llen Park — Linebacker Travis Lewis leaned on the cliché "preparation meets opportunity" while discussing how he went from a special teams player to a key contributor on the Lions defense.
But, the phrase frequently used by football players and coaches explains how Lewis earned a chance to play a significant defensive role. After missing the final 14 games of 2014 with a quad injury, Lewis played well during camp, and when Tahir Whitehead struggled in exhibitions, Lewis took advantage, leading the Lions with 21 tackles and recovering a fumble.
"(If) you get an opportunity to make a play and you make a play, and you continually on a regular basis make plays, it forces your coaches to play you," he said Monday.