NFL football season is still far away. But, the Organized Team Activities gave Lions fans a taste of what they may expect from their team and specifically some of the players.
Over/Under football lines from Detroit Lions games for regular season wins have them at 7 at this time. But, three players stood out in the OTAs, giving hope that, perhaps, this season belongs to Detroit.
- Backup quarterback Jake Rudock
Detroit Free Press’ Carlos Monarrez said of Rudock, “(He) looks a little bit bigger and a little bit better. And he should get more opportunities now that he’s the team’s No. 2 QB behind Matthew Stafford.”
Apparently, Rudock is finding his stride in Detroit’s offensive structure. He’s been bulking up and looked strong during practice at organized team activities. Even head coach, Jim Caldwell, seems satisfied with last year’s sixth-round pick: “He’s gotten stronger, physically he’s stronger. He’s around 215 pounds now. He’s thrown the ball better. Not to say that he was throwing it poorly before, but he’s better.”
Now at No. 2 behind Stafford, he’ll get to show more of his abilities. And, hopefully, he’ll bring plenty to the table.
- Running back Ameer Abdullah
The former Nebraska star tore a ligament in his foot in Week 2 of last year’s season. It was a season-ending injury, so understandably plenty of attention is being paid to how he performs during the OTAs.
The Lions passed on adding a running back in the NFL Draft, also declining to add rushers like LeGarrette Blount to its ranks which means Abdullah will get a chance to prove his worth.
Abdullah seemed to have recovered well from his surgery. His quickness and acceleration are good signs that he’s ready for the start of the season. He even received commendations from long-time Lions reporter Mike O’Hara of DetroitLions.com: “Those are positive signs that Abdullah has recovered from the foot injury that sidelined him for the last 14 games of last season. A year ago, he wore a red jersey in practice throughout the offseason to protect him from contact while recovering from shoulder surgery. There is no red jersey this year.”
As the 2017 NFL season approaches, along with Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner, the ground game could turn into a deadly effective weapon in the Lions’ arsenal.
- Tight end Michael Roberts
The fourth-round pick is big but nimble. At 270 pounds he’s bigger than defensive linemen like Anthony Zettel, Armonty Bryant and Kerry Hyder, but nevertheless, doesn’t lose his stride. Along with Eric Ebron, the duo could potentially be just what the Lions need to take the offense to another level.
