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One thing you can count on with the Detroit Lions is that they are never, ever boring. Follow the latest news including injuries, roster moves and more here daily from Oakland Press beat writer Paula Pasche. Plus you'll find regular commentary about the team.

4/15/2014

Detroit Lions will test 2 young kickers, may look to draft


When it comes to special teams, the Lions have one key need.

“The No. 1 thing we need to do is find a kicker,’’ Lions special teams coordinator John Bonamego said at a town hall meeting for season ticket holders on Monday night.

“We have two guys on the roster right now who both have some experience,’’ Bonamego said.

John Potter, 24, and Giorgio Tavecchio (in photo), 23, are both signed to reserve/futures contracts.

“John (Western Michigan) was drafted by the Buffalo Bills, was in their training camp, he’s got regular season experience. He’s going to compete with Giorgio Tavecchio who’s also in his third training camp. Giorgio’s from Cal, he was in camp with the Green Bay Packers last year and really gave Mason Crosby a run for his money,’’ Bonamego said.

The Lions minicamp April 22-24 will be key for the kickers to show what they can do.

“We’ll evaluate those guys in this upcoming period, and we’ll compare to the guys who are coming up in the draft,’’ Bonamego said. “We’ll find one.’’

David Akers was a disappointment last year when he replaced Jason Hanson.

Finding a young kicker who could be around for years to come would be the ideal situation for the Lions who drafted Hanson in the second round in 1992 and kept him around for 21 seasons.

Last year the Lions drafted punter Sam Martin in the fifth round. He had a solid rookie season and they expect him to improve.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

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