Tag: Taylor Decker

Detroit Lions Breakdown podcast, Episode 154: Preparing for fall football

Detroit Lions Breakdown podcast, episode 154: “Preparing for fall football”, is now available to download and listen.

This week on the Detroit Lions Breakdown Podcast, the guys discuss the changes the Lions are making to ensure a safe environment for football in the fall and dive back into the mailbag to answer listener’s questions.

The DLB podcast is a weekly conversation with Lions Wire’s own Erik Schlitt and his co-host Joe Kania.

This week, the guys discuss:

  • Lions pre-season schedule
  • Lions are able to open their facility with restrictions
  • Spring mini-camps officially shutdown
  • Training camp must happen at Allen Park only
  • No joint practices for the first time since 2015
  • NFL and NFLPA considering shortened preseason
  • Discuss the steps the organization is taking to create a safe environment
  • Answering the “Establishing the 53” mailbag, parts 1, 2, and 3
  • Jeff Okudah’s leadership on and off the field
  • What will the NFL do to accommodate fans viewing experience if the season is “fan-less”
  • How will COVID-19 impact next year’s salary cap?
  • Will the presumed cap adjustments impact potential contact extensions for Kenny Golladay and Taylor Decker?
  • What might those extensions look like and when do conversations begin?
  • Will the Lions have an elite difference-maker in 2020?
  • Will Jamie Collins and Tracy Walker’s responsibilities overlap or will they be able to co-exist?
  • Will the Lions increase their blitzing in 2020?
  • Examining the roster impact of the rookies
  • Which is the most improved position group?
  • Which position may still be addressed?
  • Will there be a surprise cut in training camp? Who?
  • Will Rick Wagner signing in Green Bay give them an advantage?
  • Can the Lions capitalize on their division rivals’ weaknesses?
  • Where do the Lions offense, defense, and special teams rank among all NFL teams?
  • Biggest perceived needs heading into the 2021 draft?
  • Kickalicious talk!

Be sure to follow the Detroit Lions Breakdown Podcast (@LionsBreakdown) and its hosts Schlitt (@Erikschlitt) and Kania (@JoeKania_DLB) on Twitter, with a Facebook page on the way.

The podcast is available to listen at the DetroitLionsBreakdown.com website and is also available to download and subscribe to on multiple podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher and others.

Lions have begun initial stages of contract negotiations with Taylor Decker

The Detroit Lions have begun initial stages of contract negotiations with left tackle Taylor Decker, but they’re in the very early stages.

During a virtual press conference with the Detroit media, Lions left tackle explained that he and the organization have begun contract extension negotiations, but they’re in the very early stages.

“Nothing major,” Decker said of the talks. “Obviously, ‘Hey, we like you, we like you’, sort of thing, but nothing major.”

Decker is currently playing on a fifth-year contract option and at this stage in the process, all $10.35 million is fully guaranteed for the 2020 season. That contract matches up very closely with where Pro Football Focus had Decker graded last season — his salary is the 21st highest for an offensive tackle, while he graded out as the 19th best.

It’s unclear how much Decker and his agent are asking for but it’s surely a contract that averages more than what he is making this year. A deal that averages somewhere between $15 and $18 million appears to be the going rate for an NFL starting left tackle.

Lions general manager Bob Quinn typically targets key veterans for contract extensions during training camp, but with the current COVID situation putting several traditional movements in question, it’s entirely possible Decker enters the season with no guarantees.

Fortunately for Decker, his career has been traveling on an upward trajectory since injuring his shoulder in June of 2017, and if he enters the season without a deal and his career continues his rise, his contract will reflect that.

Also working in Decker’s favor is his ability to maintain his typical offseason program. While other NFL players are struggling to workout, it’s been business as usual for Decker who is working out at LeCharles Bentley’s OLP training facility in Arizona — where Decker has an offseason home — as he has the last five offseasons.

“My gym has been open the entire time,” Decker said. “So, I’ve been fortunate to get to be around other NFL guys, doing what I typically do in the offseason — aside from having to adapt with not having the OTAs and going against a live defense.”

