Category: Lions News

Jarrad Davis: ‘I haven’t really been the best I can truly be’ for the Lions

Linebacker Jarrad Davis admits ‘I haven’t really been the best I can truly be’ for the Lions

In his video teleconference with the media on Thursday, Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis was forthright and self-aware about how his first three seasons in Detroit have gone. The 2017 first-round pick admitted he’s not been as good as he wants to be or believes he can be.

A personable Davis acknowledged his defensive shortcomings when asked about his career thus far. After stating he wasn’t concerned about the Lions declining his fifth-year option, Davis talked about where he can get better.

“Definitely I need to continue to get better in the run game. Can always improve in that area,” Davis said. “And just, I have the talent to be a good coverage linebacker but I just haven’t been able to show (it). I haven’t been able to show exactly what I can do in that area yet, whether it be just overthinking or just trying to do too much. I haven’t really been the best I can truly be in that position.”

The pressure is now on Davis to prove he can stop overthinking and translate all his off-field work into more on-field productivity.

[lawrence-related id=43642]

Matthew Stafford’s $6.5 million home up for sale

Matthew Stafford’s $6.5 million home is up for sale, but with a growing family, fans need to be careful not to overreact.

Just hours after meeting with the local media Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford’s $6.5 million home in Bloomfield Township went up for sale.

The Stafford’s home has been rumored to be on the market all offseason — well before any trade rumors surfaced — but all attempts to confirm these rumors surrounding the sale had been declined.

There is bound to be plenty of speculation surrounding what this means for the future of the Lions quarterback, it’s important to remember most of the time these decisions come from non-football related situations.

For example, the Stafford’s have three daughters, two of whom are approaching school age, with a fourth child on the way. This is the time in their life when families are considering school districts and more kid-friendly homes — the Stafford’s bought the home in 2013 before any of their children were born.

There is always the possibility this a football-related move, but that concept appears to be founded in speculation only.

All offseason, the Lions have vigorously denied every trade rumor, made no roster moves to suggest they have considered moving on from him, and just yesterday, Stafford himself shrugging off those trade rumors.

“I really don’t pay too much attention to (the trade rumors),” Stafford said. “I pay less attention to them than my wife (Kelly) does. But it’s something that doesn’t bother me. Listen, I’m here, I want to be here. I love being a Detroit Lion, I love leading this team. all that kind of stuff is just out there to be out there. It’s a slow news month at that point and I’m just happy to be where I am and ready to deal with this offseason the way that it is and try to make the best of the season that I hope happens.”

There is bound to be plenty of speculation as to why the Stafford’s have put their house up for sale, but all indications point to this just being a typical off-the-field situation for a growing family.

Watch: Matthew Stafford’s reveals practical joke on Lions’ media/fans

It’s been few years in the making but Matthew Stafford finally revealed the practical joke he and T.J. Lang have been playing on the Detroit Lions’ media and fan base.

I’ll admit it, I was fooled.

Roughly three weeks ago, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and former Lion T.J. Lang joined the teams’ multi-media journalist Tori Petry as part of the teams’ pre-2020 draft virtual festivities. As the video conference was wrapping up, Lang said he has one more question for Stafford:

“Dating back maybe three years ago,” Lang said, “when we were doing the ‘Talkin’ with T.J.’, you kinda showed off your math skills… I’m just going to make a number up — 9,758 times 618.”

Stafford answered with ease:

That video clip went viral, reportedly getting over 100,000 views, and Stafford received a lot of accolades throughout the media — even being dubbed a Math Wizard by ESPN.

Today, during a video conference with the Detroit media, Stafford pulled back the curtain and revealed the truth behind hid genius:

“I can’t believe you guys fell for the math trick,” Stafford said. “T.J. and I have been doing that for years. He texts me the answer beforehand and I just read it off and sell it hard. I guess I deserve a Daytime Emmy, but for sure, not a math award.”

