Detroit Lions: What to watch for against Tampa Bay

This exhibition season for the Detroit Lions has been frustrating. Very little is known as to how effective this team will be when the games count.

This Friday, the Detroit Lions get a national audience for their preseason bout at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8 p.m. ET, CBS). This, of course, is the “dress rehearsal” of the exhibition season, in which the starters will play the longest.

So far, the Lions have shown very little in the preseason, which is to be expected because the games don’t count. Still, plenty of positions on this roster are up for grabs, especially in terms of depth. Last week, the focus was on two particular positions, and that is the case this week as well.

AMEER’S ISSUES

Running back Ameer Abdullah looked good in the first game against the Oakland Raiders, but then followed that up with some less than stellar play against the New York Giants. On his second carry of the game, Ameer fumbled the ball. Detroit recovered, but it wasn’t a good look.

Abdullah followed that up with muffing a kickoff return later in the game. These two plays aren’t enough to say Ameer is done in Detroit, but they certainly make cutting him much easier.

Abdullah deserves credit for showing up this preseason ready to fight for a job. But without a superb performance against Tampa Bay, he probably won’t make the roster. It is a shame because he is talented, but the guys ahead of him may have more to contribute to this year’s team.

One player that benefits from Abdullah’s apparent end is running back Zach Zenner. His special teams contributions are one thing in his favor. But as soon as Zenner was put into the game against the Giants, he made a perfect block in pass protection.

Abdullah has the big play ability and the potential to return kicks. But Zenner is fundamentally sound and unlikely to make a mistake. The game in Tampa will be monumental for these two players, but Zenner has the clear edge.

RUDOCK’S REDEMPTION

Quarterbacks Jake Rudock and Matt Cassel both looked pretty average against Oakland. Cassel continued to look average in the second game, while Rudock actually excelled against the Giants. That may be all the difference in this competition.

Rudock may not have won the job outright, but one more solid performance and he is on the roster. The Detroit Lions can’t afford to carry three quarterbacks, and honestly, this particular group doesn’t call for it.

Cassel still has familiarity with head coach Matt Patricia in his favor. But Rudock’s familiarity with offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter’s offense is going to be the difference. Rudock simply made more plays and looked more comfortable.

Rudock’s youth makes him more attractive to other teams when he eventually hits free agency. But, for now, his potential and his superior ability make him the better option for the 2018 Detroit Lions.

UNDEFINED DEFENSE

Two weeks of watching the defense has revealed very little about this Detroit Lions team. The only thing that could be said would be negative: non-existent pass rush, big plays for opposing runners, and too many conversions on third down.

As reported by ESPN’s Michael Rothstein, the cutting of defensive lineman Cornelius Washington on Monday is another curious move by this team. If anything looks questionable on this roster, it is the lack of depth on the defensive line. Did Washington simply not fit Patricia’s system? Or was this just a cost-cutting move?

This game against Tampa Bay probably will not provide answers about this defense. The schemes that are being run are very basic. Most of the talk on the defensive side is about position flexibility being the key to making the roster.

But one question remains: is there enough talent? If this defense does not work, the blame will fall on the defensive-minded Patricia. This could be just a year of growing pains, but it could be looked at as a failure to get the most out of these players.

Head coach Jim Caldwell was fired so that a talented roster could fulfill its playoff goals. That’s why Detroit hired Patricia. Anything short of making some noise this year will feel like a failure. Certainly, Patricia will be given time, but a bad first year will wear on the patience of the fan base.

Of course, the main focus on Friday will be avoiding injuries and getting reps. The roster should come into better focus by the end of Friday’s game. But what this team will be in 2018 is still unclear.