It’s not ideal to be playing the final year of his contract in the current world environment, but if this sense of normalcy gives Decker an advantage on the field, it could pay dividends in his bank account.

#OnePride Q/A: Revisiting Bob Quinn’s previous drafts

With the draft right around the corner, we revisit the Detroit Lions’ previous drafts and see who were the #OnePride nation’s favorite picks

Throughout the week, we at Lions Wire presented the #OnePride Twitter fan base several questions, hoping to hear their voice on various topics concerning the Detroit Lions.

Through the use of Twitter polls, we were able to gauge fan’s thoughts on a variety of topics, including who was their favorite draft pick in each of general manager Bob Quinn’s previous drafts.

2016 Draft

Zack’s take: When Quinn took over as general manager, he made it clear he was going to build this team from the trenches, and he did just that in his inaugural draft.  Decker locked down Stafford’s blindside from the get-go, and Glasgow saw time at center and guard in his Lions’ ironman career.

With that said, Decker was my favorite pick from this draft class and still is. I love his hard nose mentality, and I think everything about him screams Motor City. Don’t get me wrong I loved Glasgow and his versatility, but having a franchise left tackle is vital, and Decker fits the bill.

2017 Draft

Zack’s take: There were some bright spots, but quite a few misses in Quinn’s second draft, but luckily for him, he nailed one pick in Kenny Golladay. He hit the ground running in Detroit, and has settled in the Lions’ number one receiver. With his rookie deal expiring, the ball is in Quinn’s court to lock up the big-bodied receiver long-term.

My favorite pick out of this draft was Roberts at the time because of his potential as a red-zone threat and need at tight end, but with time — and I’m sure with everybody else — I switched over to Golladay.

2018 Draft

Zack’s take: When Frank Ragnow was picked, most of us were left scratching our heads. He wasn’t identified as a potential target and most people believed the Lions would go defense. But at the end of the day, Ragnow never allowed a sack in his college career, was tactician at the center, and if it wasn’t for an ankle injury that hindered his senior season, he probably would’ve gone sooner. After his first season at guard, he shifted to his natural position at center and enjoyed what most would consider a Pro Bowl season.

There were also quite a few other highlights in this draft like little known Tracy Walker. With his versatility in the secondary, he is a matchup nightmare and has become a fan favorite. I am a sucker for an offensive lineman, so Ragnow was my favorite pick from this draft and still is to this day.

2019 Draft

Zack’s take: This was by far the closest vote in the draft polls, with Oruwariye inching Hockenson out by the slimmest of margins. There were a lot of mixed emotions when it came to this draft. Many were left bewildered when Hockenson was selected in the first round, thinking this was a luxury pick. Hockenson started the season hot, breaking the rookie TE receiving record in a single game, but cooled off as the season went on. As a rookie TE, struggling was to be expected, but Hockenson had a quality rookie season and should improve in his second year.

Oruwariye was heavily looked at a potential second-round pick, but the Lions were able to draft him in the fifth round. He only saw 219 snaps during his rookie season, but he made the most of it, snagging two interceptions—tied for the team lead with Darius Slay. There are some questions where he falls in the depth charts this season, mainly depending on the draft, but expect in an upward trend in 2020.

I was mixed on who my favorite player was in this draft, but I landed on Oruwariye because of the value of the pick and potential to find a home as the Lions’ CB2 down the road.

Keep your eyes open for future questions. We would love to hear your thoughts. If you have any questions you’d like to see answered, send a message, or leave a comment with your question. Thank you to all Lions fans and the #OnePride nation.

How adding Halapoulivaati Vaitai impacts the Lions roster

Examining how agreeing to terms with offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai impacts the Detroit Lions roster.

The Detroit Lions opened the 2020 tampering period of free agency by agreeing to terms with offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai and the early expectations are that he will take over the vacated starting role at right tackle.

Playing behind Eagles tackles Jason Peters and Lane Johnson, it’s not surprising that Vaitai’s starting experience was limited to only 20 games. But over his career he saw starts at both right and left tackle, even seeing some snaps at right guard.

Despite his limited starting experience, Vaitai (6-6, 320 pounds) is an underrated athlete — he meets all the Lions preferred benchmarks identified in my QIB system — and is an ideal scheme fit in the Lions offense, as mauling run blocker.

