Long Valley’s Burton Makes Presence Felt in First NFL Game

What’s a rookie have to do to get listed with the first team for the Detroit Lions?

Detroit Lions defensive end Darryl Tapp rushes the line during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Thursday, August 13, 2015, in Detroit.

You’d think an endorsement from the franchise’s greatest player would be worth more than that.

Gone are the days of Barry Sanders highlight-reel plays, juke moves and head turning quickness but don’t fear Detroit Lions fans, Ameer Abdullah could be just what the doctor ordered. Three quarterbacks all had scoring drives at one point or another, which I think was good, but we still got a lot of work to do.

Lions writers have given me some really favorable projections when it comes to Abdullah’s total yards from scrimmage this year, and this was before last night’s huge performance against the Jets.

It was good. But that doesn’t make him Barry Sanders. Ebron is a huge target at 6’4, 265 pounds so he needs to become more of a threat to defenses.

Opening statement:“Today is a day for us to come out and just break a sweat for the most part, get the guys loose and see how they’re moving around, and also go over corrections”.

Running back has been a wasteland for the Lions. It was a matter of shaking off the jitters of stepping on the field with the pros and learning how to run an pro-style offense. He’s considered more of a third-down or change-of-pace back, a tag that Abdullah is trying to avoid. However, if Abdullah continues to play well, he could earn a larger role early than expected, though Bell would still be the top option near the goal line. NFL teams have released depth charts for the first full week of preseason games.

When an NFL team goes 11-5, it generally means they have done a good job of building in the trenches.

Mike Farr, a wide receiver who played for the Lions from 1990-92, was in attendance with his brother Mel Farr Jr.

Dallas Cowboys: Rolando McClain, Decatur, linebacker, injured.

The Jets running-back tandem of Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell looked ready for the season to start. Todd Gurley (St. Louis Rams), Melvin Gordon (San Diego Chargers) and T.J. Yeldon (Jacksonville Jaguars) were all selected ahead of him. Gone are stud defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees was held out.

The departure of free agent Matt Flynn from the New England Patriots now presents a viable option for the New York Jets.

First-round pick Leonard Williams started in place of Wilkerson and Ronald Talley started ahead of Sheldon Richardson. Fitzpatrick isn’t, however, the type of quarterback that can power a team to the playoffs.

What are the position groups where the Lions have the best second teamers? Walker was a rotation tackle with the Saints last season, while Reid was a fifth-round pick in 2014 that didn’t show much as a rookie.