Detroit Lions Week 1 Game Ball: Theo Riddick

When the Detroit Lions visited the Indianapolis Colts in week one, several players stood out but it was Theo Riddick who performed the best and took home this weeks Game Ball.

Well, the Detroit Lions like to make it fun don’t they?

After the dust settled from Matt Prater‘s game winning kick and we take a look back at the game as a whole, it’s clear who deserves this weeks Game Ball: Theo Riddick.

There were a lot of inconsistencies in the Lions play this evening, but Theo Riddick looked solid from start to finish. Riddick finished the game with seven rushes for 45 yards and a touchdown (Video), to go along with five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown (Video). 

Riddick looked sharp and decisive. When he ran in between tacklers he was smooth often making people miss with his lateral quickness. When he got in space, he was next to impossible to cover. Jim Bob Cooter used him in a variety ways, and he earned every penny of his new contract.

One of the key moments in the game was in the fourth quarter, when Riddick suffered a head injury and needed further evaluation to pass the NFL’s concussion protocol. As he was escorted to the locker-room by security and team doctors, he turned and motioned for them to run with him.

He returned quickly, and in what seemed like the next play, Ameer Abdullah was injured and needed to be removed from the game. Theo was ready to step in and he would go on to score his second touchdown of the game a few plays later.

Did Riddick’s urgency to get to the locker-room and start the concussion protocol tests help him get back on the field sooner?  That can only be speculated. But if he walked, it’s very likely he’s not back on the field for that drive.

Other Lions considered

Matthew Stafford is this teams leader. No Doubt about it. You have to love his intensity and drive. He was holding players accountable and orchestrated another fantastic game winning fourth-quarter comeback.

Ameer Abdullah had a terrific opening game. He finished the game with 12 rushes for 63 yards and five catches for 57 yards and a touchdown (Video). If he wasn’t dinged up on the second to last drive, then he’s likely in the game instead of Riddick. And then it easily could’ve been Abdullah as this weeks Game Ball recipient.

Ameer Abdullah didn’t show us much in the preseason, but now that the regular season is here, Matt Waldman has a message for opposing defenses:

Defensive end Kerry Hyder picked up where he left off at the end of the preseason. Hyder started the game like he was shot out of a cannon. He registered two sacks and at least two quarterback pressures in the first half.

Hyder looked well on his way to earning his first ever game ball. But then he failed to do much in the second half and came up just short of taking home this weeks award.

Next: Detroit Lions: Extend Theo Riddick and Sam Martin

Preseason Game Ball Winners:
Week 1: Zach Zenner
Week 2: Tahr Whitehead
Week 3: Haloti Ngata
Week 4: Kerry Hyder