# Time may be running out for Detroit Lions OL Giovanni Manu. He’s aware
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“It would be irresponsible for us to just go into it thinking that, ‘Well, we drafted a developmental player a couple of years ago. He’s going to be the guy,’” Holmes said.
A few minutes later, Holmes doubled down on the remark by adding, “I’m not going to sit here and say that we feel convicted that he’s ready to be a major contributor.”
The comments were remarkably blunt. But they were also was laced with pragmatism. The franchise, after all, wasn’t ready to bet on a raw talent with just 81 snaps over four appearances in his NFL career. That became even more evident after Decker was granted his release in March following a contract dispute. With Decker gone, the Lions quickly pivoted by signing veteran Larry Borom at the start of free agency. While the pathway toward starting appeared to have narrowed for Manu, it didn’t seem totally closed at that point. Then, six weeks later, Detroit used its first-round pick to draft tackle Blake Miller. Just like that, Manu’s fate seemed to be sealed. Miller would play on the right side of the line and perennial All-Pro Penei Sewell would switch to the other end to become Jared Goff’s blindside protector. Manu, meanwhile, would remain a backup – if he could keep his spot on the roster.
“It is a signal, just as it relates to what’s going on in Detroit, that the leash is getting short,” said LeCharles Bentley, a trainer and former Pro Bowl interior lineman who founded the agency that represents Manu. “Training camp this year, yeah, there’s going to be some more intensity and scrutiny to it, but the reality is he’s going to play in the National Football League. Maybe it’s Detroit. Maybe it won’t be.
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Following the arrival of Borom and Miller, Manu’s prospects with the Lions looked iffy. By all indication, he had fallen to fourth on the depth chart at tackle. But what if Manu moved inside? Could he carve out a spot there? The Lions were willing to find out, working him in at left guard during OTAs.
“We’re trying to give him the best opportunity to showcase what he has and who knows?” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “Maybe he is better [there].”
Manu isn’t so sure. Trying to learn a new position when he has yet to master his original one isn’t ideal, Manu acknowledged. The sets are different. The engagement with defenders happens much more quickly. There is less space to maneuver. It’s not a seamless transition, and Manu said he must think a lot more when he’s moonlighting in his new role.
“I would love to just be a tackle,” he said. “It’s where I feel comfortable at. It’s where it’s most natural to me.”
But if Manu is reassigned, Bentley says he must accept it.
“He’s not being asked to switch to tight end,” Bentley said. “He’s not being asked to switch to defensive back. You’re an offensive lineman. And when you’re an offensive lineman, part of what makes good linemen, good linemen, is they can do whatever you need them to do. … This is the NFL, and it’s not for everybody. If you want to be here, figure it out.”
Manu intends to do just that.
His focus, he said, is “to get a spot on this team.”
