Category: Lions News

Lions 2019 rewatch: Chargers vs. Lions Week 2 notebook

This game was decided more by the Chargers making more mistakes than it was won by the Lions

Lions coach Matt Patricia is a big believer in the process of self-scouting. Like many NFL coaches, he’ll go back after the season and pore over every detail of game film, looking for nuances or things that he might have missed on the first go-through.

I’ve decided to do the same. I’m rewatching every play of every Lions game, using both the broadcast and coach’s tape feeds from NFL Game Pass. I’ll chronicle my reactions in real-time on the rewatch, focusing on specific plays or players in big moments as well as an overall postgame summary of my notes.

After the unsatisfying tie with the Cardinals in Week 1, up next is the weirdly unsatisfying win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2.

Pregame notes:

Starting LT Taylor Decker is out, replaced by Tyrell Crosby. Starting LB Jarrad Davis is also out, replaced primarily by rookie Jahlani Tavai. This game is in Detroit and the crowd was raucous.

First quarter

The Lions open in zone coverage with Jahlani Tavai and Christian Jones both quickly landmarking. First pass of the game goes to Keenan Allen, who drops the Philip Rivers dart just as Jones gets there. The Lions are lucky from the very first play, as Rivers doesn’t look at the slot receiver running a vertical route behind the outside receiver. It’s 6 points for Los Angeles if Rivers sees it because Darius Slay, the outside CB, doesn’t even think of running with the receiver.

Slay gets a PD on the first 3rd down when Rivers misfires behind Allen on a deep cross. Rivers has zero issue challenging Slay and it’s a theme that will play out repeatedly in this game.

Chargers blow an easy TD on the second drive when Mike Williams boots away a perfect fade route from Rivers, beating Rashaan Melvin over the top. Had to double-check to make sure it wasn’t Eric Ebron sneaking into the game for Los Angeles…

L.A. scores one play later when Austin Ekeler leaps over the pile from a yard out. A’Shawn Robinson just misses blocking the extra point and it’s 7-0 Chargers.

The Lions offense is trying to be creative to help ease the pressure against Stafford from the very impressive Chargers defensive front. Lots of quick-hit pass attempts early, plus a naked bootleg throw to Jesse James that is fraught with peril. James is functioning as an extra tackle, helping RT Rick Wagner with either Joey Bosa or Melvin Ingram on just about every play on the first two drives.

Another facet that works well in slowing down the pass rush: the screen pass. Stafford to Kerryon Johnson for 36 yards and the touchdown on a great display by Johnson. Center Frank Ragnow gets lauded by the broadest crew for a phenomenal downfield block that springs Johnson with a clear path to the end zone. It’s a brilliant play call that starts with slot WR Danny Amendola motioning out of the exact spot where Johnson catches the ball and taking the LB with him across the field. Graham Glasgow also makes a great block to pin the EDGE just as Johnson catches the ball on the quick screen. Early front-runner for my favorite Lions play of the year.

Matt Prater yaks the extra point. Snap and hold weren’t perfect but were good enough. 7-6 Chargers.

Second quarter

The quick-hit offense remains the status quo for the Lions. T.J. Hockenson is not having a good day blocking. We get our first sack on Stafford of the game on 3rd-and-4 and it’s a coverage sack. Kenny Golladay and Hockenson are both perfectly covered as Stafford frantically rolls to his right after Bosa beats Tyrell Crosby with a very basic shoulder dip.

Noting a change from the last game: Will Harris is off the punt protect team, replaced by Miles Killebrew. It’s a positive change.

On the Chargers punt after the next drive, Jamal Agnew gets the ball taken by Isaac Rochell like a schoolyard bully ripping away his lunch money. The play is negated by offsetting penalties. Agnew gets benched for Danny Amendola and the Lions promptly commit two penalties on the ensuing punt return.

Kerryon Johnson is running very well. Attacking downhill, no hesitation. Showing better vision than Week 1 and he’s reading the block from the play-side TE (usually James) very well. Lots of 2TE sets and James is holding up nicely as a blocker. Ty Johnson also runs well on this drive, some good work by Kenny Wiggins at RG here too.

