Behind Enemy Lines: NFC North Preseason Round Table
By Mike Payton
What player stuck out most on your team?
Aug 13, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) evades a tackle from New York Jets free safety Calvin Pryor (25) during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Payton, SLR: “For the Lions, it’s clearly rookie running back Ameer Abdullah. His electrifying 46 yard run has been the talk of the town since last Thursday. I must say, I liked what I saw out of him in camp last week, but I certainly did not think he would do anything like that in his first go on the field. It’s easy to get excited about Abdullah, but I urge fans to temper their excitement until the regular season begins. If Abdullah can become what many feel he can, the Lions offense could fix a cog of their offense that has been in shambles since the loss of Barry Sanders in the 1998.”
Roethlisberger, LA: “From a positive perspective I am going to with rookie, inside linebacker Jake Ryan. A fourth pick out of the University of Michigan in 2015, Ryan was one of the leaders on defense Thursday night accumulating six tackles which included a sack and two tackles for a loss. Ryan has the potential to fill a big role for the team in 2015 with so many question marks as to what exactly is going to happen at the inside linebacker position.
Ryan definitely earned a bigger role and an earlier entrance into the second preseason game of the season against Pittsburgh on Sunday.”
Schmelzer, BGO: “For me, it’s inside linebacker Christian Jones. He has all of the talent, and Jones looks like a natural in Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defense. Defensive lineman Will Sutton, outside linebacker Sam Acho and safety Adrian Amos also deserve mention.”
Zinski, TVA: “Everybody’s in love with Stefon Diggs with the way he’s performed all preseason. I would say him and Eric Kendricks have been the most impressive rookies. Trae Waynes has stuck out in a bad way but I’m not concerned about him since he’s still young.”
Next: What did you see that worries you?