Tag: Jamal Adams

3 Thoughts before the Lions play the Bills

3 Thoughts before the Lions play the Bills in Week 15 from Lions Wire’s Russ Brown

When the Detroit Lions were getting ready to play against the Green Bay Packers last week, I was more than nervous. Did I think they were going to lose? No, not particularly but any sense of doubt came from the fact that the Lions having so many injuries on defense. Meanwhile, I just knew that the Lions were in a tough spot with their remaining schedule for the rest of the season.

Any loss could be detrimental to the Lions hopes of winning the NFC North or claiming the number one seed in the NFC.

[lawrence-related id=116833]

That feeling has since changed after last Thursday’s win against the Packers. As I mentioned on the Detroit Lions Podcast earlier this week, I said that the Lions winning that game feels like a turning point to the season. It feels like a new door has opened for Detroit and they’re the only team walking through that door. We’ll see if that holds true today against the Buffalo Bills.

With that, the Lions have to focus on one game at a time. Which, we all know, is exactly what they’re doing in their locker room. So focusing on the Lions and Bills game for today, I have three thoughts for what I’ll be watching or focusing on with this game.

Kwon Alexander and Jamal Adams fit in Detroit 

From watching the limited snaps from Alexander and Adams in their Lions debut last week against the Packers, they certainly didn’t look out of place. Despite being older players on the Lions defense (29 and 30 years old), both players still appear to have short-area quickness, and they’re able to contribute in the box.

We didn’t see Adams drop into pass coverage, but he was effective when blitzing. With him being sent off the edge, he was able to stay square to the quarterback and most importantly, Adams was able to keep Jordan Love in front of him. This forced the Packers quarterback to one side of the pocket. The question for today is whether Adams will be able to do that to Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

So far this year, Allen is 5th in the NFL for rushing yards by a quarterback with 416 rushing yards. Over the last four weeks, we’ve seen an increase in rushing from Allen. He’s generated 50 rushing yards or more in 3 out of his last 4 games. In those games, he’s had 8 carries or more. If the Bills game plan is for Allen to run more against Detroit, we could see an expanded role for Jamal Adams in this game.

 

As for Kwon Alexander, he’s still explosive and effective when triggering downhill. There were times that he got washed against the run when playing Green Bay last week, but he didn’t look out of place. Most importantly, he gives the Lions another option or potential weapon at the linebacker position.

Losing Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez and Derrick Barnes was not on anyones bingo card this season. Fortunately, the Lions have seen consistent performances each week from Jack Campbell. Meanwhile, they’ve got Zeke Turner, David Long and now, Kwon Alexander to contribute in the middle of their defense.

Similar to Jamal Adams, I could see players such as David Long and Jack Campbell being sent on blitzes, and Alexander could be used in more of a spy-type role on Allen this week. Whatever the case may be, one thing is for sure, we should all feel confident in what the game plan is and will be for Aaron Glenn’s defense.

Jameson Williams impact on the Lions offense

Since coming back from his suspension in week 10, Jameson Williams has been one of the Lions most consistent players. Since week 10, he’s had 5 targets or more in each game and has generated 50 receiving yards or more in each game but one of them.

Additionally, these aren’t forced targets like they were earlier in the year. We all remember when Goff targeted Williams 20 times in two games to start the season and each throw felt forced. Now, the passing game has opened up and Williams is a big part of that success.

 

Whether it be a deep ball down the field or Goff anticipating Williams on a crossing pattern, the big play ability is there on every single snap. Meanwhile, Williams continues to take pride in blocking on the perimeter for his teammates.

Having Williams find success on deep and shallow crossers also helps open up so much more of the Lions passing game. As we know, Amon-Ra St. Brown can run any route in the route tree. With consistent or more attention drawn to Williams, that puts St. Brown in more one-on-one situations and he tends to feast in those situations.

Lastly, Williams tends to influence defensive backs on the post or vertical route being run on the Lions Dagger Concept. We’ve seen it run multiple times this season, and the primary top target on that Dagger Concept is Tim Patrick. This trio of wide receivers all correlate with each other, and it’s helping Jared Goff and the Lions offense to find continued success in the passing game.

