It seems like everyone is weighing in on whether or not Matthew Stafford ought to play in the third preseason game (we did too) for the Lions, so here is another take. This time, it is Dave Birkett at the Detroit Free Press making the argument that Stafford does not really need to appear in the game.
As pointed out by Mike O’Hara on WJR 760, a lot of the “first-team reps” that some fans would like to see from Stafford in a game setting have been addressed in joint practices where both teams are definitely using their starters. According to Michael David Smith at Pro Football Talk, teams playing preseason games without their true starter taking any snaps is fairly widespread: twelve teams had not used their starting quarterback at all in their first two preseason games.
Birkett’s point about it being a “high-risk, low-reward venture” has already been made tangible for other teams in preseason Week 3. One of the teams that hadn’t previously used its starter was the Carolina Panthers, and their 2015 MVP quarterback “luckily” sustained what appears to be “just” a mid-foot sprain against the New England Patriots.
cc: @Lions https://t.co/1iG4AQ4nR2
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) August 23, 2019
The Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon took note of another Thursday night injury scare for the Green Bay Packers when first-round pick Rashan Gary and presumptive WR4 Equanimeous St. Brown both left preseason action against the Oakland Raiders early.
After watching last night play out, I have ZERO problem with the Lions and Browns not playing anyone the casual fan has ever heard of in their games tonight. https://t.co/d1cQeSh43F
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) August 23, 2019
Head coach Frank Reich’s decision to sit most Colts starters (including potential Week 1 starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett) for their third preseason game against the Bears had safety in mind:
Here’s what Frank Reich said on the topic Thursday: "At some level we wanna protect Jacoby, to be honest with you, regardless of Andrew(’s status). In theory, even if Andrew’s playing in Week 1, he still hasn’t taken a lot of reps, so you still gotta protect Jacoby."
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) August 23, 2019
Whatever happens under center Friday night, Lions fans should still have some stuff to watch for, even if the veteran quarterback making the plays is someone other than Matthew Stafford.
On to the rest of today’s Notes:
Thanks boss!! You were the 1st one that believed in me! People don’t know that I was a Offensive lineman for 3 days in the NFL. Mike T made it back to Florham Park and put a end to it quickly I’m forever grateful! https://t.co/Az4b7eodhO
— Damon Harrison Sr. (@snacks) August 22, 2019
- Speaking of offensive line, Jeff Risdon at The Lions Wire examined the situation at left guard. It’s not good.
- ESPN’s Michael Rothstein talked to Jamal Agnew and Josh Johnson about a financial topic that does not come up too often in the football world: school loans. Really nice window into the long-term planning and thinking both have done.
- Tim Twentyman at the official Lions site spoke with punt god Sam Martin about core training in Florida at a golf training facility.
- While not about the Lions, there is an article by Sports Illustrated’s Kalyn Kahler about the Chicago Bears’ offseason competition to find a new kicker that is worth your time to read in full.