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NOTEBOOK: Davis' debut 'outstanding for a young guy'

Jarrad Davis became the first rookie to start at middle linebacker for the Detroit Lions in a season opener since Chris Spielman back in 1988.

He was the first Lions rookie linebacker to start at any linebacker position in the opener since Ernie Sims (OLB) in 2006.

So how was his debut?

“I thought it was outstanding for a young guy,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said Friday. “Really flew around. Physical. Really, he makes a difference in our defense in terms of our temperament and how we go, and that’s something that your middle linebacker should do because he’s really at the end of the day he’s the quarterback of your defense.