The NFL season is just around the corner, and teams are gearing up for their first game. One of the most important aspects of getting ready for the season is trimming the roster down to the final 53 players. The Detroit Lions had some tough decisions to make during the 2016 roster cuts, and some of the moves they made were surprising to fans and analysts alike.
In this article, we'll take a look back at the Detroit Lions roster cuts from 2016, and examine some of the biggest surprises and disappointments.
The Surprise Cuts
Every year, there are a few players who get cut that nobody saw coming. In 2016, the Lions had a couple of surprise cuts that left fans scratching their heads.
Stevan Ridley
Running back Stevan Ridley was one of the biggest surprises of the Lions' roster cuts in 2016. Ridley had been signed by the team in the offseason to provide some depth at the running back position, but he was cut before the start of the regular season.
Ridley had previously played for the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, and had a solid track record as a power back. He had rushed for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012, and had been a reliable backup for the Patriots for several seasons.
Gabe Wright
Gabe Wright was another surprise cut for the Lions in 2016. The defensive tackle had been a fourth-round draft pick by the team in 2015, and was expected to compete for a starting job in his second season.
However, Wright struggled in training camp and preseason, and was ultimately cut before the start of the regular season. Many fans and analysts were surprised by the move, as Wright had shown some promise in his rookie season.
The Disappointments
Not every player who gets cut is a surprise. In 2016, the Lions had a few players who were expected to make the team, but didn't perform up to expectations.
Josh Bynes
Linebacker Josh Bynes was one of the biggest disappointments of the Lions' roster cuts in 2016. Bynes had played well for the team in 2015, and was expected to be a key player on defense in the upcoming season.
However, Bynes struggled in training camp and preseason, and was ultimately cut before the start of the regular season. Many fans and analysts were disappointed by the move, as Bynes had shown some promise in his previous season with the team.
Quandre Diggs
Cornerback Quandre Diggs was another player who was expected to make the team in 2016, but ultimately didn't make the cut. Diggs had played well in his rookie season in 2015, and was expected to be a key player in the Lions' secondary.
However, Diggs struggled in training camp and preseason, and was ultimately cut before the start of the regular season. Many fans and analysts were disappointed by the move, as Diggs had shown some promise in his rookie season.
Conclusion
The Detroit Lions made some tough decisions during the 2016 roster cuts, and some of the moves they made were surprising to fans and analysts alike. While some players exceeded expectations and made the final roster, others fell short and were ultimately cut.
As the NFL season approaches, it will be interesting to see how the Lions' roster performs on the field. Will the players who made the final cut live up to expectations, or will the team regret some of the cuts they made in 2016? Only time will tell.
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