Turnovers thwart Lions in Hall of Fame Game vs. Chargers: Evaluating the first look at Detroit’s roster

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CANTON, Ohio — The preseason, of course, is more about process and less about product. That’s important to remember because the product we saw from the Detroit Lions on Thursday evening wouldn’t make the shelves in most stores.

The Lions lost to the Los Angeles Chargers 34-7 in the annual Hall of Fame Game, turning the ball over five times on a night where sustained drives were hard to come by.

“Alright, first one out of the gate, the story of the game is we turned it over five times and then we didn’t get any takeaways,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said bluntly. “So that’s hard just from that standpoint. When you put your defense in that kind of position, that’s tough. … So, that was kind of the nature of it. We’re excited to watch some of these guys, see how they did, read the tape, learn from it, grow from it. That’s what it’s about.”

Detroit’s coaching staff now has some game tape to evaluate, in addition to what they’ve seen in practice. That’s what these games are about.

So which players helped their cause and who hurt it? Let’s recap.

Stock up

Edge Ahmed Hassanein

The word on Hassanein coming out of Boise State was that he was more motor than traits. He’s not the biggest, the longest or the fastest. But man, he maximizes everything he’s got. He’s also a quick study. We saw that Thursday night.

Hassanein made several standout plays. He nearly had his first sack, but Chargers quarterback Trey Lance slipped away. Hassanein was tossing linemen with ease and shedding would-be blockers in his path. He did some things you didn’t know he could do, probably because he continues to learn on the job. After all, it’s not like he’s been playing this sport that long. His bag is expanding. Quickly.

What stands out about Hassanein when you’re talking to him is how he appreciates being here. It’s a genuine gratitude that is sometimes overlooked. The dude loves playing football and loves being a Lion. You’re reminded of this every time he speaks.

“I always call my dad at the beginning of the game, and man, it’s kind of crazy that I have the NFL logo,” Hassanein said. “Before every game, I call him, and it’s like Boise State before every game, and we pray together. I call my wife, and we pray together. It’s kind of unreal to me.

“I Facetimed him, and you can see the NFL logo, and I was like, ‘Dad, we’re here. We’re here.’ It’s unreal to me, you know. I’m so grateful to be here. I just wanna keep growing, and I really want to prove myself for this team.”

He’s well on his way.

WR Isaac TeSlaa

TeSlaa led the Lions in yards Thursday night, which isn’t saying a lot, but he made the most of his opportunities. His first catch in an NFL game (used loosely) went for 24 yards on a play-action crosser, and he finished the catch-and-run by lowering his shoulder and delivering a physical hit to the nearest defensive back. You have to think the coaching staff loved that. And on the next play, Allen went right back to him for a gain of 22 yards. They were his only two catches of the evening, but he showed off the traits that made him coveted by this staff — strong hands, long speed and a big frame. Nice debut for him.

“Definitely a lot of emotion on that first one,” TeSlaa said. “It kinda felt good to drop my shoulder a bit on that DB, definitely got hyped up about that one, and then, I don’t know. Football’s an emotional game, but you’ve gotta be able to tame those emotions, so when you’re making plays, don’t let the highs be too high, the lows be too low.”

His most impressive play of the evening might’ve been a rep at gunner, where he cut inside and sprinted 40-plus yards downfield without breaking a sweat. It looked like the Charger tasked with blocking TeSlaa underestimated his speed. It’s legit. And it’s here to stay.

He’s starting to feel like a guy who’s going to carve out a role for himself sooner rather than later.

LB Grant Stuard and CB Rock Ya-Sin

A couple of veterans stood out amid all the young talent Detroit put on the field. Stuard and Ya-Sin each proved their value in this game. Outside of a fumble on the opening kick return, Stuard was active, near the ball and showed great closing speed when sacking Lance in the first half. Stuard has a chance to be a valuable depth piece and an ace on special teams.

Ya-Sin was physical in the run game, highlighted by an excellent open-field tackle of rookie Omarion Hampton. It saved a touchdown. Ya-Sin gives the Lions quality depth at corner.

These additions flew under the radar a bit, but Campbell is happy to have them around. They’ll be needed.

