Category: Lions News

Home-field advantage is important for Jared Goff

Lions QB Jared Goff has some pretty drastic statistical splits between home games and playing on the road

Home-field advantage is the most important thing in both regular season football, especially the postseason. While it may be week eight, the stats don’t lie, the Lions need to do everything they can to lock down the home-field advantage they earn with the top seed in the NFC.

When looking at the numbers, it can’t be denied that the straw that stirs the Lions offensive cocktail performs much better at home.

Quarterback Jared Goff has seen a career rejuvenation since being traded to Detroit as an asset in the Matthew Stafford deal. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has done a good enough job during his time with Goff that he is now set to be the hottest head coaching candidate this offseason. As for Goff, the stats overall pass the eye test but when you look deeper you see that there is a distinct difference between his performances at home and on the road.

As mentioned above, Goff has now played in 24 games for the Lions and the results of those games are glaring. He has a three-to-one touchdown difference between the two venues and while there will be some outliers, the overall body of work can’t be denied.

The Lions playing meaningful games, playoff games, on the road could be a disaster.

Right now they are sitting pretty despite losing to the Ravens in a blowout last week. They have shown they can handle the stiffer competition the NFL brings out but they can’t use the crutch the defense has provided. Goff needs to win them games on the road, not manage them.

It is one thing to not turn the ball over but he needs to take chances that create plays. Johnson and his play schemes won’t leave him out to dry but it is as much on him to set Goff up for success as it is for the quarterback to create magic.

His next chance on the road will come after a bye against the Chargers.

Lions host WR Tom Kennedy for a free agent visit

Lions hosted WR Tom Kennedy, who played three seasons in Detroit, for a free agent visit

After losing Marvin Jones from the receiving corps due to family matters, the Detroit Lions are at least considering bringing another ex-Lions wideout back into the den.

The Lions hosted Tom Kennedy on a visit on Wednesday, per the NFL’s transaction wire. Yes, that Tom Kennedy.

A member of the Lions from 2019-2022, Kennedy played in 20 games for the Lions over parts of those seasons. He often bounced between the practice squad and the active roster.

Kennedy was waived with injury status this summer after he suffered an arm injury in July. He was waived from the injured reserve after going unclaimed. The veteran slot receiver and one-time lacrosse player has good familiarity with the team and what the Lions might ask of him.

Kennedy was not immediately signed as of press time.

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Lomas Brown breaks down the Lions bad day in Baltimore

Brown gave a lot of credit to the Ravens but also found some nits to pick with the Lions in the loss

Watching the Lions get slaughtered by the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7 was not fun. Imagine the perspective of a Lions team legend having to not only watch the game in person, but broadcast the brutal beatdown.

Such was the case for Lomas Brown. The longtime Lions left tackle and current color analyst for the team’s radio network had a long day on Sunday in Baltimore. He joined Matt Dery of Locked On Lions to break down where he thought the 38-6 game was lost.

Brown pointed out the relative youth of the Lions roster, noting that “sometimes you’re going to have games like that.”

He was quick to credit Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken for “a great offensive plan” and also that Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson “executed it to a T.” Brown also stated that the Ravens defense deserves a lot of credit for “getting pressure on us, getting sacks on us. They sped Jared (Goff) up and they stopped the run.”

Brown remained critical of the decision to play “soft” coverage on the Ravens receivers. The Lions legend repeatedly made that point during the radio broadcast on Sunday.

“We were kind of soft on the receivers. We didn’t throw off any of their rhythm or jam those guys and get them off,” Brown stated.

It’s an interesting conversation and always good to get the input from someone like Lomas Brown.

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Thoughts on the Lions and the NFL trade deadline

Lions and trade deadline thought about Detroit needs, potential targets, pricing, strategies and more

The NFL trade deadline is coming up on Halloween. Will the Detroit Lions, led by GM Brad Holmes, scare up any trade activity?

Detroit did a year ago, dealing away Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson to the NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings. At that time, the Lions were 1-6 after scoring six combined points in the two most recent games. They had the worst record in the league. Being sellers wasn’t shocking, even if the destination for Hockenson turned out to be a bit of a surprise.

This year, Detroit is sitting at 5-2 and in first place in the division by two games. Conventional wisdom would have the Lions as obvious buyers at the deadline this year, especially given the significant injury issues at RB and CB.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Brad Holmes since he took the reins back in early 2021, it’s that conventional wisdom doesn’t often intersect with his thought process. He’ll do what he thinks is best for the team, whether it’s brilliant or ridiculous in the public eye.

Here’s what I’m thinking about the Lions and the trade deadline one week out.

Busy day for ex-Lions on the NFL’s transaction wire

Several ex-Lions appeared on Tuesday’s NFL transaction wire, from releases to tryouts

The NFL publishes a daily transaction report, one that runs the gamut between roster cuts, players being placed on reserve lists to those trying out for teams and everything in between. Tuesday’s transaction list was crowded with updates on former Detroit Lions players.

Foremost on the list is Trey Flowers. The New England Patriots released the defensive end from the team’s PUP list. Flowers has not played this season and managed just 65 snaps for the Miami Dolphins in 2022 after the Lions released him following the 2021 season.