Well, at least I wasn’t alone in being fooled. Well done Matthew, well done.

Calvin Johnson checks in at 16 on PFF’s All-Decade team

Pro Football Focus put together an All-Decade team and former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson landed 16th on their list.

Pro Football Focus put together an All-Decade team and former Detroit Lions all-world wide receiver Calvin Johnson landed 16th on their list.

Ranked at 16 may feel a bit too low but there are a few factors that need to be considered. PFF noted that “this list isn’t an evaluation of talent, but rather of production, efficiency and performance over a specific time period — in this case, the entire decade.”

While that alone wouldn’t negatively impact Johnson, it’s also worth noting that he only played in six of the 10 seasons and “playing time was factored into the decisions, too; somebody who played twice as much within the decade was given some level of preference over players who played only a few seasons in the 2010s.”

Here’s PFF’s reasoning for Johnson’s ranking:

Calvin Johnson walked away from the game at the height of his powers, and only that held him back from the very top of this list. He left on the back of five straight seasons with a PFF grade of 88.0 or higher, and over the six seasons he played within the decade, he never had a grade lower than 83.0. He scored a touchdown on almost 7% of targets, the third-highest rate of any receiver with 800 or more targets over the decade. Calvin Johnson was one of the most physically imposing receivers ever to play the game and was virtually unstoppable at his best. Even though he played just 60% of the decade, he was one of the best 20 players to feature in it.

On behalf of Lions Wire, congratulations to Johnson on the recognition.

Gov. Whitmer declares ‘we’re not going to be filling stadiums’ for the Lions

Michigan Gov. Whitmer declares ‘we’re not going to be filling stadiums’ anytime soon, impacting the Detroit Lions and other sports

NFL teams are scrambling to plot a course of action for the 2020 season. For the Detroit Lions, that plan appears to need to account for playing in an empty Ford Field. Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer has made it clear that there won’t be rows filled with fans anytime soon.

In a radio interview with WQKI-FM that did not range into sports beyond the immediate topic of Ford Field, Whitmer delivered a bitter pill of reality. She was asked specifically about the Lions and Ford Field.

“There is reason to feel some confidence here,” Whitmer said. “But we also have to measure (peoples’) expectations and say life’s going to be different. We’re not going to be filling stadiums in the fall.”

In a later follow-up email statement, Michigan deputy press secretary Bobby Leddy shed more light on the issue,

“Medical experts have made it clear that COVID-19 spreads when people are in close contact with one another, and without a vaccine, our best strategy in combating the virus is to practice social distancing. In regards to stadiums, our administration will continue to make informed decisions on re-engagement based upon data and medical expertise.”

The governor’s statement is not yet policy.

[lawrence-related id=43335]

 

Lions reveal initial jersey numbers for rookies, but some will have to change

Lions reveal initial jersey numbers for rookies, but Jeff Okudah and D’Andre Swift will need to change their first numbers

The Lions are one of the last teams to reveal the jersey numbers for the rookie class of 2020. On Wednesday the team offered the initial list of what numbers the rookies will don when they finally take the field. It comes with an asterisk for the first two picks, however.

The first look at the Lions drafted rookies and their jersey numbers, from Tim Twentyman of the Lions:

Don’t go ordering jerseys for Okudah or Swift just yet, however. Neither player will be able to wear those initial numbers once the season starts based on NFL rules. Single-digit numbers are reserved for quarterbacks, punters and kickers only.

Okudah and Swift will pick their lasting numbers later, once more roster moves have been made. That’s not uncommon for prominent rookies across the league.

D’Andre Swift named as the Lions breakout player by Bleacher Report

D’Andre Swift named as the Lions breakout player by Bleacher Report

Who will be the Detroit Lions’ breakout player in 2020? It’s a hot topic for debate. One of the early answers comes from Bleacher Report, which picked the breakout player for all 32 NFL teams.

