Tag: Bobby Price

Lions PFF grades: Best and worst players against the Bears from Week 4

The Detroit Lions PFF grades reflect the continued struggles in the secondary and average showing from the offense against the Chicago Bears

The Detroit Lions seemed to be on the up and up competing against the top-tier teams this season. Heading into Week 4, you had to believe they were feeling good against the Chicago Bears team that gave up nine sacks the previous week. The only kicker was they competing against the Bears and themselves, turning to be their downfall.

With poor execution, sub-par defensive play, and the constant shot footing, the Lions could not get anything figured out until it was too late. Also, to add injury to insult, the Lions lost their best defensive player, Romeo Okwara, for the season, making a poor defense much weaker in the long run.

There weren’t too many stellar players this week, and it reflected in this week’s PFF grades for the Lions.

Lions vs Bears: Studs and Duds for Week 4

The Detroit Lions shot themselves in the foot to a 24-14 loss to the Chicago Bears, but with many duds, there are some studs this week.

The Detroit Lions walked into Soldier Field today in hopes of getting that elusive first win of the season against the Chicago Bears, but they will have to wait another week at a shot for that win. The Lions could not rebound from the number of mistakes made today dropping their fourth straight of the season with a 24-14 loss to the Bears.

Considering how the Lions and Bears played last week, many believed the Lions had a fair shot at pulling off the victory, but play after play on both sides of the ball it didn’t seem like they were in tune. Between the blown coverages and ill-timed turnovers, it dug the Lions a hole they couldn’t get themselves out today.

In a game where the Lions continuously shot themselves in the foot, it might be hard to walk away with anything the Lions can hang their hat out. Likely there were a few studs mixed in the number of duds this week.

Lions vs Ravens: Studs and Duds for Week 3

With a heartbreaking loss in the books for the Detroit Lions, this week’s studs and duds showcases the positives and negatives in this game

The Detroit Lions fought to the very end, going toe to toe with one of the better teams in the NFL, but with a last-minute NFL record-setting kick from Justin Tucker, the Lions dropped their third straight with a 19-17 heartbreaking loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

This loss hurts a ton; there is no denying that in the least, especially the fight this team showed throughout the game. The offense sputtered in the first half but found their stride to claw right back in it to take the lead at the end. The defense managed to keep Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense in check for the most part with a solid game plan. But when it came to matter the most in big situations, it faltered, especially the 4th-and-19 conversion to set up the last-minute field goal.

There is no question there is no quit with the Lions, and they will not back down from a fight. They have been in every game at some capacity so far this season. They just can’t manage to break through the elusive first win barrier. So with heavy sorrows at hand, here are this week’s Lions studs and duds.

Lions options for replacing injured CB Jeff Okudah

Breaking down the Detroit Lions options for replacing injured CB Jeff Okudah

Now that Jeff Okudah has been placed on injured reserve, the Detroit Lions have to replace one of their starting cornerbacks. It will not be an easy task, even if the second-year corner had his struggles. Okudah was not only the Lions’ top corner, he’s also the leader of the unit and had an impressive training camp mastering new coordinator Aaron Glenn’s defensive scheme.

The Lions have a few options to replace Okudah.

Ifeatu Melifonwu

The third-round rookie filled in versus the 49ers after Okudah’s injury. Melifonwu has the size and athletic profile to do what the Lions asked of Okudah on the outside.

Head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged in his press conference on Monday that Melifonwu is the likely next man up,

“Look, he’s been working hard, and he quietly has really improved,” Campbell said of Melifonwu. “He’s another guy from spring that has just quietly had a good spring and a good camp. So, yeah, he’s probably—there’s a good chance he’s the next guy up.”

Jerry Jacobs or Bobby Price

Campbell was quick to mention the two undrafted corners right after talking about Melifonwu. Jacobs and Price each played only on special teams in Week 1.

“We’ve got two other young guys, too, in Bobby Price and (Jerry) Jacobs,” Campbell said. “So, we’re going to put the best combination out there and see where we go. But, listen, it’s next man up and we said that from day one. It doesn’t matter who’s in there, all that matters is who’s in there does what they’re asked to do and does it the very best that they can do it.”

Jacobs, a rookie from Arkansas, is the more natural outside corner, and he’s even more physical in man coverage than Melifownu. The high-energy Jacobs tackled very well in preseason, and that’s something that Okudah has proven to be good at as well.

Price is converting to CB after playing as a safety in college and in his rookie season in Detroit. The Lions like his athleticism and potential, though his very limited experience playing corner could be rife with peril if the team asks too much, too soon from Price.

