Detroit Lions find a few bright spots in ugly loss to Cleveland Browns

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 29: Tight end Jerome Cunningham #86 celebrates with quarterback Josh Johnson #4 of the Detroit Lions after Johnson ran in a touchdown during the second half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Lions 20-16. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 29: Tight end Jerome Cunningham #86 celebrates with quarterback Josh Johnson #4 of the Detroit Lions after Johnson ran in a touchdown during the second half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Lions 20-16. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

It was a night that saw backup quarterback Tom Savage under heavy pressure early and often.  The Detroit Lions backup offensive line couldn’t block a plastic bag blowing in the wind last night.

If it wasn’t entirely a cause for concern entering the game last night, it only took three snaps to understand the backup offensive line for the Detroit Lions is simply atrocious. It’s a position that has the most games lost to injury across the league year after year.

It’s apparent that if the Lions happen to lose any starting O-lineman for any length of time, it may derail the entire season.  Expect the organization to sift through all of the players that become available after the roster cutdowns Saturday afternoon for an upgrade to their backup linemen.

I’m not sold on Tom Savage, and he didn’t do anything last night to change my mind.  He’s a statue after he drops back.  In his defense, he could barely take a step or two back after receiving the ball from his center before he was bombarded with defensive pressure from the Cleveland Browns. Savage completed 5/9 passing for 33 yards. He was sacked three times. His history with concussions is also a concern if Matthew Stafford happens to miss any time.