Detroit Lions Weblog

Impressions of 2nd Lions Pre-Season Game, Eddie Drummond, Jeremiah Trotter and Lemar Marshall

In my conversations with various friends about the second Lions pre-season game, I have mentioned, in jest,  that the Browns and Lions set football back at least 10 years during Saturday night’s game.  With that being said, I don’t feel that either the Browns horrific performance during the first three quarters, and the flurried Brady Quinn-led comeback attempt against the Lions third and fourth string defense in the fourth quarter, can serve as strong indicators of where the Lions currently reside at this stage of the season.  I think that there are some encouraging signs to be gleaned, but next Thursday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts will give us a much stronger barometer of where the Lions are in their current stage of development.

The Lions were able to generate some turnovers, QB sacks, and big plays on defense Saturday, which is both very encouraging, and something they struggled to produce all of last season.   One still has to wonder, though, did the Lions force those big plays or were the Browns, clearly one of the worst franchises in the NFL, all-too-willing participants in their own demise?    It is clear, judging by the Browns offensive performance Saturday, that Brady Quinn better scale his NFL learning curve quickly, because Derek Anderson and Charlie Frye have tenuous grips, at best, on their future’s as NFL QB’s.

Their were some positives in the Lions performance Saturday.   Rookies like Ikaika Alama-Francis, Johnny Baldwin and Gerald Alexander have all acquitted themselves nicely early in the pre-season.   Shaun McDonald appears to be a force within Mike Martz’s offense and could be more productive as the Lion’s fourth option, than many of their previous second and third options at receiver during recent seasons.  McDonald also ensures that their will be very little drop off if the Lions receiver corps has to endure any major injuries, obviously a likelihood. 

Troy Walters is also making a strong case for being retained, especially given his experience as a kick returner, immediately jeopardizing Eddie Drummond’s future with the Lions.  Drummond is also excellent in kickoff coverage, which will way heavily upon his future value to the Lions organization.  Of late Drummond has been unable to match the productivity of his earlier his seasons, and although given the opportunity, never has distinguished himself on offense as a receiver.

I was encouraged by T.J. Duckett’s ability to bounce back from a disappointing first game and make a strong case for himself beyond just being a short-yardage, situational back.   Duckett exhibited good hands and was a beast in the open field when given the opportunity.    Duckett’s presence doesn’t restrict Martz’s playcalling as much as I would have originally thought, and may provide them with a player who can help salt away games in the fourth quarter while utilizing the plodding, ball-control type of attack that most teams enlist to eat up the game clock.

The Lions still struggle with their ground game, even considering Duckett’s effectiveness.   Besides developing a consistent pass rush, their is no other element of this team that bears more future importance, in my opinion.   I realize this will never be grind-it-out, black-n-blue-division (more like Noir and Bleu!) type-of football team under Martz’s direction.    I firmly believe that you can’t win close games in the NFL, which most games are in the modern, mediocre brand of game we are currently treated to, without a semblance of a consistent ground attack.

As a side note, What does everyone think about Frank Beckman and Erik Kramer as a broadcast team?   With Beckman’s barely containable man-crush for Cleveland’s Braylon Edwards, giving a whole new connotation to “Michigan Men”, and Kramer’s lack of proficiency with the English language, this may be one of the all-time worst television broadcast team’s.   I actually had to watch the game with the volume off, while I listened to the sycophantic Dan Miller and easily one of the most honest, and talented, color commentators in football, Jim Branstetter.

Jeremiah Trotter was released today by the Eagles.   I wonder if the Lions may have any interest in signing Trotter.   It is unlikely, since Trotter is more of an old-school, mauler type of MLB and may be unable to, or quick enough, cover the deep middle of the Tampa-Two defense, which is it’s soft spot.   Trotter would provide the Lions with valuable experience and could be utilized during short-yardage and goal line situations. 

The release of the Redskins LeMar Marshall also provides the Lions with another intriguing option.   Marshall is an undersized linebacker who may be able to flourish in the Tampa-Two defense.  He is athletic and versatile enough that he could also press for time on the strong side.   I believe that the Lions need to consider all possibilities with their linebacking corps since it has been dogged by injury, inexperience and poor play during recent seasons.