Nickell Robey-Coleman moves up

Veteran Nickell Robey-Coleman is currently on the practice squad. He was a late addition to training camp and didn’t beat out undrafted rookie A.J. Parker for the slot corner role.

Robey-Coleman does have some experience playing outside despite his small stature. The Lions could use his veteran savvy and presence. The issue is the 29-year-old didn’t play well at all in the preseason in the slot, where he’s been at his best throughout his NFL career, and Parker is the future inside.

Outside options

Campbell made it clear the team will indeed be bringing in another cornerback not currently on the team.

“Well, certainly, we need to add someone just to help us on the overall roster, even from a practice standpoint,” Campbell said. “It’ll be somebody that’s going to help us just overall depth for sure.”
Many of the more prominent names available are not actually able to play right away due to injury issues. That effectively wipes out players like Darqueze Dennard and Gareon Conley. Pending legal issues are a problem with Richard Sherman, who would be far more likely to rejoin the 49ers with San Francisco’s own massive injury issues at cornerback, too.
Some of the veteran free agents who might still have something to offer from a health and schematic standpoint:
  • Pierre Desir
  • Daryl Worley
  • Blidi Wreh-Wilson
  • De’Vante Bausby
  • Akeem King

It’s just not a great time to need immediate impact help at cornerback.

New Lions receive their numbers amongst several jersey changes

KhaDarel Hodge and Austin Seibert picked out their numbers while several other Lions changed their jersey numbers

With plenty of options to choose from following roster cuts, the new members of the Detroit Lions were given their jersey numbers for the upcoming season.

Wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge will wear number 18, which was previously worn in Detroit by Geronimo Allison. Hodge was claimed off of waivers by the Lions just a day after he was cut by the Cleveland Browns.

After releasing both of their kickers, Detroit put in a claim for Austin Seibert to fill the void at the position. Seibert will wear number 4, which was just donned by his predecessor Randy Bullock. Seibert also wore that number during his time in Cleveland.

Acquired in a recent trade with the Denver Broncos, wide receiver Trinity Benson will sport the number 17 in Detroit.

On the practice squad, Steven Montez was given the number 19 — one that is seldom worn by quarterbacks. Cornerback Parnell Motley will wear 29 and edge rusher Jessie Lemonier will wear 52. Tight ends Jared Pinkney and Shane Zylstra were given numbers 82 and 84, respectively.

Two members on the 53-man roster also switched their jersey numbers.

Linebacker Austin Bryant, who has worn 94 in Detroit for the last two seasons, has moved into the single-digits and will now play with the number 2 on his jersey.

Defensive back Bobby Price switched his number to 27 after making the roster due to him and long snapper Scott Daly both sharing 47 during training camp.

Cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, who was signed to the practice squad, will now wear the number 1 instead of 43, which he held for the last few weeks.

 

6 takeaways from the Lions’ initial 53-man roster

Thoughts on who made the initial 53, where the Lions still need help, UDFA success stories and more

The first incarnation of the Detroit Lions’ 53-man roster is now set. Over 20 players were cut in the last two days to whittle down the roster to 53 players.

The Lions are not done making moves yet. Expect the team to follow the words of head coach Dan Campbell earlier this week and bring in some players who were waived or released by other teams. But for now, the 53-man roster stands.

Here are a few takeaways from the initial 53.

Lions roster cutdowns: Breaking down the decisions to cut Breshad Perriman and Mike Ford

Breaking down the Detroit Lions decisions to cut Breshad Perriman and Mike Ford

Roster cutdowns are coming around the NFL at a fast and furious pace, faster than they can even make another flick in that film franchise. The Detroit Lions pumped the brakes on two notable veterans, Breshad Perriman and Mike Ford, in cuts that raised some eyebrows in Detroit and around the NFL.

Monday morning kicked off with the news that Perriman was released. It wasn’t a surprise to see the underwhelming veteran wideout sent packing, despite what far too many fantasy football pundits tried to sell you; Perriman didn’t play well enough to earn a spot, not even on the Lions’ relatively weak and thin receiving corps. Two ugly drops by Perriman in the preseason finale made it easier to sell to fans who held out hope that No. 19 could be a viable weapon in Detroit.

Perriman is not a kneecap-biter, in the parlance of head coach Dan Campbell, It was a risk the Lions knew when they signed him after he quickly washed out with Baltimore. And Washington. And Cleveland. And Tampa Bay. And the Jets.

