Tag Archive for Jason Fox

Lions close preseason in Buffalo

September 1, 2011 admin Uncategorized

By PAULA PASCHE
JRC News Service

It’s the fourth NFL preseason game that has such a lousy reputation. For good reason.

The starters usually play only a series or two, unless they come down with a cold or mysterious illness that keeps them off the field.

Two things, however, are key to the preseason finale.

First, is winning. Second is final decision making for roster spots.

That’s how it will be when the Lions play the Bills at Buffalo on Thursday. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m.

Coach Jim Schwartz said his first objective is to win. The Lions are 3-0 in the preseason so far, coming off a dominating 34-10 win over the Patriots on Saturday.

“There’s always roster spots that are being fought for in that last game, maybe even still some playing time. There’s a long season ahead of us, but getting in the good rotations for the opener, seeing a couple more guys, but probably more than anything, (we) want guys to go out and compete, (we) want guys to go win the game,” Schwartz said.

The coach couldn’t or wouldn’t be specific about how many players are on the bubble — deadline for final cut to 53 is Saturday — but he said there are a handful of roster spots that are in question. Obviously most of them are depth positions, although he said the job for punter is still up for grabs between Nick Harris and Ryan Donahue.

Even when the roster of 53 is announced on Saturday, it will not be the final roster. In fact, it’s likely to change quickly if Lions general manager Martin Mayhew picks up any players who have been released from other teams.

Schwartz has ruled out several injured players for Thursday, including Kyle Vanden Bosch, Nate Burleson, Maurice Morris, Alphonso Smith, Nick Fairley and Jason Fox.

Running back Jahvid Best, who sat out Saturday’s game, will play.

Paula Pasche covers the Lions. Follow her on Twitter @PaulaPasche. Read her Lions Lowdown blog at TheOaklandPress.com. Get Lions news delivered directly to your phone by texting the keyword “Lions” to 22700.

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Article source: http://www.themorningsun.com/articles/2011/09/01/sports/srv0000013538305.txt

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Lions punter battle going to the wire

August 31, 2011 admin Uncategorized

By PAULA PASCHE
JRC News Service

ALLEN PARK — One job going down to the wire is between Nick Harris and Ryan Donahue to be the Lions punter.

Both will get chances in Thursday night’s final preseason game at Buffalo.

“Both of those guys have punted very, very well — just like our kickers. Jason (Hanson) was in a little different spot and we thought we needed to make that move right away,” coach Jim Schwartz said.

The Lions released kicker Dave Rayner, who had been competing with Hanson for the position.

But the battle at punter lingers.

“We’ve been alternating a lot of different ways and things like that and we chart just about every punt that those guys do — and hold is also important. When you’re a punter you’re also a holder, so, you know, those will all be important factors in (this) decision,” Schwartz added.

The Lions know Harris, whose been with the Lions for eight seasons, can hold so they’ve been giving Donahue opportunities.

“He was clean. Yeah, he … we used Dominic Raiola on our first extra point. He’s our back-up snapper and he looked like the back-up snapper and he rolled one back and Ryan was able to get it down and get that,” Schwartz said. “It’s a little slower operation on an extra point, but he did a good job of digging that out.”

Depleted offense hums

in the first three preseason games the Lions’ offense has hummed to the tune of at least 30 points per game, leading to three wins.

(See Lions, Page 4B)

(Continued from 1B)

The four quarterbacks have combined for 10 touchdown passes and just one interception.

The key here is that not all the starting offense has been on the field at one time.

It won’t happen at Buffalo on Thursday night either, but it will be close.

Schwartz said on Tuesday that running back Jahvid Best, who missed Saturday’s win over the Patriots, will play on Thursday.

However, wide receiver Nate Burleson will sit thanks to stitches in his elbow. He was hit on the spot in his elbow in Saturday’s game at the spot where he had been sown up after having a bursa sac removed in the offseason.

Ins and outs

Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch was back at practice Tuesday for the first time since injuring his shoulder in the preseason game at Cleveland.

Vanden Bosch has been ruled out of the game at Buffalo.

Offensive lineman Jason Fox (foot) still is not practicing but he is out of the orthopedic boot so another step closer to a return.

CB Alphonso Smith (foot) still is not practicing.

Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Read her Lions Lowdown blog at oplions.blogspot.com. Get Lions news delivered directly to your phone by texting the keyword “Lions” to 22700.

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Article source: http://www.themorningsun.com/articles/2011/08/31/sports/srv0000013514590.txt

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