Detroit Lions to Add Asante Samuel Jr. to Help Reinforce Injured Defense
Lions Could Target Asante Samuel Jr. After Injuries to Key Cornerbacks
As injuries continue to mount in the Detroit Lions' secondary, the team is looking for solutions. With cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold both dealing with injuries, the Lions are considering adding veteran cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to bolster their defense for the second half of the season.
Samuel, currently recovering from a back injury, is aiming to return to the field soon, and several teams have already expressed interest. Detroit, who was previously linked to Samuel during the offseason, may sign the former Los Angeles Chargers cornerback to add much-needed depth. Samuel’s experience and leadership would be invaluable for a Lions secondary that has faced struggles following the injuries to key players.
Though Samuel's 2024 season was limited by injuries, he remains one of the more talented free-agent cornerbacks available. If the Lions sign Samuel, he could provide veteran mentorship to the younger defensive backs while also contributing on the field, helping Detroit build toward a potential playoff run.
With a 3-2 record heading into the middle of the season, the Lions’ defense has been solid but could benefit from more consistency. Adding Samuel to the mix could provide the boost they need to stay competitive in the NFC North.
Sturm’s Third-Line Experiment Fizzles in Preseason Shake-Up
The Boston Bruins' third line on Monday night against the Philadelphia Flyers made a ton of sense on paper. It featured Fraser Minten, who projects as the team's two-way center of the future, who brings defensive reliability and is still searching for his offensive upside. Minten's wingers should've been able to bring out that offensive upside, as Matej Blumel funnels shots at the net at a high volume, and Matt Poitras is the prototypical playmaker.
The line's experience should give fans and the coaching staff some caution about expecting the trio to be a line in the regular season. It'd be hard for them to comfortably play 82 games at the NHL level without expectations of some regression and nights where they struggle. However, in a season where there are few expectations for the Bruins, it could be the perfect year to feature this line and build it up as a potential third, and eventually second, line of the future.
Well, the line lasted only two periods. Poitras moved up to the second line with Casey Mittelstadt and Pavel Zacha, while Viktor Arvidsson moved down with Minten and Blumel. I don't disagree with that move either, as the concept of Arvidsson automatically getting a second-line spot didn't seem right. He brings a speed and tenacity that could fit alongside Minten and Blumel while also lending some veteran leadership.
Head coach Marco Sturm's comments post-game make me think that he really wants Monday night's third line to work. It's too late in the preseason for him to be throwing lines together just for the sake of doing it, and it feels like the coaching staff feels that this line could work on paper as well. The challenge will be for the trio to actually show it on the ice.
"“They practice so hard and so well the whole time, and I feel like in games, they think too much. So, I gotta get them out of that.”"Marco Sturm
It raises an interesting question. While everyone thinks that those three are vying for the final spots in camp, is there a chance that the trio will be Providence's first line to start the season? Considering the lack of expectations, an idea for the front office is to gel them as a line in the AHL and then recall them all to Boston at the same time at a later date. They wouldn't be the first team to implement that strategy.