So how does Vaitai impact the rest of the Lions roster?

With the money the Lions are investing in Vaitai — reportedly averaging $10 million a year for five years — it’s fair to assume he is penciled in at right tackle. With left tackle Taylor Decker playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, the starters are in place.

Tyrell Crosby will likely be given a shot to win the right tackle job in training camp, and the Lions love his versatility to reliably back up both tackle spots. He is at worst, their third offensive tackle and primary backup.

Currently, the Lions’ fourth offensive tackle is Dan Skipper, while defensive end convert Matt Nelson is still learning the position and doesn’t appear to be in the mix at this time.

Will the Lions add any more offensive tackles?

Probably not in free agency, but with Decker in the final year of his contract, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Lions add a developmental tackle in the draft — a prospect that could compete for a potential OT4 role with Skipper this season and a potential starting role in 2021.

While tackles may be limited to the draft, the Lions still have a starting right guard position open and that role could be filled in free agency or the draft.

Taylor Decker has been the NFL’s beet Left Tackle in 3 of the last 4 weeks, per PFF

Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker has landed on Pro Football Focus’ Team of the Week for the third time in the last four weeks.

As a team, the Detroit Lions have been struggling, but over the last month, Taylor Decker has been dominant.

Decker has been recognized by Pro Football Focus’ for the third time in the last four weeks. In Week 9, Week 10, and now Week 12, Decker has been PFF’s highest-graded left tackle in the league and earned a spot on their team of the week.

“Decker earned an impressive 82.7 overall grade along with an 81.4 pass-blocking grade and a 79.7 run-blocking grade against the Redskins in Week 12,” the PFF team said. “He allowed zero total pressures across 45 pass-blocking snaps in the contest, as well. He enters Week 13 ranked inside the top-15 in overall grade among qualifying offensive tackles.”

There aren’t currently a lot of bright spots for the Lions, but right now Decker is shining.

On the season, Decker joins several other Lions who have earned a spot on PFF’s team of the week, including:

Detroit Lions Breakdown podcast, episode 128: Cowboys Week 11 preview

Detroit Lions Breakdown podcast, episode 128: Cowboys Week 11 preview, is now available to download and listen.

This week on the Detroit Lions Breakdown podcast the guys discuss the Matthew Stafford injury, last week’s loss to the Chicago Bears, if the season is lost or salvageable, review the latest news from Allen Park and preview the Lions Week 11 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The DLB podcast is a weekly conversation with Lions Wire’s own Erik Schlitt and his co-host Joe Kania. This week they discuss:

You can follow the Detroit Lions Breakdown Podcast (@LionsBreakdown) and it’s hosts Schlitt (@Erikschlitt) and Kania (@JoeKania_DLB) on Twitter, with a Facebook page on the way.

The podcast is available to listen at the DetroitLionsBreakdown.com website and is available to download and subscribe to on multiple podcast platforms, including Itunes, Google Play, Stitcher, among others.

Mailbag: What lies ahead for the Detroit Lions?

This week’s Lions Wire mailbag is looking forward to 2020, talking draft, free agency, and potential coaching changes.

The Detroit Lions 2019 season appears to be over, or at least, Lions’ fans think so.

While I try to stay optimistic, I will admit that things aren’t looking pretty. The Lions are down a starting quarterback, lack any depth at running back, and the defense looks to be really struggling. They might not be able to salvage the season, but maybe there will some glimpses of hope for the future.

This week’s mailbag is looking forward to 2020, talking draft, free agency, and potential coaching changes.

What linebackers in the draft or potential free agents fit the Lions’ size and style for next season? — @RICH_K13

I’ll be honest, I’m not too studied up on this year’s draft prospects, so I’ll focus on upcoming free agents.

[Editor’s note: Keep an eye on Ohio State’s Malik Harrison]

If the Lions want to go out and spend some big money on a free agent linebacker, 2020 would be a good time to do it.

One name that stuck out was Shaq Thompson of the Carolina Panthers. The 26-year-old linebacker will hit free agency fresh off of his rookie contract, and though he has stated that he’d like to remain with the Panthers, the appeal a big payday could lure him to a place like Detroit.

