FanPost

The Lions' Next Man Up Philosophy

Jim Caldwell has mentioned in his press conferences how he doesn't expect to use injuries as an excuse because the media wouldn't accept that as a response. Because of this new coaching staff, the replacement players have stepped up huge. Players like Cassius Vaughn, Danny Gorrer (when he was here), C.J. Mosley, Caraun Reid, Tahir Whitehead, Isa Abdul-Quddus, Don Carey, Golden Tate, Corey Fuller, Kellen Davis, Theo Riddick, Travis Swanson and Cornelius Lucas *pauses to take a breath* have all stepped in and played significant minutes on the #1 defense and an offense that has performed well when needed most, late in games. Just read through that list of names again.

That speaks nothing of the depth players who've contributed to keep bodies fresh like Devin Taylor, Darryl Tapp, Josh Bynes, Swanson (again), and Andre Fluellen. That these guys have stepped in and contributed meaningful snaps while most Lions fans don't even know who half of them are shows how well they've performed.

SECONDARY

Cassius Vaughn: 6 games played, 7 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PBUs.

Isa Abdul-Quddus: 9 games played, 20 tackles, 2 PBUs.

Don Carey: 6 games played, 4 tackles, 1 FR.

Danny Gorrer: 6 games played, 7 tackles, 2 PBUs.

LINEBACKERS

Tahir Whitehead: 9 games played, 48 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 INTs, 3 PBUs.

Josh Bynes: 6 games played, 6 tackles.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Devin Taylor: 9 games played, 10 tackles, 1 TFL.

Darryl Tapp: 9 games played, 9 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 FR, 2 PBUs.

CJ Mosley: 8 games played, 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 FF.

Caraun Reid: 9 games played, 2 tackles.

Andre Fluellen: 1 game played.

RUNNING BACKS

Theo Riddick: 7 games played, 15 carries, 33 yards, 15 receptions, 154 yards, 3 TDs, 6 First Downs.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Golden Tate: 9 games played, 1 carry, 4 yards, 66 receptions, 909 yards, 3 TDs, 36 First Downs.

Corey Fuller: 9 games played, 12 receptions, 178 yards, 1 TD, 9 First Downs.

TIGHT ENDS

Kellen Davis: 2 games played, 1 tackle.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Travis Swanson: 9 games played.

Cornelius Lucas: 8 games played.

That's 17 players who've played more than they were expected to, 15 of which have played in more than half of the games, and 10 of which have played in at least 8 games.

This is something Lions fans haven't seen in as long as I can remember. Certainly not on a team that was 7-2.

Time to give some respect to the coaching staff and these players who have performed admirably when called upon.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride Of Detroit or its writers.