Morning Lions Links for Thursday 7-9-15

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Is this the year? Teams vying to win first Super Bowl (IT'S POSSIBLE -- BUT NOT PROBABLE - 6. Detroit Lions:  The Lions have plenty of offensive firepower, with big-armed quarterback Matthew Stafford throwing to Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, and they had one of the best defenses in the NFL last year, ranking second in yards allowed and third in scoring D. Losing Ndamukong Suh to free agency hurt, but Detroit still has defensive coordinator Teryl Austin on staff. If the team manages to overcome the defection of Suh and make something happen in 2015, I would not be the least bit surprised to see Austin land a head-coaching gig by 2016. Of course, the Lions have the same problem as the Vikings: dealing with the Packers in the NFC North.):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000500272/article/cardinals-bengals-headline-teams-vying-for-first-super-bowl-title

Ten takeaways from 'Top 100' reveal of 10-1 (6. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions: This is the first time Megatron has been out of the top three since 2011. This is also the first time Johnson is coming off a "down" year since 2009. Entering his ninth season at age 30, folks will be looking hard to see if his decline phase is approaching.):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000500681/article/ten-takeaways-from-top-100-reveal-of-101

Ready to strike: NFL's breakout players for 2015 ( Detroit: Tight end Eric Ebron: Too much was expected from Ebron too soon in what became a 25-catch rookie season in 2014. He is now much more comfortable in Detroit’s offense after a full offseason working with quarterback Matthew Stafford. Ebron also should benefit from the extra attention that opposing defenses give to Lions wide receivers Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate.):   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/photos/breakout-players-2015-joseph-randle-blake-bortles-carlos-hyde-070815#img_15

Supplemental draft has had far more misses than hits:   http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/08/supplemental-draft-has-had-far-more-misses-than-hits/

Local Media:

TIM AND MIKE: Instant debates:  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/tim-mike/article-1/TIM-AND-MIKE-Instant-debates/765c185e-49f1-4c00-b8bb-5c468a792555

Top 10 tight ends on the Lions' 2015 schedule:  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Top-10-tight-ends-on-the-Lions-2015-schedule/1495658d-692c-4922-9e63-c5f46d15ad07
 
Seven Lions camp practices open to fans:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/07/08/seven-lions-camp-practices-open-to-fans/29859929/

Detroit Lions 2015 training camp battles: Travis Swanson must fend off veteran challenge:  http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/07/detroit_lions_2015_training_ca_3.html

Even after down season, peers rank Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson NFL's 6th-best player:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/07/even_after_down_season_peers_r.html

Detroit Lions — Five injured players to watch when camp starts:   http://oplions.blogspot.com/2015/07/detroit-lions-five-injured-players-to.html

Detroit Lions — Five reasons Rashean Mathis rocks at age 34:   http://oplions.blogspot.com/2015/07/detroit-lions-five-reasons-rashean.html

What Are The Lions Chances Of Winning The Super Bowl In 2015? NFL.com Gives Their Prediction 3:   http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/07/08/what-are-the-lions-chances-of-winning-the-super-bowl-in-2015-nfl-com-gives-their-prediction/

Lions take a look at UConn TE Sean McQuillan:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/7/8/8915649/lions-sean-mcquillan-supplemental-draft

Lions attend Adrian Wilkins' pro day:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/7/8/8915441/supplemental-draft-lions-adrian-wilkins

Miscellaneous:

National Media:

Report: Jason Pierre-Paul has right index finger amputated:   http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25236708/report-jason-pierre-paul-has-right-index-finger-amputated

Bucs CB C.J. Wilson reportedly lost two fingers in fireworks accident:   http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/bucs-cb-c-j--wilson-severely-injured-in-fireworks-accident-162949399.html

Video:

National Media:

'Top 100 Players of 2015': No. 6 Calvin Johnson:   http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2015/0ap3000000500521/Top-100-Players-of-2015-No-6-Calvin-Johnson

Lions' depth at receiver is suspect:  http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=13183173

Local Media:

Film room: Special teams:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Film-room-Special-teams/dfb90bb3-abc3-4a08-a934-f18157a65176

NFL Up!: Stephen Tulloch:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/NFL-Up--Stephen-Tulloch/a6efb842-08c1-43f4-a66d-4bd203a51116