After an impressive preseason opener against the Jets, what are the realistic expectations for the Lions heading into the 2015 regular season?
Who’s the most important player coming out of camp and can the defense offset the loss of Ndamukong Suh?
Or what about Ameer Abdullah?
After an outstanding debut last Thursday, the rookie back out of Nebraska has the rest of the NFL buzzing. Can Abdullah lock down the starting job from the incumbent Joique Bell?
What about Ziggy Ansah? Can he continue to build upon becoming a dominant pass rusher in the league?
Finally can it all come together for the Lions in 2015 with some exceptions that have fans looking perhaps towards the postseason and that elusive playoff win?
Who’s the most important player for the Lions in 2015?
Jason Bray: This is easy for me, Matthew Stafford is the most important. It’s go time for Stafford and the excuses ended with last year. The offensive line has been revamped, Stafford has been given receiver options, a 1st round tight end in Eric Ebron, a second round running back in Ameer Abdullah and not to mention it’s his second year in a new offense.
We also need a touchdown to interception ratio closer to 3 to 1 instead of below 2 to 1.
With better quarterback play and continuing drives with an extra set of downs or end zone score is less stress on a defense.
Downtown: Matthew Stafford. The running game seems like it’ll be fine with the three backs the Lions have. However, what can Stafford do with CJ, Tate, Ebron, etc… the weapons are there. He has big time games this year and needs to prove he is a big time quarterback. 
What’s the overall effect on the defense with the loss of Ndamukong Suh?
Jason Bray: You can’t lose a top three defensive tackle and not expect to take a step back. The big question on how much of a loss will the Lions take all depends on Tyrunn Walker and Haloti Ngata.
Ngata isn’t a downgrade, he was Suh before Suh anchoring one of the league’s most impressive defenses as the Ravens pillar in a 3-4. Ngata was having one of his best seasons until his suspension for Adderall on December 4th.
At 31 Ngata still has a few years left in the tank, he just won’t play 80 percent of the snaps like Suh. This is where Walker comes in. New England wanted Walker and it’s a sleeper move praised by NFL teams.
The defensive tackle spot next to Suh was a revolving door. Stability should make it solid and it still should be in the top seven or eight.
The linebackers are deep and the secondary returns with Slay possibly becoming pro bowl caliber.
Downtown: The defense will be a top-10 defense. The edge rush will be great and our linebackers will help the Lions’ interior line if they get in any kind of trouble.
Can Ameer Abdullah grab the staring running back job?
Jason Bray: All the reports from Lions camp say the Abdullah is dazzling and the first game seemed to support that. He’s making would be tacklers miss and again has been one of the standouts in camp.
With that said it’s still preseason.
Abdullah did a good job hanging on to the football last year at Nebraska which is good because if Bell sees 200 carries he will lead the league in fumbles. Although Ameer doesn’t have a sexy 40 time his three-cone drill time was the best of any running back.
He’s shifty, quick and probably starts by week four.
Downtown: Abdullah will become the starter because of injuries to Joique Bell whose taken a beating and his time is winding down.
Jason Bray: I almost pegged Ansah as the most important Lions player in 2015. It’s just the quarterback has affect on the game in more facets.
When it comes to Ansah though we hear coaches rave about his gifts and while he is an athletic freak and has had spots of dominant play, he needs more consistency. His snap percentage needs to be up around 75-80 percent and not 64 percent. The Lions need 12 to 13 sacks out of him which I think he will obtain.
Ansah has a slight learning curve with it only really being his 6th year playing football. Despite that he’s smart and gifted and I expect a lot out of him in 2015.
Downtown: Ansah has no choice to become a consistent pass rusher. He’s gradually gotten better each season and I think he goes off this year.
Jason Bray: If the Lions can make it past the first four weeks alive I could see 10 or 11 wins easy. It’s starting off with at San Diego, at Minnesota, Denver and Seattle that concerns me. Sure the Lions have a road game against New Orleans and Green Bay twice but that start of the season is as brutal as it gets.
Starting 2-2 is a plus and the biggest thing is to make it through and not lose the locker room. After that 11 wins pushes Green Bay.
Downtown: The Lions are an 11-5 football team. Maybe 12-4 if they somehow win that game in Green Bay. I don’t see that happening but they’re a playoff team and I think could surprise a few people when it’s all said and done.