Their answer for the Lions is rookie RB D’Andre Swift. Detroit’s second-round pick gets first billing as the top breakout candidate.

The Lions have a talented back on the roster in Kerryon Johnson, but he’s had all kinds of trouble staying healthy—he’s missed at least half a dozen games in both of his professional seasons.

If Swift gets the opportunity to be Detroit’s featured back—and recent history indicates that he will—he won’t let it go.

Swift figures to have a lot of competition in Detroit. Safety Tracy Walker, tight end T.J. Hockenson, cornerback Amani Oruwariye and even center Frank Ragnow are all viable Lions poised to break out on a more national level.

[lawrence-related id=43515]

Lions Mailbag: Rookie roles and available free agents

Lions Mailbag: Rookie roles and available free agents

The Detroit Lions have had an eventful offseason.

Free agency and the draft are over, which leaves us all speculating over what the roster will look like come September.

Lions fans submitted their questions about roles rookies will hold, depth chart predictions, and available free agents. Here’s what I had to say:

“Can Huntley and Ty Johnson both stick on the Lions? Who will go if they both do? Or could either one of them survive to be put on the practice squad without being picked up?” -@SFHCommish_1

The Lions’ front office will have a lot of tough choices to make when it comes to the running back position.

2020 fifth-round pick Jason Huntley is in direct competition with Ty Johnson, who was selected in the sixth round last year. Both are speedy options in the backfield, capable receivers, and dynamic kick returners.

Both are young players with plenty of upside and athletic ability, so it’s likely, but not certain, that Detroit opts to keep both on the active roster. What would that mean for the other running backs on the team?

Detroit generally decides to run with four running backs on their active roster, and Kerryon Johnson and D’Andre Swift appear to have the top two running back spots locked down. That would most likely leave Huntley and Ty Johnson to fight it out for one of those spots, while Bo Scarborough and Wes Hills duke it out for the backup power running back role.

If the Lions waive either Huntley or Johnson, I can’t say with full certainty that either will clear waivers, but generally, most players that are let go at the deadline for roster cutdowns don’t get picked up from the waiver wire. If they make it through, expect them back on the practice squad.

”I’m wondering how you think the Lions backfield will operate this season?  Do you see Swift coming in and taking over as the lead back?” -@TheFootballPot

I see the 2020 season opening up with Kerryon Johnson and D’Andre Swift sharing snaps evenly, and hopefully pairing well as a tandem. The Lions have favored the committee approach to their backfield, so these two players will both get their fair share of snaps.

As I stated in my previous answer, it is safe to say that the Lions will operate with four running backs on their roster. We know that Johnson and Swift have pretty defined roles as of now, but I can see Swift overtaking Johnson on the depth chart mid-season.

While Johnson has played fairly well for the Lions in his first two seasons, injuries have kept him sidelined for a good fraction of his career. Swift, who has stayed relatively healthy throughout college, could prove to be the more reliable option.

Johnson was also drafted to fit the scheme of former offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, while Swift was drafted with Darrell Bevell’s gameplan in mind. This could lead to Swift taking that lead spot away from Johnson quickly.

The remaining competitions, as stated earlier, will be Ty Johnson versus Jason Huntley for the speedy receiving option and Bo Scarborough versus Wes Hills for the power and goal-line option.

“What potential DL FA’s could the Lions potentially target to bolster the line, if any are better than what’s on the roster?” -@IGRifffinsports

The Lions’ interior defensive line seems set with Danny Shelton at nose tackle and Da’Shawn Hand playing the three-technique role. Behind them is Nick Williams, who will serve as a rotational lineman.

Behind them, it’s an open competition for the final spots. The Lions did just draft two interior linemen, John Penisini and Jashon Cornell, and have several other young players in Olive Sagapolu, Kevin Strong, John Atkins, and Frank Herron to consider.

