Tag: Terrell Williams

Josh Paschal proving power is his preferred path to the passer

Lions DL Josh Paschal proving power is his preferred path to the passer, embracing one defined role after two years of searching

The first two seasons with the Detroit Lions weren’t as successful as hoped for defensive end Josh Paschal. The 2022 second-round pick from Kentucky has recorded just three sacks in 22 career games.

Injuries played an unfortunate role in Paschal’s slow start. But entering his third year, Paschal has also battled being a “tweener” at 6-foot-3 and fluctuating between 260 and 275 pounds, moving between stand-up EDGE and sub-package DT, it was hard to really pinpoint what Paschal offered as a defender.

That’s changing in Year 3 for Paschal. He now knows what role he’s meant to hold in Detroit.

“I’m a power guy. I’m a power rusher,” Paschal said this week in a post-practice media session. “I’m a strong guy and a bigger end and I play with power. I’m that rough, dirty guy.”

It’s fit Paschal well. No. 93 has had some positive moments throughout the summer, and nearly all of them have come as a result of using his power for his size to create an advantage. Paschal is at his best when attacking power-to-speed, pressing the B-gap or looping and twisting inside.

That is Paschal’s identity as a pass rusher, one he admits it took him some time to embrace.

“I feel like every player has an identity. I just had to embrace that,” Paschal continued. ” That has given me the confidence to go out here so far and play with that identity to be that physical player. Man, I’m just excited for this upcoming season to show that.”

Paschal was quick to credit new defensive line coach Terrell Williams for the needed epiphany. It’s transformed Paschal from a player who some questioned would make the roster into a more reliable, more effective and integral piece of the defensive front.

Mekhi Wingo making a name for himself in Lions camp with his grit factor

Lions rookie DL Mekhi Wingo talks about his gritty mindset, learning from Alim McNeill and why Terrell Williams is a great DL coach

The word “Grit” is something of a catchphrase for the Dan Campbell edition of the Detroit Lions. Campbell himself frequently dons a hat emblazoned with grit in all caps.

It’s more than a slogan. It’s a mindset that is required to become a successful member of these Detroit Lions. That grit is something that was easy to spot in Detroit’s sixth-round draft pick, defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo from LSU.

Wingo certainly checked that grit box. Wingo’s choice to play in LSU’s bowl game despite missing the end of the Tigers season with an injury is grit epitomized.

“It’s a mindset that was instilled in me since I was young,” Wingo said after a practice this week. “I was given the number 18 by (LSU), the first transfer to ever wear the number 18. I felt like I didn’t get my full season and I didn’t want it to go to waste.”

Wingo continued,

“I felt like I owed it to myself and owed it to my team.”

It’s that team-first mindset that is helping Wingo acclimate quickly to Detroit’s defensive line. Wingo, now wearing No. 94, credits linemate Alim McNeill for going out of his way to help him learn the finer points of playing tackle in the NFL despite not having great length. Wingo is six feet tall and currently weighs 288.

“He’s been teaching me how to take on double teams from (McNeill), how to work different techniques. And watching how he sets up his rushes to get to his winning moves,” Wingo said.

Wingo also praised new Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams.

“He’s great,” Wingo said with an excited smile. “He doesn’t try to coach every guy the same. He knows I’m an undersized guy, so he gives me tools that help me — you know, my game is different from bigger guys we have on the team. He lets me put my spin on things.”

Wingo has spent most of training camp working with the second-team defense, playing all over the line–even standing up at DE from time to time. Wingo bagged a would-be sack during Friday’s scrimmage and has been stout against the run ever since the pads came on. He’s nicely carving out a spot for himself with his gritty, mature approach.

Lions defensive line depth could be the strength of the defense

Lions defensive line depth could be the strength of the defense, notes Lions Wire’s Russell Brown

As we all await for the Detroit Lions season to get started, it’s fun to look at their schedule, depth chart and speculate the potential of the season. When looking at the Lions defense, it’s hard to look past their defensive line. The depth from this unit runs deep and the 53-man roster could easily see 10-to-12 players from the defensive line on it.

The projected starters are currently:

  • Aidan Hutchinson
  • D.J. Reader
  • Alim McNeill
  • Marcus Davenport

But as we’ve seen under Aaron Glenn’s defense, the Lions use players up front on a situational basis. The key depth players could be the following:

  • John Cominsky
  • Josh Paschal
  • Levi Onwuzurike

It’s expected that a player such as Brodric Martin could really take a big step forward this season. He appears to be in much better football shape than he was a season ago and if Reader or McNeill struggle with any type of injury, he could be the next man up.

