Morning Lions Links for Friday 9-11-15

Lions Articles:

National Media:

DeAndre Levy likely to miss opener:   http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13626360/deandre-levy-detroit-lions-unlikely-play-vs-san-diego-chargers

How the Detroit Lions will replace DeAndre Levy if he is out:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18724/how-the-detroit-lions-will-replace-deandre-levy-if-he-is-out

Lions coach Jim Caldwell mum on status of linebacker DeAndre Levy:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18720/lions-coach-jim-caldwell-mum-on-status-of-star-linebacker-deandre-levy

SOE's Season Predictions (one expert picks the Lions to be a wildcard team and one picks Abdullah to be OROY):   http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/148432876/nfl-predictions-2015-super-bowl-mvp

Local Media:

NOTEBOOK: Ngata nearing Detroit debut:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Ngata-nearing-Detroit-debut/546f4849-6224-4ed1-8274-48e96cf44890

PRACTICE REPORT: Lions still without three players:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider-short/article-1/PRACTICE-REPORT-Lions-still-without-three-players/306e08b6-a45b-4ea6-bb21-a8a23aaefa60

10 takeaways from Austin & Lombardi:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/10-takeaways-from-Austin--Lombardi/919e6e78-baba-460e-9083-20213bd92d56

Ebron learning from Johnson: 'He's like my big brother':   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Ebron-learning-from-Johnson-Hes-like-my-big-brother/4ef46519-a1e2-4996-bf6c-88f6887b55db

Levy's injury won't change Lions' defensive approach:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/10/detroit-lions-defense/72009562/

Don't expect Zach Zenner to play much:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/10/detroit-lions-zach-zenner/72020268/

Lions restructure Tate's contract to save cap room:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/10/golden-tate-contract-detroit-lions/71993894/

Trash talk, self interviews: Lions CB Slay in rare form:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/10/detroit-lions-darius-slay/72045094/

Lions confident in backup plan if Levy can't play:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/10/lions-confident-in-backup-plan-if-deandre-levy-cant-play/72011204/

Walker looking to make name for himself with Lions:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/10/walker-looking-make-name-lions/72039206/

Van Noy’s quick recovery could give Lions a boost:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/10/van-noys-quick-recovery-give-lions-boost/72041736/

LaAdrian Waddle remains Lions' top RT option if healthy:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/10/improving-laadrian-waddle-probably-good--go-over-cornelius-lucas/72015690/

Eric Ebron, LaAdrian Waddle, Tahir Whitehead all full participants for Thursday's practice:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/eric_ebron_laadrian_waddle_tah.html

DeAndre Levy's long-term status unclear; Detroit Lions confident with Josh Bynes filling in:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/deandre_levys_long-term_status.html

Don't expect to see these 4 potential Lions starters against Chargers:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/dont_expect_to_see_these_4_pot.html

Detroit Lions notes: Levy responds to treatment; Van Noy improves:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150910/detroit-lions-notes-levy-responds-to-treatment-van-noy-improves

Lions Happy With 'Next Man Up' Mentality, Should Levy Sit Out:   http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/09/10/lions-happy-with-next-man-up-mentality-should-levy-sit-out/

Lions Rookie Backs Trusted By Coaching Staff For Reliability, Versatility:   http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/09/10/lions-rookie-backs-trusted-by-coaching-staff-for-reliability-versatility/

Articles from Opposing Team's Media:

Key Matchups: Chargers vs. Lions:   http://www.chargers.com/news/2015/09/10/key-matchups-chargers-vs-lions

Ladarius Green concussed; Chargers sign TE:   http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/sep/10/chargers-sign-john-phillips-ladarius-green/

Pagano says Chargers D is anti-loaf (On Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford's underrated mobility - "If he has that opportunity to reset his feet, his arm is so strong you see a lot of throws he hits downfield. So we've got tot be aware of that."):   http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/sep/10/john-pagano-kyle-emanuel-lions-chargers/

Megatron vs. Mighty mice: Chargers face tough test in WR Calvin Johnson:   http://espn.go.com/blog/san-diego-chargers/post/_/id/12543/megatron-vs-mighty-mice-chargers-face-tough-test-in-lions-wr-calvin-johnson

Chargers rookie Melvin Gordon faces stout Lions' run defense in opener:   http://espn.go.com/blog/san-diego-chargers/post/_/id/12560/chargers-rookie-melvin-gordon-faces-stout-lions-run-defense-in-opener

Chargers might use some emergency options at tight end vs. Detroit:   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/san-diego-chargers-antonio-gates-ladarius-green-john-philips-091015

Previews and Predictions:

Kirwan's Season Predictions (NFC North - 2. Detroit (10-6): I was impressed with the Lions on my camp tour and for the short term Haloti Ngata will replace most of the Suh production. Detroit is counting on rookie running back Ameer Abdullah to balance the offense with a stronger running game.):   http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/pat-kirwan/25297302/nfl-predictions-team-by-team-records-and-playoff-picks

Miscellaneous:

Local Media:

Reports: Fauria signs deal with Arizona Cardinals:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/10/reports-fauria-signs-deal-arizona-cardinals/71994534/

Video:

Local Media:

Caldwell on roster depth:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Caldwell-on-roster-depth/8eaa1be6-fb79-436c-b5b9-78286b5fa6cd

Austin on the defense's preparation:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Austin-on-the-defenses-preparation/171adb8b-2d06-4ca3-b827-5e45b84cb8e0

Lombardi on the offense in his second season:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Lombardi-on-the-offense-in-his-second-season/04b18a1e-347e-47ed-8e92-3e644c1bfc79

Tate on the offense heading into Week 1:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Tate-on-the-offense-heading-into-Week-1/88649ac0-0d5c-4837-b0ec-c144c0951ba9

Mathis on the secondary:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Mathis-on-the-secondary/af9559f0-f6b9-44bb-afb1-02679aac902d

Slay on fastest and best dressed teammates:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Slay-on-fastest-and-best-dressed-teammates/549c22a3-6e22-473a-accb-b1270e76540e

Talking Lions, NFL with MMQB's Robert Klemko:   http://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/10/72014338/