Colt McCoywants to prove he is a legitimate starter in the NFL. Matt Stafford wants to prove he can stay healthy as a legitimate starter in the NFL. The two young signal callers have the potential to be great quarterbacks in this league, and their Week 2 matchup in Cleveland is another step towards achieving that goal.
Aside from the quarterback position, the rest of these squads are pretty different.
The Browns are in the rookie year of head coach Pat Shurmur's tenure, and he's moving the team back to a 4-3 defense. Football czar Mike Holmgren is never far away, but this team is under Shurmur's rule and he's putting things together early to help take control of a squad that desperately needs influence.
The Lions, on the other hand, have Jim Schwartz. The organization and players have bought into his system, they've put together a fierce looking (looking being the operative word) defensive line, and they have an offense that is simply ready to explode.
Who Will Take Their Team to Playoffs First?
Who Will Take Their Team to Playoffs First? Matt Stafford
These are two of the league's most intriguing up-and-coming teams, and this Week 2 matchup should not disappoint regardless of who is one the field.
The Browns opted not to select Julio Jones at No. 6 in the 2011 NFL Draft; it might have been a mistake. Their newest weapon on the outside is second-round pick Greg Little, a former running back at North Carolina with tremendous athleticism and unlimited upside.
Tulloch enters his sixth year in the league on the heels of back-to-back 100-plus tackle seasons in Tennessee. The Lions only added him on a one-year deal, but their intention is to see what he brings to the table as an outside linebacker or inside linebacker before they make a long-term investment.
Those words hurt my fingers just typing them, but Elam is legitimately viewed as a starting safety in the NFL. Elam went to Dallas to play opposite Gerald Sensabaugh, and now the Browns start Usama Young opposite T.J. Ward. Young has experience playing for a winning squad (came from New Orleans), but will need to perform immediately.
Leshoure has yet to play a down for the Lions in his career, but he was expected to be a big part of their offense this season and help take the load off Jahvid Best's shoulders in the backfield. Detroit was one of the worst teams in the league at rushing up the middle a season ago, and Leshoure was brought in to fix just that. The rookie is out for the season with a torn Achilles.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer is saying Shurmur said his starters will play "close to one half" against Detroit on Friday. He said he's most interested in seeing his No. 1 lines get in at least 20 plays. They were on the field for about 16 last week against Green Bay.
The Detroit Free Press is saying that quarterbackMatthew Staffordand defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch restructured their contracts to lessen their salary cap figures this year. And with more room to maneuver, the Lions then signed free agent starters Stephen Tulloch, Eric Wright and Justin Durant, and re-signed cornerback Chris Houston.
McCoy showed phenomenal poise and understanding of his offense in the Week 1 preseason game against Green Bay. The second-year signal caller has done a tremendous amount of work this offseason getting to know his offense, and it is important that he keep playing well. Don't just watch the stat line, watch McCoy's feet and eyes as he moves through his progressions.
Will the Lions Make the Playoffs this Season if Matt Stafford Stays Healthy?
Will the Lions Make the Playoffs this Season if Matt Stafford Stays Healthy? Yes
Suh was fined $20,000 for his body slam of Andy Dalton in the Lions' opening game win a week ago. The dominant defensive tackle has been cited for rough play before, and it will be interesting to see how handles himself on the field this week.
Matchup to Watch: Lions Inside Running Game vs. Browns New Defensive Line
The Browns are expected to use a 4-3 look this season, but still have the option of going with the 3-4 as well. First-round rookie Phil Taylor was the best pure nose tackle in the draft, and he lines up with Ahtya Rubin at the other tackle, third-year man Marcus Bernand at end and fellow rookie Jabaal Sheard at the other end in a 4-3 base. If the Lions want to improve their inside ground game, it will a good test against this inexperienced group.
As stated earlier, the Browns opted to pass on a first-round receiver. Their starters are now Brian Robiskie and Josh Cribbs. Cribbs is best know for his return ability and Robiskie has been anything but consistent to this point in his career.
The Browns have three younger players—Little, Jordan Norwood and Carlton Mitchell—that all have the potential to make plays. Cleveland's leading pass-catchers last year were tight end Ben Watson and running back Peyton Hillis. This unit needs to change that.
Did the Browns Make the Right Decision Passing on Julio Jones in the 2011 NFL Draft?
Did the Browns Make the Right Decision Passing on Julio Jones in the 2011 NFL Draft? Yes
It was surprising to see the Lions keep DeAndre Levy at middle linebacker after the addition of Tulloch. It will be interesting to see how this unit plays out and who ends up where when the season starts. Justin Durant appears more than capable of holding off Bobby Carpenter on the strongside, but this entire unit is a very interesting group of players worth watching.
These teams will go as far as their quarterbacks will take them. They both have the shown the potential to be franchise quarterbacks, but they have to continue to prove it. Every time we see Stafford put it together he gets injured and McCoy is just getting into the grip of being "the guy" right now.
Poise, command of their offenses and decision-making will highlight the night for these two.
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