Tag: combine interviews

Behind the scenes: Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta’s combine interview

“Inside the Den” went behind the scenes with Sam LaPorta’s combine interview and very easy to see why the Detroit Lions drafted him.

The Detroit Lions received mixed reviews after their 2023 NFL Draft after taking players many people believed either too early or the positional value argument. General manager Brad Holmes did not care what you had in your mock drafts or what ranking you had. He was going to take football players that fit with Detroit’s culture, and that was the end of it.

With the release of “Inside the Den,” we saw the interworkings of the Lions war room throughout the 2023 NFL Draft. It was fun to watch how Holmes and Head Coach Dan Campbell constantly communicated on which direction or player they may be targeting. One of them was Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta, who the Lions highly touted throughout the draft process.

On the other side of “Inside the Den,” we got to go behind the scenes of the combined interviews with the Lion’s drafted players. When LaPorta was drafted, he mentioned he had a memorable combined interview with Dan Campbell. I was very interested to see that interview in “Inside the Den,” which did not disappoint.

Right from the get-go, LaPorta showed self-awareness for improvement when asked about his hands. Even though he rated them an eight, he mentioned that he might need to improve his highballing. Well, so far through training camp, it sure looks like he has worked on that area. Also, after he started learning the system, he mentioned that looking back at the interview and putting everything together made sense for those particular questions.

Throughout the interview, Coach Campbell got a feel for what LaPorta can bring to the table for the Lions organization. As many of you know, Campbell dabbled in that area a little bit. Campbell asked LaPorta if he felt like a complete tight end, and he did not miss a beat with the answer.

“I think I’m extremely versatile. I think I’m tough enough to stick my nose in but also finesse enough to get open and create separation,” LaPorta said.

He also mentioned he loves physically dominating someone when he was asked about run blocking from Coach Campbell earlier in the interview.

The separation statement caught my attention. It has been well documented that the Lions have needed help creating separation in certain aspects of the field. Surely, the Lions were looking to remedy that situation, and so far through training camp, it looks like he is living up to the billet while becoming a security blanket for Jared Goff.

LaPorta has created a lot of buzz throughout training camp, and it is easy to see why the Lions took a liking to the former Hawkeye. He is running away to becoming TE1 for the Lions and should see a starting role heading into the season. While we can see him shine with the on-field performances, in the background, he is doing the same and shouldn’t be shocked when tight ends coach Steve Heiden asked why the coach should draft you.

“I’m a locker room guy. I think I mesh well with really any locker room. Not to mention that I’m a good football player too. You ain’t gonna have no problems with me.”

Lions LB coach Kelvin Sheppard reveals what Dan Campbell is like in scouting combine interviews

Lions LB coach Kelvin Sheppard reveals what Dan Campbell is like in scouting combine interviews

After talking with some NFL draft prospects during the 2023 Scouting Combine week in Indianapolis, I got a better idea of the experience of formally interviewing with the Detroit Lions and head coach Dan Campbell.

Several players, notably Iowa TE Sam LaPorta, described how the Lions ask players to watch some film and then quickly analyze their role if put into the situation on film. Those are the more technical aspects of the interview period.

But what about Campbell’s demeanor?

For that perspective, Lions linebacker coach Kelvin Sheppard offers up some details. In an interview with Dannie Rogers of the Lions, Sheppard details how Campbell acts in the interview room.

“Dan kind of sits back, to be honest,” Sheppard told Rogers, which she quickly stated might be more intimidating for a prospect.

Sheppard agreed and then continued,

“Then out of nowhere he’ll get out of his seat and go up to the screen and be like, ‘alright, well tell me this — this guy goes here (gestures one direction) and that guy goes there, what are you going to do?”

Sheppard said he wants players to know “don’t get nervous. Dan is one of us.”

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Florida State DB Jammie Robinson meets with the Lions, checks a lot of boxes for Detroit

The Lions met with versatile DB Jammie Robinson at the NFL Scouting Combine and he checks a lot of boxes for Dan Campbell’s team as a prospect

Florida State safety Jammie Robinson drew a large audience around his interview podium at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday morning. Several members of the Detroit media were in the crowd, myself included.

What we heard from Robinson sure sounded like a prospect the Lions would have some serious interest in come draft weekend. He’s an experienced fit in the role Will Harris played in Detroit in 2022–a slot/nickel safety capable of playing close to the line and in man coverage. Harris is a free agent and the Lions would need to replace him if he signs elsewhere.

One of the attributes Robinson highlighted was his nickel ability. He told reporters it’s his favorite spot to play, but was quick to note he can also play split safety, off-man coverage and even some outside cornerback if needed.

Interestingly, Robinson indicated that one NFL team compared him to Antoine Winfield Sr. in their combine interview with him. Winfield was a Pro Bowler despite being an undersized safety. Robinson measured in at just under 5-11 and 194 pounds at the Senior Bowl in February; Winfield was listed at 5-9 and 185.

