'He Keeps Flashing': WR Antoine Green Hungry to Contribute
The Detroit Lions saw encouraging things from rookie wide receiver Antoine Green in the preseason.
Green led the team in receiving yards with 151 in the three preseason games. That hasn't quite translated to the regular season, as he's still low on the depth chart behind Detroit's reliable stable of wideouts.
As he works to build on that strong first impression, he has continued to battle on the practice field in an effort to show the coaches he's capable of producing.
An opportunity could arise in Week 5, as the Lions listed Amon-Ra St. Brown as doubtful and Josh Reynolds as questionable on Friday's injury report.
"For me, I'm trying to find a role," Green explained. "Trying to help as much as I can, do as much as I can to help the team get better and produce in practice. That's been my ultimate goal."
The Lions' wide receiver room got a jolt following their win over Green Bay last season with the news of Jameson Williams' suspension being reduced.
Dan Campbell shared his simple expectations for the second-year wideout and was adamant that those standards of accountability and dependability are the same for all young players.
Green understands these expectations as a rookie and has remained focused as a hunger builds to contribute in game action.
"One thing I'd say is know what to do, be good at doing it and execute it," Green said. "In order to be dependable, you've got to be where you're at whether it's split, running the right route at the right depth. So being dependable in that aspect is what they're looking for."
His showing in the preseason, which included a 70-yard touchdown in the preseason finale against Carolina, has built optimism about his eventual future. Yet, he has just one catch for two yards through the first four games.
Still, there have been encouraging signs for offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and company to take in.
"He keeps flashing. It’s encouraging to watch him because he was – talking with (Lions Cornerbacks Coach) Dré Bly a little bit about him at Carolina, it took him some time to truly develop his craft and his route tree there," Johnson explained. "And he came on his senior year and had a big year for him. And so seeing that now, I just see a guy that’s – he is detailed, he’s hungry, he’s working every single day. At times it seems like there’s a lot of processing going on and it slows down and that’s what we’re working every single day to get out of him because when he plays fast, he is fast. It shows up and he can be a really effective player that way. So, as much as we can slow the game down mentally for him, his natural talents will come out.”
The rookie has put an emphasis on knowing multiple spots within the Lions' high powered offense. As a result, his anticipation to contribute has grown while watching from the sideline.
"I be looking from the sideline like I just want to be a part of it," Green said. "Definitely explosive."
