Roundtable: Should Jared Goff Sit Entire Preseason?
1.) What was your biggest takeaway from the Lions' preseason victory against the Giants?
Christian Booher: That Lions' defense is deep. Even without the big names like Aidan Hutchinson, the unit still shined. New York's offense struggled to put much together, besides for drives that started with short fields. This was a result of the talent that is all over the defense in Detroit.
Additionally, the rookies are ready to go. Jack Campbell was impressive and consistently present against the run, while Brian Branch had a massive hit in the open field. As a whole, the defense showed its mettle on Friday.
Vito Chirco: I'll give you two things. First off, second-year wideout Jameson Williams does not look ready for primetime. He secured just two of his seven targets Friday night against the Giants, and proved to me that he's far from a finished product and still needs time to develop.
Second, the Lions showcased why they needed to add a veteran backup quarterback, like recent acquisition Teddy Bridgewater. Nate Sudfeld, last year's backup passer, struggled mightily under center Friday, and proved why he doesn't belong No. 2 on the team's quarterbacks depth chart behind Jared Goff.
It was nice to see undrafted free agent Adrian Martinez also get some reps in Friday's exhibition opener, and lead the Lions on a game-winning drive. However, you very well know that Detroit head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes were never going to leave camp with the former Nebraska and Kansas State QB as their No. 2 passer.
2.) Who impressed you the most against the Giants?
Booher: I think Julian Okwara was the star of the show. Three sacks in a game that was very important for his spot on the roster. It was a big performance in a big-time spot for the Notre Dame product.
Also, Maurice Alexander deserves a nod. The Lions have an opening in the return game with Justin Jackson's retirement, and the former USFL standout certainly made his statement with a dazzling return.
Chirco: I thought Julian Okwara was the most impressive. Okwara enters the 2023 season in the last year of his rookie deal, and there's no guarantee that he makes the Lions' 53-man roster out of camp. So, he needs to impress throughout the preseason, and I believe he definitely started off on the right foot with his performance Friday night.
The fourth-year EDGE got after Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito all night long, and came through with three sacks of the New York passer. Okwara also finished with three total tackles.
The Notre Dame product has been referred to as a "flash" player before by Lions head man Dan Campbell. So, now Okwara will have to prove that he can sustain somewhere close to that level of production. If he does, he should have no problem making Detroit's season-opening roster.
3.) Which player did not help their cause Friday?
Booher: I think Mo Ibrahim had a big opportunity to claim the third running back spot, with both Craig Reynolds and Jermar Jefferson not in action. However, he struggled to get going, and briefly left the game with an injury.
The undrafted rookie, who has been a darkhorse to make the roster, finished with just nine yards on four carries. Time will tell if he can rebound, but it wasn't the start to the preseason that he was looking for.
Chirco: I thought that Nate Sudfeld really hurt his chance of making the Lions' season-opening, 53-man roster – and even as the team's third-string passer. He looked easily disrupted by the Giants' pass rush, and was responsible for two interceptions. At this present juncture, I would say Detroit carries two quarterbacks – Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater – going into Week 1 of the regular season.
4.) What do you want to see this week against the Jaguars, during joint practices?
Booher: More of the same from the rounds with the Giants. I want to see the Lions dominate. Jared Goff and the offense must put together two solid days.
Considering that these joint practices are essentially the game for the starters, they must maximize the opportunities they have.
Chirco: I'm going to want to see continued development of Detroit's rookie class. Overall wise, the team's first-year pros had a pretty solid performance Friday, with linebacker Jack Campbell and undrafted receiver Chase Cota leading the way.
I'd like to see what Campbell, Cota and their rookie counterparts do in camp this week against the Jaguars.
Additionally, I'd very much like to see Williams start to turn things around. The second-year pro has had a disappointing start to training camp this summer. So, this week, he needs to take advantage of a great opportunity to prove his worth against Jacksonville's secondary.
5.) Should Jared Goff even play a single snap this preseason?
Booher: I am in the camp that starters should play a little together in the preseason, even if it is just in one game. There's nothing that can be done in practice to replicate live game reps.
I would expect the Lions to trot out their starters for a series or two in the preseason finale against Carolina. It's not likely they'll go after a hard week of joint practices, but it might be more likely in the finale and after a lighter week.
Chirco: No. I would keep Goff firmly on the bench. With the presence of joint practices now, I think that allows Goff and the other Detroit starters to get enough game-like reps. And, it makes the three preseason games hardly necessary for the veteran signal-caller.
Instead of giving the reps to Goff in the exhibition contests, I'd be giving a healthy dose of reps to recent Lions addition Teddy Bridgewater and Goff's backup last year, Nate Sudfeld.
