The Detroit Lions' preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals was a mixed bag, to say the least. While some players shone, others left more questions than answers, and their roster chances may hang in the balance. Let's dive into the key players who didn't quite make the cut and explore the implications of their performances.
Michael Niese, Center
Niese's performance was a concern, to say the least. While he had a decent block for Raheem Blackshear's 24-yard run, his primary responsibility as a center was to corral the football. Unfortunately, he skipped a snap off the turf, resulting in a 5-yard loss, and another poor snap was salvaged by Luke Altmyer. As a center, this is a critical error, and Niese's last offensive snap of the season last year was also a poor snap that ended in a safety. If he wants to make the roster, he needs to clean up his act and deliver consistent performances. In my opinion, Niese's future with the Lions is uncertain, and he may need to prove himself in the coming weeks to secure a spot.
Dominic Lovett, Wide Receiver
Lovett tied for the team lead in receiving with three catches for 28 yards, but his performance left a lot to be desired. With eight targets, he failed to haul in more than half of them, dropping two. His impact on special teams was also minimal, bobbling one of his two punt returns. Lovett is competing for both a wide receiver role and a special teams role, and he needs to separate himself from the pack to justify a roster spot. While none of the other receivers stood out, Lovett's performance was underwhelming, and he may need to step up his game in the coming weeks.
Luke Altmyer, Quarterback
Altmyer's performance was a complicated tape to judge. While he moved the ball downfield with authority and had some excellent passes, including a 23-yard dart to Cedrick Wilson, he also threw two interceptions. Altmyer had some poise in the pocket, but he missed his chance to stake his claim ahead of Joshua Dobbs on the depth chart. As an undrafted rookie, Altmyer needed a great performance to solidify his position, but he came up short. Now, with Dobbs having another week of practice under his belt, Altmyer's advantage is lost, and the battle for the starting quarterback job is far from over.
Miles Frazier, Offensive Lineman
Frazier was an unquestioned roster lock entering the week, but his performance against the Bengals made me think twice. He was dinged for three holding penalties, a frustrating showing for the young lineman. While he was fine as a guard, he was overshadowed by others, and his rawness was on full display when he got beat badly on a sack. Frazier's ability to play across the offensive line is valuable, but we need to see some good offensive line play. His future with the Lions is uncertain, and he may need to prove himself in the coming weeks to secure a spot.
Payton Turner, Defensive End
Turner's future with the Lions is also uncertain. While he didn't play in the game, the clock is ticking for him to show that he deserves a roster spot. The front seven played well against the Bengals, and Turner needs to get on the field soon to avoid being outpaced by his competition. With a lot of roster-worthy players along the defensive line, Turner needs to step up his game in the coming weeks to secure a spot.
In my opinion, the Detroit Lions' preseason opener was a mixed bag, and some players left more questions than answers. While some players shone, others need to step up their game in the coming weeks to secure a roster spot. The Lions have a lot of work to do to build a competitive roster, and the coming weeks will be crucial in determining who makes the cut.
