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2024 Detroit Lions: Draft complete. (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Da Guru
- Start date
swabs
Footballguy
heckmanm
Footballguy
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Jared Goff placed on the COVID-19 reserve list.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Don’t worry about the draft pick. The Lions needed a culture change, and they’re getting it under Dan Campbell.
By Kyle Meinke | kmeinke@mlive.com
Editor’s note: This is an opinion piece from MLive.com reporter Kyle Meinke.
DETROIT -- There was a time when the Lions couldn’t run the football no matter who they rolled out there. That time, of course, was pretty much any Sunday over the last, oh -- when did Barry Sanders retire again? In 1999, right?
So, yeah, that.
Among all the crooked numbers that have defined the Lions’ miserable existence, not managing to finish even in the top half of the league in rushing for the last 22 years in a row is among the most absurd. They’ve given the football to 61 different running backs in that time, from Ameer Abdullah to Zach Zenner, from Jonathan Williams to Keiland Williams, from Kerryon Johnson to Rudi Johnson and Ty Johnson too, from Hall-of-Famers like Adrian Peterson to top-five draft picks like Reggie Bush to first-round picks like Jahvid Best to second-round picks like Mikel Leshoure to oh-yeah-I-think-I-remember-hims like Tion Green and, really, we could do this all day.
Yet for more than two decades, the Lions couldn’t run the football even better than average no matter what they did.
These days, it seems they can run the football no matter what they do or who they do it with.
D’Andre Swift is lost to a shoulder injury right now and Jamaal Williams is on the COVID list, while Jermar Jefferson is hobbled by a bum ankle and Godwin Igwebuike suddenly can’t hang onto the football. The Lions are so banged up all over the place that they’re starting safeties at cornerback and playing fullbacks at tight end while turning to a fifth-string running back nicknamed “Netflix” because that’s all Craig Reynolds was doing when the Lions gave him a call in August.
Then Reynolds ran for 112 yards in his first NFL start, Jared Goff added three touchdown passes -- one of them to that fullback who was lining up at tight end -- and Detroit bludgeoned the Arizona Cardinals 30-12 on Sunday at Ford Field.
That has to be the most stunning result in the NFL this season, right? The Lions (2-11-1) had the worst record in the league heading into the weekend, while the Cardinals (10-4) had the best. That Cardinals team hadn’t lost on the road all year. Hell, they hadn’t won by fewer than 10 points on the road all year.
“On paper, we don’t match up with them,” quarterback Jared Goff said afterward. “On paper, we don’t.”
No kidding. Yet the Lions -- with more than $100 million of their payroll in street clothes because of illness or injury -- ran away with their biggest rout against a winning team since a 38-15 victory against Minnesota all the way back on Nov. 11, 1997, and their biggest rout against a 10-win team since the 38-6 romp against Dallas in the 1991 playoffs.
“Well, that was fun,” coach Dan Campbell said as he stepped to the mic a few minutes later.
This Lions team definitely isn’t making the playoffs, of course. They’ve been playing for draft positioning since opening the season with eight straight losses, and to that end, gird yourself for all the hot takes that are about to unfurl on a sports talk radio station near you. Because, yes, Detroit slipped to No. 2 with the win, and I can guarantee you there will be folks mocking the Lions for hurting their positioning with a so-called meaningless win.
I can guarantee that because it happens every year. It will happen again, and it will be very dumb.
First, it’s not like there’s a slam-dunk, can’t-miss, Andrew Luck-type prospect in this draft. Sure, picking first is preferable than picking second because you can have whoever you want. But in this draft, where there is no generational talent at the top and not even a quarterback worth taking either, picking second or third or whatever is still going to net the same kind of prospect. Just look at the last time the Lions held the second overall (Calvin Johnson). One of their best players was just taken seventh overall (Penei Sewell). Perhaps the best defensive player in all of football was just taken five spots after that (Micah Parsons). Draft success is usually about identifying the right prospect and developing him properly, and less so the difference between holding the first or second or third pick. That’s most true in a year like this.
With that, winning football games seems a lot more important for an organization that has been playing for draft positioning for the better part of 60-whatever years. Now they’re coming off one of the worst, most toxic eras in their history. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but they’ve had some pretty toxic eras in their history. But Matt Patricia lost more often than every Lions coach besides Marty Mornhinweg and Rod Marinelli, and all that losing is only the tip of the iceberg. He fractured the locker room and ran off so many good players along the way, from Darius Slay to Quandre Diggs and Golden Tate and Graham Glasgow too, while replacing all of them with players who were worse.
The Lions went such a long time without being able to run the football, no matter how many dollars or draft picks they threw at the problem. Now they’re averaging their most yards per carry since 1997? No matter how many guys they lose? No matter if they’re starting a guy who had 1 career yard heading into the month?
“Whoever the opponent is, we’re going to go out there and compete,” left tackle Taylor Decker said. “We’ve had games against some of the top teams in the league where we’ve been really close. And then we’ve had games where we haven’t played as well and maybe we’ve gotten blown out a little bit. Hopefully, we can start to see some momentum and we can keep that identity.”
