Tag: Kerryon Johnson

Detroit Lions make cuts, release initial 53-man roster

Changes will likely be made this weekend

A few surprises were included when the Lions released their list of roster cuts on Saturday to get down to an initial 53-man roster. Really, though no shockers among those no longer on the team. A few have a chance of being brought back for the practice squad but first them must clear waivers by noon on Sunday.

Here’s a look at the initial 53-man Lions roster. This will likely change through the weekend, next week and, in fact, through much of the season.

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks (2): Matthew Stafford and Matt Cassel

Analysis: Jake Rudock was the odd man out. If he clears waivers, he could be brought back on the practice squad. This move was pretty much guaranteed when Cassel was signed in the spring.

Wide receivers (6): Golden Tate, Marvin Jones Jr., Kenny Golladay, T.J. Jones, Bradley Marquez and Brandon Powell.

Analysis: A little surprised to see six wide receivers on the roster, but can’t argue with the choices. Rookie Brandon Powell was a standout in camp and the preseason. Bradley Marquez quietly earned his spot on the roster. Jace Billingsley and Chris Lacy were waived with Andy Jones placed on PUP.

Tight ends (4): Luke Willson, Hakeem Valles, Michael Roberts and Levine Toilolo.

Analysis: It became clear in camp that Valles belonged on the roster in his third year, his first with the Lions. Roberts didn’t get much opportunity in his rookie season last year. He needs to take a step forward and make the most of his chances.

Running backs (5): Kerryon Johnson, LeGarrette Blount, Theo Riddick. Ameer Abdullah and FB Nick Bellore.

Analysis: Dwayne Washington was waived after struggled with a toe injury throughout camp. Zach Zenner, who injured his back in the final preseason game, was placed on injured reserve. Who will get the most work? Depends on the game and individual performance. Johnson, the second-round pick, could be something special but give him a little time.

Offensive line (10): Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, T.J. Lang, Rick Wagner, rookie Tyrell Crosby, Kenny Wiggins, Joe Dahl, Brian Mihalik and Leo Koloamatangi.

Analysis: Good depth here with 10. Only seven are active on game days. Tyrell Crosby has been effective enough to make the roster as a rookie. Koloamatangi spent last season on the practice squad in Detroit and obviously learned along the way. If the starting five stay healthy, this line should be improved over last season.

DEFENSE

Defensive line (7): Ziggy Ansah, A’Shawn Robinson, Sylvester Williams, Anthony Zettel, Kerry Hyder, Da’Shawn Hand and Ricky Jean Francois.

Analysis: Seven a low number, although it could change. Also, this is a new defense scheme and the numbers reflect that. Can this group pass rush better than they did in preseason games? That is perhaps the biggest question on defense. Francois has stepped up as a veteran leader which has been a missing ingredient since Haloti Ngata’s departure.

Linebackers (7): Jarrad Davis, Devon Kennard, Eli Harold, Christian Jones, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Miles Killebrew and Trevor Bates.

Analysis: Harold was a late addition who could prove to be one of Bob Quinn’s better August moves. Killebrew made the move from safety and Patricia has made no secret that he loves his hard-hitting no matter where he is on the field.

Defensive backs (9): Darius Slay, Nevin Lawson, Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson, Quandre Diggs, Teez Tabor, Jamal Agnew, Charles Washington and Tracey Walker.

Analysis: DeShawn Shead was surprisingly waived. He was expected to vie for a starting role but a back injury held him back. Still, they could have found a way to keep him around. Washington’s play on special teams last year, helped him stay around this year. Third-round pick Tracey Walker has been impressive since the offseason.

Special teams (3): Matt Prater, Sam Martin and Don Muhlbach.

Analysis: Martin had a rough year last year coming back from a foot injury but he’s looked fine so far. Ryan Santoso got some film in the preseason game which is the best he could hope for.

The cuts:

RELEASED (VESTED VETERANS)

LB Jonathan Freeny, C Wesley Johnson, TE Sean McGrath and CB DeShawn Shead.

WAIVED

RB Dwayne Washington, DE Alex Barrett, WR Jace Billingsley, LB Freddie Bishop, WR Dontez Ford, CB Mike Ford, CB Chris Jones, WR Chris Lacy, DT Jeremiah Ledbetter, S Rolan Milligan, QB Jake Rudock, LB Darnell Sankey, P Ryan Santoso and T Dan Skipper.

PLACED ON RESERVE/INJURED

RB Zach Zenner

PLACED ON RESERVE/PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM

WR Andy Jones

TRADED

Traded T Corey Robinson to the Carolina Panthers for an undisclosed future draft selection.

WAIVED FROM RESERVE/INJURED

DT Toby Johnson

Lions training camp: Five thoughts from veteran RB LeGarrette Blount

Blount has won 3 Super Bowl rings in last 4 seasons

ALLEN PARK >> If you’re expecting LeGarrette Blount to be the savior, to resurrect a Lions’ run game that has been dormant for too long, take a deep breath and step back.

Blount, who is 31, should provide a boost to the Lions’ run game which was the worst in the NFL last year. However, he will just be one factor.

Much emphasis has been placed on running the ball effectively, including signing Blount who has won three Super Bowl rings in the past four seasons. Last year with the Eagles and twice with the Patriots. Last season he had 173 carries for 766 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

His work ethic and straight-forward approach seem to fit right in with coach Matt Patricia who knew him from their Patriot days together.

Blount was asked on Wednesday if the run unit was going to work to develop swag and he provided the perfect answer: “We’re going to worry about the swag later. We’re going to worry about football right now.”

Here are five thoughts from Blount:

1. He’s serious about being serious. He’s not going to boast about the run game potential at this point one week into camp. “It’s early. We’ve only done drills against each other like we’ve been doing the entire offseason. It’s pretty tough to gauge at this point,’’ Blount said. “We’ll just continue to work hard, we’ll continue to grind, fix all the mistakes that we have, pay attention to all the details we have and do everything we can to improve the running game and our play of offense all together.’’

2. Patricia demands physicality and has placed a huge emphasis on it through drills at camp. “You practice being more physical, you practice hitting more, you practicing tackling live, you practice getting in situations where you have no choice but to play downhill and either make a stop or make a play. We’re continuing to try to get better with everything, all aspects of the game,’’ Blount said.

3. While he is starting his ninth NFL season, he is working beside Kerryon Johnson, a rookie with potential. “He’s a good runner, he’s a really good runner. He does a lot of things well, he does a lot of things exceptional,’’ Blount said. “He can catch the ball, he can run the ball, he has great vision, he picks up on the offense well. He’s going to be a good player, he’s a good part of our team.’’

4.  Age isn’t probably his favorite topic, but he sad he feels great and doesn’t think he is slowing down. He makes sure to take care of his body.. His offseason program hasn’t really changed much. “Work out, run, lift and eat,’’ he said with a hearty laugh. It appears to be working. In the last five seasons he has missed just four games (all in 2015).

5. Blount has played with quarterbacks Tom Brady and Carson Wentz in recent years. He doesn’t see himself as a quarterback evaluator since he’s never played the position, but thinks highly of Matthew Stafford. “I think Stafford is a great quarterback, he’s been doing wonderful things over the course of his career. A lot of amazing games, a lot of comebacks, he’s done a lot of good things in this league,’’ Blount said. “He’s somebody that I definitely have a lot of confidence in , that can do what we need him to do, we have a lot of confidence in him to make sure our offense is running smoothly.’’