3 Detroit Lions who need to rebound against the Bucs

An offensive perfromance from a defensive tackle

A’Shawn Robinson lands on my rebound list for the second week in a row. He did not do himself any favors against the Giants. He found himself playing into the fourth quarter again. That late in the game you shouldn’t be seeing a presumed starter still playing, but there he was.

The defensive line as a whole seemed to have improved from last week. The run defense was able to hold the Giants under 100 yards and through the first three quarters, the Giants were below 2.0 yards per carry. Also, from the help of Devon Kennard and Ricky Jean-Francois, they were able to generate some pass rush against Davis Webb. They didn’t record a sack, but they were able to bring a ton of pressure.

Robinson struggled mightily in the first preseason game against the Raiders and it was the same against the Giants. Going into the season, he was being named as the starter right next to Sylvester Williams. Leading defensive tackles in snaps in the second preseason game is not a good thing. Robinson managed only one tackle against second and third stringers. With the emergence of Da’Sahwn Hand and Ricky Jean-Francois starting, Robinson’s role on this team is dwindling.

To put it in context, a tidbit Kent Lee Platte from Pride of Detroit makes you have to wonder if Robinson’s roster spot is not as secure as everyone thinks it is. Last time a presumed starter was playing this late in preseason games it was Antwione Williams and he ended up being a surprise cut. I don’t think they will cut Robinson, but he might be coming off the bench instead of starting. He needs to come back strong against the Bucs or he will continue his fall.