NFL Preseason Week 2 Storylines
By Jon Dove
What will the Detroit Lions offense look like without Calvin Johnson?
This week everyone will get an extended look at what the Detroit Lions offense will look like without Calvin Johnson. They have a more versatile offensive attack, but there’s no doubt this team will miss the big-play ability Johnson provided.
One key is the improved offensive line that now features rookie Taylor Decker at left tackle and Riley Rieff on the right side. The hope is that a better push from the offensive line will allow Ameer Abdullah to develop into a highly productive runner.
Golden Tate is now the team’s No. 1 receiver, but he won’t get nearly as many targets as Johnson got while with the team. Detroit is going to look to spread the workload between Tate, newly-signed Marvin Jones and tight end Eric Ebron.
Running Back Theo Riddick will also be heavily involved in the receiving game as he showed last year he’s extremely dangerous out of the backfield.
These changes will be toughest on quarterback Matthew Stafford. He has enjoyed throwing to Johnson for most of his career and now needs to find a new guy to rely on. The big concern is the fact that none of the Lions receivers have Johnson’s size or leaping ability.
Stafford won’t be able to just throw the ball up for grabs and feel confident his guy will make the catch.
Next: Washington Redskins RBs