NFL-- The Advantages and Drawbacks of Lions Signing LB Blake Martinez

The Detroit Lions will undoubtedly be missing a linebacker in their Week 2 game against the Washington Commanders.

The team's positional weakness was on full display in the regular season opener on Sunday.

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The Philadelphia Eagles thrashed the Detroit Lions for 216 yards on the ground, led by Jalen Hurts. In Week 1, it was the third-most rushing yards allowed by a defence.

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With the season already underway, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes will find it difficult to make a significant upgrade at the position.

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However, there are still players available for signing, including former Green Bay Packers and New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez.

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Martinez was unexpectedly released by the Giants on September 1, two years after signing a three-year, $30.8 million contract with the team.

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Since being drafted by the Packers in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the 28-year-old has appeared in 80 games. And he's made a name for himself as a tackling machine.

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In his final full season (with New York in 2020), he recorded 151 total tackles (third most in the NFL in '20), nine tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, five passes defensed, and 58 run stops, earning a career-high 75.9 overall grade from PFF.

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Martinez, who can call defence plays while patrolling the middle of the field, would be an immediate upgrade for the Lions' linebackers unit.

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