Detroit Lions: Time for roster decisions, what opportunities await?

Opportunity is a keyword in the NFL

For Campbell, he has big on ‘opportunity’. Players have had the opportunity to turn the heads of the Lions coaching staff throughout training camp and in the exhibition games.

Some have turned heads in a good way while many notable players have not. If we consider the play of Jahlani Tavai and Breshad Perriman for example, they have both put their opportunity to make the Lions roster in jeopardy.

I think we need to understand that when Campbell was recently speaking to the media about roster decisions, he was very clear about the fact that many players who are expected to be on this team won’t be.

This means that despite how things worked in the past with the Lions, Campbell won’t make roster decisions based on familiarity with players or being comfortable with them because they have been on the team for a few years.

Anyone who questions that thought process should recall how Campbell sent Don Muhlbach packing after 17 exemplary years as Detroit’s long-snapper.

Campbell will keep players he’s comfortable with, but that comfort level will be purely based on how players have taken advantage of their opportunity to step up and produce.

Opportunity is a word that is tossed around a lot, but the NFL or any other sports league is based on opportunity. Good teams are expected to be in the playoffs and contend for a title, but they only do so if they capitalize on the opportunity they are given each week to play at a high level, make plays, and win.

As a matter of fact every year there is a team or two that surprises everyone by finding their way into the postseason. This occurs simply because they have ignored the fact they may not be as talented as others, but have taken advantage of their opportunities to find a way into the playoffs.

Will the 2021 Detroit Lions find a way to take advantage of their meager opportunity to surprise the world? Most of the experts believe they won’t, but even if that is the case, then the opportunity to use a high draft pick to their advantage in the rebuilding process will present itself next spring.

One way or another this season is the first step for this regime and what they are building and that will most likely be reflected in the roster decisions they make.