Historically, Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn has frequently signed and released players during training camp, essentially cycling through the bottom positions on the roster. Lions make Sterling Moore signing official, place Longa on IR | @erikschlitt expands on all the moves. https://t.co/QEvyIjF2Jp — The Lions Wire (@thelionswire) August 20, 2018 In the last two days, the Lions made eight roster moves, including releasing defensive lineman Cornelius Washington — signed as a free agent last season — and in today’s press conference, coach Patricia was asked about that decision. “We’re continuing making roster changes,” Patricia said. “We’ve had to make a couple here over the last several days just to try to make sure that our competition level is at the highest in a lot of different positions.” When asked a follow-up question about adding competition, coach Patricia responded that if “there’s certain player out there that we want to take a look at and get an opportunity to get them out on the practice field, in full padded practices every day, as we have that opportunity in training camp, where we don’t during maybe the regular season when we’re trying to bring guys in an out, it gets more complicated. So, during the training camp time, when you’re building your roster — and we’re a good two a half weeks away from having to make any final decisions — it’s really that opportunity to that you have to take advantage of. To look at players, and that’s what we’re supposed to do, we’re supposed to try and evaluate as many players as we possibly can in as many competitive situations as we can.” In 2016, when I was writing at Detroit Jock City, I published an article on Quinn’s approach to the preseason roster, where I cited a series of tweets from Mike Loyko of The Boston Sports Journal that centered around New England’s cycling of players: An interesting quote I heard from Dave Gettleman (Carolina Panthers general manager) post-draft as it related to roster management and the 90 man roster, on NE (New England) specifically. He pointed out how Belichick (Bill, New England Patriots’ head coach and general manager) basically uses roster spots 85-90 as almost try out spots and is constantly turning those spots over thru camp. BB (Bill Belichick) will cycle through a lot of UDFAs, and FAs who are on their “best available list” and give them a quick look. I never thought of it in that manner, but it explains why players are signed and cut so quickly by the Pats in camp in relation to other teams. This approach of getting extended looks at players in live padded situations instead of just workouts helps coaches understand what players are capable of and speaks to the preparedness of the front office, who seem to be constantly working and scouting. In a league where injuries are ever-present and can quickly derail seasons, having a deeper understanding of options based on first-hand knowledge is incredibly valuable. So as we approach the September 1st deadline for finalized rosters, expect Quinn and coach Patricia to continue to cycle through and evaluated available players.<doc-sep>Allen Park – With less than a week until the Detroit Lions have to get down to their 53-man roster, Saturday at 4 p.m., here's our latest projection. Quarterback (2) In: Matthew Stafford, Matt Cassel Work to do: Jake Rudock Thoughts: We’re holding steady on our belief Cassel has the leg up in this race, and the quarterback rotation in Friday’s game against the Bucs supports that. Rudock entered the offseason with the advantage of having played in Detroit’s scheme for two seasons, but Cassel has caught up and surpassed his younger competitor. Rudock has been plagued with downfield accuracy issues this offseason, inflating his preseason stat line with dump-off passes. The average distance his throws have traveled in the air has been the lowest of any qualifying quarterback this preseason, by a wide margin. And almost all of his success has come late in games, against third-string defenders. Running back (5) In: LeGarrette Blount, Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick, Ameer Abdullah, Nick Bellore Work to do: Zach Zenner, Dwayne Washington Injured: Nick Bawden Thoughts: Again, no changes from our last projection. The Lions might not use a fullback a lot, but Bellore solidifies his spot on the roster with excellent work on special teams. Abdullah, despite some ball-security issues in the second preseason game, has looked more explosive than he did last year and would give the Lions the versatility of a trio of dual-threat options. Wide receiver (5) In: Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay, TJ Jones, Bradley Marquez Work to do: Jace Billingsley, Dontez Ford, Andy Jones, Chris Lacy, Brandon Powell, Brian Brown, Teo Redding Thoughts: There’s a realistic possibility the Lions carry just four receivers, but instead of popular fifth options such as Billingsley or preseason standout Powell, I’m leaning toward a more under-the-radar option in Marquez. I’d love to reward Powell’s preseason with a roster spot, but I’m troubled by the overlap of his skill set with roster