The promising, ground-based drive ends badly when Prater yaks the 40-yard FG wide right one play after Stafford badly misfires behind Amendola on a short crosser. Chargers nearly blocked the kick with strong pressure off the right side.

Next Lions drive, Wiggins moves to LG, Glasgow in at right guard and it’s a trainwreck in both run and pass blocking. Stafford gets the Chargers to jump with a hard count but badly underthrows an open Marvin Jones on the free play. Should have been a big gain. One play later he hits Jones with a perfect throw. It’s that kind of random outcome type of game.

General note: The Chargers defense is very disciplined and well-coordinated. They cover the mesh points in the zones and transitions from short to deep very well. It’s giving Stafford problems and really giving Golladay issues trying to get space.

The Lions pass rush is pretty content to just roll with three, and the mix of zone and man is working well in coverage. Contrasting that is a play just before the half where Detroit brings six rushers. Rivers isn’t fazed in the least and hits Allen for a nice gain even though Slay was guilty of holding Allen on the play. The extra “pressure” brought by the blitzers was completely ineffective and uncreative.

A legit “wow” diving catch by Mike Williams on a 4-wide vertical route sets up the Chargers for the go-ahead 39-yard field goal at the half, 10-6 Chargers.

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Jamal Agnew sitting in on WR virtual meetings, per Peter King

Detroit Lions cornerback and returner Jamal Agnew may be expanding — or switching — positions per a Pro Football Talk’s Peter King report.

Detroit Lions cornerback and returner Jamal Agnew may be expanding — or switching — positions per a Pro Football Talk’s Peter King report.

The Lions are currently in Phase 2 of their Spring offseason program, which means teams can begin installing the playbook and handing out assignments to players. Wide receiver’s coach Robert Prince is trying to make the most of his two-hour “virtual classroom” sessions by explaining the nuances of route concepts in the Lions playbook.

King was allowed access to (at least) one of these meetings and a picture of a meeting was taken, which he published in his piece:

Photo credit to Peter King and Pro Football Talk.

Prince can be seen in the highlighted yellow box, as are all 11 of the Lions wide receivers, with Agnew (second row, far right) also in attendance.

The Lions including Agnew in this meeting isn’t overly unusual as they have used him as an offensive gadget player since he was drafted in 2017, including last year when he saw an additional 16 offensive snaps all coming at wide receiver.

But what stood out in the King piece was that he identified Agnew as “converted DB” — suggesting he was switching to the offensive side of the ball on a more permanent basis.

Now this could just be speculation by King, or maybe he is privy to some behind-the-scenes information of Agnew indeed making a position switch, but unfortunately, we likely won’t get a clear answer until fall training camp.

Regardless of his position title, Agnew’s inclusion in this meeting is notable as it points to the Lions — and Agnew — looking to find ways he can contribute this season.

Matt Patricia’s strong connection to the military shows on Memorial Day

Matt Patricia’s strong connection to the military shows on Memorial Day

Both of Lions coach Matt Patricia’s grandfathers fought in World War II. Their stories about combat experiences made a huge impact on Patricia as a youngster, and it’s a strong connection and appreciation with the military that Patricia still holds very dear.

Coach Patricia embraces the spirit of Memorial Day, of remembering and honoring those who fought and died so we can be free.

“Memorial Day is big for me, especially with the friends that I have that are in the military,” said Patricia via the Detroit Free Press. “Also for me because of the history I have with my grandfathers, especially my one grandfather that was in the Marines. And my friends that have passed and my friends that are still alive.”

Patricia has done a great deal to promote the military and veteran causes during his time as the head coach of the Lions. He was a finalist for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award and has taken the team to Arlington National Cemetary to show the players the sacrifice those in the military made for them.

“For me I think it’s important to just be really thankful for everything we have and really just appreciate what we get to do in this country because of those who have died and have perished,” he continued via Carlos Monarrez. “And that’s really important for us to acknowledge. I think it’s important for me as a dad, as a parent, to pass that on to my kids so they understand.”

The picture above comes from Patricia’s ongoing connection and support of the ROTC program at his alma mater, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Trey Flowers is ‘very excited’ to work with Lions’ DC Cory Undlin

The Detroit Lions hired Cory Undlin as their new defensive coordinator this offseason and Trey Flowers is “very excited” to work with him.

The Detroit Lions hired Cory Undlin as their new defensive coordinator this offseason and Lions’ prized defensive end Trey Flowers is “very excited” to work with him.

“He’s a fiery guy,” Flowers said about Undlin. “He worked well with coach Patricia at the (New England) Patriots and I can tell that he’s about the same principals, he’s about winning, he’s about getting the job done, and he’s about it being about the players going out there making plays, regardless of the scheme.”

The Lions scheme is expected to go through some minor changes during training camp — we at Lions Wire have theorized the addition of Jamie Collins points to more positional fluidity at linebacker — and general manager Bob Quinn has pointed to Undlin’s “blend of systems” experience as a way of helping the Lions’ “make improvements in their defense”.

For the time being, the Lions are in phase two of their virtual Spring camp and aren’t diving too deep into scheme — only working on the basics per Flowers — but when they do get back out on the field, Flowers is looking forward to working more with Undlin.

“I’m very excited,” Flowers said about working with Undlin, “looking forward to it. I know he’s got high expectations, he sets a high standard, and anytime you got a coach like that — that gets the most out of guys, demands highly if guys — it’s always good to work with (coaches like him).”

Matt Patricia stresses competition over ‘starter’ status at RB

Matt Patricia stresses competition over ‘starter’ status at RB

Lions coach Matt Patricia joined the Rich Eisen show this week to talk about a number of topics. One of the more interesting points came when Patricia was asked about the battle between Kerryon Johnson and D’Andre Swift for the starting running back job.

Johnson has been the primary starter in both his seasons in Detroit when he’s been healthy, though that has been an issue. Swift is the team’s second-round pick and a very promising runner from Georgia who figures to see extensive action right away.

After joking that he was “good with the quarterback”, Patricia downplayed the importance of anyone being labeled a “starter” and instead brought up the competition and teamwork interplay.

“For me, we’re going to try to play whoever is going to help us in that particular play, that particular game, whatever it might be,” the coach said. “If you’re out there for the very first play, or you get out there on the second play, I don’t really understand what the difference is in a starter in that case.”

Patricia is ready to see how Swift fits and hinted at using multiple running backs in the same set, something the team has not done on more than a gimmick basis since the heyday of Reggie Bush and Joique Bell.

“We’re excited to be able to acquire Swift and get him on our team and seeing what he can do. Sometimes you put two or three running backs out there. We will see what happens.”

Chad Johnson ready to help train Jeff Okudah

Former NFL standout WR Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson ready to help train Lions rookie CB Jeff Okudah

Chad Johnson keeps busy in his post-NFL days working with cornerbacks and wide receivers. The five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver also offers an unfiltered social media presence, as anyone who knew “Ochocinco” in his playing days would expect.

On Thursday, Johnson was working with Jaguars first-round cornerback, C.J. Henderson. He posted a picture on Twitter of himself and Henderson lined up, with new Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater also in the frame. Somehow Lions first-rounder, Jeff Okudah, must have come up as a topic of conversation.

About an hour after working with Henderson, Johnson reached out to Okudah via Twitter with a burning desire to work with the Ohio State standout.

It didn’t take long for Okudah to respond…

Johnson was a wizard of a route-runner in his illustrious career with the Bengals and Patriots. If he can help Okudah right out of the gate, it’s a win-win for the Lions.

Trey Flowers: ‘we’ve got to get out there’ once allowed

Lions DE Trey Flowers isn’t afraid of the risks of coronavirus enough to keep him off the playing field

Trey Flowers joined a conference call with local reporters on Wednesday. He wasn’t local, however; Flowers was at his home in Alabama instead of being in Detroit working out with teammates in the Lions offseason activities. Such is life in the time of COVID-19.

The Lions defensive end was asked about if he had any worries about getting back on the field once the NFL and NFLPA give the go-ahead. Flowers didn’t hesitate one bit.

“If they give the OK of playing football, we’ve got to go out there,” Flowers said. “I’m not one that plays with fear because you’re out there risking your life anyway just running into guys, risking injury, risking a lot of things. … If they give us the OK, I wouldn’t have any concerns or any hesitation about going out there wondering if it’s safe or not. We play a dangerous game already.”

Flowers sees no issue with taking proper precautions to protect the players from coronavirus, however. He trusts the NFLPA leadership and the league to make those correct decisions.

“But I feel as though there has to be a lot of precautionary measures in place. I feel as though the NFL, the NFLPA can kind of figure that out about what it needs to be a safe environment for the players.”

Some NFL teams have been able to open up facilities to a limited number of players and staffers. The Lions are prevented from doing so by Michigan’s quarantine restrictions.

Flowers echoes the sentiment from quarterback Matthew Stafford, who told reporters a week earlier in his own Zoom call,

“If they told us we had to start the season tomorrow and I had to fly to Detroit and put the pads on, I’d be happy to go do it.”

 

The Detroit Lions were snubbed from CBS’ Top 100 NFL players list

Not a single Lions player makes Pete Prisco’s list at CBS Sports

Talk about a harsh reality check. The latest list of the top 100 NFL players, this one from CBS Sports and Pete Prisco, throws buckets of cold water on the Detroit Lions.

No Matthew Stafford. No Kenny Golladay. No Trey Flowers. Newcomer Jamie Collins isn’t anywhere to be found either.

Not a single Lions player earned a spot on Prisco’s list of the best 100 players in the NFL today. Golladay was the only Lion to earn “just missed” status in the list of afterthoughts beyond the top 100.

That’s the national perspective on a Lions team that fell from six wins in 2018 to just three in 2019, with several key players suffering injuries or just not playing as well as hoped. Darius Slay was the only 2019 Lion to make the list. The new Eagles CB checks in at No. 96 after his worst season since his rookie campaign in 2013.

Golladay, a healthy Stafford, Flowers, Frank Ragnow and perhaps Collins are the best candidates to appear on the list at this time next year. It will take more than three wins to get any of them on the list, however.

 

 

Danny Amendola: ‘We want to have a home playoff game at Ford Field’

Danny Amendola: ‘We want to have a home playoff game at Ford Field’

Danny Amendola entertained the Lions media with a Zoom teleconference session on Wednesday afternoon. Quick-witted and enthusiastic, Amendola covered a wide range of topics about the Lions and life in the coronavirus pandemic.

One of his more engaging answers came when Amendola was asked about what he and Kenny Golladay talk about when they communicate via Zoom sessions or even last year in the locker room. After praising Golladay’s ability, Amendola talked about the goals he laid out for the team.

“What Kenny and I talk about now is we want to win,” Amendola said from his home in Austin, Texas. “We want to get to the playoffs. We want to have a home playoff game at Ford Field. I tell him as much as I can there’s nothing like that feeling of winning for your city and that’s what we want to see the most.”

Amendola has been working out on his own and with some local quarterbacks, including Colt McCoy and Baker Mayfield. They all live in the same neighborhood. He’s anxious to get back to working with Matthew Stafford and his fellow Lions wideouts.

Lions sign 6th-round draft pick John Penisini

Lions sign 6th-round draft pick John Penisini

The Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with sixth-round pick John Penisini. The defensive tackle from Utah signed his contract, per his agent, David Canter.

Penisini is the second member of the Lions draft class of 2020 to sign with the team, following guard Logan Stenberg over the weekend. He was the No. 197 overall pick and the penultimate pick by GM Bob Quinn.

At Utah, Penisini blossomed as part of a very talented all-around defensive corps as the primary nose tackle. He figures to play behind Danny Shelton and also get some looks when the team wants to get more physical and stout up front.

Terms of the contract were not immediately disclosed.