Adding to that, the Lions added Mekhi Wingo from LSU in the 2024 NFL Draft. Recently, I discussed him as a potential underrated player to the Lions defense so we’ll need to see what he does in a situational role for the team.

That alone gives the Lions nine defensive lineman that should see the field on a consistent basis. The wildcards of the group are James Houston, Kyle Peko and Mathieu Betts.

Starting with Betts, he’s coming off an 18-sack season in the CFL and not only did it earn him a contract with the Lions but it also helped him win the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award. While he is 29-years old, I’d have to think he should find a spot on the roster but nothing is guaranteed. He was brought onto the roster to compete and my guess is that he’s here to compete with James Houston.

Things are interesting with Houston. He broke his ankle in week 2 last season and was placed on injured reserve. Despite being activated off the IR in January of 2024, the Lions never played him. Houston did have 8 sacks as a rookie and he does provide plenty of juice off the edge. However, comments from Dan Campbell last season makes me wonder if he’s a player on the bubble this summer.

Lastly, the expectations shouldn’t be overly high for Kyle Peko. He’s got familiarity with Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams but he’s primarily been a rotational player in his career. With the Lions already having depth on the interior, he could be the odd man out this summer.

Regardless, the Lions have a deep roster of defensive lineman. With any down and distance, we could see any combination on the field. Those combinations should play to the strengths of the defense and it could be the difference maker to help this unit stay more consistent for the 2024 season.

Lions officially hire three new defensive coaches

The Lions officially added 3 new defensive coaches to the den on Wednesday

The Detroit Lions filled out their 2024 coaching staff by hiring three new additions.

Deshea Townsend and Terrell Williams were already known to be joining the team. Townsend takes over as the defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator for the Lions. He spent the last two seasons in those same roles for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Williams was hired back in January, but the move to appoint him as the new defensive line coach and defensive run game coordinator is now officially recognized. The longtime DL coach was previously with the Tennessee Titans. He was once Lions GM Brad Holmes’ position coach in the college ranks.

The third hire is one that hadn’t been previously revealed. Jim O’Neil joins the Lions as a defensive assistant. O’Neil has been in the coaching ranks at a number of stops since 2001 and was most recently the defensive coordinator at Northwestern. He’s primarily worked with defensive backs but did spend two seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns.

List of former Titans coaches who have landed jobs elsewhere

A look at former Titans coaches from ex-head coach Mike Vrabel’s staff who have been hired elsewhere.

As was expected when the Tennessee Titans hired a new head coach in Brian Callahan, the team has chosen not to retain several members of former head coach Mike Vrabel’s staff.

While you never want to see anyone lose their job, the good news is many of Vrabel’s assistants have already landed on their feet in roles with new teams.

Vrabel himself has yet to land a new gig after it was believed he would have another head-coaching job quickly following his being let go by Tennessee.

The former Titans head coach garnered a total of three interviews with the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Chargers. However, he was passed over for each of those roles.

One of Vrabel’s coaches Tennessee may retain is running backs coach and run-game coordinator Justin Outten, who the team has reportedly blocked from interviewing with other squads.

Here’s a look at the Vrabel assistants who have landed jobs elsewhere.

Watch: Wrapping up Senior Bowl practices with Detroit Lions Podcast

Watch: Wrapping up Senior Bowl practices with Detroit Lions Podcast live from Mobile

Three days of Senior Bowl practices wrapped on Thursday afternoon. After watching all the sessions in person at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama, the Detroit Lions Podcast gathered back on radio row to go over what we saw during the week.

We covered a lot of the players from both the American and National teams who we liked from a Lions perspective. Who was the player of the week? Which players showed more than expected coming into the week? Which positional needs could the Lions fill in the draft with some of the players here.

We also talked about some of what we learned about the Lions hiring American coach Terrell Williams as the new defensive run game coordinator and DL coach.

The episode is also available in audio-only format from your favorite podcast provider.

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List of Titans coaches who are no longer with the team

A look at the coaches from Mike Vrabel’s staff who are no longer with the Titans.

