Scanning the Savanna: Detroit Lions News from Around the Web

Scanning the Savanna searches the web for Detroit Lions content each morning and brings it to your fingertips in one easy location.

Dominic Raiola remains invaluable leader for Lions
Josh Katzenstein – The Detroit News

"It was 2009, and in the third period of a training camp practice, one of the backup running backs came through the hole. Rookie safety Louis Delmas popped him hard, and the back fell on his neck.Delmas turned around, and center Dominic Raiola speared him with a helmet to the back.“My rookie year, me and Dom got in a fight to a point where I hated him, but as a leader, he took it upon himself to come back to me and let me know that whatever goes on on the field is just the field,” Delmas said. “He may be a hard lover, but he’s definitely one of my closest friends and definitely a brother on the team.”"

‘Kickalicious’ Havard Rugland endeared himself to Detroit Lions, but David Akers was ‘clear-cut winner’ for job
Kyle Meinke – MLive.com

"Rugland, who gained fame by filming a trick-kick video back in Norway, might have made a perfect teammate. But his experience and consistency weren’t so flawless, and that’s why he was cut Tuesday as the Lions whittled their roster to 75 players.“He had a good camp, but I think when it was all said and done, Akers was the clear-cut winner at that position,” coach Jim Schwartz said. “There’s a reason we brought him to training camp. He has good ability.“Like a lot of young kickers, he needs to work on consistency. But that’s a lot of guys who have been released the past few weeks. It’s not a matter of talent, as much as consistency and things like that.”"

Detroit Lions players disagree with shorter preseason
Dave Birkett – Detroit Free Press

"Micheal Spurlock entered the NFL in 2006 as an undrafted free agent, and if it weren’t for a strong preseason with the Arizona Cardinals that summer he might not be starting his eighth year of professional football.So when Spurlock hears talk that the exhibition schedule should be shortened, he’s quick to say that’s a bad idea.“Me as an undrafted guy, a guy that’s trying to make the team, I like the four games because if you do two games you really only got one shot to show your stuff,” Spurlock said. “Is that really telling who you are? For guys that are vested, guys that, ‘Hey, I know what my role is,’ they don’t need it because there’s so many injuries and there’s more opportunity to get injured. … But it’s a terrific thing to have the preseason for the young guys.”"

Detroit Lions practice observations: Despite being cut, TE Cameron Morrah finishes strong
Justin Rogers – MLive.com

"Here are a few notes and observations from Tuesday’s Detroit Lions practice."