Lions Matt Cassel has advice for young players trying to crack the roster

Cassel, Rudock expected to split QB duties tonight vs. Browns

ALLEN PARK >> Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Cassel has a few words of advice for younger players trying to crack an NFL 53-man roster.

“What I always tell people, especially the young guys, is don’t worry about what’s going on around you. Because so many times you get enamored with ‘Oh the coach gave him an extra rep’ or ‘What are they thinking?’ And it kind of takes away from your focus and what you’re trying to do on the field,’’ Cassel said on Tuesday. “So I always say to focus on you, do the best you can do every time you go out. Like I said, as you preform and worry about what you have to do is you’ll get more reps.’’

Cassel and Jake Rudock are expected to split the quarterback duties in Thursday’s final preseason game at Ford Field.

“The goal (Thursday) night is to go out and execute, put points on the board, execute and get in a rhythm and a flow with these guys,’’ Cassel said. “I think a big thing for us as qbs is to take charge in the huddle, eliminate the bad football and the penalties, go out there and just play ball.’’

It’s uncertain if the Lions will keep two or three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. If it’s two, it’s between Cassel, who has played 12 NFL seasons, and Rudock, who has spent the last two seasons as Matthew Stafford’s backup.

Final roster cuts are due at 4 p.m. on Saturday, although expect changes to be ongoing through the weekend and into the season.

Lions newest LB Eli Harold excited for opportunity after trade from 49ers

Linebacker expected to play in Thursday’s preseason game

ALLEN PARK >> A trade was perhaps the last thing on Eli Harold’s mind.

As a San Francisco 49er linebacker, he had played in every game for the past three seasons and had been a starter in 10 games last season.

He and his wife, Kelsey, had just moved into a new rental home. And the bigger news is that she was expecting their first child — a daughter — on Oct. 3.

Then on Thursday he got a surprising call from 49ers general manager John Lynch with news of a trade to the Detroit Lions.

“It’s tough, but ultimately I’m doing what I love to do. That’s what it’s all about. I’ve played this game since I was a child and as long as I’m still playing, I’m happy,’’ Harold said after practice on Tuesday.

(Photo courtesy of Detroit Lions)

Monday was his first practice with the Lions where he’s got to be a quick-study of a new defensive scheme.

“It’s tough, but luckily still preseason and I’ve got time to learn the playbook. I’m here with a lot of vets, I’m excited about that,’’ said Harold who is 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds.

For him, it’s a big plus that he can learn from the veterans who, even if they are new to Detroit, can help him learn the system.

“I’m learning the basic nuances of the defense. Like I said, wherever they put me I’m going to do my best and strive and help, I just want to compete wherever I am,’’ said the 24-year-old Harold who is in a contract year.

“This is a guy who’s got great leverage. He’s really long, does a good job with his punch and his strike, and you can really kind of see him use that leverage to his ability especially out on the edge,” coach Matt Patricia said. “Now he’s also a really good —showing some flashes in the pass rush game, too, which is positive from that standpoint. So, we’ll see what that looks like when we get him in.”

The Lions will face the 49ers at San Francisco in Week 2 of the regular season.

“It’s marked, it’s definitely marked (on the calendar). It hurt. I started my pro life there. Me and my wife moved out there my rookie year. All my close friends are out there. We built a group of guys, we all came in this thing together. It hurt, but onto new things,’’ Harold said. “We have a good group of guys here, I’m excited.’’

His wife is 34 weeks pregnant, just making the cut-off so she was allowed to fly to Michigan.

“She’s here, we just found her a doctor, everything is good with her,’’ Harold said.

Expect to see him play in the final preseason game on Thursday against the Cleveland Browns.

Lions sign veteran DE Robert Ayers; more news from Monday’s practice

Luke Willson on field but doesn’t participate in drills

ALLEN PARK >> With the roster cut deadline approaching at 4 p.m. on Saturday, the Lions remain in evaluation mode.

The signed veteran defensive end Robert Ayers on Monday. Ayers, who will turn 33 on Sept. 6, spent the past two seasons with the Tampa Bay Bucs where he played in a dozen games with 10 starts. Ayers was a first-round pick in 2009 by the Broncos. Will be interesting to see if he has much left. He practiced on Monday. Would expect to see him in Thursday night’s game against the Browns at Ford Field. He wears No. 90.

Other news:

— Tight end Luke Willson was on the field for stretches on Monday morning but did not appear in the portion of practice open to the media. Naturally Matt Patricia would not comment on Willson at his press conference just prior to practice. Willson was injured in Friday night’s game and could not finish.

— Right guard T.J. Lang was back at practice, but center Graham Glasgow was not. Glasgow was working on his own on the sidelines.

— Linebacker Eli Harold, who was acquired in a trade with the 49ers on Thursday, was also on the field for Monday’s practice wearing No. 51. “This is a guy who’s got great leverage. He’s really long (6-foot-3), does a good job with his punch and his strike, and you can really kind of see him use that leverage to his ability especially out on the edge,’’ Patricia said on Monday. “Now he’s also a really good—showing some flashes in the pass rush game, too, which is positive from that standpoint. So, we’ll see what that looks like when we get him in.’’

— The battle for the Lions’ backup quarterback is ongoing between Jake Rudock and Matt Cassel. Patricia would only say they are still in evaluation mode like at every position. They should split time during the final preseason game on Thursday. Rudock was Matthew Stafford’s backup last season and played in three games, completing three of five passes and throwing for an interception. Cassel, 36, enters his 14th NFL season after spending the past two seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He knows Patricia after spending his first four NFL seasons with the New England Patriots.