Lions special teams unit makes odd decisions
Sep 10, 2017, 11:12 AM | Updated: 11:48 am
I've been known to get this excited and jittery at a wedding buffet.#Lionspic.twitter.com/vyyAfTAFSd
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) September 10, 2017
Dear long-suffering Detroit Lions fans, it appears you might want to prepare yourself to, well … keep suffering.
While the Detroit defense looked stout against the Arizona Cardinals in their season-opener Sunday, the offense struggled. And while the offense struggled, the special teams unit flat out forgot how to football.
Take the above clip for example. Yes, punter Kasey Redfern does not have NFL experience, and the Wofford rookie also was backed up against the back of the Lions’ end zone.
Still, when you botch catching the snap and have a chance to at least get a kick away, you should probably take what opportunity you have left.
Instead, Redfern tried to run the ball and by doing so took a mean hit from Cardinals tight end and special teamer Ifeanyi Momah. Adding to Redfern’s mistake, he left on a cart after suffering an injury on the play.
Prater in to punt. Has never punted in pro game. #AZvsDET
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) September 10, 2017
That left kicker Matt Prater to take on the punting duties.
Because Redfern was also the holder, Detroit ended up botching an extra point after the first touchdown score, making it a 10-6 Arizona lead in the second half rather than a three-point game.
Prater did, however, make up for some of the mistakes by nailing a 58-yard field goal to pull Detroit within 10-9 just before halftime.
Other more questionable decisions were made by Detroit’s special teams.
When return man Dwayne Washington bobbled a kick deep in his own end zone, instead of taking a knee, he decided it made sense to attempt a return.
"I don't think this quarter could get any worse"
Dwayne Washington: "hold my beer" pic.twitter.com/PHCDanf0gA
— Robert Schuster (@ziggyziggyzomba) September 10, 2017
Lions fans were not pleased, to say the least.
Even the team’s Twitter account acknowledged the questionable play.
That first quarter was… something.
3 quarters left – Let's GO! #OnePride
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 10, 2017
Most accurate description of this Lions game pic.twitter.com/kzluBk7CWo
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) September 10, 2017
Lions special teams right now. pic.twitter.com/Wyx6h74s82
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) September 10, 2017
