While sometimes age is merely a number in the NFL, sometimes it is the result of ending a season at 8-8 or contending for a Super Bowl. The Detroit Lions might find that lesson out one way or another. The franchise has seen its highs and lows over the last few years and the clock is ticking to win and win now. The Lions are currently dealing with a starting lineup where the average age is 26, will the team be able to win before it is too late?
Sidelionreport.com breaks down the age factor of the Detroit Lions who gave away pieces like Reggie Bush and Ndamukong Suh this past year while bringing on young stars like Ameer Abdullah and re-signing players like Rashean Mathis. The Detroit Lions certainly have a team that will be ready to compete in the upcoming season, but for how long? Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford, Glover Quin and DeAndre Levy are approaching 30 and injuries are starting to be a concern. Johnson heard that talk all of last season and denies that he is on the decline. Head coach Jim Caldwell agrees.
"I think that the biggest thing you can kind of just take a look at is - does he still run by people?" Jim Caldwell said, via the Detroit Free Press. "The answer to that would be yes. Is he still able to lay out, catch the ball and do things that he normally does? Yes. And I think that that's what matters."
Several players are in need of stepping up in 2015. Theo Riddick, Ryan Broyles and Eric Ebron all have added expectations on them this offseason. According to the Detroit Free Press, Stafford has been putting in the offseason work while newly drafted Abdullah is ready to fill the void of Bush while being an every-down back for the team.
"I'm going to do whatever they ask me to do, but I think I'm an every-down back," Abdullah said, via the Omaha World-Herald. "A lot of guys want to put me in the category of third-down back. For those who say that, I ask them to turn on my film. I've never been that kind of player. I've never been a person who is just serviceable, who catches the ball out of the backfield, which I can do and I feel I can do really well. But I can do a lot of things on first or second down as well, in my opinion."
Abdullah will be battling with Joique Bell for the starting spot. Broyles, Corey Fuller and Jeremy Ross will be hoping to land on the 32-man roster as well. According to ESPN.com, Brandon Pettigrew is at risk of getting released if he does not improve.The Lions have built a team that could see a great deal of success in 2015, but if it does not come some drastic decisions might have to be made.
