Category: Lions News

Lions DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson says ‘grass is definitely greener’ in Detroit than Philadelphia

Someone in Philadelphia came after Gardner-Johnson on social media for coming to Detroit and he fired right back

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Over the course of his career, Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson has never been one to back down. Not from any players on the field or negativity from fans off it.

Gardner-Johnson has stayed true to his character while settling in with his new team. When an Eagles fan came after the Lions safety on social media for leaving Philadelphia for Detroit, Gardner-Johnson would have none of it.

“I got time today, STFU!!,” Gardner-Johnson replied. “I’m still beloved by the real ones my g! Love was never lost! And grass is definitely greener my g my family STRAIGHT.”

That sort of edge and self-respect is a great example of why the Lions coveted Gardner-Johnson as a free agent. It should also endear the new safety to the “Detroit vs. Everybody” crowd.

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Jared Goff thrived on play-action throws in 2022

Jared Goff and the Lions passing offense were one of the NFL’s best on play-action throws in 2022

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Jared Goff has always had a knack for performing well on play-action throws. Even going back to his college days at California, Goff earned accolades for his play fakes and ability to make decisions and throws off the play-action.

Goff still does very well on play-action. He certainly did so for the Lions in 2022 — just ask Pro Football Focus.

PFF broke down several different passing plays and metrics across the league. The Lions and Goff came up ranked fifth in success in using play-action passes. No team threw more touchdowns on such plays in the regular season than Goff and his 16, too.

In Detroit, 16 of Jared Goff’s 29 touchdown passes came off play-action, the most in the NFL in the regular season.

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson smartly tailored the offense to utilize Goff’s play-action skills. They could use it even more, too; the play-action pass rate of 27.7 percent was just 18th out of 43 quarterbacks who took at least 250 snaps in 2022.

The new Lions alternate helmet unveiled

The Lions unveiled their new alternate helmets for 2023

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After considerable fanfare and several teases by the team’s social media department, the Detroit Lions have officially unveiled the alternate helmet that the players will wear for select games in 2023.

It’s a blue-based helmet with an old-school throwback logo that honors the team’s 90th season and ties to the Ford family ownership and auto industry in Motown.

The Lions released a little guide picture illustrating all the symbolism included in the alternate helmet:

Another look at the helmet, this one from the NFL:

From the team’s Instagram post:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ctwh5nsMYcb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Amon-Ra St. Brown lit it up like no other WR against LBs in coverage in 2022

St. Brown had the highest rate of any NFL WR at being targeted when covered by a linebacker in 2022

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Amon-Ra St. Brown pretty quickly established himself as one of the most prolific receivers in the NFL. The Lions offensive scheme helps him attain the huge numbers in part by nicely setting up St. Brown with favorable matchups.

Per football insights, St. Brown saw a higher percentage of targets with linebackers in coverage than any other wide receiver in the 2022 season. The minimum threshold is 100 targets; St. Brown had 106 receptions on 145 passing targets last season.

Based on that math, his 26 percent rate versus LBs means St. Brown had 38 targets where a linebacker was the primary coverage responsibility on him. Working out of the slot, St. Brown is very adept at stressing the coverage horizontally and finding the seams in the zones.

It’s a great nod to both QB Jared Goff and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for helping St. Brown exploit the mismatch and keeping the pressure on the defense.

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Look: The Lions tease their new alternate helmet

Look: The Lions tease their new alternate helmet on the team’s social media

The Lions are keeping the excitement rolling into the doldrums of the NFL schedule. On Monday night, the team’s social media department offered up a teaser for something many Lions fans have been wanting for a long time.

Via the team’s Twitter account, the Lions appear to have indicated they’re going to reveal the new alternate helmet. Check the license plate on the classic car and the “June 21” emblazoned on the trunk.

Could there be more clues from the picture? The license plate is Michigan’s “Historical” commemoration. Does that mean the alt helmet will reflect upon the Lions’ heritage? The Honolulu blue chassis with the polished chrome bumper, is that a tease too?

We’ll find out in a couple of days…

New Lions DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson ranked 3rd-best safety in the league

Gardner-Johnson’s versatility, playmaking and attitude all factor into his high ranking

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The Detroit Lions made a concerted effort to get better in the back end of the defense. One of the key additions to the secondary recently picked up some lofty accolades.

Versatile safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson cracked the Touchdown Wire list of top 11 safeties at No. 3 overall. Analyst Doug Farrar is a big fan of Gardner-Johnson’s impactful play during the safety’s stints in New Orleans and Philadelphia.

As a free-range deep safety in one- and two-high looks, Gardner-Johnson provided extreme value with his sideline-to-sideline range and ball skills.

But wait, there’s more!

Gardner-Johnson is more than capable of stopping a run play in the backfield with timed gap-shooting moves, and taking down enemy quarterbacks when the need arises.

