Notes: Detroit Lions starters to play a quarter vs Buffalo Bills in preseason opener

With so much change and addition to the roster, the Detroit Lions announced that starters will take the field for about a quarter in this Friday’s preseason opener. Coach Dan Campbell said Monday the organization discussed it as a staff and determined the starters need to play against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field.

“So, we’re just going to kind of take it as it is right now,” Campbell said at his morning press conference. “Instead of worrying too much about where we’re at for Indianapolis for that third preseason game preseason. Let’s just take it as it comes. Let’s get these guys where they’re playing together in game-like situations. We’re calling it as coaches. We’re going through the whole mechanics of all of it.”

It does make sense with all the changes happening within the organization and in the NFL. From the Lions making changes to their front office, coaching staff, and roster, as well as the league expanding to a 17-game season, and cutting the preseason from four games to three, that’s a lot to adjust to.

Fans will get their first chance to see QB Jared Goff and first-round rookie OT Penei Sewell in Anthony Lynn’s new offense. They’ll also get to see what last year’s first-round pick Jeff Okudah has to offer in Aaron Glenn’s new defense. New, new, new.

Campbell said there may be some structure on Friday, some concepts, but for the most part, he wants the guys to just do what they can do.

“Other than that, this is call what we call, what we are comfortable with, where we can really let these guys cut it loose with plays they know by heart. They don’t have to think a lot, and just see what the player looks like,” Campbell said.

The Lions' preseason opener kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on Friday.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• With another HOF ceremony in the books, CBS Sports ranked active quarterbacks on their chances of making it into the Hall of Fame themselves. See where Matthew Stafford landed.

• Speaking of, a heartwarming anecdote for Dan Orlovsky about Calvin Johnson.

• Detroitlions.com’s Tim Twentyman takes a closer look at one of the spicier position battles this season — inside linebacker.

• Oftentimes the young talent can indicate where a team could head in the future. ESPN’S Aaron Schatz ranked NFL teams based on talent under 25 years old. For the Lions, that means the likes of T.J. Hockenson, Jonah Jackson, Jeff Okudah, and more. (Subscription required.)

• Awww looks like Family Fest went well. Isn’t it nice to see people together again enjoying the Lions?