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lolBroyles finally ready to make mark?
July, 6, 2014
Jul 6
11:38
AM ET
By Tom Carpenter | ESPN.com
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Time and time again Ryan Broyles' body has betrayed him, stunting his attempts to settle in as a professional football player. He spent the previous two offseasons rehabbing from torn ACLs. This time around, he's working his way back from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The good news for Broyles is that he feels further along in his recovery this offseason.
?I haven?t felt this healthy to do anything in the offseason,? he said, per the Detroit Free Press. ?I (couldn?t do) a lot of pounding. But this offseason I feel like I?m going to be able to get a full offseason.?
Broyles got through minicamp without any setbacks and is looking to take further strides to improve his chances of making a mark in his third NFL campaign.
"... Broyles said this year?s rehab went very well and he wasn?t limited at all during minicamp," wrote Carlos Monarrez of the Free Press.
"He was even on the prowl for a speed coach he could work with before training camp in order to give him an edge."
The Detroit Lions have Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate atop their WR depth chart, but the battle for the No. 3 spot is wide open. If Broyles proves to be healthy during the preseason, he should be able to hold off Kris Durham, Kevin Ogletree and Jeremy Ross. Likely working primarily in the slot, Broyles could catch a lot of passes, making him a player to watch closely in fantasy leagues that reward a point per receptions.
How will Lions use rookie TE Ebron?
July, 1, 2014
Jul 1
11:40
AM ET
By Tom Carpenter | ESPN.com
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The biggest concerns for NFL teams that considered drafting tight end Eric Ebron were his propensity for dropping passes and questionable blocking skills in college. He's had ups and downs in that regard during his offseason workouts with the Detroit Lions, but his biggest issue right now may be mental overload from working all around the field in the Lions' new-look offense.
"I've been everywhere, and that is what's killing me," Ebron said on the Ross Tucker Football Podcast (via NFL.com). "I'm used to either learning the Y or learning the A, which we had at North Carolina. But now it's the Y, the F, the Z."
Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi likely envisions Ebron developing into a Jimmy Graham, whom he coached with the New Orleans Saints, so having Ebron work out of different positions now is an investment in his future versatility.
Ebron added that he expects to spend about half of his time working from the slot, 30 percent in-line with his hand on the ground, 15 percent out of the backfield and five percent out wide.
Eventually, Ebron should develop into a playmaker in a highly potent offense, which gives him plenty of long-term fantasy upside. That makes him in an intriguing option in keeper/dynasty leagues. However, his hands, blocking and limited targets likely will keep him from being a consistent option as a rookie:
Eric Karabell
Summer Snapshot: Detroit Lions
"Certainly, rookie tight end Eric Ebron, chosen 10th overall out of North Carolina, would like to validate the team?s faith in eschewing a defensive difference-maker for his services. Watch the Lions use myriad multi-tight end sets, and Ebron will fight for targets not necessarily with fellow tight end Brandon Pettigrew, but with Tate, pass-catching running backs Reggie Bush and Joique Bell and, oh yeah, that Calvin Johnson fellow."
What role will Lions LB Palmer have?
June, 19, 2014
Jun 19
12:55
PM ET
By Tom Carpenter | ESPN.com
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The writing was on the wall for linebacker Ashlee Palmer as soon as the Detroit Lions traded up to draft linebacker Kyle Van Noy in the second round: the rookie is going to replace the veteran as a starter sooner than later.
To his credit, Palmer has looked good during OTAs and minicamp.
"Palmer had a fine offseason, by all accounts," noted Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. "He devoured his new playbook, did everything coaches asked and heads into the summer comfortable with whatever the future holds."
And, not surprisingly, Palmer isn't going to give up his job without a fight.
?Van Noy, they brought him in as a linebacker, rush guy, whatever they want to bring him in as,? Palmer said at minicamp last week. ?He?s our teammate, he?s our brother. I?m going to help him, but all I can do is work, get better.?
Van Noy beginning the season as a starter over Palmer seems an inevitability, though, and Palmer may have to hold off others just to maintain a regular role:
Michael Rothstein
Post-minicamp roster prediction: Defense
"The starters are pretty set here with the two veterans (DeAndre Levy and Stephen Tulloch) and the rookie, Van Noy. Palmer will end up playing his way onto the team, but watch for Tahir Whitehead here. He is a potential candidate to push for playing time or at least be a stable backup in the middle."
Will Detroit return to the playoffs in 2014?
June, 18, 2014
Jun 18
11:47
AM ET
By Joe Kaiser | ESPN.com
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Detroit Lions fans continue to wait for the team to take the next step under Matthew Stafford, who amazingly is already entering his sixth NFL season in 2014. After finishing 7-9 in 2013, last season can only be viewed as a massive disappointment for a team with as much talent on offense as just about any team in the league.
So what are the biggest keys to the Lions getting back to the playoffs after missing out each of the last two seasons? In a Sports Nation chat on Tuesday, NFL Nation's Michael Rothstein pointed out two of them.
Here's Rothstein to explain.
Michael Rothstein
Stafford, secondary are biggest factors
"The Lions make the playoffs if their secondary can hold up in divisional games (as well as against New Orleans and New England) and if Matthew Stafford takes the necessary steps in his decision-making and accuracy. Those two things happen and the Lions should have a shot at the playoffs. I've been on record with my Detroit record for this season, so I'm not sold both those things happen."