We’ve already seen Gardner-Johnson’s energy and confidence as an agitator during minicamp, as well as his willing mentorship for youngsters Jerry Jacobs and Kerby Joseph. It’s nice to see some national recognition for the Detroit defensive addition.

Lions receiving options ranked in the bottom 10 by PFF

In PFF’s latest rankings, the Lions passing game weapons ranked in the bottom 10 of the NFL

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For a team that finished in the top five in the league in both points scored and offensive yardage, the Detroit Lions sure don’t get a lot of respect for the skill position weapons. In the latest rankings list from Pro Football Focus, the Lions receiving weapons rank just 23rd out of 32 teams.

This grouping combines wide receivers, running backs and tight ends. The largely unproven status of Detroit’s TE corps appears to weigh heavily on the lowly ranking. PFF clearly loves top Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown,

Amon-Ra St. Brown took a step into the elite category, earning a 90.4 receiving grade last season. Detroit moved on from T.J. Hockenson via trade in the middle of last year, but they have Marvin Jones Jr., Josh Reynolds and added rookie Sam LaPorta, who is sure to be a decent part of their passing game.

Interestingly, there is no mention of 2022 first-round pick Jameson Williams. Perhaps his looming six-game suspension and meager contributions as a rookie leave him out of mind. Also missing is No. 12 overall pick Jahmyr Gibbs, who led Alabama in receiving as a running back in 2022.

6 Winners from the Detroit Lions OTAs and minicamp

Identifying six players from the Detroit Lions OTAs and minicamp who helped themselves the most

We won’t see the Detroit Lions on the field again until late July. The OTA workouts and mandatory minicamp of the last two weeks were our last glimpse at the team heading into the heart of the offseason.

Several Lions players impressed during the practice sessions that were open to the media. I sifted through my notes to identify the six who did the most to help their status with the team.

Lions promote Brian Hudspeth to Director of College Scouting

Hudspeth was Detroit’s assistant director of collegiate scouting in 2022

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The Detroit Lions have filled a front office vacancy from within the organization. Per Aaron Wilson, the Lions have promoted Brian Hudspeth to the director of collegiate scouting position.

Hudspeth has been the Lions’ assistant director of collegiate scouting for the last year. He first joined Detroit in 2018 as a national scout. Hudspeth started his NFL scouting career with the Atlanta Falcons back in 2001. He’s also had scouting tenures with the Texans and Buccaneers.

He fills the hole left behind by Dave Sears, who left after the season to join the Arizona Cardinals as that team’s assistant GM.

Jack Campbell will need to earn a starting role at linebacker

Rookie first-rounder Jack Campbell will need to earn a starting role at linebacker in Detroit

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Given the inglorious history of off-ball linebackers in Detroit over the last several years and the fact he’s a top-20 overall pick, it sure makes sense to project Jack Campbell as an instant Lions starter as a rookie.

That’s not the reality of the situation, at least not yet. During the recent OTAs and minicamp, Campbell mostly played with the second-team defense. Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes were the starters, and both Malcolm Rodriguez (prior to his leg injury) and Jalen Reeves-Maybin took reps ahead of the rookie from Iowa.

It’s not displeasure from the Lions coaches or any struggles from Campbell. Far from it, based on what we saw from No. 46 in the open practices; Campbell is a quick study and a very impressive athlete. He’s simply not earned the first-team status over veterans Anzalone or Barnes. Not yet.

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While many expected Campbell to jump right into the starting lineup, LB coach Kelvin Sheppard has a different idea. The rookie will need to earn it.

“We are going to play the best players,” Campbell said during the recent OTAs. “We do not care what that looks like, and when that starts top down, it’s easy for me to walk into my linebacker room after we take a guy Pick 18, because in probably 20 other rooms, that player’s starting and there’s nothing you can do about it as a position coach.”

“Well, that’s not the case here (for Campbell starting),” Sheppard continued. “If Jack isn’t the top two or three, Jack will continue to go through the process of rookie development until he’s hit that mark.”

Barnes, in particular, appears to be motivated by the possibility of losing his status to a rookie. Now entering his third season, Barnes looks great physically and has also stepped up his pre-snap recognition and reaction speed.

Sheppard talked a lot about Barnes’ improvement during the week as well. The process of earning the starting role is not just lip service to Sheppard or head coach Dan Campbell, and Barnes is doing his best to not cede any status.

It’s a welcome change in Detroit, even if might appear that Campbell isn’t an immediate hit as a first-round pick. For far too long, draft status meant immediate playing time even if the player wasn’t ready or to up to the challenge. That’s been especially true at linebacker, from Jordon Dizon to Ernie Sims and Jarrad Davis.

Now the Lions appear to have actual depth and talent at linebacker. Campbell is a big part of that already and will start sooner than later, but the fact he doesn’t have to start in Week 1 is a great step forward for the Detroit defense.