One-time Lions OL Tommy Kraemer is back on the New Orleans Saints practice squad. Kraemer was signed from New Orleans’ practice squad to their active roster last week, then waived on Monday. He’s played seven offensive snaps in two games with the Saints.

Another former Lions offensive lineman, Obinna Eze, had his practice squad contract terminated by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Eze signed with Pittsburgh’s practice squad after Week 3 but was unable to stick.

There were a few ex-Lions hitting the tryout/workout circuit this week, too:

QB Jeff Driskel tried out for the Colts (Monday)

DT Bruce Hector also tried out for the Colts

K Austin Seibert tried out for the Raiders

OL Ross Pierschbacher tried out for the Cardinals

CB AJ Parker tried out for the Seahawks

DB Juju Hughes tried out for the Raiders

As of Wednesday morning, none of the players were signed.

 

Lions bring RB Jermar Jefferson back

Jefferson is back on the practice squad after being waived/injured in training camp

A familiar name is back in Detroit after being off the team for a bit. Running back Jermar Jefferson has returned to the Lions, signing on the team’s practice squad.

Jefferson was a 7th-round pick in 2021 by Detroit. He played sparingly as a rookie, gaining 74 yards on 15 carries and scoring twice. Jefferson spent 2022 on Detroit’s practice squad.

He was waived with injured status this August. Ironically, he’s back in Detroit due to an injury for another practice squad running back, Mo Ibrahim.

The Lions made room for Jefferson by placing Ibrahim on the practice squad I.R. the undrafted rookie from Minnesota dislocated his hip on his first-ever NFL touch in Detroit’s loss to the Ravens.

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Marvin Jones Jr. stepping away from the Lions

Jones announced via social media he’s stepping away from football to handle personal family matters.

Veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. is stepping away from the Detroit Lions and will no longer be part of the team. Jones announced in a heartfelt post on his Instagram page that he’s leaving the Lions.

“I am stepping away from the team to take care of personal family matters,” Jones wrote.

Jones missed the Week 7 game against the Ravens for the personal matter. He’s now opted to take more time off.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyyzR8UPDOc/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

In wake of Jones’ decision, the Lions are releasing him. Jones caught five passes in his return season in Detroit.

Best and worst PFF grades from the Lions loss to the Ravens

Best and worst PFF grades from the Lions loss to the Ravens

The Lions performance against the Baltimore Ravens was one of the more notable ones of the season. Not in the sense one could hope but that it may serve as a callback down the road when greener pastures are in front of them.

The Ravens cemented themselves as Super Bowl contenders, and the Lions still are as well. One bad week is something that every team goes through and upon looking deeper, PFF says there were some bright spots.

Offense, defense, and special teams all had their moments.

PFF and their deeper look allows for someone to find a silver lining in an otherwise abysmal display from the team. One of the major highlights, the offensive line. It wasn’t just them however, lots to like, and dislike, as one could expect.

Lions WR Marvin Jones Jr.’s status remains up in the air

Jones did not travel with the team in Week 7 for undisclosed personal reasons and Dan Campbell did little to elaborate on the situation

Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. was not on the field for Detroit’s Week 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. In fact, Jones didn’t even make the trip to Maryland with the team.

The Lions ruled out Jones on Saturday, citing undisclosed personal reasons that were not injury-related. The veteran wideout had been a full participant in practices all week, so the announcement of Jones not playing was something of a surprise.

Head coach Dan Campbell was asked about the nature and potential duration of Jones’ absence.

 “Hard to say on that right now,” Campbell answered. “It’s just all I can tell you it’s a personal issue. Nothing serious like that, is something going – but it’s just, that’s where it is right now.”

Jones has caught five passes on 10 targets, totaling 35 receiving yards in six games. He had played at least 20 offensive snaps in each of the first six weeks.

Rookie Antoine Green and second-year wideout Jameson Williams picked up extra snaps that normally would have gone to Jones. Neither caught a pass in seven combined targets, however.

Dan Campbell: ‘We will be ready’ for the Raiders in Week 8

Lions head coach Dan Campbell: ‘We will be ready’ for the Raiders in Week 8 after dropping the ball in Baltimore

The next-day press conference following a humiliating loss is always worthy of attention. It’s where the head coach sets the tone for how the team as a whole will handle the bad outcome.

For Dan Campbell, the day after a 38-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens was about taking the blame for the brutal performance and setting a tone that ensures it won’t happen again.

During his afternoon press briefing, Campbell talked about some of the preparation mistakes and not getting his Lions team ready for the physicality and “window dressing” of the Ravens. He’s not making the same mistake getting ready for next Monday night’s home date with the Las Vegas Raiders.

“I know the frustration and anger that I have, that motivates me,” Campbell said. “And I’m pretty sure it does with our players too.”

The head coach’s tone and vibe changed, in a way that could not be mistaken for anything other than a message to his assistant coaches and players.

“We will be ready for this game (Week 8 vs. the Raiders),” Campbell said. “We will be ready. We will physically, emotionally — we will be ready for this game.”

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