locks. Powell doesn’t offer much on special teams beyond return skills, where the Lions already have All-Pro Jamal Agnew. And as a shifty slot receiver, Tate is going to take all those reps on Sundays. If Powell gets through waivers, he’s a perfect practice squad option with an eye on 2019 and beyond. As for Marquez, he’s been one of the team’s most-active special team contributors this preseason. He’s probably not going to offer much as a receiver, but he has some time in the system and can contribute in a pinch. Tight end (3) In: Luke Willson, Levine Toilolo, Hakeem Valles Work to do: Michael Roberts,Sean McGrath, Marcus Lewis Thoughts: This one is going to be a little controversial. Valles has earned a job with his consistent practice and preseason performance. Most of my fellow reporters on the beat would agree and probably will look for ways the Lions can keep four tight ends, but that’s a tough sell. Roberts is one of my favorite people on the roster, and we’ve seen flashes of an intriguing ceiling after making significant improvements as a blocker his rookie year, but his performance has tailed off badly in training camp and the preseason, both as a pass-catcher and a blocker. Offensive line (9) In: Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, T.J. Lang, Rick Wagner, Corey Robinson, Tyrell Crosby, Kenny Wiggins, Joe Dahl Work to do: Brian Mihalik, Wesley Johnson, Dan Skipper, Jamar McGloster, Leo Koloamatangi, John Montelus, Beau Nunn Thoughts: There’s still some wiggle room on the interior of the line and I could see Johnson, or long shot Koloamatangi, sneaking in over Dahl, but the third-year guard is coming off his best performance against the Bucs, giving me faith he’ll fend off those challenges. Robinson is another player on the bubble who had his best preseason showing at the most critical time, solidifying his chances. Defensive line (9) In: Ziggy Ansah, A’Shawn Robinson, Sylvester Williams, Anthony Zettel, Kerry Hyder, Da’Shawn Hand, Jeremiah Ledbetter, Ricky Jean Francois, Cam Johnson Work to do: Alex Barrett, Josh Fatu, Toby Johnson, Christian Ringo, Jeremiah Valoaga Thoughts: I’m still a little surprised the team dumped Cornelius Washington. He wasn’t a star, by any means, but he set a solid edge (something the Lions are struggling with right now) and could be good for a powerful bull rush here and there. Hand will likely get most of the reps that would have gone to Washington, but it was tricky to figure out how the team will take advantage of the extra roster spot. I slotted Cam Johnson in there for now, but there's no obvious choice. Johnson had an injury early in camp, costing him some time, but his snap count trended upward the past two weeks and he has far more experience than Barrett or Valoaga. Linebackers (8) In: Jarrad Davis, Devon Kennard, Christian Jones, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Jonathan Freeney, Trevor Bates, Miles Killebrew, Eli Harold Work to do: Darnell Sankey, Chad Meredith, Freddie Bishop Injured: Steve Longa Thoughts: There’s some shuffling with this group since our last projection thanks to an injury and a trade. With Longa out for the year, the Lions can insert Bates into that multi-faceted special teams role without losing the production Longa brought to the table. Harold, acquired in a trade, gets the nod even though we haven’t seen him on the field for the Lions. The team could still cut him, and not owe the 49ers any compensation, but you have to imagine the deal was made with a role in mind. He’s an athletic edge rusher who looks to be a natural fit backing up Kennard. And in a surprising move, I have the Lions keeping an eighth linebacker, Killebrew. He offers so much on special teams. Plus, with the way Kennard and Harold are likely to be used, spending so much time on the line of scrimmage, they almost act as defensive linemen. Defensive backs (9) In: Darius Slay, Nevin Lawson, Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson, Quandre Diggs, Teez Tabor, Jamal Agnew, Tracey Walker, DeShawn Shead Work to do: Charles Washington, Mike Ford, Chris Jones, Rolan Milligan, Josh Okonye, Dexter McDougle, Sterling Moore Thoughts: Shead hasn’t appeared in the last two preseason games and the Lions have given no indication the free-agent addition is injured. Even though he hasn’t been good this offseason, I’m not ready to trim him from the roster quite yet. But the addition of veterans McDougale and Moore could possibly change the defensive backfield makeup. This is one of two position groups, along with defensive line, where the Lions are likely to scour waivers next weekend looking for a potential last-minute upgrade. Specialists (3) Starters: Matt Prater, Sam Martin, Don Muhlbach Work to do: Ryan Santoso Thoughts: Yeah, nothing to see here.