If they decide to find an experienced free agent, the best player available at the position is Mike Daniels, who played for the Lions last season. Daniels would be an instant upgrade over any of the aforementioned players in the hunt for a roster spot, and he knows the defensive system already. Especially now, when many teams will go into the season with less time for team activities, an experienced player who knows the scheme is a luxury.

Other than Daniels, the defensive tackle market is pretty bare. Still on the market are Marcel Darius, Damion Square, Domata Peko, and Corey Liuget.

“It’s the first defensive snap of the season. Is Okudah lining up across from Allen Robinson?” -@DunnGuitar

You don’t draft a player with the third overall pick unless you plan to use them immediately.

That being said, the Lions have not seen what Jeffrey Okudah can do at a professional level. So when it comes time to cover a dominant receiver like Allen Robinson, Detroit’s coaching staff might want to use a more experienced and proven player like Desmond Trufant.

Obviously, things can change over the course of a season, but Okudah is a rookie in a position where players often struggle in their first year. He’ll be a definite starter, but won’t be shadowing any team’s top receiver in his first few games.

”Jonah Jackson has a lot of praise but at the surface his draft measurable strong are similar to last year’s UDFA Benzschawel. What’s the difference between the two and why is Jonah viewed as a possible starter over Beau?” -@TheRealShobear

The biggest difference between the two players is that the Detroit Lions organization valued one as a third-round pick just a season after signing the other as an undrafted free agent.

Benzschawel has the size advantage over Jackson and had better Combine numbers in several events, but on tape, Jackson appears to be the superior player.

The Lions liked Benzschawel to keep him around on the active roster for the entirety of the 2019 season, but his snap counts during the season prove that the team is not ready for him to hold a starting role. He only was active for two games throughout a season riddled with interior offensive line injuries, and only played two snaps on special teams.

Jackson seems to be the clear starter at right guard, and Joe Dahl holds the left guard role for now. Benzschawel could fight for that spot, but he’d be in competition with fourth-round pick Logan Stenberg, as well as veteran former starters Kenny Wiggins, Russell Bodine, Joshua Garnett, and Oday Aboushi. I’d put my money on any of those players earning the starting role over Benzschawel.

A more personable Matt Patricia hopes he’s ‘a better head coach than I was 2 years ago’

A more personable Matt Patricia hopes he’s ‘a better head coach than I was two years ago’

Midway through Tuesday morning’s teleconference call with reporters, Lions coach Matt Patricia pulled up a ukulele. Joking that “I may call them songs, you would call them noise,” he declined to play a tune. But the coach did smile and admit he really enjoys playing with Barbie dolls with his 4-year-old daughter.

Wait, what?

It was a lighthearted moment that produced laughter from all 30-something of us on the call. It was a moment that would never have happened earlier in Patricia’s coaching career in Detroit.

Coach Patricia has eliminated some of the deliberate distancing he created with anyone not directly involved in coaching the team. It’s been a work in progress, one that was noticeable even during training camp last season, his second summer in charge of the Lions.

“I would hope, being a head coach, my goal is certainly to get better every year,” Patricia said on the teleconference call. “I really hope I’m a better head coach than I was two years ago because that’s the goal. I hope I try to get better every week.”

One of the ways Coach Patricia has evolved is to let Matt Patricia, the talkative Italian family man with a subversive sense of humor, show more. The cold stares and curt interactions are now replaced with warm smiles and professional respect for one another.

He’s been more outgoing, more engaging and personable during media interactions at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. Patricia even posed for pictures with myself and a colleague with Hooters waitresses after a radio spot down in Mobile in January.

It’s true with his players too, as noted by MLive’s Kyle Meinke:

It’s a definite change for the better in terms of a working environment for both the players and the media covering the team. Patricia’s self-awareness to change what wasn’t working for him or the team is a good sign for the Lions. He might not be ready to play the ukulele for us just yet, but the willingness to laugh at himself and go off-script is an indication of Patricia’s confidence in his own coaching ability.

[lawrence-related id=43273]

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.”