Morning Lions Links for Thursday 9-10-15

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Lions' Jim Caldwell calls Chargers' Melvin Ingram a 'game-wrecker':   http://espn.go.com/blog/san-diego-chargers/post/_/id/12538/lions-head-coach-jim-caldwell-says-melvin-ingrams-a-game-wrecker

Top 10 Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates (1. Ameer Abdullah, Lions running back:Abdullah passes the eye test with flying colors. When I studied his college film in mid-July, I saw a rare runner who actually seems to pick up speed when he cuts in tight spaces as well as in the open field. Abdullah went on to steal the show in Lions camp, highlighted by defensive coordinator Teryl Austin's lament that his defenders couldn't even get a finger on the Senior Bowl MVP. Abdullah didn't disappoint in his preseason debut, breaking off a pair of electric runs that inspired Jets coach Todd Bowles to invoke Barry Sanders comparisons. To be clear, Abdullah is not Barry Sanders. But he is a special talent in an offense that has high-flying potential with a strong-armed quarterback passing to Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and breakout candidate Eric Ebron. It doesn't hurt his chances that incumbent starter Joique Bellmissed the entire offseason and preseason after undergoing knee and Achilles surgeries.):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000524618/article/top-10-offensive-rookie-of-the-year-candidates

Ranking all 32 NFL starting QBs (18. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (74.3): Stafford is one of the few quarterbacks in recent years to overcome early-career struggles, though there is still a final step that appears to be missing. 2013 looked like he turned a corner for the better, and his first game of 2014 was one of the best we saw from any QB all season, but following it up with negatives in eight of the next nine games was concerning. Stafford is headed down a path very similar to Cutler, where we may be left wondering if and when the light will go from flickering to full power to see just what his potential may bring.):   https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/09/09/ranking-all-32-nfl-starting-qbs/

Answers to the burning questions of the '15 season (BEST TEAM TO MISS THE PLAYOFFS - Austin Murphy—Lions: Nobody in the NFC North is poised to knock off the Packers, leaving Detroit in search of a wildcard spot. With Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley missing up front on defense, and with first-ballot Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson starting to show subtle signs of his advancing years – he’ll be 30 by October—that will prove a bridge too far for the Lions. NON-STAR WITH A BREAKOUT SEASON - Bishop—Eric Ebron, TE, Lions: The Lions tight end struggled in his rookie season (25 catches, 248 yards). But that’s normal for tight ends. He’ll be more versed in the offense this season. And the Lions welcome back a healthy (for now) Calvin Johnson. And they added Ameer Abdullah in the draft to help their run game. All of that should give Ebron a ton of room to operate in the middle of the field. Plus, if Detroit’s defense is, as expected, not as good as a year ago, the Lions will be forced to throw often, which means more targets.):   http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/09/09/nfl-season-2015-burning-questions

2015 NFL season preview: Our picks for best, worst teams, major awards (3 experts pick the Lions as a free fall team, Prisco thinks the Lions will miss the playoffs.):   http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25296159/nfl-season-preview-best-team-worst-mvp-here-are-our-picks

Grantland's predictions: The falling stars:   http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nfl-2015-season-predictions-part-2-the-falling-stars/

Local Media:

Notebook: Next Three Days Crucial For Waddle:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Next-three-days-crucial-for-Waddle/0cd0c48d-5eb5-4b4c-a5ae-887318da3f2a

Practice Report: Levy Dealing With Hip Injury:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/PRACTICE-REPORT-Levy-dealing-with-hip-injury/05d460df-452f-4b89-b9d3-8d63478af011

Calvin Johnson Ready To Face 'fresh Blood' This Week:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Calvin-Johnson-ready-to-face-fresh-blood-this-week/c9d5d67c-8ac0-4e2e-b262-9ba19d218221

Tim And Mike: Expectations For The 2015 Season:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/tim-mike/article-1/TIM-AND-MIKE-Expectations-for-the-2015-season/c6465490-ab62-42df-964b-8ed5191d4516

O'hara's Scouting Report: San Diego Chargers:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-SCOUTING-REPORT-San-Diego-Chargers/1d12a16c-fdc8-406a-9343-b2c6c48d20f8

Sharp: Lions have tools to end negative perception:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/drew-sharp/2015/09/09/detroit-lions-tools-end-negative-perception/71986042/

Lions' Ebron fueled to improve on frustrating rookie year:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/detroit-lions-eric-ebron/71982420/

Source: Lions' Levy (hip) improving, won't need surgery:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/detroit-lions-deandre-levy-hip-injury/71963108/

Lions expect greatness from 'beast' Ngata:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/lions-expect-greatness-from-beast-haloti-ngata/71947086/

Humbled Ebron could be X-factor in Lions' offense:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/humbled-eric-ebron-could-be-x-factor-in-lions-offense/71955064/

Lions' Ings makes climb from football's lower rungs to NFL:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/09/09/lions-ings-makes-climb-games-lower-rungs-nfl/71968860/

