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Stanton helping Lions defense prepare for Tebow

Posted Oct 26, 2011

Each week, players on each side of the ball act as the scout team for the starters on offense and defense.

This week, quarterback Drew Stanton is playing his role as Denver quarterback Tim Tebow, who made his first start of the season last week at Miami.

Tebow is known for his tendency and ability to run the football. Stanton has a similar skill set.

"It's just the element that he brings of running the football," said Stanton of Tebow. "I'm trying to do that and keep (our defense) honest. He obviously has a threat of doing that and he can make plays off schedule.

"It's hard to try and practice for that so we try to simulate it to the best of our ability."

Last week at Miami, Tebow ran eight times for 65 yards and is actually second on the team with 102 rushing yards.

His tendency to run for first downs brings another element to what the Lions' defense has to account for and there is no telling when that element will become a factor.

"When he gets in the open field he's not looking to slide, but he's looking to finish off his run," said linebacker Justin Durant. "That's one of his strengths and that's what he does."

The challenge comes if Tebow is holding the ball and the Lions' defense can't get to him. If the back seven is covering, that gives Tebow the ability to gain yards on his own.

"You look at what he's done not only last week but over his career - he's dangerous when he pulls the ball down and runs with it," said defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch.

"We have a challenge, especially up front, where we need to collapse the pocket and get guys around him and stay alive in the rush because he can run anywhere on the football field with it."

Added defensive end Cliff Avril, "Stanton is helping us big time. He's a runner. Everybody knows that Tebow runs and Stanton definitely likes to run. He's giving us the best look we can get from our quarterbacks."

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