Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell evoked a chorus of smiles during his Wednesday Zoom session with local reporters when he brought up the mentality of the new offensive linemen the team added this offseason.
In talking about draft picks Jonah Jackson and Logan Stenberg plus free agent addition Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Bevell praised their toughness and physicality. He did so with an enthusiasm that those of us on the call definitely noted.
“When you look at those guys, with Jonah and with Logan, those guys, I think they bring that mentality,” Bevell said. “It’s a lunch-pail, so to speak, type of group. Guys that they kind of like to hurt. They like to hurt the opponent as well.”
Stenberg comes to the Lions noted for his violent approach to line play. At Kentucky, he was the most-penalized player in the SEC and earned the rep as the conference’s dirtiest player. He’ll be prominent in the mix at right guard as a fourth-round rookie.
“It’s really a mentality. All you’ve got to do is turn Logan’s tape on and you can see that in him. And Jonah as well.”
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It’s all a concerted effort to be more physical and imposing at the line of scrimmage and in the run game. Detroit’s rushing offense perked up in 2019 but still has room for major improvement, and Bevell sees being nastier as the path to success.