Lions' Stephen Tulloch back, ready to make a splash:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/lions-stephen-tulloch-back-ready-to-make-a-splash/71941080/

Jim Caldwell's composure is rubbing off on Lions:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/jim-caldwells-composure--rubbing-off--lions/71939664/

Detroit News NFC breakdown:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/09/09/detroit-news-nfc-breakdown/71957836/

Report indicates possible 'extended absence' for Levy:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/report-indicates-possible-extended-absence--deandre-levy/71967538/

Will Levy (hip) play in Lions' opener? 'We'll see':   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/-levy-play--lions-opener-well-see/71951708/

Report: Lions' DeAndre Levy out against Chargers, has 'possible internal damage':   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/report_lions_deandre_levy_out.html

Detroit Lions LB DeAndre Levy dealing with a hip injury; 3 teammates limited:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_lb_deandre_levy_8.html

Lions' DeAndre Levy, Caraun Reid, Larry Warford sit again with just 2 practices left before opener:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_deandre_levy_caraun_reid.html

President Obama takes playful swipe at Detroit Lions during Michigan stop:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/president_obama_takes_playful.html

No college, no problem for new Detroit Lions practice squad WR Kendrick Ings:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_kendrick_ings.html

Detroit Lions notes: DeAndre Levy injury could be serious, per report:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150909/detroit-lions-notes-deandre-levy-injury-could-be-serious-per-report

Detroit Lions — Five reasons why Calvin Johnson still has ‘it’:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150909/detroit-lions-x2014-five-reasons-why-calvin-johnson-still-has-it

Lions' Offense Ready To Put All The Pieces Together Against San Diego:   http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/09/09/lions-offense-ready-to-put-all-the-pieces-together-against-san-diego/

Lions notes: Wednesday press conferences:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/9/9/9295857/lions-notes-wednesday-press-conference-caldwell-calvin-johnson-waddle

Articles from Opposing Team's Media:

Chargers set for season opener vs Lions:   http://www.foxsports.com/san-diego/story/chargers-set-for-season-opener-vs-lions-090915

Rivers, Chargers could be playing last season in San Diego:   http://www.foxsports.com/san-diego/story/rivers-chargers-could-be-playing-last-season-in-san-diego-090815

Previews and Predictions:

Lions preview: Scouting report, what to watch on defense:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/detroit-lions-defense-preview/71984016/

Your 2015 Lions: Offense:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/2015-lions-offense/71975570/

Your 2015 Lions: Defense:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/2015-detroit-lions-defense/71974264/

Your 2015 Lions: Special Teams:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/2015-lions-special-teams/71973948/

Your 2015 Lions: The Coaches:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/10/2015-lions-coaches/71973398/

Video:

National Media:

Which rookies will shine in 2015? :   http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000524526

Local Media:

Caldwell on preparing for Week 1:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Caldwell-on-preparing-for-Week-1/beb361ca-1f1d-4317-b847-98f8e7c458d7

Stafford on the preparations for the Chargers:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Stafford-on-the-preparations-for-the-Chargers/657dc66d-a41a-4b21-b1e7-27251d607bb0

Johnson on his readiness for the season:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Johnson-on-his-readiness-for-the-season/c91c8c97-a64d-4d45-9196-b7879dba8325

AskALion: TJ Jones:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/AskALion-TJ-Jones/5cc8362a-99e3-45c7-8d6d-ea19d561dd41

Moore on the offense:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Moore-on-the-offense/e434c69e-76b4-4cb8-a768-519759d3af77

Ebron on his mentality on the field:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Ebron-on-his-mentality-on-the-field/57fb770c-3ea3-4531-80a3-4558a9057cf4

Waddle on what he needs to do to play this week:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Waddle-on-what-he-needs-to-do-to-play-this-week/c45c5d10-3968-4d69-b939-21b01dceb1e7

Tapp on Rivers:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Tapp-on-Rivers/5ef261b3-e9d4-4cd8-b9cd-4c05d797859f

Ihedigbo on the defense:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Ihedigbo-on-the-defense/b7f7444e-8799-4fd9-9063-a0c60f40aa45

Quin on the Chargers' offense:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Quin-on-the-Chargers-offense/b67230b3-b710-48f3-b775-cb6bb6ff6935

Ings on joining the Lions:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Ings-on-joining-the-Lions/d323abc8-a59d-4635-a03c-f3805f1c5fe8

Sky Sports goes live from Lions equipment room:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Sky-Sports-goes-live-from-Lions-equipment-room/10f9c39e-5b64-489a-95ed-c662a86293fa

Rod Beard and Josh Katzenstein on Calvin Johnson:   http://www.detroitnews.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/71979574/

Watch Detroit Lions reporters discuss impact of a potential long-term injury for DeAndre Levy:   http://videos.mlive.com/mlive/2015/09/watch_detroit_lions_reporters_30.html