<doc-sep>FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 20: Sterling Moore #29 of the New England Patriots looks at the line against the Philadelphia Eagles during a preseason game at Gillette Stadium on August 20, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) The Detroit Lions added two more players to their roster on Sunday. Among them is yet another ex-New England Patriot, this time at defensive back. When the Detroit Lions made Matt Patricia the new head coach of their franchise earlier this year, it was believed he’d add a few of “his guys” to both the coaching staff and the roster in the offseason. Being a member of the New England Patriots for 14 years, Patricia surely knew more than a few former Pats that he could pull from. Halfway through his first training camp, Patricia and fellow former Patriot, Lions general manager Bob Quinn, have added several former New England players to their squad in Detroit. In fact, quarterback Matt Cassel, running back LeGarrette Blount, wide receiver Chris Lacy, defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois plus linebackers Jonathan Freeny and Trevor Bates are all ex-Pats. Well, now you can add yet another former Patriot as the newest member of this Lions team under Patricia’s limited reign. That newbie being veteran defensive back Sterling Moore, whose signing was reported by the Detroit Free Press on Sunday. The 28-year old was an undrafted rookie free agent out of SMU back in 2011. After a brief stint with the Oakland Raiders, Moore played his first two seasons in the NFL with the Patriots. Patricia was the safeties coach during Sterling’s rookie season and was promoted to defensive coordinator the following year. Moore has bounced around the league ever since, landing with the Dallas Cowboys for three seasons following his time in New England. He’s also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, and most recently, the New Orlean Saints. Entering his eighth season in the NFL, Moore actually posted his best year in 2016. He recorded career-highs in tackles (56), pass defends (13) and tied his rookie total in interceptions (2) despite only playing in 13 games for the Saints that year. The Lions also inked safety Marcus Cromartie to a deal in order to add more depth to their secondary. Undrafted out of Wisconsin in 2013, Detroit is Cromartie’s seventh NFL stop in six years. The cousin of former NFL players Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Antonio Cromartie, the 27-year old safety has a career total of 21 combined tackles and three pass defends as a professional.<doc-sep>
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 29: Strong safety Sean Davis #28 of the Pittsburgh Steelers breaks up a pass intended for tight end Michael Roberts #80 of the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field on October 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) With just one more preseason game before final cuts, which Detroit Lions players are on the rise and who’s on the bubble? Let’s take it to the headlines! This Saturday, the Detriot Lions and every other NFL team will be required to cut down their roster from 90 players to only 53. For the Lions, it means they’ll have to make some tough decisions. In today’s version of headlines, we’ll discuss a rookie who is rising up the depth chart in the Motor City. And we’ll reveal one surprising player who may end up on the waiver wire this weekend and more. The most interesting name in the above article is tight end Michael Roberts. As a 2017 fourth-round selection and the highest ranking tight end still left from last year’s depth chart, it’s hard to believe Roberts could be a roster cut this weekend. But as Justin Rogers explains above, his recent poor play combined with the rise of Hakeem Valles and other roster needs could leave Roberts on the outside looking in. The undrafted rookie receiver out of Flordia has been an absolute beast for the Lions in the preseason. He’s posted 15 receptions for 99 yards in three games and had an 80-yard punt return against the Tampa Buccaneers on Friday night. Yet, it might not be enough to crack the final 53-man roster in Detroit simply because of the talented depth chart in front of him. And that’s a real shame. Want your voice heard? Join the SideLion Report team! Write for us! It’s unfortunate to see head coach Matt Patricia’s name pop up on this stock report. Clearly, the Lions are not playing well. But Patricia is a first-time head coach attempting to implement a complicated new scheme. There are going to be growing pains. Patricia has only known success while being in New England since 2004. And the hope is, with time, he can duplicate that in Motown. But it will take time. Despite the Lions struggles against the Bucs Friday night, one area where they actually played fairly well (although it was hard to tell at times) was in the running game. As columnist Mike O’Hara points out in the above article, Detroit actually posted 122 rushing yards and averaged 4.4 yards per carry doing so. That looks like improvement and something to build on to us. The Lions appear to be locked on to Lawson as their starting cornerback to start the season opposite Darius Slay. But the fifth-year veteran struggled against the Bucs on Friday night which only begs the question exactly how bad have DeShawn Shead and Teez Tabor been? If Lawson continues to play poorly, you have to believe the Lions will be giving him a short leash before going in another direction.