Pre-Game Lions Links for Thursday 8-8-19

Articles:

O’HARA’S FINAL THOUGHTS: Hockenson can help Lions in the red zone:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-s-final-thoughts-hockenson-can-help-lions-in-the-red-zone

5 things to watch: Lions vs. Patriots:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/5-things-to-watch-lions-vs-patriots-x4546

10 players to watch in Lions' preseason opener against Patriots:  https://www.mlive.com/expo/sports/g66l-2019/08/e370d4bde44495/10-players-to-watch-in-lions-preseason-opener-against-patriots.html

Lions WR Danny Amendola looks like he’s in fantastic shape:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/08/lions-wr-danny-amendola-looks-like-hes-in-fantastic-shape.html

Lions-Patriots preseason opener: 5 things to watch:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/08/08/detroit-lions-new-england-patriots-preseason-5-things-watch/1941540001/

Lions players to watch in preseason opener against Patriots:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/08/07/lions-players-watch-preseason-opener-against-patriots/1945045001/

Lions’ Brandon Powell: Training partner Josh Gordon ‘dusts everybody’:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/08/08/lions-brandon-powell-training-partner-josh-gordon-dusts-everybody/1956727001/

How different will Lions' new offense look? 'Might just have to see':  https://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/35723/how-different-will-new-lions-offense-look-might-just-have-to-see

6 Lions who need a strong game vs. the Patriots:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/08/08/6-lions-who-need-a-strong-game-vs-the-patriots/?utm_source=smg&utm_medium=wasabi&utm_content=home-hero

What to expect from the Lions' rookies in their first preseason game:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/08/08/what-to-expect-from-the-lions-rookies-in-their-first-preseason-game/?utm_source=smg&utm_medium=wasabi&utm_content=home-hero

Bold predictions for Lions Preseason Game 1:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/08/08/bold-predictions-for-lions-preseason-game-1/?utm_source=smg&utm_medium=wasabi&utm_content=home-hero

Johnathan Alston: what the Lions are getting in their new CB:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/08/07/johnathan-alston-detroit-lions-scouting-report/?utm_source=smg&utm_medium=wasabi&utm_content=home-hero

One Realistic Goal for Each of the NFL’s Last-Place Teams (NFC North: Detroit Lions (last season: 6–10) (Find an identity under second-year head coach Matt Patricia.):  When the Jim Caldwell era began in Detroit five years ago, it didn’t take long for Lions to reap the benefits of a new coach—they went 11–5 in Caldwell's first season, making the playoffs for just the second time since 1999. It was not nearly as an auspicious start to Matt Patricia’s time in Detroit, as the Lions ended 2018 with a worse record (6–10) and worse divisional finish (last) than in any year of Caldwell's tenure.  When Patricia was New England’s defensive coordinator from 2012-17, his units always ranked in the top 10 of the NFL in yards allowed per game. In 2018, the Lions defense finished 17th, plus QB Matt Stafford turned in one of the worst seasons of his 10-year career. It’s very unclear in what direction Detroit is headed, so just getting back to .500 would be a positive—especially given how competitive their division will be this season.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/08/07/nfl-last-place-teams-2019-goals-jets-bengals-jaguars-raiders-giants-lions-buccaneers-cardinals

NFL preseason setup: What to know for Thursday (Lions: First-round rookie tight end T.J. Hockenson has come on strong in training camp, and he could bolster his case for a significant workload out of the gates if he continues to prove himself to be a reliable target.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/08/08/nfl-preseason-times-tv-channels-stream-thursday-games/1949004001/

Video:

Watch: Erik Schlitt recaps Lions training camp, previews Patriots game:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/08/08/watch-erik-schlitt-recaps-lions-training-camp-previews-patriots-game/?utm_source=smg&utm_medium=wasabi&utm_content=home-hero