Tag: Penei Sewell

Penei Sewell staunchly defends Dan Campbell after NFC Championship loss

Sewell made it clear he doesn’t agree with any criticism directed at Dan Campbell

Over the past few days, Lions head coach Dan Campbell has taken a lot of criticism over how he handled some decisions in Detroit’s NFC Championship Game loss to the San Francisco 49ers. It’s still a talking point in many places; I did a radio guest spot in Texas late in the week, and two of the first three questions revolved around Campbell’s “mistakes.”

The Lions players see things quite differently. One of the team’s top talents, right tackle Penei Sewell, clearly takes offense to anyone questioning Campbell.

“I don’t agree with any criticism towards Coach. I’ve got his back until the end,” Sewell said to ESPN during Pro Bowl weekend in Florida.

The All-Pro right tackle wasn’t done praising and respecting Campbell.

“If he tells me to jump off a cliff with him, I’m right next to him,” Sewell continued. “I’m so serious. So whatever he says, whatever he calls, we’ve just got to execute. So, that’s on us really. That’s my guy.”

Campbell did acknowledge regretting the late run call in the red zone that cost the Lions a critical timeout. Beyond that, the popular head coach hasn’t shown any faltering in his decision-making process. His players don’t have a problem with it, either.

Why Lions OC Ben Johnson staying put could shake up the whole NFC in 2024

The Detroit Lions got a huge bit of great news when OC Ben Johnson decided to stay put. That’s bad news for the rest of the NFL.

The Detroit Lions, who saw their 2023 season end in heartbreaking fashion with a 34-31 divisional round loss to the San Francisco 49ers in which they led 24+7 at the end of the first half, got some very good news to cool that particular burn.

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who has been of serious interest as a head coach for multiple NFL teams over the last two seasons, is staying put.

In 2023, the Lions ranked fifth in the NFL in Offensive DVOA (seventh passing, fourth rushing), up from seventh overall in 2022, and 29th in 2021. Johnson took over in 2022, so that tells you a lot.

Under Johnson in 2023, quarterback Jared Goff had his best season to date, completing 484 of 786 passes for a league-high 5,411 yards, 34 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a passer rating of 98.7. Running backs David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 2,287 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns on 469 carries. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta caught 107 passes on 147 targets for 1,065 yards and 11 touchdowns, and the receiver corps of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, and the two backs as pass-catchers were as dynamic as any group in the league at times.

Factor in an offensive line that may have the NFL’s best right tackle in Penei Sewell and the NFL’s best center in Frank Ragnow, and it’s easy to see why Johnson wanted to come back for one more season and maybe win a Super Bowl this time around.

The Lions’ offense has been a fascinating study all season long, and here are some of the hallmarks that Johnson and his guys can expand on when next season comes around.

Breaking down the PFF grades from Lions appearance in NFC Championship game

Breaking down the best and worst PFF grades from Lions appearance in NFC Championship game

PFF grades are coming to an end for the 2023 season as the Lions were not able to complete their magical run. They blew a 17-point lead to the San Frcnisco 49ers and are now in position of the 29th pick in the draft. Meanwhile, he 49ers are packing their bags for Las Vegas to faceoff against the Chiefs.

A Chiefs team that these same Lions beat in week one, can’t forget that one.

As for the PFF grades, this Lions team played well and fought to the very last second. Some played and showed up much better than others, these grades will make it easy to find those players.

Here are the PFF grades from the Lions NFC Championship appearance.

Detroit Lions best and worst PFF grades from the playoff win over the Bucs

Let’s take a look at the best and worst PFF graded players for the Detroit Lions in their victorious encounter with the Buccaneers.

Following their triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Detroit Lions are now on the cusp of glory, eyeing the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers.

The victory was the result of a collective effort from all three phases, reflecting the Lions’ characteristic resilience in close matches. This team is built to adapt, with each phase compensating when one aspect takes a moment to find its rhythm. While key players delivered outstanding performances that propelled the Lions to victory, there were also areas where improvement is needed as they prepare to face San Francisco.

Let’s take a look at the best and worst PFF graded players for the Lions in their victorious encounter with the Buccaneers.

Aidan Hutchinson headlines 4 Lions who made the All-NFC team

Aidan Hutchinson headlines 4 Lions who made the All-NFC team from PFWA

The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) announced the 2023 All-NFC team. The Detroit Lions, one of two remaining NFC teams in the playoffs, were well-represented on the list.

