Morning Lions Links for Thursday 5-14-15

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Ameer Abdullah could be answer for Lions' return game:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/17114/ameer-abdullah-could-be-answer-for-lions-return-game

Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch healthy and ready to play:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/17169/detroit-lions-linebacker-stephen-tulloch-healthy-and-ready-to-play

Matthew Stafford happy with Lions signing Lance Moore:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/17156/matthew-stafford-happy-with-lions-signing-lance-moore

Best and worst draft picks for NFC North teams (Detroit Lions - Best: RB Ameer Abdullah, Round 2 (No. 54 overall) The former Nebraska star was the fourth running back chosen in the draft, and the Lionsgot good value for him in the latter half of the round. He explodes through the smallest of holes and can catch the ball exceptionally well. Fumbling is a concern on Abdullah, but if he proves trustworthy in securing the ball, theLions will put it in his hands a lot. Worst: FB Michael Burton, Round 5 (No. 168 overall) Burton will have to make the team as a special-teams contributor and probably won't offer much to the Lions' offense. He is a solid pass catcher but not an especially good blocker. Even in an H-back role that would emphasize his receiving skills, he'd still have to be a solid blocker at the next level -- and he might not be up to that task. His scouting report projection? Undrafted.):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000492482/article/best-and-worst-2015-draft-picks-for-nfc-north-teams

Sudden impact: Projecting top 100 NFL rookies of 2015 (Abdullah is 38 and Tomlinson is 70):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000492541/article/sudden-impact-projecting-top-100-nfl-rookies-of-2015

Five takeaways from 'Top 100' reveal of 90-81 (Gregg Rosenthal on Lions safety Glover Quinshowing up at No. 88: "This is this season's Charles Clay/Dennis Pitta/Random player "WTF" moment. A guy shouldn't make the list just because some teammate puts him in the top five." Ouch.):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000492621/article/five-takeaways-from-top-100-reveal-of-9081

Unheralded Georgia Tech products now impressing with NFL teams:   http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/unheralded-georgia-tech-products-now-impressing-with-nfl-teams-051215

Time to panic? These teams have huge roster holes to fill (Detroit Lions: Defensive end - The Lions traded for Haloti Ngata after losingNdamukong Suh and Nick Fairley to free agency, thus most discussions about their offseason focused on defensive tackle. Rather quietly, however, Detroit may have more of a headache at DE. ​Ziggy Ansah, now headed into his third NFL season, has taken on the look of a star—his 7.5 sacks in 2014 finished behind only Suh for Detroit's team lead. The player who gets the nod opposite him is anyone's guess at the moment.George Johnson would have been penciled in for a starting gig, off a breakthrough 6.0-sack campaign. But oddly, the Lions left the door open for him to leave as a restricted free agent, and he did just that by signing with (and then being traded to) Tampa Bay. Now, pairing with Ansah will be a combination ofJason Jones, Devin Taylor, Larry Webster, Daryl Tapp and whichever scraps they can find in the coming couple months. (OLB Kyle Van Noy also should help.) Despite Ngata's presence some drop-off will occur from the tackle spots. The Lions can ill-afford to go through the motions at end, too. Panic level: 5 of 10. Getting an Ansah-like leap may be asking a lot from Taylor or Webster, but don't discount the latter. "At some point in time, you're going to see that young man take the field for us and perform extremely well," Jim Caldwell said last year, according to the Detroit Free Press. Until then, Detroit has to wonder from where its pass rush will come.):   http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/05/13/nfl-off-season-needs-dallas-cowboys-buffalo-bills

PFF’s Top 101 of 2014: 80 to 71 (77. Rashean Mathis, CB, Detroit Lions (Unranked): There is a tendency to write aged players with an injury history off. However, Mathis is bucking the trend with his consistently top level play in Detroit. He allowed just 555 yards into his coverage all year as he proved more than up to the test of what was thrown at him. He’s not the player he once was but he has adapted to end an impressive career not the top.  Best Performance: Week 16, DET at CHI, +4.3. Key Stat: His 0.86 yards per snap in coverage were 10th best among cornerbacks.):  https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/05/12/pffs-top-101-of-2014-80-to-71/

PFF’s Top 101 of 2014: 70 to 61 (65. DeAndre Levy, LB, Detroit Lions (Unranked): It wasn’t the year in coverage we saw from Levy in 2013 (it was a backward step in that regard), but wow what an effort against the run. He was a force for the Lions as he graded positively in all except two games with his chart requiring sunglasses there was so much bright green (indicating a grade of at least +1.1) on it. Would have been easy for the team to falter when Stephen Tulloch went down, but Levy carried the extra burden exceptionally well.  Best Performance: Week 10, MIA at DET, +4.0. Key Stat: Of all conventional 4-3 outside linebackers no other had as high a grade against the run.):  https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/05/12/pffs-top-101-of-2014-70-to-61/

