The Detroit Lions' training camp is one of the most exciting times of the year for NFL enthusiasts. It is the period when the team prepares for the upcoming season, and fans get a glimpse of the new players who will be joining the team. The 2017 Detroit Lions training camp roster was particularly interesting, and in this article, we will take a comprehensive look at the team and its players.
Offense
Quarterbacks
The quarterback position is always a critical one for any team, and the Detroit Lions are no exception. The team had three quarterbacks on its training camp roster in 2017: Matthew Stafford, Jake Rudock, and Brad Kaaya. Stafford is the undisputed starter, but Rudock and Kaaya were both competing for the backup role.
Rudock was the backup in 2016, but the Lions drafted Kaaya in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Kaaya was a standout at the University of Miami, and many experts believed he could develop into a solid NFL quarterback. In the end, the Lions waived Kaaya, and he was claimed by the Carolina Panthers. Rudock was once again named the backup quarterback.
Running Backs
The Lions' running back situation was a bit murky in 2017. The team had several players competing for roles, including Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Zach Zenner, and Dwayne Washington. Abdullah and Riddick were expected to be the main contributors, but injuries limited their effectiveness. Zenner and Washington both saw playing time, but neither made a significant impact.
The team also added rookie Tion Green late in the season. Green showed some promise, but he was not given many opportunities to showcase his skills. Overall, the Lions' running back situation was a weakness in 2017, and the team will need to address it in the future.
Defense
Defensive Line
The Lions' defensive line was a strength in 2017, led by standout defensive end Ezekiel Ansah. Ansah had 12 sacks on the season, and he was a force to be reckoned with on a weekly basis. The team also had solid contributions from defensive tackles A'Shawn Robinson and Haloti Ngata, as well as defensive end Anthony Zettel.
The Lions' pass rush was a key part of their defensive success, and the defensive line was a big reason for that. The team will look to build on this strength in the future.
Linebackers
The Lions' linebackers were a bit of a mixed bag in 2017. Jarrad Davis was the team's first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and he showed promise throughout the season. However, the rest of the linebacking corps struggled at times.
Tahir Whitehead was the team's leading tackler, but he had issues in coverage. Paul Worrilow was brought in as a free agent but did not make much of an impact. Overall, the Lions' linebackers will need to improve in the future.
Special Teams
Kicker
The Lions had one of the best kickers in the NFL in 2017 in Matt Prater. Prater made 30 of 35 field-goal attempts, including several game-winners. He was a reliable option for the team, and his leg was a big reason for the team's success.
Punter
The Lions' punting situation was less clear in 2017. Sam Martin was the team's punter for most of the season, but he missed several games due to injury. Jeff Locke filled in during Martin's absence, but he was not particularly impressive.
Conclusion
The 2017 Detroit Lions training camp roster was an intriguing one, with several new players vying for roles on the team. The team had some strengths, particularly on the defensive line and at kicker, but there were also some weaknesses that will need to be addressed in the future. Overall, the Lions showed promise in 2017, and fans will be eagerly anticipating the team's progress in the years to come.
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