Lions Happy With 'Next Man Up' Mentality, Should Levy Sit Out
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
Whether Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy plays this Sunday or never again is anybody's guess at this point. Rumors have swirled about his mysterious hip injury, and head coach Jim Caldwell has refused to budge on his choice to decline comment on the situation.
In a league where the phrase "next man up" is almost more popular than helmets, the Lions are taking the same approach, should Levy not be ready this weekend. Detroit opens the season at San Diego against the Chargers on Sunday at 4 p.m.
"The thing that happens with an unexpected absence is the person that has to step up and play doesn't get as many reps leading into the game as you'd like," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "At this point, I think we're fine with the amount of reps that everybody has gotten and if we do have to play without DeAndre this week that the people who step in will be ready and it won't be such a big deal."
Josh Bynes would be most likely to fill the spot that Levy would vacate, based off the depth chart. He has nine career starts, all for the Ravens in 2012 and 2013. Last season, he played in 13 games for the Lions and accumulated 19 tackles, one fumble recovery and one interception (returned for 17 yards).
Of course, it's tough to compare anyone to Levy's statistics: 151 tackles (second in the league), 2.5 sacks, five passes defensed and one interception (returned for 13 yards). And his presence alone can affect how offenses attack.
But both Austin and head coach Jim Caldwell are happy with what Bynes would bring, should his number be called.
"He's very smart," Austin said. "Plays faster probably than his time speed, and very solid, conscientious. I think what he's going to bring is he'll bring stability. If he has to play, we probably won't get as many splash plays as we would with DeAndre because of the way DeAndre plays. But we'll get a steady, solid performance."
Caldwell thought more of the same.
"This is not his first rodeo," he said of Bynes. "He's a guy that understands our system, knows it, understands his responsibilities – very, very fine communicator with everybody around him and he's going to be in the right place. So those things bode well for a guy that's able to make a significant contribution."
