Theo Riddick

- Lions' running back Theo Riddick doesn't have great track speed (he nearly ran a 4.7 in the 40-dash at NFL Combine), but he does have functional football speed. He is also very elusive in the open field. And he has excellent hands. While he lacks Reggie Bush's home run speed, Riddick is more than capable of filling the same role. You definitely saw that on the Lions' first drive. It was an excellent example of a solid draft evaluation when the Lions took Riddick out of Notre Dame with their sixth-round draft pick in 2013.
- Lions' safety Glover Quin made two big plays in the first quarter. The most obvious was intercepting Viking QB Teddy Bridgewater's pass in the end zone. Less obvious was tackling Vikings' wide receiver Jarius Wright in the open field on a reverse. If Quin didn't make that tackle, it's likely Wright would have taken that run all the way for a touchdown.
- Count me among those who viewed the Lions' secondary as by far their biggest weakness coming into this season. It's amazing how well it has played this season.

My column. A win, a great setting, but Michigan victory over Penn State hardly a cure: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20141012/a-win-and-a-great-setting-but-michigan-victory-over-penn-state-hardly-a-cure-pat-caputo-says

My column. MSU Spartans won't be their due until they respect their collective self: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20141011/pat-caputo-msu-spartans-wont-get-their-due-until-they-respect-their-collective-self