LB – Boss Bailey – Boss’ five tackles were good for
second on the team behind safety Brian Walker. As a
whole, the linebacker group did not play well. The
Chiefs’ offensive line was able to dominate the line
of scrimmage and many of Boss’ tackles came upfield
after Priest Holmes had gained six or seven yards per
carry. The five tackles were Boss’ highest individual
game total since Week 10 against the Chicago Bears.
Boss has 71 tackles, one and a half sacks, and five
passes defensed this season.
DE/DT Cory Redding – Redding saw most of his action
during “clean-up time” at the end of the game. The
Lions, down by 28 points, had Redding in every
defensive snap in relief of Robert Porcher in the
fourth quarter. Continuing to show improvement,
Redding was active in pursuit of first round pick and
Chiefs backup running back Larry Johnson. Redding
made a solid stuff on Johnson on a 3rd down and short.
He finished with three solo tackles.
RB – Artose Pinner – Pinner saw his first action of
the season and had average results. In the first
half, he ran five times for 23 yards, but had just six
yards on four carries in the second half. Pinner did,
however; show flashes of why the Lions selected him in
the fourth round of last year’s draft. He ran very
hard, broke tackles, showed some “wiggle,” and fell
forward after contact. He also caught a 21-yard
screen pass from Joey Harrington in the first half,
that set up a score later in the drive.
On the Lions’ final drive, “Toose” ran off
right guard smashing into linebacker Shawn Barber,
appearing to leave the Chief in a bit of a daze and
moving the Lions closer to the goal line. Detroit had
two plays at the one-yard line in the final minutes to
make the score a bit more respectable, but failed to
convert on two Joey Harrington pass plays. One could
question the play calling, as Artose had been pounding
the ball between the tackles for most of the game and
possibly could have done the same in that specific
situation and put some points on the board.
He finished with nine carries for 26 yards and
one reception for 21 yards.
S/CB – Terrence Holt – Once again, Holt was forced to
play several different positions in the same game. He
lined up as a cornerback, free safety, and strong
safety. In the second quarter, while playing the
strong safety position, Holt was among three Lions who
missed a tackle on Chiefs backup running back Derrick Blaylock subsequently leading to a 63-yard touchdown
reception for the Kansas City player. Holt is
learning on the job and was massively tested today by
a potent Chiefs offense that averages 367 yards and
over 30 points per game. Holt’s three tackles in the
game puts him at 17 for the season to go along with
two interceptions and two passes defensed.
TE – Casey FitzSimmons – Fitz did not start or record
a reception in the game. He did, however; block
better and seal off a few outside edges for Shawn Bryson. Fitz has 19 catches for 124 yards and a
touchdown this season.
Other rookies – WR David Kircus and RB Avon Cobourne
were inactive through a coach’s decision. LB James Davis is still nursing an injured shoulder and was out
for the game.