PFF’s Top 101 of 2014: 70 to 61 (64. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions (35th): Are the days gone when Johnson was cracking the Top 10? While his talent level is never in doubt he’s proven a big target for defenders and missed more time in 2014 than anyone (barring opponents) wants to see. When he is at full health there remains no player who can do what he does, and there were plenty of glimpses of that this year.  Best Performance: Week 13, CHI at DET, +4.3. Key Stat: Had a positive receiving grade in all but two games.):  https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/05/12/pffs-top-101-of-2014-70-to-61/

Local Media:

Rashean Mathis ready to mentor Alex Carter:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Rashean-Mathis-ready-to-mentor-Alex-Carter/55f2ad2a-42e0-4dae-8c13-af8048c89200

TIM AND MIKE: Lions fill need with Moore signing:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/TIM-AND-MIKE-Lions-fill-need-with-Moore-signing/ae740c46-b9b8-4919-a278-866d22207c01

Which Lions undrafted free agents got the most money?:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/13/detroit-lions-udfa-signing-bonuses/27226325/

Lions chime in on Deflategate punishment:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/12/detroit-lions-matt-prater-deflategate/27214145/

Chat transcript with Lions writer Dave Birkett:   http://live.freep.com/Event/Chat_with_Lions_writer_Dave_Birkett_56

Lions' Diggs prepared for battle at nickel back:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/13/lions-rookie-diggs-prepared-battle-nickel-back/27280073/

3 proposals for extra points on table for NFL owners:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/05/13/proposals-extra-points-table-nfl-owners/27235127/

Detroit Lions sign Greg Salas, their fifth receiver in 2 weeks; CB Chris Owens too:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/detroit_lions_sign_greg_salas.html

Ameer Abdullah signs rookie deal with Detroit Lions; first-rounder Laken Tomlinson last rookie unsigned:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/ameer_abdullah_signs_rookie_de.html

Source: Detroit Lions restructure Glover Quin's deal, free up $2.2 million in cap room:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/source_detroit_lions_restructu.html

Detroit Lions free up a roster spot, release WR Skye Dawson:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/detroit_lions_free_up_a_roster.html

Detroit Lions' Haloti Ngata, Glover Quin and Golden Tate land on 'NFL Top 100 Players of 2015' list:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/detroit_lions_haloti_ngata_glo.html

Why the Detroit Lions signed WR Lance Moore despite a down 2014 season:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/why_the_detroit_lions_are_thri.html

Jeremy Ross not feeling added pressure as Detroit Lions stock up on kick returning options:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/jeremy_ross_not_feeling_added.html

Detroit Lions LB Stephen Tulloch close to full recovery, will be at OTAs:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/detroit_lions_lb_stephen_tullo_5.html

Detroit Lions Matthew Stafford welcomes rookies:   http://oplions.blogspot.com/2015/05/detroit-lions-matthew-stafford-welcomes.html

Advice from David Cutcliffe led former Duke QB Anthony Boone to Detroit:   http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/advice-from-david-cutcliffe-led-former-duke-qb-anthony-boone-to-detroit-051315

Lions work out Corey Wootton, release Skye Dawson:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/5/13/8600481/lions-work-out-corey-wootton-release-skye-dawson

Detroit Lions draft profile: Alex Carter:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/5/13/8582091/detroit-lions-draft-profile-alex-carter

Video:

National Media:

'Top 100 Players of 2015': No. 82 Haloti Ngata:   http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000492608/Top-100-Players-of-2015-No-82-Haloti-Ngata

'Top 100 Players of 2015': No. 85 Golden Tate:   http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000492598/Top-100-Players-of-2015-No-85-Golden-Tate

'Top 100 Players of 2015': No. 88 Glover Quin:   http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000492592/Top-100-Players-of-2015-No-88-Glover-Quin

Local Media:

Stafford On Tomlinson Pick, Moore Signing:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Stafford-on-Tomlinson-pick-Moore-signing/757ae3cb-0eb8-4f2a-92d6-0408ec8e7815

Caldwell On Lance Moore, Taste Of The Lions Event:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Caldwell-on-Lance-Moore-Taste-of-the-Lions-event/59880a68-9494-4eca-beea-cef511c3ac60