Shadow Warriors

Davis nevertheless ended up exactly where he didn't want to be—on an NFL practice squad. But in Detroit he has come to appreciate the role. "I'm not mad," he says. "It's a teaching tool. Ten or 15 years from now I'll be glad things weren't given to me." He pauses for a moment. "But I'll be up there this season."

Up there is on the active roster. Rookies make a minimum of $16,700 a week, with benefits. If they play three or more games, they get insurance in the off-season and earn a year toward their pensions. And they get to play football on Sunday.

RAMZEE ROBINSON had no reason to think he would be up there this season. As the last player taken in the draft, No. 255 overall, he was dubbed Mr. Irrelevant—the perfect title for a practice squad player. It appeared that the highlight of his year would be the trip he took in June to Newport Beach, Calif., where he was the guest of honor at the annual Irrelevant Week and received the traditional Lowsman Trophy.

When Robinson did not make the Lions' active roster out of training camp, he wondered how he could support his family in Alabama. So he applied for a second job, flipping hamburgers at a Red Robin. The restaurant manager thought it was a prank—why would a Lions defensive back want to be a fry cook?—and rejected the application. He told Robinson to concentrate on football full time.

The advice paid off last week. Two Lions cornerbacks went down with injuries, and Robinson prepared for his call-up. But on the Wednesday before the game, the club signed Dovonte Edwards, a corner who'd last played for the Vikings in 2005. Robinson fumed. "Doing this job," he says, "you're always playing with fire." He could have packed up and left. Just as practice squad players can be released at any time, they can also sign to join another team's active roster if they get an offer. But Robinson stayed, and during practices last week it became apparent to the coaches that he was ready to play. He knew the system. Edwards was still learning it. On Saturday afternoon Lions player personnel director Sheldon White informed Robinson that he was going to make his NFL debut.

Robinson stayed up late Saturday night studying his playbook. He called family members, but they didn't have enough time to fly to Detroit. They had to rush just to buy the DirecTV package.

At 1 p.m. on Sunday, when the Lions lined up to kick off against the Bucs, Robinson was on the field. Mark Jones was back deep for Tampa Bay. As the ball was booted, Robinson sprinted down the sideline. Jones brought it out, and Robinson darted toward the middle. At the 22-yard line he dived at Jones's legs and spun him to the turf. First NFL play, first NFL tackle.

Robinson hopped out of the scrum, pumping his fists and yelling, like a guy who had just been set free. In fact, he had been set free—from the practice squad. "The way I reacted right there," he said afterward, "was an illustration of everything you go through."

IN THE LUXURY BOX the guys were rooting for their own. All around, it was a good day for the practice squad. Not only did Robinson see significant time on special teams, but Sylvan also made the active roster, started and played extensively; Marinelli said afterward that both had performed well. The Lions beat the Bucs, improving their record to 4--2, and the squad played a subtle but significant role in the victory. Its members clearly had given all the right looks during the week.

"Sitting up there, I root for the Lions like I've been here my whole life," says Dunn, the offensive tackle. "This is my team. They've got me to the end." But what if another team—say, one that needs an extra offensive tackle and has an open spot on the active roster—calls tomorrow? "Oh," says Dunn. "Then I guess I'd have to root for them."