It’s time for the Detroit Lions to just stop Teezing us
By Robert Jones
Last week during the Lions mandatory minicamp, there was more visual evidence that Tabor is probably just not going to turn on the switch and become what Bob Quinn expected him to become when the Lions used their second-round pick to select Teez out of Florida two years ago.
Despite all the talk about how well Tabor had been playing during the offseason workouts, during the mandatory minicamp he was once again deep-fried. And we’re not talking about Marvin Jones or Kenny Golladay, we’re talking about guys like Andy Jones and Chris Lacy who are battling to just make the Lions roster.
If that isn’t a cause for concern I’m not sure what is?
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We also need to remember that last year Tabor was one of the big names during the offseason. He impressed everyone who saw him for the most part, until his play tailed off and by the time training camp was over and the final roster was being assembled, it was more of an indication of the Lions lack of secondary depth than Tabor’s play that he made the team.
But that won’t be an issue this year. Darius Slay will of course man one corner, as long as he doesn’t hold out, and there are options for the other side. Rashaan Melvin, Justin Coleman, Marcus Cooper, Jamal Agnew and even rookie Amani Oruwariye give the Lions options not only on the outside but in the slot as well.
That’s not to even mention growing depth at safety where they have the versatility for Patricia to use some three safety sets, which he likes to do, too.
Mistakes happen in sports. The good teams cut their losses and admit to those mistakes then send their mistakes packing. Bob Quinn has been the Lions best general manager since the 1950s when, ironically, head coach Buddy Parker assembled the majority of the players that made Detroit the team of the 50s by winning three world championships.
This also takes into account many seasons when former Lions owner William Clay Ford ran his team without anyone having the official title of general manager.
History lessons aside, Tabor hasn’t produced and despite the fact he had been a very productive collegiate player in the very tough SEC conference where top-level athletes are everywhere, he has been unable to make the adjustment to the NFL.
Some may say it’s as simple as the lack of speed he demonstrated at the NFL Combine before the Lions chose to select him anyway. For others, it may be the belief that the whole package is bad. However, none of that really matters at this point.
For the Detroit Lions to make a run at the playoffs they will need improved play from every unit on this squad. Especially the secondary. Maybe somewhere else, at safety, which is the position I believe he has the best chance at playing in the NFL, Tabor will find his game and turn things around.
But for Detroit and for now, the time has come for the Lions to stop Teezing us and move on from their mistake because its all about the results.