple of those decisions, but I’m not as worried about accuracy right now or yet with what it is, wet ball, this and that.”
Is it realistic for Campbell to anticipate that much more from Sudfeld? Aside from unfavorable weather, his perceived advantage in the competition for backup quarterback has only come from Hendon Hooker’s lack of assertiveness. Had Hooker not had an injury on Thursday night, he would currently be in charge of the team, and Sudfeld lacks the ability to relinquish that authority while he’s not suffering from a significant concussion. The Lions might search for a backup quarterback with greater experience. If they don’t believe Hooker can fill in for Jared Goff in the event of an emergency, which seems doubtful despite a strong showing against the Giants, then it wouldn’t be a bad idea.
As it was/should have been previously, it is very evident that Sudfeld had no chance of being the Lions’ number-two quarterback. As we approach the second preseason game, that option remains viable, contingent on Hooker’s standing in the concussion protocol. Though there’s still time for that to alter, Sudfeld should end up being an easy choice when roster cuts occur. His play against the Giants either made his fate certain or ought to have sealed it.
