Afternoon Lions Links for Tuesday 9-1-15

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Calvin Johnson tied with Dez Bryant for top receiver in 2015 NFLRank:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18617/calvin-johnson-tied-with-dez-bryant-for-top-receiver-in-2015-nfl-rank

FiveThirtyEight: 2015 NFL Preview: What To Expect If You’re A Packers, Lions, Vikings Or Bears Fan:   http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/2015-nfl-preview-what-to-expect-if-youre-a-packers-lions-vikings-or-bears-fan/

Ceiling/floor for each NFC team in 2015 (DETROIT LIONS: Ceiling: 11-5. Matthew Stafford plays lights-out, the defense doesn't miss Ndamukong Suhand Ameer Abdullah rushes for over 1,000 yards at 4.5 a pop -- yeah, all of that will net theLions about 11 wins. Golden Tate could be due for a bit of a statistical regression, through no fault of his own, after a monster 99-catch, 1,331-yard debut season in Detroit. That's OK. Complement a healthy Calvin Johnson by logging 80 grabs and eight scores; that's what Detroit needs. And please play in those basic Thanksgiving throwbacks, Lions. Floor: 7-9. Detroit is one team I don't see getting too far up or too far down this season. Management has put together too strong a core for Jim Caldwell's group to completely flounder. However, in a falling-to-the-floor scenario, Haloti Ngata (31 years old) would prove to be over the hill, while DeAndre Levyand Ziggy Ansah would miss playing with the destructive force of nature that is Suh.):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000519673/article/nfc-ceilingfloor-scenarios-high-variance-for-dallas-arizona

Local Media:

Lions trim roster to 76:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider-short/article-1/Lions-trim-roster-to-76/8cdd49a2-700c-4425-ae38-a254d19a57ee

NFC NORTH: Third impressions:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NFC-NORTH-Third-impressions/8e21ad2c-6f81-43fe-9fe5-b444d63df325

Lions release WR Peacock, LB Cherocci; one to go:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/01/detroit-lions-roster-cuts/71513928/

Lions' chief financial officer Luis Perez no longer with team:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/09/01/lions-chief-financial-officer-luis-perez-no-longer-team/71513104/

Joique Bell still the Lions' No. 1 tailback after injury:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/joique_bell_still_the_lions_no.html

Lions rookie Alex Carter 'encouraged' by progress from ankle injury but still not able to practice:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_rookie_alex_carter_encou.html

Ex-Lions WR Ryan Broyles will excel for another team, Jim Caldwell says:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/jim_caldwell_expects_ex-lions.html

Detroit Lions update: Bell, Ngata return to work; Broyles released:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150901/detroit-lions-update-bell-ngata-return-to-work-broyles-released

Lions react to Monday's transactions:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/9/1/9232157/nfl-roster-cuts-2015-lions-react-monday

Previews and Predictions:

Lions season preview: Can Abdullah emerge? (Predicted finish: Second place in NFC North, No. 4 in NFC, No. 8 overall in Around The NFL's Power Poll.):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000519658/article/detroit-lions-season-preview-can-abdullah-emerge

Power Rankings:

Kirwan's Power Rankings (Lions ranked 12: The team has to overcome the loss of Ndamukong Suh, and Matthew Stafford has to find a more balanced offense with a legit running game if they want to overtake the Packers. Ameer Abdullah is the answer to their running game and he looked awesome during my camp tour.):   http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/pat-kirwan/25286313/nfl-preseason-power-rankings-packers-on-top-but-seahawks-team-to-beat

Video:

Local Media:

What does Monday's flurry of moves actually mean for Lions?:   http://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/01/71506766/