Breshad Perriman gets the NFL version of ‘Last Chance U’ with the Lions

It would have been nice if it worked, and the theory behind trying Perriman was solid. Reuniting Perriman with WR coach Antwan Randle-El, who coaxed Perriman to his NFL pinnacle in 2019 with the Buccaneers, on the team where his father Brett was a beloved wideout, it made all the sense in the world to try. It cost the Lions $2 million to learn that sometimes there just isn’t any juice left in the lemon. It’s better than sucking on the rind for too long.

The decision to move on from cornerback Mike Ford is a tougher one. Ford is a kneecap-biter, a max-effort guy who has proven himself as an asset on special teams and shown some ability in coverage at times in his three years in Detroit, too.

Ford didn’t have a great summer. After getting the bulk of first-team reps in the slot early on in training camp, Ford got bounced back to the outside. His uneven play in the preseason likely proved that Ford will never be more than he is now, and youngsters like A.J. Parker (who seized the slot CB role) and Bobby Price offer more in the long term.

Stripping away the emotion of losing a likable, hard-working veteran like Ford, it’s a smart business decision by the Lions. Price is younger, more positionally versatile and has the same sort of dynamic special teams impact potential as Ford. The team liked what it saw from Price in converting him from safety to outside CB midway through camp, and that arrow is pointing up. Ford’s arrow is pointing sideways, towards being a special teams-only asset for another team.

Price might very well wind up being exactly that as well, but right now he’s shown the potential to be more than that in Detroit. If it’s not Price, the Lions will import someone who fits that bill that they see with even higher potential. It’s the kind of prudent but tough decision a good organization makes, even if it stings. Fans should appreciate the new-look Lions trying to become a good organization.

 

Lions preseason: Who and what to watch for in the matchup with the Steelers

Players to watch and things to take note of when the Detroit Lions face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second preseason game

When the Detroit Lions meet the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, August 21st in Heinz Field, it will be the second preseason game for Dan Campbell’s team. The coach has already ruled out a few key players for the trip to Pittsburgh, but that only creates opportunities to watch other players and facets of the team.

Here are some of the things to focus on when the Lions play the Steelers in the only preseason road game for Detroit in 2021.

Bobby Price getting a crash course at cornerback

Price is working after practice with Mike Ford and Tyrell Williams to get better with his technique

Bobby Price is still getting used to the concept of playing cornerback. Now in his second season with the Lions, Price was moved from safety in the middle of last week to outside cornerback.

Price had never played a single snap in his entire football life at cornerback. He’s been a safety with the Lions and in college at Norfolk State, plus a high school career at quarterback.

When asked if the transition was easy or quick, Price offered a blunt rejection.

“Hell no,” Price said following Tuesday night’s practice. “It’s a lot different than playing safety. (At) Safety you’ve got to make a lot more calls, so it’s a lot more on the mental. But corner is covering guys wherever they go. So it’s a different transition, but I feel like I’m athletic enough and I have the capabilities to play this position.”

With some post-practice help from veteran CB Mike Ford and wideout Tyrell Williams, Price is taking a crash course in using his hands and looking for the ball in the air on the outside at CB.

“I’m trying to get better, work on my hands at the line, just try and get comfortable at corner,” Price said. “I’ve always played safety so just trying to figure out when I transition my eyes, when I’m supposed to look back. Just working press/jam. Just different techniques at corner.”

Price was victimized by a long pass play on the Buffalo Bills’ final game-winning drive in the preseason opener, a play where his complete lack of experience at both hand usage and ball recognition were on full display. But he’s got length and speed that cannot be taught. Those traits offer Price a real path to sticking in Detroit for a second season, likely on the practice squad, but also for a longer stint if the lessons are learned and applied at cornerback.

Video mailbag: Camp battles, rookies, WR plan, Goff and more

Detroit Lions video mailbag on training camp impressions, Jared Goff, the plan at wide receiver and more

Instead of doing a more traditional mailbag, we decided to offer up a video version. I took questions from the Detroit Lions Podcast and the Patreon channel for the show, and the members delivered with some good questions.

Among the topics covered:

  • The plan, both short- and long-term, at wide receiver
  • Rookies making noise in camp
  • Jared Goff impressions and how he can succeed in Detroit
  • Undrafted rookies who can make the team
  • Recent position changes and how they impact the depth chart
  • My favorite rock guitarists, because there is more to life than football

We will do another one of these following the Lions final preseason game. Details on how you can get into the Patreon are available at the Detroit Lions Podcast link on the page in the YouTube video.