Detroit Lions: Top Position Battles to Watch in Preseason Week One
By Bob Heyrman
Not a very exciting battle but a battle nonetheless, Tom Savage enters the night as the teams’ favorite to be Matthew Stafford‘s primary backup quarterback. He will battle throughout the preseason with David Fales. Both are likely to see equal work tonight as the coaching staff evaluates their options.
When the offseason started, it appeared as though the Detroit Lions were going to take a good long look at former Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook to be Stafford’s security blanket. It wasn’t long before the Detroit Lions cut him and brought in Fales as his replacement.
Tom Savage is the immediate favorite going into the night because he’s had some starting experience with the Houston Texans. He didn’t take a snap last season, but in 2017 he started seven games, leading the Texans to a 1-6 record–not good. Savage completed 57% of his passes totaling 1412 yards. In ’17 he threw for 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
Although his stats don’t do anything for you; he’s supposed to be phenomenal in the film room breaking down film and helping the starting quarterback. In this case, assisting Matt Stafford regurgitate what they are watching. Savage isn’t a long term solution by any means, but if he’s a good teammate and serves almost as another offensive coach, I’m all for keeping him. Darrell Bevell’s offense is built around the power run game and deep shots down the field. Savage, similar to Stafford, is known to have a strong arm. But let’s hope we never have to see it in the regular season.
David Fales has only appeared in three NFL games in three seasons, never making a start. He, like Savage, made his last appearance in 2017. He played in two games totaling 265 yards while throwing one touchdown and one interception.
Both quarterbacks were drafted in 2014. Savage in the fourth round by the Texans, Fales in the sixth round by the Bears. Although it’s not a battle, most of us are too concerned about it’s something to watch tonight.