Tag: Steve Gregory

Dolphins hire ex-Lions DB coach Steve Gregory

Gregory coached for 3 years in Detroit

Another former Lions coach has landed a position with another team following the demise of the Matt Patricia regime in Detroit.

Secondary coach Steve Gregory is joining the Miami Dolphins as a coaching assistant, per ESPN’s Field Yates. The exact role is not specified yet, but Gregory played defensive back in the NFL and has spent his coaching career working with the DBs.

Gregory played under Dolphins head coach Brian Flores when the two were in New England together. He spent three seasons with the Lions, the first two as a defensive assistant before being promoted for the 2020 season.

The Lions hired Aubrey Pleasant as the new defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator under head coach Dan Campbell.

[lawrence-related id=59581]

Ex-Pat who recovered Mark Sanchez’s Butt Fumble remembers Jets’ Thanksgiving blunder

Steve Gregory, the recipient of the Mark Sanchez butt fumble, still has fond memories of the iconic play on Thanksgiving night.

Mark Sanchez’s infamous Butt Fumble still haunts Jets fans, but fondly remembering the blooper has become a Thanksgiving tradition for the former Patriots player who scooped the ball up.

Steve Gregory is now the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions. But on Nov. 22, 2012, he was the Pat who recovered the ball after Sanchez ran into the rear end of his own teammate, Brandon Moore. Gregory then returned the Butt Fumble 32 yards for a touchdown in a 49-19 Patriots win over the Jets on Thanksgiving night.

In the moment, Gregory had no idea just how hilarious the play was — or that it would go down as one of the biggest blunders in NFL history.

“It really wasn’t until the locker room after the game I think somebody said, ‘Hey, you scored on the Butt Fumble,'” Gregory recently told USA TODAY. “I’m like, ‘What? What are you talking about?’ After the game is when it all kind of started coming together and hearing about it on the news and all that stuff.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=82RIfy-gRa4&feature=emb_logo

Eight years later, the play is still shown every Thanksgiving. It has become a holiday staple for football fans, no different than turkey and stuffing.

“Obviously, it’s great that we’re still living it,” Gregory said. “I’m going to be an old man one day talking to my grandkids and that play’s probably going to be being shown on the TV still, so I’m excited about that.”

Jets fans, of course, would rather forget the play, which began on New York’s own 31-yard line. Sanchez got the snap and was looking to hand it off to his fullback, Lex Hilliard, who had already run past him looking to block. Sanchez, with no idea what to do, decided to run with the ball himself and crashed into the butt of Moore, his right guard. The ball came loose and was returned by Gregory for a touchdown to give the Patriots a 20-0 lead.

Now, every Thanksgiving, the Gregory family reenacts the play before the final part of their holiday meal.

“My family sets up an offensive line and someone plays Vince Wilfork and someone plays Mark Sanchez,” Gregory explained, “and it’s a good little family tradition right before dessert.”

Watch: Several Lions position coaches mic’d up during 2020 training camp

With no fans allowed to attend the Detroit Lions 2020 training camp, the organization mic’d up several coaches during practices and put them into videos.

With no fans allowed to attend the Detroit Lions 2020 training camp, the organization has kept fans entertained throughout the last three weeks by creating unique videos — including micing up several coaches during practices and put together video segments.

Below are four videos of different Lions position coaches and a behind-the-scenes look at how they do their job during training camp.

Robert Prince, wide receivers coach

Prince joined the Lions organization in 2014 under then-coach Jim Caldwell, but coach Matt Patricia thought so highly of him that he kept him on staff when he took over in 2018.

Hank Fraley, offensive line coach

After 11 seasons in the NFL, Fraley joined the coaching ranks in 2012, joined the Lions as an assistant offensive line coach in 2018 under Patricia, and was promoted to offensive line coach this past offseason.

Bo Davis, defensive line coach

Davis began coaching high school football in 1998 and within three years was snatched up by Nick Saban at LSU. He would follow Saban to the Miami Dolphins, then on to Alabama, and after several more stints between the NFL and college ranks, Davis landed with the Lions in 2018. He is entering his third year as Patricia’s defensive line coach.

Steve Gregory, defensive backs coach

After an eight-year career playing safety in the NFL, Gregory began his NFL coaching career in Detroit, joining Patricia’s staff in 2018 as an assistant defensive backs coach. He was promoted to defensive backs coach this past offseason.

Duron Harmon aiming to earn a starting role in 2020

Highlights from Detroit Lions safety Duron Harmon’s teleconference call with the local media.

The Detroit Lions traded for safety Duron Harmon on Wednesday, and today they made him available to the Lions media via teleconference call.

Harmon left a very good impression on the media and discussed a variety of topics, ranging from attempting to earn a starting role, the steps taken to complete his contract, and how current Lions’ defensive back coach Steve Gregory helped him acclimate to the league.

Aiming for a starting role

Harmon has a nose for the football and the skill set to play single-high safety — and more — in the Lions scheme. It’s no secret that he is the front-runner for the job but he is not taking anything for granted.

“I know they already have two talented young players in the room,” Harmon said, “and I’m just trying to come there to help in any way I can. I don’t know what my considered role will be, but I know whatever I get will be earned.”

Harmon went on to say he is hopeful that he could earn a spot that would afford him the opportunity to see the field over 90- to 95-percent of snaps.

“I feel like I’m a rangy safety that gets to a lot of places,” Harmon said, “especially if I have good break on the quarterback, and that’s just what I like to do.”

Completed physical makes trade official

During these unusual times, it can be difficult for athletes to go through typical March procedures in the NFL.

Harmon mentioned that with training facilities closed he has had to find opportunities at home to stay in shape, working out in his basement and running drills on a hill close to his home.

Additionally, in order to finalize his trade to Detroit, the Lions scheduled a medical examination with a former Patriots doctor located close to his home. He passed the physical and if officially a Lion.

High praise for Lions DB coach Steve Gregory

When Harmon entered the league in 2013, the former third-round pick needed a mentor and veteran safety Steve Gregory was there to guide him.

“Gregory was the one who took me under his wing and taught me how to watch film,” Harmon said. “He was a great leader.”

Since then, Gregory moved on from his playing days, turned to the coach ranks. He has been in Detroit the last two seasons as a defensive assistant but was promoted this offseason to defensive backs coach and will once again, be giving direct guidance to Harmon.

When asked about what it would be like to work with Gregory again, Harmon had lots of positive things to say. “I’m excited to work back with him,” Harmon said. “He may be the smartest DB (defensive back) I’ve worked with.”

Career Highlights

Ahead of the interview the Lions and Lions PR Twitter accounts put out tweets focused on Harmon’s career: