Detroit Lions: Five Important Questions as Training Camp Begins
By Zac Snyder
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Darryl Tapp (52) sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Dallas beat Detroit 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Who steps up at defensive end?
The Lions lost a lot of their defensive front from a year ago and while Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley were the biggest names, the Lions have a more certain personnel grouping to step in their place. What is less certain is what happens at defensive end following the loss of George Johnson.
Considering Johnson was “just a guy” in camp last year, confidence should be high the Lions staff can get the next man up ready to fill Johnson’s role. The question is, who will it be? Darryl Tapp, Phillip Hunt, Corey Wootton, Larry Webster and Devin Taylor will all have an opportunity to lay claim to major playing time.
The decision to let Johnson get away without tendering him contract offer surprised many, but was likely due in large part with the team liking the players they had coming up behind George Johnson. Last year was basically a redshirt year for Larry Webster and he’s already been singled out in comments from Jim Caldwell.
Next: Who gets the carries?