Detroit Lions: Is Jeremy Kerley ready to redeem himself?
By Nick Ziegler
It was a difficult season for Jeremy Kerley last season, but can he redeem himself with the Detroit Lions in 2016?
The New York Jets went through a lot of change last season, as they cleaned out the front office and coaching staff. Generally, when a change occurs in the front office, it will result in a much different looking roster as a general manager will want to get his guys to succeed.
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Even though Kerley was a solid player for the Jets since being drafted in 2011, he was quickly without a spot when the new regime took over.
“It was the opportunity I didn’t get to actually play. That was the main reason (for the diminished production),” Kerley told Kyle Meinke of MLive.com in a phone interview. “New coaching staff came in, they already knew the guys they wanted to play. They already had their scheme going, and they wanted bigger receivers.”
In five seasons with the Jets, Kerley totaled 182 receptions, 2,225 receiving yards, and nine receiving touchdowns. Last season was a real disappointment for the wideout as he totaled just 16 receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns. It was very apparent early on in the season that it was going to be the last for Kerley in New York, and this offseason the Jets made it official by cutting the 27-year-old performer.
After Calvin Johnson decided to retire this offseason, the Lions immediately had a need at the wide receiver position. While Kerley certainly won’t come close to replacing the production of Johnson, he will be a decent weapon in the Lions’ offense.
This will be a difficult transition for the Lions’ quarterback, Matthew Stafford, who will no longer have the luxury of having Johnson to throw the ball to. The Lions have had a dreadful running game the past few seasons, and that likely will continue next season as they will still ask Stafford to throw a lot.
“They sling the ball everywhere, so you always need a hand full of receivers,” said Kerley. “Everyone’s going to get a chance to get balls in the scheme they have, and help the team put up points. So along with that, they have a West Coast schematic kind of plan, and I think that fits my skill-set.”
Without Johnson, the Lions’ passing offense will have to be much more balanced, and that should help Kerley once again have a significant role as a slot wide receiver.
“It just felt like the best fit for me,” added Kerley. “Being with the Lions, it’s a great opportunity to play, and play with some great people. Guys like Matthew Stafford, Golden Tate and Marvin Jones, there’s no telling how good we can be. I’m excited about the opportunity.”
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The additions of Jones and Kerley are good ones for the Lions and their passing attack, as Stafford will have some decent weapons to use in his first season without Johnson. For Kerley, 2016 will be a year of redemption as he will look to prove the Jets wrong for not using him more in 2015. Kerley has never played with a quarterback like Stafford in his time with the Jets, as he could easily be poised for a career-year in his first season with the Lions.