“I kind of expect that out of both of those guys,” Campbell said. “So it’s encouraging. They both, man, they bust their rear. They give you everything they got. They play hard, they practice hard. They learn. They don’t make the same mistake twice. Those are the type of guys you’re looking for.”

Quarterback Kyle Allen (left) threw two interceptions in a rough first showing this preseason. (Junfu Han / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

Stock down

The quarterbacks

Kyle Allen and Hendon Hooker combined for three interceptions on the evening. The turnovers prevented the offense from getting into a rhythm or sustaining drives. It was hard to watch.

Before we get into things, some context: One of Allen’s interceptions came on a route in which TeSlaa took some questionable contact downfield, bumping him off his route and unable to make a play on the ball. Another was a jump ball from Hooker to Dominic Lovett with two minutes to go, down 27, just trying to make a play. He gave Lovett a chance, but it was ripped away by Myles Purchase, putting a bow on an overall bad night.

Simply put, these quarterbacks need to be better. Allen’s first interception was an abysmal throw — his worst of the summer, so far, for a guy who has otherwise looked sharp. But this is why you preface practice reports. It’s early. There’s a long way to go, and performances like this can help or hurt you. This was not a good night for Allen.

As for Hooker, he spent the evening with the third-team offense, with Allen getting the first shot with the second team. It’s probably not worth reading into since the Lions alternate quarterbacks in practice. Hooker will likely start the next preseason game versus the Atlanta Falcons, but it was not a particularly sharp night for him either. He threw the ball six times, completing three passes for 18 yards. His internal clock was sped up. He tucked it and ran. Hooker never looked comfortable.

For two guys who looked good in practice, this collective QB performance did not support that notion.

CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and LB Trevor Nowaske

It’s been a bit of an odd start for Rakestraw, a second-year cornerback. Coaches and teammates praised his work this summer. He was there for the start of training camp before a chest contusion cost him several practices. Rakestraw returned to action last Saturday and was healthy enough to start Thursday, but he allowed a 28-yard reception to KeAndre Lambert-Smith. He was also penalized for illegal hands to the face. You’d rather he learn in moments like this.

Nowaske, a starter out of necessity a year ago, was flagged for offsides twice and looked a bit stiff in coverage.

I’d expect these two to bounce back. They’ll have a role on the team this year.

CB Dicaprio Bootle

Not the best night for Bootle. He was beaten badly on a slant by Lambert-Smith for a touchdown. Bootle was also flagged for defensive pass interference, costing the Lions 27 yards on the penalty and setting the Chargers up with first-and-goal from the 6. Rough evening for the former Charger.

Lingering thoughts

• You’re not gonna win many games losing the turnover battle 5-0. An understandable scoreboard when you factor those in. Campbell wasn’t pleased.
• Special teams were sloppy. It’s uncharacteristic of Dave Fipp’s unit.
• OL Giovanni Manu looked solid in the glimpses I watched him. He got the bulk of the work in the second half. I’d like to see him be a bit more physical, especially when finishing, but I liked what I saw.
• WR Jakobie Keeney-James muffed a punt that led to a turnover. For an undrafted free agent trying to stick around in some capacity, it’s not the start you wanted.
• S Ian Kennelly can really hit. He looks like a linebacker sometimes. He missed an open-field tackle, but I think he’s off to a better start than Dan Jackson.
• TE/FB Zach Horton had a nice block on Craig Reynolds’ 13-yard run that almost went for a touchdown. That’s what he was known for coming out of Indiana.
• Lovett created separation at times, but left you wanting more. He dropped a catch on his first target and had one ripped out of his hands on his final one. In between, he showed glimpses of his short-area quickness and got some chances in the return game. Campbell said he’ll learn from a game like this.
• I thought second-year UDFA edge Nate Lynn was pretty active tonight. It looked like he had a handful of pressures. If he can keep stacking days like this, he’ll position himself for at least a spot on the practice squad.
• Dan Skipper was spotted in a walking boot in the locker room, and it sounds like he’s dealing with an ankle injury. He’s been the primary left tackle with Taylor Decker out, but Decker is expected back soon.

(Top photo: Junfu Han / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

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