As we’ve seen, defensive players want to play for head coach Matt Patricia. Maybe Thompson will feel the same way. He fits the bill for what the Lions want in a linebacker; he can rush the passer, he can drop into coverage, he can make plays on the ball. He would thrive in Patricia’s defense.

Rank the players in order of likelihood to make the 2020 roster: Darius Slay, Sam Martin, Jarrad Davis, Taylor Decker. — @ZugIreland

Tier 1: Slay, Martin, Davis, Decker.

Slay, Martin and Decker are more than likely locked into starting roles heading into next season. Davis has struggled, but it’s far too early to give up on him.

All four will be Lions next season.

How many wins would the Lions have to get to in order for Matt Patricia to get one more year? — @rayray1222

Look, this season hasn’t been pretty, but at this point, any losses the Lions get are more reflective of them losing their starting quarterback, not the coaching.

I think next year will be Patricia’s make-or-break season. I could see a mid-season firing if his 2020 campaign has a rough start.

Chances of us drafting a QB like Jalen Hurts in this upcoming draft? Is it time to start looking at Stafford’s successor? — @TheBlackPH30N1X

I don’t think Detroit will be moving on from Stafford any time soon. But, like general manager Bob Quinn said, drafting quarterbacks is ‘good football business’.

Especially after looking at the most recent game against Chicago, I do think the Lions should invest some of their day 2 draft capital on a backup quarterback.

Grooming a quarterback behind Stafford for the next few seasons would be a smart move by Quinn. We saw how bad things are when we don’t have our starter.

I’m currently looking at Utah State’s Jordan Love. I see a lot of Stafford’s game in him, so he’d be my perfect draft prospect for Detroit.

Who are the most eligible candidates for defensive coordinator if the Lions move on from Paul Pasquiloni? — @ZugIreland

One name that I like right now is Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach Kris Richard.

Known for helping put together Seattle’s Legion of Boom, I think Richard could do a lot to help Detroit’s defense. This team has big holes at both cornerback and safety heading into next season, and a guy like Richard would be a valuable asset come draft time.

He served as Seattle’s defensive coordinator from 2015 to 2017, so he’d be reuniting with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell as well.

Who do you think the Lions should draft with their number-one draft pick this coming April? — @B_Lake007

The Lions may be drafting top-ten, but definitely not number one.

I’d go linebacker or defensive end if I were Bob Quinn. As I said earlier, I’m not caught up on this year’s top prospects, so ask again in March.

Thanks to everyone who submitted their questions this week!

Be sure to get those questions in next week, and give me a follow while you’re at it, on Twitter @maxgerbs.

PFF Week 10 TOTW: Taylor Decker is NFL’s best LT in consecutive weeks

Pro Football Focus released their Week 10 Team of the Week and the Detroit Lions Taylor Decker repeats as the top left tackle in NFL.

The Detroit Lions were without Matthew Stafford in Week 10, turning to Jeff Driskel in Chicago. One of the main reasons Driskel had time to put together a solid outing was because of the performance of left tackle Taylor Decker.

Decker had a terrific outing in pass protection and gave the young quarterback plenty of opportunities to sit comfortably in the pocket and examine the field.

Decker’s performance didn’t go unnoticed and Pro Football Focus (PFF) named him as the week’s top left tackle in the NFL, placing him on their Week 10 Team of the Week. This is the second week in a row that Decker has been recognized by PFF on their TOTW.

“Decker earned a 74.3 overall grade and an 82.9 pass-blocking grade against Chicago on Sunday,” PFF’s Austin Gayle said, “allowing zero total pressures across 59 pass-blocking snaps in the process.”

Zero total pressures are a surefire way to help settle a young quarterback and Decker did all he could.

While Decker was the Lions’ highest-graded player on offense by PFF, Jarrad Davis was the team’s highest-graded defender.

Davis accomplished this by producing one of the best games of his career, on his lowest snap counts of the season. It appeared the Lions took some responsibilities off Davis’ plate — rookie Jahlani Tavai was relaying the defensive calls at times — and let him focus on just playing football and it paid dividends.