For the Buffalo Bills defense, they’ve already listed cornerback Rasul Douglas out with a knee injury. Meanwhile, their starting safeties, Damar Hamlin (back, ribs) and Taylor Rapp (neck, shoulder) are questionable today. If all three players are listed as out, we could see more from Jameson Williams in the Lions passing game.

Lions Ground and Pound Game 

There’s a term in mixed martial arts (MMA) called ground and pound, and when you watch the Lions run game, it looks and feels just like that. They will pound defenses on the ground and into the ground, for that matter.

The combination of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery is the best running duo in the NFL right now. Ranked with the 4th best rushing attack in the NFL with 151.1 rushing yards per game, the Lions run game is led by Jahmyr Gibbs.

Through 13 games, he already has 1016 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns this season. His 5.7 yards per carry only ranks behind Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry for starting running backs in the NFL.

https://x.com/RussNFLDraft/status/1867334363681370367

As we know, Gibbs has earned the nickname, Sonic, and Montgomery has earned the nickname, Knuckles. But both have an element of both in their game. For example, Gibbs has no problem lowering his shoulder and running over a defender. Meanwhile, Montgomery is faster than given credit for and may be one of the most efficient runners in the NFL due to his vision and cutting ability.

For Montgomery, he only averages 4.3 yards per carry and his 771 rushing yards this season is better than just “okay.” The two running backs have combined for 10 rushing touchdowns or more in consecutive seasons and they’re the first duo to ever achieve that in NFL history.

When watching the Bills defense against the Rams last week, their interior defensive line was getting exposed. They had interior defenders revealing their chest far too frequently and they rarely fought pressure with pressure to squeeze down gaps. They were getting moved off the ball with ease and if that’s how they’re going to play against the Lions, then we could see Gibbs and Montgomery have their best games of the season.

On the road, the Bills run defense allow 130.7 rushing yards per game. In addition to that, they’ve allowed an average of 122.7 rushing yards per game in their last 3 games. Obviously, we’ll see how the game goes but I would expect a heavy dosage of Sonic and Knuckles for the Lions in this game.

 

Lions elevate 2 LBs from practice squad for Week 15 vs Bills

Lions elevate 2 LBs from practice squad for Week 15 vs Bills

The Detroit Lions added some defensive reinforcements for Sunday’s matxhup at Ford Field against the Buffalo Bills. The team elevated two linebackers from the practice squad.

For the second week in a row, Jamal Adams get am elevation. The veteran made his Detroit debut in the Week 14 win over the Packers. Detroit also elevated Abraham Beauplan to the active roster.

Injuries have hit the Lions hard at LB, and Adams figures to get some reps in the SAM role in place of Trevor Nowaske. Thr replacement for injured Derrick Barnes, Nowaske will miss this week’s late afternoon with a concussion.

Snap count notes: Lions were all hands on deck in win over Packers

The Detroit Lions relied heavily on newcomers and depth in the Week 14 win over the Green Bay Packers, who flashed depth of their own

In Thursday night’s 34-31 win over the visiting Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions required all hands on deck on defense. With injuries running rampant, every healthy body was thrown into the action for Detroit.

The most glaring note from the snap counts for the Lions and Packers is this: Green Bay ran just 50 offensive plays, but Aaron Glenn still had 17 different Lions defenders play at least 10 snaps.

Four Lions played all 50:
Kerby Joseph
Jack Campbell
Terrion Arnold
Carlton Davis

Pat O’Connor worked in 41 snaps on the line, while EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad saw action in 37. These were healthy scratches a month ago.

Tracking the newcomers to the Detroit defense:

DE Jonah Williams – 25
DT Brodric Martin – 23 (Martin had played just two all season prior to this game)
DE Myles Adams – 19
LB Kwon Alexander – 17
EDGE Mitchell Agude – 9 (practice squad elevation)
LB Jamal Adams – 8

Green Bay rolled through its own defensive depth, with an astonishing 20 different Packers players seeing at least 10 snaps. The Lions offense ran 80 plays against them, however.

The starting offensive line and QB Jared Goff played all 80, with the exception of right guard Kevin Zeitler. Rookie Christian Mahogany came in for three snaps that Zeitler missed while seeing treatment on the sidelines. They were the first three offensive snaps of Mahogany’s career.

