Flint
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- Jan 27, 2016
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The Detroit Lions of 2017 feature white players from A to Z, Jared Abberderis to Anthony Zettel and Zach Zenner. And that's about it. The Lions are one of the worst run professional franchises in sports history, having not won a title since 1957, and winning one post-season game since then. They have never appeared in a Division championship game or Super Bowl in the Super Bowl area.
They did manage to back into the post season last year. Mainly due to the presence of the highest paid player in the NFL: QB Matt Stafford. Stafford set a record last year for come from behind victories in one season. He is one of the best throwers in the game but can be erratic and typically has no talent around him.
The team is of interest to CF for one reason, RB Zach Zenner. Zenner a small college sensation, was pressed into duty last season due to injuries at the position and responded with some good games running behind the Lions pathetic offensive line. During the off-season he was shuffled back on the depth chart behind all the players he had outperformed but had more "upside". He is currently 4th or 5th on the depth chart but it appears that head coach Jim Caldwell likes him so he may get some touches when the inevitable injuries sideline the players ahead of him.
Jace Billingsley was a training camp sensation last season and earned a spot on the practice squad. He had a good preseason this year, and once again is on the practice squad. His versatility in returning kicks and on coverage squads however make him a good bet to join the roster if a spot opens up.
Jared Abberderis a walk on star receiver at Wisconsin was under used at Green Bay and has made the most of his time with Detroit this summer to earn a spot on the team. He is low on the depth chart but the Lion receivers are horrible so he should get some reps at some point.
Injuries to the defensive line have opened a spot for DE Anthony Zettel. Zettel a stand out player at Penn State was serving his racial apprenticeship until injuries opened the door for him. Like almost all white defensive ends he is a good one and should have a good year.
The Lions have a virtual snow plow on the offensive line. 2016 First round pick Taylor Decker from Ohio State (back when they played white guys) is a rising star for the Lions. Unfortunately he ripped a bicep muscle and is out for most of the season. On the o-line the Lions signed guard TJ Lang from Green Bay where he was part of their snow plow and Rich Wagner from the Ravens. They join Graham Glasgow a 2nd year guy from Michigan. The Lions are putting together a solid offensive line which should pay dividends in the future.
Backups on the o-line are Brian Mahalik, TJ Jones, Zac Kerin, and Joe Dahl. The Lions recently cut ties with first round bust Laken Tomlinson which hopefully signals a move away from drafting any sumo's.
Not much on the defensive side other then Zettel although the Lions will start their first white linebacker since Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt, the criminally undervalued OLB Paul Worrilow. MLB backup is Nick Bellore.
Joe Ruddock is the backup QB, Matt Prater one of the strongest legs ever is the kicker, Sam Martin is one of the best punters but is on the non-football injury list, nobody is sure why so Kasey Redfern will start the season as the punter.
Starters: 7
Roster: 20
They did manage to back into the post season last year. Mainly due to the presence of the highest paid player in the NFL: QB Matt Stafford. Stafford set a record last year for come from behind victories in one season. He is one of the best throwers in the game but can be erratic and typically has no talent around him.
The team is of interest to CF for one reason, RB Zach Zenner. Zenner a small college sensation, was pressed into duty last season due to injuries at the position and responded with some good games running behind the Lions pathetic offensive line. During the off-season he was shuffled back on the depth chart behind all the players he had outperformed but had more "upside". He is currently 4th or 5th on the depth chart but it appears that head coach Jim Caldwell likes him so he may get some touches when the inevitable injuries sideline the players ahead of him.
Jace Billingsley was a training camp sensation last season and earned a spot on the practice squad. He had a good preseason this year, and once again is on the practice squad. His versatility in returning kicks and on coverage squads however make him a good bet to join the roster if a spot opens up.
Jared Abberderis a walk on star receiver at Wisconsin was under used at Green Bay and has made the most of his time with Detroit this summer to earn a spot on the team. He is low on the depth chart but the Lion receivers are horrible so he should get some reps at some point.
Injuries to the defensive line have opened a spot for DE Anthony Zettel. Zettel a stand out player at Penn State was serving his racial apprenticeship until injuries opened the door for him. Like almost all white defensive ends he is a good one and should have a good year.
The Lions have a virtual snow plow on the offensive line. 2016 First round pick Taylor Decker from Ohio State (back when they played white guys) is a rising star for the Lions. Unfortunately he ripped a bicep muscle and is out for most of the season. On the o-line the Lions signed guard TJ Lang from Green Bay where he was part of their snow plow and Rich Wagner from the Ravens. They join Graham Glasgow a 2nd year guy from Michigan. The Lions are putting together a solid offensive line which should pay dividends in the future.
Backups on the o-line are Brian Mahalik, TJ Jones, Zac Kerin, and Joe Dahl. The Lions recently cut ties with first round bust Laken Tomlinson which hopefully signals a move away from drafting any sumo's.
Not much on the defensive side other then Zettel although the Lions will start their first white linebacker since Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt, the criminally undervalued OLB Paul Worrilow. MLB backup is Nick Bellore.
Joe Ruddock is the backup QB, Matt Prater one of the strongest legs ever is the kicker, Sam Martin is one of the best punters but is on the non-football injury list, nobody is sure why so Kasey Redfern will start the season as the punter.
Starters: 7
Roster: 20
