Detroit Lions – Five reasons final preseason game is important

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jay Lee (84) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Tony McRae (29) during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

By Paula Pasche | The Oakland Press

PUBLISHED: August 31, 2016 at 2:55 p.m. | UPDATED: June 17, 2021 at 6:48 a.m.

The fourth NFL preseason game is always seen as a yawner.

Yet, it will have implications on the Lions 53-man roster.

The Lions, owning a 1-2 preseason record, host the Buffalo Bills at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Ford Field.

Most of the starting roles have been defined although there is still some question at strong safety between Rafael Bush and Tavon Wilson.

Backup roles however can be crucial to the success of a team.

“These games are extremely important because of the fact that you have so many games that are kind of shaping your roster in its totality and their activity and proficiency in special teams, being able to work within their offensive and defensive units, those things are looked at,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “It’s a time where most of those guys are going to get their most opportunity to play in terms of volume of plays. It’s really important.”

Players seemingly on the bubble at this point include: defensive tackle Gabe Wright; cornerback Alex Carter;rookie wide receivers Jay Lee and Jace Billingsley; linebacker Kaseem Greene; rookie defensive end Anthony Zettel; center Gabe Ikard; and running back George Winn.

Five reasons Thursday’s game is key:

1. Young players are fighting for a roster spot. Final cuts are due at 4 p.m. on Saturday. “They don’t take it lightly. Just like we talked the other day, it’s been months and months of an interview process, in some cases this might be the final interview for some, so they want to put on a great showing,” Caldwell said.

2. Some rookies and younger players haven’t had much opportunity in preseason games and they will get it on Thursday. “There may be a situation where you want to see a guy who hasn’t played much at all and you want to give him the great majority, or you have a sense that the guy who maybe has been getting a few more reps than the other guy might warrant a little bit more to see him function with a little bit more time as well,” Caldwell said.

3. Quarterback Jake Rudock could see extensive playing time. Matthew Stafford is expected to sit while Dan Orlovsky starts. Rudock appears likely to make the 53-man roster but still has much to learn. Even though he will be going against second- and third-team defenses, it will be a valuable learning experience. Quarterback coach Brian Callihan and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter have been working closely with him on everything from accuracy to footwork. “You name it, he’s grown. He’s throwing the ball better. He’s stronger in the pocket, more decisive. I mean you name it, he’s gotten better” Caldwell said.

4. Special teams is the ticket for many young players. Tahir Whitehead is the starting middle linebacker now but his first three seasons he played only special teams and played them well. “So even as you watch our special teams, even though there may not be as many starters in there, even though you’ll see some obviously, the ones that are not starters, that’s how they’re going to make it. That’s the difference in terms of, often guys that kind of shape that below the starter level sort of player,” Caldwell said.

5. It can be a nerve-wracking night but they have to put nerves and thoughts about the future aside and just play. Easier said than done. “How they handle the situation, how stressful it is for them,” Caldwell said. “Often times it gets to be pretty stressful for those guys, and whether or not they can calm their nerves, stay focused and not try to do something completely out of the ordinary I think, all those things we evaluate.”