Sam LaPorta Voted Rookie of the Week
Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, who has the potential of breaking Mike Ditka's record for receiving yards by a first-year player at his position, was voted as the Pepsi Rookie of the Week.
Against the Saints, the second-round pick recorded nine receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown.
“I haven’t had a chance to watch it all in totality, I guess, but we keep trying to find out things that he can’t do and we’re still scratching our heads there. We like to line him up all over the place," said Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. "He’s doing a phenomenal job picking up the details, the nuances of alignment splits, responsibilities and that’s what’s allowing us to push the envelope a little bit.
"But, no, it’s really impressive for a rookie. Doesn’t matter what position, but particularly that one (is) even more challenging in a lot of ways, with the run game and the pass game.”
In a divisional game against Chicago this week that could involve inclement weather, Detroit's talented tight end could again be a significant factor in Johnson's gameplan.
"Yeah, it could be. I mean, it depends on what we end up doing. I don’t think we’ll change our gameplan much on what the conditions may be," said quarterback Jared Goff. "So, if he’s involved and it’s going to be no conditions, I don’t think it would change much if it was conditions. Yeah, we’ll see as the week goes, where he’ll be. I don’t think we’re thinking too much about it. But, yeah, he’s done a good job getting himself open and making those catches when it matters. And, (he's) a guy that I trust a lot.”
