The Detroit Lions line up against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday afternoon in the first of four preseason games. Here are the 10 things that I look for.
When the Detroit Lions suit up in any preseason game, many fans still consider it a waste of time. After all, it used to be called an exhibition game. There used to be six. It does not count in the standings. The players do not get paid the same as a regular season game.
A single critical injury can still ruin your season.
What is it then about preseason football that a true fan should be excited about? Here are 10 areas that I’d pay special attention to, in no particular order.
1. Draft Picks
It’s been months since you got excited or groaned when the Lions picked someone you really wanted or worse, a player you did not like. There have been spring practices and mandatory mini-camps. Now, we are a couple weeks into training camp season.
This is the time that we finally get the opportunity to see what the new players are able to accomplish on the field.
Last year, Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker was drafted in the first round. Many people thought that he may play a little bit at the right tackle spot as a rookie then eventually transition to the more challenging left tackle position. Instead, Decker not only started every game at left tackle, he excelled.
Will the same performance level be seen from this year’s first round draft pick, linebacker Jarrad Davis? We’ll have to watch and see.