Detroit Lions rookie Larry Warford closes in on winning right guard job

The Detroit Lions aren't expected to announce a starting offensive line until Sunday, when they open the season against the Minnesota Vikings.

But all signs point to Jason Fox winning the job at right tackle, and Larry Warford at right guard.

Larry Warford is projected to start at right guard for the Detroit Lions.
Justin Rogers | MLive.com

"If I do, great. If I don't, I'm just going to keep working," Warford said of starting. "Obviously everyone's goal is to win that starting job and hopefully if I stay on the track I'm on, I'll eventually earn that spot."

Warford is a rookie third-rounder out of Kentucky. He said he's improved his game dramatically since joining Detroit thanks to the tutelage of veterans such as center Dominic Raiola.

He said he's in a position to start due somewhat to improving his balance, which was a problem area when he arrived here.

"When I first got here, I was coming off the ball explosively -- but that's not always the greatest thing for me because I tend to get top-heavy," he said. "I get off-balance, and all you have to do is pull on me and I'd fall to my knees.

"When I was in college, I used to get worried about, 'Ugh, if I don't get off the ball, I'm getting blown up.' Here, it's not all about just getting movement. Sometimes you just have to stalemate to keep your balance."

Coach Jim Schwartz said he doesn't plan to name starters before the opener, but Warford is in a good spot to win the job over veterans Dylan Gandy and Leroy Harris. He started the final two preseason games, and also worked with the ones during Tuesday's practice.

The last time Warford wasn't a starter was as a freshman at Kentucky. It bothered him then, but it gave him perspective for his first pro job battle.

"At Kentucky, I was like, 'Man, these guys gave me a scholarship but I feel like I'm letting them down (by not starting)," he said. "But you can't think of it that way. They have to work with you to get you to the level where you're very polished, so they can feel comfortable putting you on the field. You don't want to put an unfinished product out there.

"So it wasn't as bad when I got here, because I understood that. I understood not starting wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I still obviously really want to start -- that's my goal -- but like I said, I don't want to be out there if I'm not the best choice."

By all appearances, he is.