The Detroit Lions' preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals was a mixed bag, with some players shining and others leaving questions. While the team had some bright spots, several players saw their roster chances take a hit. Here's a breakdown of five Lions who hurt their roster chances, along with personal commentary and analysis.
Michael Niese, Center
Niese's performance was a concern, to say the least. While he had a good block to spring Raheem Blackshear on a 24-yard run, his overall play at center was underwhelming. 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, Niese needs to corral the football better, and his past mistakes, like the safety last season, cannot be ignored. If he wants to make the roster, he needs to clean up all aspects of his game. Personally, I think Niese's future is uncertain, and he'll need to step up his game significantly 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. His three receptions came on a team-high eight targets, but he failed to haul in more than half of them, dropping two. He was largely unimpactful on special teams as well, 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. In my opinion, Lovett's performance was underwhelming, and he'll need to step up his game to justify a roster spot.
Luke Altmyer, Quarterback
Altmyer's performance was complicated to judge, but overall, I was encouraged by his play. He moved the ball downfield with authority and had several excellent passes, including a 23-yard dart to Cedrick Wilson. However, this was Altmyer's best opportunity to stake his claim ahead of Joshua Dobbs, and he came up short. Altmyer's performance was solid, but it wasn't enough to solidify his position on the depth chart. I think both quarterbacks will be on equal footing, and this battle could shift weekly.
Miles Frazier, Offensive Lineman
Frazier was an unquestioned roster lock in my eyes, but his performance against the Bengals made me think twice. He was dinged for three holding penalties, a frustrating showing for the young lineman. As a guard with the first team, Frazier was fine, but he was overshadowed by others. Later in the game, he subbed in at left tackle, showcasing his positional versatility. However, he also showcased his rawness, getting beat badly on a sack. I think Frazier's ability to play across the offensive line makes him valuable, but we need to see some good offensive line play. Personally, I'm not convinced he's a lock for the roster.
Payton Turner, Defensive End
Turner needs to get on the field soon or risk getting outpaced by his competition. The front seven played well against the Bengals, and several defensive linemen competing for his roster spot had strong performances. Turner needs to step up his game and show that he deserves a spot. In my opinion, he's in a tough spot, and his future is uncertain.
In conclusion, the Detroit Lions' preseason opener was a mixed bag, with some players shining and others leaving questions. While the team had some bright spots, several players saw their roster chances take a hit. It's time for these players to step up their game and prove their worth. The clock is ticking, and the competition is fierce.