No. 3 TE Shane Zylstra out-repped No. 4 WR Allen Robinson 16 to just five. No. 2 TE Brock Wright played 49 snaps, just four fewer than No. 3 WR (and star of the game) Tim Patrick.

At RB, Jahmyr Gibbs was on the field for 45, while David Montgomery saw 36. Simple match indicates that both were on the field for at least one snap together, which would be the first time all season that’s happened. Craig Reynolds played one snap, while rookie Sione Vaki only appeared on special teams.

Detroit did not use an extra OT in this game, which makes sense with regular No. 6 OL Dan Skipper playing at left tackle in place of an injured Taylor Decker.

[lawrence-related id=116497]

Former Seahawks S Jamal Adams elevated to Lions active roster

Former Seahawks S Jamal Adams elevated to Lions active roster

Earlier this week, former Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams landed with his new NFL home. Adams was signed to the Detroit Lions’ practice squad with the expectation he would be eventually elevated to the active 53-man roster. Well, that expectation has been realized.

On Thursday afternoon it was announced Adams is officially elevated from the practice squad, and will take the field for the Lions in their rematch against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. This news was broken by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Adams’ brief tenure with the Tennessee Titans ended with him requesting a release after being under utilized. Now, he has an opportunity to show he can still contribute in a meaningful way to a defense with a legitimate contender. The Lions have been decimated by injuries this year, especially on defense. Still, they are 11-1 and gunning for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Thursday’s primetime affair against the Packers is a crucial step to repeating as NFC North champions and earning a first round bye in the postseason.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Lions elevate two, sign Maurice Alexander back for Week 14 vs Packers

Alexander is back on the 53-man roster, while Jamal Adams is set to make his Lions debut as a practice squad elevation

The announcement from the Detroit Lions came very late, but better late than never. Detroit announced its final roster moves for the Week 14 matchup on Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers.

Wide receiver Maurice Alexander is back on the active roster, just days after being waived in a roster manipulation move. Alexander figures to be the Lions primary return specialist, the role he played–quite well–against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving.

Two defensive players were elevated from the practice squad to the active roster. LInebacker Jamal Adams will make his Lions debut just days after signing, while OLB Mitchell Agude also gets his first elevation of the 2024 season.

Tracking what jersey numbers all the new Lions are wearing

Tracking what jersey numbers all the new Detroit Lions signees from the past few weeks are wearing

All of the injuries across the Detroit Lions defense have led to the addition of several recent reinforcements. The Lions have signed seven new defensive players in the last couple of weeks.

Between all the comings and goings from the Lions roster, it can be hard to keep up with who is on the field at times. In that spirit, here are the jersey numbers of all the recent defensive additions to the Lions roster, including the practice squad players who might be called up to play in Week 14 against the Packers.

LB Jamal Adams – 25*

DL Myles Adams – 66

LB Kwon Alexander – 10

LB David Long – 43

S Kaevon Merriweather – 27*

LB Ezekiel Turner – 47

DL Jonah Williams – 78

*indicates currently on the Lions practice squad

Update: Not long after publication, the Buccaneers signed Merriweather off the Lions’ practice squad.

Freshly signed Jamal Adams working with Lions LBs in his 1st practice in Detroit

Adams played the hybrid LB/S role quite a bit in the last couple of seasons and it appears that’s what Detroit has in mind for the veteran, too

Monday was the first time in a Detroit Lions uniform for freshly signed veteran Jamal Adams. After joining the team’s practice squad over the weekend, Adams did what many suspected he would do in Detroit’s banged-up defense.

He worked out with the linebacking corps and not the secondary, at least in the portion of practice open to the media on Monday.

Adams has been a safety, or at least designated as a safety, for his entire eight-year NFL career. The 6-foot-1, 213-pounder has dabbled more than a little at playing as a box safety or de facto linebacker, however. With the Titans in 2023, Adams played the “Edge safety” role popularized by Jabrill Peppers and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, much more than he ever played in coverage behind the linebackers.

In Detroit, the Lions had Ifeatu Melifonwu playing that role quite well down the stretch of 2023. Melifonwu has been out all season with multiple injuries, and Aaron Glenn’s defense hasn’t really used the role in his absence. Adams’s experience and seek-and-destroy attitude offer the chance to bring that role back and give the Lions some fresh options on defense. The 3-time Pro Bowler (2018-2020) even played a little in that role against Green Bay earlier this season with Tennessee.

