Lions Lowdown

Five reasons Detroit Lions CB Darius Slay loves match-up with Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald

Slay says Fitzgerald can only make him better

ALLEN PARK >> Lions cornerback Darius Slay can’t wait to face Cardinals’ wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on Sunday.

Arizona plays Detroit at 1 p.m. at Ford Field in the season opener.

After working against his teammates Golden Tate and Marvin Jones since the spring, Slay can’t wait to go up against guys in different uniforms when it counts.

“I’m looking forward to competing with all the best guys in the league,’’ Slay said after Monday’s practice.

Five reason Slay loves to match up with Fitzgerald:

1. “You know how the game plan goes, I’d be honored to (cover him). One of the best to ever do it,’’ Slay said. “I just love, everybody looks up to Larry. Fourteen years in the game, takes care of his body. He’s so professional about everything.’’

2. Not only does Slay like the 34-year-old Fitzgerald on the field, he thinks he’s a great guy. ”I’ve met him a couple times. He’s very very great guy. I look forward to going against him,’’ Slay said.

3. “The only thing he’s going to do is make me better,’’ said Slay who is entering his fifth season.

4. Fitzgerald isn’t shy on the field during the game. “For people who don’t know, he kind of corrects you if you’re wrong about something out there on defense. That is how nice of guy he is, that’s good about him. That’s why I love about him,’’ Slay said. “Man. no arguments just friendly fun enjoying the work. Competing, it’s just fun.’’

5. Let’s get into specifics. “One time we was in coverage — I ain’t goin to tell what coverage we was in — we was in the coverage and he told me why he got me and how he knew what it was. So I’m’ like, ‘Dang, you know.’I hope he don’t remember. I hope I don’t refresh his mind remembering that, just in case I might try to do something different,’’ Slay said.

BONUS: Slay said that even if he has perfect coverage, Fitzgerald’s strong hands are tough to beat.

Detroit Lions reduce roster to 53

Not many surprises among those who were cut

OK, after several months of work, the Lions whittled the roster to 53 men today.

The roster features a few surprises. They’ve gone with youth on the defensive line at least until Armonty Bryant and Khyri Thornton return from their suspensions.

This is just the start of getting the roster to GM Bob Quinn’s liking. Don’t be surprised if they add and subtract prior to the season opener on Sept. 10 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Here’s a look by position:

QBs (2)

Matthew Stafford

Jake Rudock

CUT: Brad Kaaya

SKINNY: Jim Caldwell typically keeps just two quarterbacks so this isn’t a surprise. Kaaya could be signed to the practice squad

WRs (5)

Golden Tate

Marvin Jones

Kenny Golladay

Jared Abbrederis

TJ Jones

CUT: Jace Billingsley, Dontez Ford, Michael Rector, Noel Thomas

SKINNY: TJ Jones looked strong in camp. The final battle could have been between Abbrederis who has more NFL experience than Billingsley who spent most of last season on the practice squad.

RBs (5)

Ameer Abdullah

Theo Riddicck

Zach Zenner

Dwayne Washington

Tion Green (rookie)\

CUT: Matt Asiata

SKINNY:: Not much drama at this position. The big question was whether Green, an undrafted rookie, could make the cut. The top four were locks.

TIGHT ENDS (4)

Eric Ebron

Darren Fells

Michael Roberts (rookie)

CUT: Cole Wick, Khari Lee, Robert Tonyan, Scott Orndoff

SKINNY:: Ebron must be ready to go after missing much of camp with a hamstring injury. Last year they kept four tight ends.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

G T.J. Lang

G Graham Glasgow

G Brandon Thomas

G/C Joe Dahl

C Travis Swanson

T Rick Wagner

T Greg Robinson

T Cornelius Lucas

T Corey Robinson

PUP: Taylor Decker

CUT: Storm Norton, Nick Becton, Leo Koloamatangi, Connor Bozick

SKINNY:: Laken Tomlinson was traded Thursday which opened a spot for Brandon Thomas. One of the Robinsons — Greg or Corey — should start at left tackle until Decker return from shoulder surgery.

DEFENSIVE LINE (9)

DE Ziggy Ansah

DE Anthony Zettel

DE Jeremiah Valoaga (rookie)

DE Cornelius Washington

DE Alex Barrett (rookie)

DT Haloti Ngata

DT A’Shawn Robinson

DT Akeem Spence

DT Jeremiah Ledbetter (rookie)

SUSPENDED: Armonty Bryant (first four games), Khyri Thornton (first six games).

CUT: Pat O’Connor, Ego Ferguson, Caushaud Lyons, Giorgio Newberry, Derrick Lott

SKINNY: It’s a young D-line until Bryant and Thornton return with a bit more experience. Barrett and Valoaga earned the spots with their preseason play.

LINEBACKER (6)

Jarrad Davis (rookie)

Tahir Whitehead

Nick Bellore

Steve Longa

Paul Worrilow

Jalen Reeves-Maybin (rookie)

CUT: Antwione Williams, Thurston Armbrister

SKINNY: Bellore, who is a solid special teams contributor, beat out Williams for a spot. Williams had looked like a lock until they played him late in the final preseason game. Still a bit of a surprise that he is gone.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (11)

S Glover Quin

S Don Carey

S Miles Killebrew

S Tavon Wilson

S Charles Washington

CB Darius Slay

CB Quandre Diggs

CB Nevin Lawson

CB D.J. Hayden

CB Teez Tabor (rookie)

CB Jamal Agnew (rookie)

TRADED: Johnson Bademosi (to Patriots)

CUT: Alex Carter, Rolan Milligan, Adairius Barnes, Tramain Jacobs, Josh Thornton

SKINNY: So long Alex Carter who had been moved to safety from corner. He just never got going after he was a third-round pick in 2015. No real surprises. Agnew is in the hunt to return punts. Don Carey’s strength is special teams.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)

K Matt Prater

P Kasey Redfern

LS Don Muhlbach

NFI: P Sam Martin

SKINNY: Redfern’s good preseason earned him a job until Martin is ready to return.

My Detroit Lions’ projected 53-man roster

Final cuts due at 4 p.m. on Saturday

After four preseason games, the final cuts are due at 4 p.m. on Saturday to reduce the Detroit Lions’ roster to 53 men.

This was the first year the NFL had eliminated earlier cuts, although the Lions had released a few guys earlier in the week including Tim Wright, Keshawn Martin and Cyrus Kouandijo. The early cuts gave the veterans a chance to sign with another team.

On Thursday they traded guard Laken Tomlinson. On Friday they released running back Matt Asiata and waived guard Connor Bozick and defensive end Giorgio Newberry.

Depth at a few positions will provide GM Bob Quinn with some tough decisions. Running back Tion Green had a good showing on Thursday night but can he crack the roster? If not, the rookie would be an ideal practice squad candidate.

At wide receiver Jared Abbrederis and Jace Billingsley have made their cases at wide receiver.

Remember after the cuts are made to 53, it’s likely more changes will be made before the season opener on Sept. 10 against the Arizona Cardinals. Expect that Quinn will be looking for more help on the defensive line.

Here is my projected 53-man roster: