Category: Lions News

Lions hoping to get an ‘edge’ using virtual classroom during Spring camp

During a video conference with the media, Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia discussed using a virtual classroom to teach scheme and terminology during spring camp.

With the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic altering Spring training camps, the NFL and NFLPA agreed to a voluntary virtual offseason program, consisting of “three consecutive weeks of classroom instruction, workouts and non-football educational programs using videoconferencing technology.”

The Detroit Lions began their first week of virtual training on April 27th and during a video conference with the media on Tuesday, coach Matt Patricia noted that he and the Lions staff have met virtually with the “full team” on multiple occasions, but also had several training sessions that only included position groups, as well as others that were individually based.

“We elected to go with the virtual classroom because I thought the information was important for us to be able to talk to the players and communicate exactly some of the terminology – especially with two coordinators (defensive coordinator Cory Undlin and special teams coordinator Brayden Coombs) – and really, just have full trust (that) our guys are going to do what they need to do from a physical standpoint. I think that’ll be the biggest key for making sure they come back physically ready to go, but I think our guys understand what training camp looks like, and I think they understand what the demand for them physically is at this point. For us, it’s about getting the information out there.”

With a mostly veteran roster — 74 of the Lions 90 rostered players have NFL experience — the Lions are counting on their experience and professionalism to help them maintain their health and fitness level. But they aren’t entirely left on their own, as new strength and conditioning coordinator Josh Schuler has assessed each player’s individual situation and sent them recommended workout schedules and equipment (up to $1,500 worth) when needed.

“So, we tried to go through and take a gauge of like what’s everybody’s situation and just mark, ‘OK, what do you need. Is there something that you need that we can help you with from that standpoint to get you going.’ So, we have individualized all of those programs.”
This approach to having a veteran-heavy roster was not by mistake.

Without detailing the entire offseason plan, Patricia acknowledged that targeting players with scheme and personnel familiarity was “part of the process” and that those players would likely be able to pick up things quicker.

Patricia then cited quarterback Chase Daniel as an example of a veteran who is familiar with the Lions’ offensive terminology due to his background in West Coast offenses, “so the vernacular from ‘Bev’s’ (Darrell Bevell, offensive coordinator) to the stuff that he (Daniel) knows, that transition is going to be quicker.”

But not all the players on the Lions roster are as versed in terminology or scheme as Daniel, which is why the Lions opted to focus on virtual classroom learning at this stage.

If the Lions can get their players comfortable in the team language, and players maintain their fitness, Patricia is hoping it gives them an advantage in the fall.

“I think there’s probably a little bit of an edge that some teams will be able to get here this spring in these situations based on the makeup of the team. We’re going to try to get as much as that edge as possible.”

Matt Patricia very open to keeping Jarrad Davis beyond 2020 despite not picking up his 5th-year option

Matt Patricia very open to keeping Jarrad Davis beyond 2020 despite not picking up his 5th-year option

The Detroit Lions did not pick up the fifth-year option on linebacker Jarrad Davis’ contract. That was a business decision more than it was a football decision, according to head coach Matt Patricia.

During his Tuesday morning teleconference with reporters, Patricia was asked about the decision to let Davis become a free agent after the upcoming season. Patricia made it clear he still values what the fourth-year LB means to the team despite not exercising the contract option.

“There is no doubt (Davis) is one of our great leaders on defense,” Patricia said. “He’s a great player we will continue to build around.”

He made a differentiation between the contract and the value he sees in Davis as a player.

“This is a short-term conversation, whatever this contract situation is, and for me it’s about long-term,” Patricia said he told Davis when they spoke after the team declined his option.

When asked to clarify if he wanted Davis around long-term despite not picking up the option, Patricia responded,

“Yeah, I think JD is a cornerstone of what we’re trying to do. He’s in those big-picture plans of where we are trying to go.”

It’s unusual for players to re-sign with a team after not having their fifth-year options picked up, but it’s far from unprecedented. Don’t rule out Davis sticking with the Lions beyond 2020 even though they didn’t prioritize paying him close to $10 million on his contract option.

Matt Patricia, Lions used Phase 1 of the offseason to teach players

Matt Patricia, Lions used Phase 1 of the offseason to teach players

Given the logistical challenges of having players and coaches all over the country in various states of local quarantines, the Detroit Lions and head coach Matt Patricia chose a simpler path in Phase 1 of the team’s offseason activities. The Lions used the initial three-day session last week as an extended teaching seminar rather than a supervised workout.

With several new players and a new defensive coordinator in Cory Undlin, getting everyone on the same page in knowledge is Patricia’s priority. He explained why to the Detroit Free Press.

“We decided to go with the classroom,” Patricia said, “because I thought the teaching was some of the most important things that we need to do now, not only for the players but for the coaches. We have a lot of new coaches and we have a lot of new stuff that’s going in. And quite frankly, the spring is a great time not only for the players but for the coaches to get better being coaches.”

It’s an extension of the emphasis on teaching players that was evident during Senior Bowl practices in January. Patricia and the Lions coached the North squad and the third-year head coach clearly embraced and enjoyed teaching the young prospects.

Players have the ability to work out on their own and in small groups they organize themselves, so using the full team time to educate the players on what the Lions want from everyone makes sense.

Patricia also stated the emphasis on teaching will extend into Phase 2, which begins on May 11th.

6 notable Lions from 2019 now on the roster bubble

New additions in free agency and the draft have pushed several Lions who played big roles in 2019 onto the roster bubble

The welcomed influx of new talent into the Lions’ den means some established players will have to find a new NFL place to rest their helmets. Several players who were starters or played significant roles for Detroit in 2019 are now precariously on the team’s roster bubble after the draft, free agency and UDFA signings.

The team has already said goodbye to some, notably free agents Graham Glasgow, Sam Martin, A’Shawn Robinson. The Lions also dumped veterans like Rick Wagner and Damon “Snacks” Harrison. Which recognizable Lions from 2019 could be next?

Jamal Agnew

The team’s primary return specialist for the last three seasons is more in danger because he’s never developed into an NFL-caliber player as a cornerback, his regular position. After a terrible start to 2019, Agnew bounced back with some solid games at the end of the season. His punt return TD against Denver was the first glimpse of the dynamic All-Pro returner Agnew was as a rookie in 2017 since that first year.

With no role on defense and facing viable challenges for his return gig from sixth-rounder Jason Huntley and depth receiver Marvin Hall, Agnew will have to quickly prove he’s worthy of the roster spot.

John Atkins

Atkins isn’t the most recognizable name, but the defensive tackle did start six games last season. He logged 20 total tackles in 12 games, double what Mike Daniels contributed in his woebegone year. His 40 percent of total snaps at nose tackle in 2019 weren’t impressive enough to keep him safe.

The Lions signed Danny Shelton to be the new starter. Fifth-round pick John Penisini is a younger, more versatile option as a reserve.

Joe Dahl

Detroit’s primary starting left guard in 2019 has seen several shots across his roster bow this offseason. The team brought back nondescript veterans Kenny Wiggins and Oday Aboushi, signed former first-rounder Josh Garnett, and then drafted Joshua Jackson in the third round and Logan Stenberg in the fourth.

If the team believed in Dahl, they have a funny way of showing it by drafting two players at his exact position and also seeing the need to re-sign underwhelming vets. Even if the coaching staff opts to continue with the rotational nature at guard, Dahl appears to be in trouble.

Ty Johnson

Johnson played well as a rookie running back. The sixth-rounder from Penn State led the Lions with a 4.3 yards per carry average (min. 50 carries) and also caught 24 passes on 31 targets. He played well enough to prove he’s an NFL RB.

Yet the Lions drafted Jason Huntley as a direct challenger to Johnson in the role of speed/receiving back. GM Bob Quinn even said so in his post-draft press conference. It’s hard to see the Lions keeping both in a suddenly crowded backfield unless one of them also wins the return specialist gig.

Miles Killebrew

Killebrew has done little outside of contributing solid work on special teams in his four seasons in Detroit. He’s played just 87 total snaps on defense the last two years despite being healthy.

Signing Jayron Kearse as a free agent and inking some promising undrafted players who can fill his reserve safety role might be the end of Killebrew’s time in Detroit.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin

The team’s fourth-round pick in 2017 is coming off his most impactful season. Reeves-Maybin started three games at linebacker and recorded a career-high 37 tackles. But his future is in peril.

Reeves-Maybin is no higher than fifth on the LB depth chart behind Jamie Collins, Jarrad Davis, Christian Jones and Jahlani Tavai. With the depth and talent bumped up at safety, there figures to be less room for extra linebackers in what appears to be a more firm 4-man front in new coordinator Cory Undlin’s defense. Newcomer Reggie Ragland better fits what coach Matt Patricia wants from his LBs in a reserve role, too.

John Penisini is one of the top low-risk, high-reward prospects in draft class, per PFF

According to PFF, the Detroit Lions are getting incredible value in John Penisini as he is one of the top low-risk, high-reward prospects in this draft class.

The Detroit Lions have always been risk-averse when it comes to adding players, but with Spring camps being virtually based and Fall training camps in question, general manager Bob Quinn spent the offseason targeting players who would be ready to contribute with only minimal coaching.

Finding players that fit this mold at the top of the draft isn’t overly challenging, but after the top players are off the board, Quinn needed to look for value, especially on Day 3 of the draft.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Lions are getting incredible value in sixth-round nose tackle John Penisini, as he is one of the top low-risk, high-reward prospects in this draft class.

“An early-down run-stuffer is becoming less valuable by the year,” PFF’s Steve Palazzolo said, “but strong run defenders still have a place in the NFL. The key is not to spend big money or high draft capital to find them, and Penisini is a perfect Day 3 option to fill a very specific run-stuffing role.”

The Lions have applied this concept to their team this offseason, targeting Danny Shelton in free agency — who only has a $2.75 million cap hit in 2020 — and now Penisini late in the draft.

“Penisini has a nose-tackle build and is tough to move at the point of attack, all of which led to a 90.6 grade against the run over the last two seasons. There are plenty of examples of quality run-stoppers who were taken in the middle to late rounds over the last few seasons, including Poona Ford, Greg Gaines and Michael Pierce. So, waiting on a player like Penisini will keep a team from drafting a one-dimensional interior defensive lineman in the early rounds, allowing them to focus on more valuable, pass-game affecting positions. Now that’s value.”

Jason Huntley, Ty Johnson competing for the same role in crowded Lions backfield

Jason Huntley, Ty Johnson competing for the same role in a suddenly crowded Lions backfield

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One year ago the Lions used a Day 3 draft pick on a fast, slippery, undersized running back with great burst but little power to his game. Ty Johnson proved worthy of the pick. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry and also proved a reliable receiver, catching 24 passes. It was a promising start for the speedster from Maryland.

It was not impressive enough to solidify his status in Detroit. On Saturday, the Lions used a fifth-round pick on Jason Huntley from New Mexico State.

Their scouting reports are eerily similar, though Huntley was more accomplished and carried a higher workload in college. Now it appears they are competing for the same roster spot in a suddenly overcrowded running back room.

According to Lions GM Bob Quinn, that is no accident. He mentioned Johnson specifically in his post-draft press conference when asked about Huntley and how he fits with the team.

“Listen, there’s going to be competition in that running back room,” Quinn declared. “We feel good about the depth of that room. The good thing about the running backs right now, we have them of all shapes and sizes. We have some bigger guys, we have some middle-sized guys. Huntley will be our smallest guy, but he’s extremely fast. So (I’m) very confident that we’ll find a role for him, and he is going to be in competition with Ty Johnson.”

Quinn continued,

“Ty Johnson was a sixth-round pick last year, so Ty knows. Ty’s a smart guy. Ty knows he has to come in and earn it every year. We’re excited about Ty Johnson and hopefully the progress he makes from year one to year two. We’re going to put Jason right in there with him.”

It’s an interesting choice to double up at a position that merited just 87 touches and less than 30 percent of the offensive snaps. After selecting D’Andre Swift in the second round and with Kerryon Johnson coming back, plus Bo Scarbrough’s effective work as the power back down the stretch, drafting competition for a relatively minor role is a bit perplexing.

The concept of competition to make players earn their spots is a positive step, a development that has been missing from the Detroit RB room for some time.

Lions targeting players who can contribute with minimal offseason training

With an abbreviated offseason training program on the horizon, the Detroit Lions are targeting players who can contribute within conditions.

With an abbreviated offseason training program on the horizon, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Detroit Lions have made a few minor adjustments to their approach to acquiring talent.

Knowing that there will be no Spring camps and likely a shortened training camp in late summer — if it happens at all — general manager Bob Quinn said during his pre-draft press conference with the Detroit media, that the Lions are targeting players who can contribute immediately without needing much of an offseason training program.

This concept was applied in free agency when the Lions traded with the New England Patriots for Duron Harmon and continued when they signed linebacker Jamie Collins and nose tackle Danny Shelton in free agency.

Because of their time spent with the Patriots, all three players have extensive experience playing in the Lions scheme and are familiar with the important terminology needed in order to contribute without much formal guidance.

This concept will also likely carry over to the 2020 NFL Draft and it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see the Lions invest in prospects whom they coached at the Senior Bowl, as those players have also been exposed to some of the basic concepts in the Lions scheme.

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This could also influence decision-making when the Lions are debating between talent in the draft, potentially leaning towards players with a higher floor, or that operated in a college scheme close to the Lions. Prospects who played defense at Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Arkansas — among others — could have an advantage over smaller school talent.

While targeting players who can contribute early will likely play a factor in decision-making, it’s important to acknowledge it’s only part of the overall process. When asked about a player dealing with an injury, Quinn made sure to note that he is looking for the best player available, both now and/or in the future.

One group of players that are surely going to be impacted is the undrafted free agent pool as they will have less time to impress coaches and learn the system.

The Lions currently have 78 players on their active roster and nine draft picks leaving them with only three available spots for additional players.

Therefore, when determining the importance of adding an undrafted free agent, Quinn will have to weigh their value versus a player on the active roster because after the three empty spots are filled, he will have to cut a veteran in order to make room.

By the end of the draft, the Lions will have several young players added to their 90-man roster, and with the fourth most draft capital to work with, there will be a lot of new talent — even if that means fewer players than in a typical year.

Lions grade out poorly in pre-draft offseason moves

The Detroit Lions barely scored a passing grade from Bleacher Report in pre-draft offseason roster moves

Free agency has largely paused while the 32 teams ready themselves for the 2020 NFL Draft. Taking advantage of the relative calm in the free agent waters, the good folks at Bleacher Report took the time to grade how every team has done in personnel moves since the season ended.

For the Detroit Lions, it’s a passing grade of a C-minus. Barely. A C-minus grade keeps you eligible for extracurricular activities but also relegates you to the study tables.

The notes cite “one of the worst contracts in free agency” for right tackle Hal Vaitai and the Darius Slay trade as the big negatives. Signing Jamie Collins, Danny Shelton and Duron Harmon all on smart deals rescue the failures.

What grade do you give the Lions this offseason so far?

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Lions agree to terms with OL Kenny Wiggins

The Detroit Lions announced they have agreed to terms with offensive lineman Kenny Wiggins, bringing him back for the third consecutive year.

The Detroit Lions announced they have agreed to terms with offensive lineman Kenny Wiggins, bringing him back for the third consecutive year.

“Wiggins joined the Lions as an unrestricted free agent in 2018 and has previously spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers (2013-17),” the Lions said in a press release. “He also had stints on the practice squad with the San Francisco 49ers (2012) and Baltimore Ravens (2011). “Wiggins originally entered the NFL with the 49ers as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2011 NFL Draft out of Fresno State. He has appeared in 75 career games (38 starts).”

The third member of the Lions three-guard rotation in 2019, Wiggins saw the field for 438 snaps typically seeing time at both right and left guard each game, before landing on injured reserve with a torn biceps mid-December.

Wiggins is a balanced player who is experienced at both guard spots and saw time at right tackle during his time with the Chargers. He is well-liked and respected by both players and coaches in the locker room and offers the Lions depth and stability on the interior offensive line — something they desperately need.

The addition of Wiggins won’t prevent the Lions from acquiring more competition in the draft — they will still likely consider taking an interior offensive lineman in the first 100 picks — but he gives them some much-needed positional insurance. Now the Lions can head into the draft without having to reach for a guard prospect.

Wiggins will likely enter training camp as the front-runner for his old position as the third guard, or potentially win the starting job outright — currently he probably the leader for the job.

Damon Harrison’s exit from Detroit centered around scheme fit

The Detroit Lions and nose tackle Damon Harrison mutually parted ways this offseason and now it appears his exit was centered around his fit within their scheme.

The Detroit Lions and nose tackle Damon Harrison mutually parted ways this offseason and now it appears his exit was centered around his fit within their scheme.

Harrison recently joined Chris Long, former defensive end, on his the Green Light Podcast — as first reported by 97.1 the ticket — and discussed his time in Detroit.

The Lions originally traded for Harrison because of his stout run defense but Harrison said his trepidation to join the team was there from the beginning, noting, among other things, he had concerns about fitting into the Lions defense.

“When I got there I didn’t know anything about the scheme. I was a nose tackle my entire career, 1-technique, shade, zero, some 2-wide. I get there and it’s 2-, 3- techniques. Now for me, in my career, the most frightening thing was playing 3-technique because of how far back the guards would sit.”

In the Lions multiple scheme, the defensive linemen are asked to be able to operate at several spots along the line. Trey Flowers has to be comfortable lining up anywhere from the 3- to the 7-technique, Da’Shawn Hand 1- to 7-technique, while nose tackles are often asked to line up at the 0-, 1-, 2-, and 3-techniques.

“We had some conversations about not doing it anymore, and they kind of incorporated some of that zero nose, shade to kind of fit my play style. But it was something that I wasn’t comfortable with. I had some success doing it, but this past year I think it kind of came back to bite me in the (expletive).”

As our friend Jeremy Reisman at Pride of Detroit pointed out, “In his time in Detroit, his (Harrison’s) split between three-tech and the nose was almost 50/50. Per PFF, he played 426 snaps around the three-tech and 454 at the nose.”

The proximity between the 1- and 3-techniques may not seem like a big difference in positioning on the field, but it is actually a pretty big adjustment for a defender to make in terms of adjusting to the blocker in front of them.

The 1-technique lines up between the center and the guard, forcing the offensive lineman to make their initial move laterally towards Harrison. But when at the 3-technique — lines up in between the guard and tackle — the offensive linemen are set back a bit further and can make their initial move forward, creating a different angle of attack for the defender.

“I’ve been taught to attack who’s trying to block me. Fight pressure with pressure. If the center’s going away and the guard’s coming, I’m going to attack the guard. That’s just the way I was taught and that wasn’t the way that we played it in Coach (Matt) Patricia’s defense.”

These can be difficult adjustments for players to make. Some players who have experience operating between positions will feel comfortable in the Lions scheme, while others will never settle in. This is a big reason why the Lions have added multiple players who have previous experience in this particular scheme — like Lions new nose tackle Danny Shelton — as they have proven they are comfortable with what is being asked of them.

The Lions believed Harrison could make the adjustment, and to his credit, Harrison tried to make it work, but he never felt comfortable. This is why the two sides both “mutually agreed” to part ways in February.

It’s worth noting, that while several players who have left the organization recently have addressed their poor relationship with Patricia, Harrison made it clear that was not the case with him and the Lions organization.

“Matt Patricia’s a great coach, a great guy. I have a lot of respect for Matt Patricia. It had nothing to do with him personally.”