Four Lions earned All-NFC nods, led by DE Aidan Hutchinson. No. 97 joined San Francisco’s Nick Bosa on the all-conference team at end.

Two Detroit offensive players made the cut, too. Wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell also earned All-NFC honors. Sewell was the only Lions player to earn All-NFL status.

Special teams ace Jalen Reeves-Maybin earned his All-NFC nod for his work on the punt and kick units. The full team, from the PFWA press release:

In the spirit of disclosure, I am a PFWA voter and voted for all four Lions who earned All-NFC, as well as TE Sam LaPorta and P Jack Fox.

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Penei Sewell voted the All-NFL right tackle by the PFWA

It’s the first All-NFL nod for Sewell, who also made All-Pro in 2023

Congratulations to Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell. The third-year standout was voted as the All-NFL right tackle by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).

It’s the first All-NFL nod for Sewell. The PFWA only has one player at each individual position on the offensive line honored as All-NFL. Sewell is the only Lions player to make the All-NFL list in 2023. He and 49ers left tackle Trent Williams are the honored offensive tackles. Sewell was also named an All-Pro in 2023.

As a disclaimer, I am a PFWA voter and cast my ballot for Sewell. I also voted for Frank Ragnow at center, Amon-Ra St. Brown as one of the two wide receivers, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin as the special teams core player.

The full All-NFL team, from the PFWA press release:

 

 

Breaking down the Lions vs. Rams matchup according to PFF

Breaking down the Lions vs. Rams matchup according to PFF metrics

The highly anticipated matchup between the Lions and Rams is finally here. With it comes the return of Matthew Stafford and general manager Brad Holmes showing what his roster can do against his former team.

Outside of the media-friendly headlines courtesy of the returns we will see, there are deep numbers to look at.

PFF has been showing all year that players like Aidan Hutchison, Penei Sewell, and others have had strong numbers both on film and by the numbers. What do the numbers say in regard to how they match up according to PFF and their analytics?

The matchup is much more interesting than just headlines. Check out how the Lions and Rams matchup position group by position group to see who has the edge.

One voter’s 2023 AP First-Team All-Pro ballot

If you’ve ever wanted to see an official First-Team All-Pro ballot, we have you covered.

There are moments in your career where you think to yourself… “Yeah, this is a moment to remember.” Two years ago, when the Associated Press asked me to be one of the analysts responsible for voting for the First- and Second-Team All-Pro teams, as well as NFL Most Valuable Player and all other individual awards, that was certainly such a moment for me.

So, this is my second year of voting, and I wanted to share my first-team ballot with our readers. It’s an honor I take incredibly seriously, and this process involves a ton of advanced metrics, tape study, and reflections from a season of diving into both.

Some of these votes were easy; some were incredibly difficult. But it will give you a bit of insight into what happens with an All-Pro vote.

Amon-Ra St. Brown headlines 5 Lions who earned All-Pro status

St. Brown didn’t make the Pro Bowl but earned 1st-team All-Pro status

The Associated Press revealed the 2023 season All-Pro teams on Friday. The Detroit Lions are well-represented on the teams, which are considered the most prestigious of the postseason awards.

Two Lions earned first-team All-Pro status. Right tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown each achieved the elite status. Only one player per position is selected except at positions like wide receiver and cornerback where multiple players are used by default.

The second team features three Lions:

  • TE Sam LaPorta
  • C Frank Ragnow
  • LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin as a special teams ace

It’s the second time Ragnow has earned second-team status, with the first coming in 2020. He is the only Lions player who previously earned All-Pro recognition on the first or second team.

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5 Lions make initial 2024 Pro Bowl roster

5 Lions make initial 2024 Pro Bowl roster

The initial 2024 Pro Bowl roster has been announced and the NFC North division champions are well represented.

The roster is subject to change due to the results of the NFL playoffs but for now, five Lions made the initial roster. Sam LaPorta, Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow, Aidan Hutchison, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin all were named to the roster but now were selected as starters.

Initial reaction on social media pointed to Amon-Ra St. Brown being left off despite his massive production. A.J. Brown of the Eagles, Ceedee Lamb of the Cowboys, Mike Evans of the Buccaneers, and Puka Nacua of the Rams were all selected ahead of him.

The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys led the way with seven selections followed up with the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles with six. The Lions were joined by the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs with five.