After hiring a new head coach in Brian Callahan, the Tennessee Titans have begun parsing through the staff of former head coach Mike Vrabel.

And, as you’d expect with a new head coach, several members of the previous coaching staff have been let go, with some of them already landing on their feet with new jobs.

While the fates of many of Vrabel’s former assistants have been reported, there are still some whose status remains uncertain, although it’s fair to assume they will be gone, also.

Nevertheless, here’s a look at the Titans coaches who have reportedly been let go, along with where they landed, where applicable. We’ve also added a list of the coaches whose fates have yet to be reported.

All of the information comes from Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky.

Report: Lions to hire new DL coach and defensive run game coordinator

Report: Lions to hire Terrell Williams as the DL coach and defensive run game coordinator

There is an assistant coaching shakeup on the Lions staff coming. According to Diana Russini of The Athletic, the Lions are adding a defensive run game coordinator and defensive line coach to the mix.

Russini reported that the Lions are hiring Titans assistant coach Terrell Williams to be Detroit’s defensive run game coordinator and DL coach. Williams is currently serving as a coach for hte American team at the Senior Bowl.

The 2023 Lions did not have a defensive run game coordinator. They do still have their defensive line coach, John Scott, under employment as of the time of the report. Scott joined the Lions for the 2023 season after serving as a defensive coach for the Penn State football program. There is no word on Scott’s status.

As for Williams, he has been with the Titans since the 2018 season, serving as Tennessee’s DL coach. The title of assistant head coach was added for the 2023 season. Before that, he worked in Miami. That includes a stint with Lions head coach Dan Campbell in 2015 when Campbell was the interim head coach for the Dolphins.

Lions hiring Titans’ Terrell Williams to defensive staff

The Lions are reportedly hiring Titans coach Terrell Williams.

Tennessee Titans defensive line coach and assistant head coach Terrell Williams will not be staying with the team after accepting a job with the Detroit Lions.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Lions are hiring Williams as their run-game coordinator and defensive line coach. It remains unclear if Williams was ever offered a chance to stay in Tennessee.

The news of Williams’ departure comes on the heels of the Titans reportedly hiring Baltimore Ravens defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson as their defensive coordinator.

Williams was one of the few coaches from Mike Vrabel’s staff I was a fan of keeping. He did an excellent job during his tenure in Tennessee and would have been an asset to rookie head coach Brian Callahan.

Williams served as Tennessee’s defensive line coach for six seasons and had assistant head coach added to his job title in 2023. He’s currently serving as head coach of the American Team at the Senior Bowl.

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Titans coach Terrell Williams gets head coach gig at Senior Bowl

Titans coach Terrell Williams will be one of the head coaches at next month’s Senior Bowl.

Tennessee Titans assistant head coach and defensive line coach Terrell Williams will be one of the head coaches at the Senior Bowl next month.

The Senior Bowl announced on Wednesday evening that Williams will be the head coach of the American Team, with New England Patriots wide receivers coach Troy Brown serving as offensive coordinator, Cleveland Browns DBs coach Ephraim Banda serving as defensive coordinator and New York Giants assistant special teams coach Mike Adams serving as the coordinator for special teams.

“I’m super excited about the opportunity to coach in the 2024 Senior Bowl,” Williams said in a statement. “It’s a great opportunity to help these college players get some exposure into what professional football is all about. I’m very thankful to Mike Vrabel for nominating me for this honor. I’m looking forward to working with coaches and other Senior Bowl personnel to make sure this is a great experience for the players.”

The National Team will be led by New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich (head coach), New York Giants quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney (offensive coordinator), Minnesota Vikings pass-game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones (defensive coordinator) and New Orleans Saints assistant special teams coach Phil Galiano (special teams coordinator).

Williams got his first taste as a head coach this past preseason, when now-former head coach Mike Vrabel named him the acting head coach for the preseason Week 1 contest against the Chicago Bears.

Williams has been with the Titans since 2018, serving as the defensive line coach. He had assistant head coach added to his title in 2023.

He was no doubt one of the better coaches on Vrabel’s staff. Not only did the Titans sport an elite run defense for two straight seasons, Williams also had a hand in the development of guys like Jeffery Simmons and Teair Tart.

There are few coaches worth holding on to from Vrabel’s staff and Williams is certainly one of them.

The Reese’s Senior Bowl will take place on Saturday, Feb. 3.

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