Robinson indicated he’s already met with the Lions here at the combine. Detroit also met with the versatile DB at the Senior Bowl in Mobile last month. He is generally projected in the second or third rounds.

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Wisconsin DT Keeanu Benton touts his ‘grit factor’ at the NFL Scouting Combine

Benton brought up “grit”, a definite Detroit Lions buzzword, a few times in his NFL Scouting Combine interview

We are still learning about what exact traits the Detroit Lions regime under GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell covet in a draft prospect. One of the traits we definitely know is grit, however.

So when a prospect at a position of fairly serious need in Detroit trumpets his “grit factor”, it stands out.

Such is the case with Wisconsin DT Keeanu Benton. The muscular Benton noted his grit factor during his podium time at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday. In fact, he brought up the word a few times during his interview period. Benton initially mentioned it in relation to his high school wrestling background.

The grit definitely shows in Benton’s game tape, too. Some of that stems from him being lightly recruited out of Janesville, Wisconsin. He played his way up the Badgers depth chart, notably going toe-to-toe in practice against current Dallas Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz.

“Iron sharpens iron,” Benton declared matter-of-factly.

Benton was one of the best individual performers at the Senior Bowl last month. He did meet with the Lions in Mobile and is slated to meet with them here in Indianapolis this week, too. Benton is generally projected as a second or third-round prospect.

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Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell on Aubrey Pleasant: ‘He’s going to be a future head coach’

Pleasant interviewed for coordinator positions this offseason and he’s already getting buzz as a potential head coach

Aubrey Pleasant is back for a second season as the defensive backs coach of the Detroit Lions. Based on his offseason so far and the growing buzz around Pleasant, there isn’t likely to be a third.

No, it’s not because Pleasant isn’t good. Quite the contrary. Pleasant is a rising coaching star that will be very difficult for the Lions to keep much longer.

Pleasant interviewed for the defensive coordinator vacancies in New Orleans and Minnesota this offseason. And while he didn’t get those coaching gigs, one of the men who interviewed him sees a grand future for Pleasant.

In his media session at the 2022 scouting combine, new Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell raved about Pleasant. The two worked together on Sean McVay’s staff in Los Angeles but have known each other beyond that.

“I think he’s going to be a future head coach in this league,” O’Connell stated. “I think the next step in the process for him is coordinating a defense. Aubrey is so impressive to me, he’s always been. I’ve known him for a few years, even dating back to before we were together in LA. I know coach McVay has a ton of respect for him. Their relationship is really strong.”

Pleasant is one of several Lions assistant coaches with definite upward mobility. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Jets and Broncos over the last two offseasons and will get more chances. RB coach Duce Staley impressed in leading the National team at the Senior Bowl, serving as head coach for the week in Mobile.

Pleasant is a natural successor for Glenn as the DC if Glenn leaves, but Pleasant could also go along with him or get a head coaching job of his own. LB coach Kelvin Sheppard and OL coach Hank Fraley are also eminently worthy candidates for bigger positions, either in Detroit or another team.

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Donovan Peoples-Jones: ‘It would mean everything to me’ to join the Lions

Michigan wide receiver, and Detroit native, Donovan Peoples-Jones says “It would mean everything to me” to join the Lions.

Michigan wide receiver, and Detroit native, Donovan Peoples-Jones met with the media at the 2020 NFL Combine today and Lions Wire’s own Jeff Risdon was present for his press conference.

Peoples-Jones discussed topics like working on short-area quickness, pointing to his preference of slant routes and yards after the catch potential, as well as his contributions on special teams as a punt returner, and when he was asked about potentially being drafted by his local team, he commented, “It would mean everything to me to go to the Lions”.

Peoples-Jones is part of what looks like a historic wide receivers class, with most expecting the drafted prospects from this group to potentially double it’s average (12.5) selected in the top-100 picks — meaning we could see as many as 25 wide receivers taken in the first three rounds.

Where Peoples-Jones fits in the mix among those top-25 is still to be determined, and it could be drastically different, as we have seen among analysts. ESPN’s Todd McShay mocked Peoples-Jones in the first-round ($) in October and Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller did the same in his mock draft last December, while our brother site Draft Wire’s mid-December mock draft had Peoples-Jones landing with the Lions in the third round — pick 69 at the time.

Here was my evaluation of the potential selection at the time:

Peoples-Jones would check off a lot of boxes for the Lions. He can play outside and in, is a vertical threat, tracks the ball well, has NFL level acceleration, can high point and win the 50/50 ball, is a strong open-field runner, and a reliable punt returner (he has two career punt returns for touchdowns).

He needs to improve his catch point (he still lets the ball get into his body too often) and scouts will wonder if his lack of college production is quarterback/deep position group related, but he illustrated he is capable of making plays when the ball is thrown his way.

The Lions are in the market for a wide receiver and will certainly consider taking one on Day 2 of the draft. Will it be Peoples-Jones? It’s too early to tell, but he will surely be in the mix.