The Detroit Lions took on the Atlanta Falcons of their first of three preseason video games this offseason, ending this contest with a 27-23 loss.

Regardless of the loss, there was loads to love about this sport. The beginning offense was dominating in the course of the opening drive and a number of other rookies confirmed up, however there have been additionally just a few gamers that took a step again as nicely. Let’s check out the place issues sit after the Lions’ first pre-season sport in our inventory report.

Replenish: Beginning offensive line was dominant

The Lions’ offensive starters solely performed one drive, however they did sufficient in that drive to indicate what they’re able to, particularly the offensive line. They gave Jared Goff a clear pocket to throw from, sufficient time to execute play-action, and had been transferring individuals within the run sport.

On the drive, they picked up 32 yards on simply six carries, together with a nine-yard landing run from D’Andre Swift, who was in a position to run to the left behind a wall sealed off by Taylor Decker. Additionally they cleared room for Jamaal Williams to select up a simple third-down and brief conversion operating behind Halapoulivaati Vaitai. On one other play, they gained a simple seven-yard run proper behind Jonah Jackson.

In the meantime, Frank Ragnow and Penei Sewell principally did no matter they wished on the market, transferring our bodies at will.

Inventory down: Tim Boyle struggles to seek out consistency

Boyle was given the possibility to start out with the second crew however he did not benefit from his alternative. He entered the sport midway by the primary quarter, exited midway by the third, and was very up and down all sport — which displays the inconsistency he has proven in camp.

On one play he nails a throw 45 yards downfield to Kalif Raymond. On the following drive, he misses Raymond on a wide-open conversion. On the fourth drive, Raymond was operating extensive open once more, Boyle threw it behind him, and the move was damaged up. On the very subsequent play, he threads a 24-yarder to Trinity Benson.

He stayed in to start out the third quarter and threw an interception on the primary drive of the half. He was changed by David Blough on the following drive.

Replenish: Aidan Hutchinson, didn’t waste time making an affect

Nicely, Hutchinson seemed very very like the No. 2 general choose early, inflicting issues early and sometimes. On his three-yard sort out for loss, the Ole’ transfer he placed on the Falcons’ left sort out, Jake Matthews, left the previous No. 6 general choose (2014) greedy nothing however air:

Two performs later Hutchinson drew a holding penalty on Falcons’ proper guard Chris Lindstrom (No. 14 general choose in 2019). He’s robust to deal with, even for former first-round picks.

Fast Hits, top off:

Jared Goff: Cool, calm, and picked up. He solely threw 4 passes, finishing three for 47 yards, however he had whole management of the offense.

David Blough: A stark distinction to Boyle, Blough got here in and settled issues down for the Lions reserves. He used his legs and his arms to make an affect on a number of drives. The largest distinction between him and Boyle was Blough’s pocket presence and skill to maintain performs alive. The late-game fumble did harm his inventory although.

Amon-Ra St. Brown: One drive, two catches, two first downs (29 yards). Chain mover.

D’Andre Swift: Regarded sturdy in his decision-making, and confirmed an improved quantity of velocity and energy. On his landing, he was affected person, noticed daylight, and ran to it.

Brock Wright: Acquired the beginning instead of T.J. Hockenson and caught an 18-yard reception on the second play of the sport.

Kalif Raymond: Constantly discovered himself open, and if Goff was in at quarterback he in all probability would have had a a lot greater play. His 45-yard reception was a stupendous instance of focus.

Tom Kennedy: Mr. Dependable. Want a third-down conversion? Discover Kennedy. Each Boyle and Blough leaned on him as a security valve. Within the fourth quarter, he took over and seemed terrific.

Trinity Benson: Acquired the beginning at kick returner and caught an enormous 24-yard acquire to maintain the drive transferring close to the tip of the half. He’s getting an opportunity however he might want to clear up his drops.

Devin Funchess: After being quiet in camp, he wanted to make just a few splash performs in the course of the sport and he did simply that on a late second-quarter landing, in addition to transferring the chains within the fourth quarter. He has the flexibility to be a mismatch possibility, however he must stack extra performs like this:

John Cominsky: Took over the Hutchinson position after the rookie exited the sport, and made just a few good performs, particularly within the fourth quarter.

Malcolm Rodriguez: Opened up the sport by smacking the kick returner on the opening kickoff, then proceeded to start out with the primary crew.

Anthony Pittman: Acquired time early with the primary crew in third-down packages. When working with the two-minute protection, he managed three (!) pressures that each one resulted in quarterback hits. Within the second half, he confirmed relentless pursuit on third downs.

Bobby Value: His interception didn’t depend within the field rating, however that’s a strong play he can retailer away in his optimistic movie file.

Chase Lucas: His move break up with below two minutes remaining was a factor of magnificence. His third down cease on the very subsequent play was equally pretty much as good. Get this man some extra reps!

Kerby Joseph: Considered one of his largest weaknesses was his open discipline tackling, however he seemed a lot improved on this space. Within the second quarter, he stuffed a niche and made a tricky sort out, then made an open discipline sort out on the aim line to stop a landing. He additionally confirmed strong recognition passing off receivers mid-play, which is a staple within the Lions’ split-zone scheme. He ended the sport with a team-leading 5 tackles.

Fast Hits, inventory down:

Matt Nelson: After watching the beginning offensive line wreck individuals, he seemed sluggish and sluggish as compared. He seemed off his mark a time or three and was known as for holding, however the flag was picked up.

Logan Stenberg: Acquired bullied and gave up a sack. The play in the end didn’t depend after Atlanta was flagged on the play, however that also goes down as a detrimental for a man who is meant to be a bully.

Godwin Igwebuike: He didn’t get a rep till the fourth quarter and was rotating reps with Justin Jackson. He additionally didn’t any returning—possibly as a result of they wished to present Benson some seems to be—so it’s potential he has slipped down the depth chart a bit.

Derrick Barnes: All of the athletic expertise you possibly can ask for however till he can study to learn his gaps higher, he’s going to finish up within the unsuitable spot quite a bit—as he did on this sport. It wasn’t all dangerous, he did get a pleasant tackle-for-loss on the second drive, simply beating a block, however he wants to seek out himself in higher spots.

Shaun Dion Hamilton: He was believed to be on the roster bubble, however he didn’t present till the final snaps of the third quarter. Appears to be like like he’s additional down the depth chart than initially projected.

AJ Parker: He appeared to be off his mark just a few occasions within the opening drive, typically trailing the play versus inflicting issues. He did make a candy penetration transfer to place himself in place to make a tackle-for-loss, however he missed low.

Cedric Boswell: He made a pleasant move breakup early within the fourth quarter however giving up the late landing was a backbreaker. Not solely did it seem like he misplaced his place on the sector, however he additionally received simply outmuscled. Powerful ending for the undrafted free agent.