It remains to be seen if Adams will play on Thursday night against the NFC North rival Packers. He would need to be elevated from the practice squad in order to play.

[lawrence-related id=116239]

Around the NFL: Former Seahawks S Jamal Adams signs w/ Lions practice squad

Former Seahawks S Jamal Adams signs w/ Lions practice squad

The road back to relevancy for former Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams has led him to the Motor City. On Sunday it was announced Adams was signing with the Detroit Lions practice squad, with the expectation of being elevated to the Lions’ active 53-man roster. This news was reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

It has been a tumultuous time for the former All-Pro safety. Injuries derailed his final couple of years in Seattle, which ultimately led to his release from the team. Adams tried to get back on track in the Music City by signing with the Tennessee Titans for a veteran minimum contract, but things did not work out down south.

Adams was underutilized on Tennessee’s struggling defense, only playing a grand total of 20 defensive snaps across three games. His frustration with lack of playing time eventually ended with him requesting his release from the team, which the Titans granted.

Now, Adams is in his fourth NFL home, and third in two seasons. It makes sense why Detroit would take a chance on a three-time Pro Bowler, as their defense has been decimated by injuries this year. Detroit has a lofty 11-1 record, but it has come at a cost. The Lions have an astonishing 14 players who are either on injured reserve or officially OUT for the rest of the season. Adams may not be what he once was, but he is a healthy body and that’s something Detroit clearly does not have in abundance at the moment.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Lions practice squad strategy is a reflection of Dan Campbell’s roster vision

The Lions practice squad strategy is a reflection of Dan Campbell’s roster vision, and he’s proud of it

All NFL teams carry a 53-man active roster. Teams also get a 16-person practice squad, which can serve in a variety of capacities depending on the team.

For Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions, that practice squad is effectively an extension of the 53-man roster. The Lions routinely elevate players from the practice squad to the active roster for games, and have liberally utilized the practice squad to bolster depth with veterans.

Several times over the years, Campbell has indicated that he considers those vets on the practice squad as being on the actual roster. He reinforced that view on Sunday.

With the Lions adding veteran safety Jamal Adams to the practice squad and signing three vets off other teams’ squads to fill out Detroit’s injury-ravaged defense, Campbell put the Lions money where his mouth is on the practice squad front.

“We say it every year but they’re an extension of the roster. They really are a part of the roster,” Campbell said emphatically. “It’s just a different way to get them on your team because you’re going to need them, you’re going to have to use them, and I think having the right balance of vets who have been able to – they’ve played in this league, they understand it, it’s not too big for them, plug and play, serve a role, a purpose, you know exactly what they can do, and you appreciate that about them. I think it’s big.”

Detroit’s practice squad composition reflects Campbell’s attitude toward the unit. It’s stocked with veterans like Adams and fellow safety Kaevon Merriweather, wide receivers Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tom Kennedy, offensive tackle Jamarco Jones and tight end James Mitchell — all who have years of NFL experience.

Many teams use the practice squad more as a developmental tool for younger players. The Lions have some of that, too. Undrafted rookies Isaac Ukwu, Kinglsey Eguakun and Morice Norris are learning and growing with every practice. But that’s quite divergent from other teams who use the practice squad as a repository for unproven and developmental players. As an example, the Packers have 11 rookies on their practice squad and just one player who was in the NFL before 2022 amongst their 16-man unit.

[lawrence-related id=116215]

Lions adding safety Jamal Adams to practice squad

The Lions are adding former All-Pro safety Jamal Adams to their practice squad.

Former All-Pro safety Jamal Adams is joining the Lions and will begin on their practice squad with the opportunity to be called up to the active roster. This according to a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The news was also confirmed by Adams’ agent, Kevin Connor.

Adams had wanted to latch on with a playoff contender. It doesn’t get much better right now than the 11-1 Lions.

The 29-year-old appeared in three games for the Tennessee Titans this season. He spent three seasons with the New York Jets and four with the Seattle Seahawks after being traded in 2020.

Adams is a three-time All-Pro selection, including the First Team in 2019.