ALLEN PARK, Mich. – One after another, they lined up as kick returners Thursday morning, each taking faux kickoffs and starting to run toward the blocking schemes in hopes of breaking returns.
Detroit Lions rookies Ameer Abdullah and Quandre Diggs were out there. So were receivers Ryan Broyles and TJ Jones, both of whom are fighting for roster spots. The notable exception was last year’s incumbent returner, Jeremy Ross, who was working on kick coverage instead.
Ross said later the Lions were using Thursday as a “kickoff emphasis” day, meaning they team was focusing on kick coverage and that was where Ross was needed. But the bigger thing is this – if Ross’ job was not in at least a little bit of jeopardy, his absence returning kicks would not have been as glaring as it was.
The veteran didn’t seem too concerned about it, though.
“I have to sharpen all my skills, you know what I’m saying,” Ross said. “Returning is definitely a big part of it but I’ve got to show value all over the field. So it’s important I get those kickoff reps. It’s important I get those gunner reps because you never know when your team needs something, so I’m going to pick up the slack wherever.”
True or not, the biggest value Ross provides to the Lions is as a returner, a job he held for the past season-and-a-half after the team turned to him instead of Micheal Spurlock midway through the 2013 season.
Ross, 27, struggled a bit in his second season as Detroit’s returner. Ross mishandled returns in two of the final three games of Detroit’s season, including the playoff loss to Dallas. His 38 fair catches as a punt returner were 12 more than any other returner in the NFL last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
While PFF graded him as the No. 12 returner in the NFL last season, the Lions have been clear there will at least be a competition this offseason. It’s why all of the potential candidates the Lions had back there Thursday to potentially take Ross’ job became something of note.
Ross isn’t bothered by the challenge, though.
“Someone is always coming for your job, regardless of who is here," Ross said. "In this business, you may not see him here. He may be on another team. He may be sitting at home. You never know.
“So your mindset has to be, man, I’m always trying to work.”
Ross understands this well. He was the guy on the other team in 2013 when Green Bay cut him and Detroit placed him on its practice squad and then elevated him to snag Spurlock’s spot. So he has to be prepared for this now.
Even though he was the team’s No. 3 receiver last season and caught 24 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown, he was the No. 96 receiver out of 110 ranked by PFF last season. So his role there is not secure, either.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford said Ross is a steady presence there and he’s flexible in multiple spots. He also pointed to his consistency.
That, though, was the issue with Ross as a returner last season and while he sees all of the competition going on around him, he isn’t relinquishing his job just yet.
“I’m just going to control myself, get better and it will take of itself,” Ross said. “If I got out there and I’m not giving my best and I’m not the return man, that’s on me.
"If I give my best and give everything I have to be the best that I can be and I don’t get it, then hey, more power to you.”
