After another week of joint practices, this time hosting the New York Giants in Allen Park, the Detroit Lions wrapped up Week 2 of the preseason with a 30-17 loss at Ford Field.
Overall, it wasn't the Lions' best performance, but quarterback Jake Rudock stepped up and made an impression in his bid to be Matthew Stafford's backup. Rudock was the first to relieve Stafford, followed by Matt Cassel. Rudock then reentered in the fourth quarter, where he led the Lions on two touchdown drives.
"Coach just says be ready," Rudock said after the game. "Be ready and when coach says, 'Go in there,' we go in there and try to do the best of our ability. And that's all you can do and that's what we're going to do."
Rudock is in a tight competition with the veteran Cassel, who has NFL experience in his corner. Cassel has played 101 games, with 86 starts.
"Obviously, Jake has been here, so he understands a little bit," head coach Matt Patricia said of the backup QB battle earlier this week. "Matt is learning the offense from that standpoint. Matt has a little bit more experience – a little bit more kind of just on-field presence and experience from that standpoint in games."
As the preseason rolls on, the opportunity to make an impression dwindles.
"Every day, I mean we have practice every single day," Rudock said. "So, coach is evaluating 24/7, on the field, off the field, everything we do. So, my job is to just help the offense along and do the best that I can. All three of us are working hard and (Matt) Cassel's a great guy, he's working his butt off too. We're all just trying to help make this team better however we can."
JOINT PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS
Check out all the action from the Lions' joint practices with the Giants:
Camp Spotlight: Marvin Jones Jr. | Taylor Decker | Christian Jones
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS
- Go behind the scenes of Lions training camp with Episode 2 of Inside the Den.
- Watch Tori Petry talk with Tigers catcher James McCann at Lions camp.
- Check out all the new food and beverage offerings at Ford Field this season.