July, 6, 2014
Jul 6
11:38
AM ET
By Tom Carpenter | ESPN.com
0
0
Comments(0)
Time and time again Ryan Broyles' body has betrayed him, stunting his attempts to settle in as a professional football player. He spent the previous two offseasons rehabbing from torn ACLs. This time around, he's working his way back from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The good news for Broyles is that he feels further along in his recovery this offseason.
?I haven?t felt this healthy to do anything in the offseason,? he said, per the Detroit Free Press. ?I (couldn?t do) a lot of pounding. But this offseason I feel like I?m going to be able to get a full offseason.?
Broyles got through minicamp without any setbacks and is looking to take further strides to improve his chances of making a mark in his third NFL campaign.
"... Broyles said this year?s rehab went very well and he wasn?t limited at all during minicamp," wrote Carlos Monarrez of the Free Press.
"He was even on the prowl for a speed coach he could work with before training camp in order to give him an edge."
The Detroit Lions have Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate atop their WR depth chart, but the battle for the No. 3 spot is wide open. If Broyles proves to be healthy during the preseason, he should be able to hold off Kris Durham, Kevin Ogletree and Jeremy Ross. Likely working primarily in the slot, Broyles could catch a lot of passes, making him a player to watch closely in fantasy leagues that reward a point per receptions.
How will Lions use rookie TE Ebron?
July, 1, 2014
Jul 1
11:40
AM ET
By Tom Carpenter | ESPN.com
0
0
Comments(0)
The biggest concerns for NFL teams that considered drafting tight end Eric Ebron were his propensity for dropping passes and questionable blocking skills in college. He's had ups and downs in that regard during his offseason workouts with the Detroit Lions, but his biggest issue right now may be mental overload from working all around the field in the Lions' new-look offense.
"I've been everywhere, and that is what's killing me," Ebron said on the Ross Tucker Football Podcast (via NFL.com). "I'm used to either learning the Y or learning the A, which we had at North Carolina. But now it's the Y, the F, the Z."
Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi likely envisions Ebron developing into a Jimmy Graham, whom he coached with the New Orleans Saints, so having Ebron work out of different positions now is an investment in his future versatility.
Ebron added that he expects to spend about half of his time working from the slot, 30 percent in-line with his hand on the ground, 15 percent out of the backfield and five percent out wide.
Eventually, Ebron should develop into a playmaker in a highly potent offense, which gives him plenty of long-term fantasy upside. That makes him in an intriguing option in keeper/dynasty leagues. However, his hands, blocking and limited targets likely will keep him from being a consistent option as a rookie:
Eric Karabell
Summer Snapshot: Detroit Lions
"Certainly, rookie tight end Eric Ebron, chosen 10th overall out of North Carolina, would like to validate the team?s faith in eschewing a defensive difference-maker for his services. Watch the Lions use myriad multi-tight end sets, and Ebron will fight for targets not necessarily with fellow tight end Brandon Pettigrew, but with Tate, pass-catching running backs Reggie Bush and Joique Bell and, oh yeah, that Calvin Johnson fellow."
What role will Lions LB Palmer have?
June, 19, 2014
Jun 19
12:55
PM ET
By Tom Carpenter | ESPN.com
0
0
Comments(0)
The writing was on the wall for linebacker Ashlee Palmer as soon as the Detroit Lions traded up to draft linebacker Kyle Van Noy in the second round: the rookie is going to replace the veteran as a starter sooner than later.
To his credit, Palmer has looked good during OTAs and minicamp.
"Palmer had a fine offseason, by all accounts," noted Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. "He devoured his new playbook, did everything coaches asked and heads into the summer comfortable with whatever the future holds."
And, not surprisingly, Palmer isn't going to give up his job without a fight.
?Van Noy, they brought him in as a linebacker, rush guy, whatever they want to bring him in as,? Palmer said at minicamp last week. ?He?s our teammate, he?s our brother. I?m going to help him, but all I can do is work, get better.?
Van Noy beginning the season as a starter over Palmer seems an inevitability, though, and Palmer may have to hold off others just to maintain a regular role:
Michael Rothstein
Post-minicamp roster prediction: Defense
"The starters are pretty set here with the two veterans (DeAndre Levy and Stephen Tulloch) and the rookie, Van Noy. Palmer will end up playing his way onto the team, but watch for Tahir Whitehead here. He is a potential candidate to push for playing time or at least be a stable backup in the middle."
Will Detroit return to the playoffs in 2014?
June, 18, 2014
Jun 18
11:47
AM ET
By Joe Kaiser | ESPN.com
3
0
Comments(3)
Detroit Lions fans continue to wait for the team to take the next step under Matthew Stafford, who amazingly is already entering his sixth NFL season in 2014. After finishing 7-9 in 2013, last season can only be viewed as a massive disappointment for a team with as much talent on offense as just about any team in the league.
So what are the biggest keys to the Lions getting back to the playoffs after missing out each of the last two seasons? In a Sports Nation chat on Tuesday, NFL Nation's Michael Rothstein pointed out two of them.
Here's Rothstein to explain.
Michael Rothstein
Stafford, secondary are biggest factors
"The Lions make the playoffs if their secondary can hold up in divisional games (as well as against New Orleans and New England) and if Matthew Stafford takes the necessary steps in his decision-making and accuracy. Those two things happen and the Lions should have a shot at the playoffs. I've been on record with my Detroit record for this season, so I'm not sold both those things happen."