That -- the ability to compete no matter who is on the field -- is one of the hallmarks of good culture. It’s also one of the hallmarks of a good team. The Lions don’t have that kind of strength across their roster, so they are not a good team. But even in these hard, early days of the rebuild, you can already see it developing in pockets. Nowhere is that more apparent than on the offensive line and in the running game. When you can plug in one of five different running backs on any given Sunday -- when a guy with 1 career yard can get his first NFL start and immediately go off for triple-digits, something no Lions player could do for 70 straight games at one point -- that says so much about a culture that maybe, just maybe, is beginning to take shape.
By Kyle Meinke | kmeinke@mlive.com
Editor’s note: This is an opinion piece from MLive.com reporter Kyle Meinke.
DETROIT -- There was a time when the Lions couldn’t run the football no matter who they rolled out there. That time, of course, was pretty much any Sunday over the last, oh -- when did Barry Sanders retire again? In 1999, right?
So, yeah, that.
Among all the crooked numbers that have defined the Lions’ miserable existence, not managing to finish even in the top half of the league in rushing for the last 22 years in a row is among the most absurd. They’ve given the football to 61 different running backs in that time, from Ameer Abdullah to Zach Zenner, from Jonathan Williams to Keiland Williams, from Kerryon Johnson to Rudi Johnson and Ty Johnson too, from Hall-of-Famers like Adrian Peterson to top-five draft picks like Reggie Bush to first-round picks like Jahvid Best to second-round picks like Mikel Leshoure to oh-yeah-I-think-I-remember-hims like Tion Green and, really, we could do this all day.
Yet for more than two decades, the Lions couldn’t run the football even better than average no matter what they did.
These days, it seems they can run the football no matter what they do or who they do it with.
D’Andre Swift is lost to a shoulder injury right now and Jamaal Williams is on the COVID list, while Jermar Jefferson is hobbled by a bum ankle and Godwin Igwebuike suddenly can’t hang onto the football. The Lions are so banged up all over the place that they’re starting safeties at cornerback and playing fullbacks at tight end while turning to a fifth-string running back nicknamed “Netflix” because that’s all Craig Reynolds was doing when the Lions gave him a call in August.
Then Reynolds ran for 112 yards in his first NFL start, Jared Goff added three touchdown passes -- one of them to that fullback who was lining up at tight end -- and Detroit bludgeoned the Arizona Cardinals 30-12 on Sunday at Ford Field.
That has to be the most stunning result in the NFL this season, right? The Lions (2-11-1) had the worst record in the league heading into the weekend, while the Cardinals (10-4) had the best. That Cardinals team hadn’t lost on the road all year. Hell, they hadn’t won by fewer than 10 points on the road all year.
“On paper, we don’t match up with them,” quarterback Jared Goff said afterward. “On paper, we don’t.”
No kidding. Yet the Lions -- with more than $100 million of their payroll in street clothes because of illness or injury -- ran away with their biggest rout against a winning team since a 38-15 victory against Minnesota all the way back on Nov. 11, 1997, and their biggest rout against a 10-win team since the 38-6 romp against Dallas in the 1991 playoffs.
“Well, that was fun,” coach Dan Campbell said as he stepped to the mic a few minutes later.
This Lions team definitely isn’t making the playoffs, of course. They’ve been playing for draft positioning since opening the season with eight straight losses, and to that end, gird yourself for all the hot takes that are about to unfurl on a sports talk radio station near you. Because, yes, Detroit slipped to No. 2 with the win, and I can guarantee you there will be folks mocking the Lions for hurting their positioning with a so-called meaningless win.
I can guarantee that because it happens every year. It will happen again, and it will be very dumb.
First, it’s not like there’s a slam-dunk, can’t-miss, Andrew Luck-type prospect in this draft. Sure, picking first is preferable than picking second because you can have whoever you want. But in this draft, where there is no generational talent at the top and not even a quarterback worth taking either, picking second or third or whatever is still going to net the same kind of prospect. Just look at the last time the Lions held the second overall (Calvin Johnson). One of their best players was just taken seventh overall (Penei Sewell). Perhaps the best defensive player in all of football was just taken five spots after that (Micah Parsons). Draft success is usually about identifying the right prospect and developing him properly, and less so the difference between holding the first or second or third pick. That’s most true in a year like this.
With that, winning football games seems a lot more important for an organization that has been playing for draft positioning for the better part of 60-whatever years. Now they’re coming off one of the worst, most toxic eras in their history. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but they’ve had some pretty toxic eras in their history. But Matt Patricia lost more often than every Lions coach besides Marty Mornhinweg and Rod Marinelli, and all that losing is only the tip of the iceberg. He fractured the locker room and ran off so many good players along the way, from Darius Slay to Quandre Diggs and Golden Tate and Graham Glasgow too, while replacing all of them with players who were worse.
The Lions went such a long time without being able to run the football, no matter how many dollars or draft picks they threw at the problem. Now they’re averaging their most yards per carry since 1997? No matter how many guys they lose? No matter if they’re starting a guy who had 1 career yard heading into the month?
“Whoever the opponent is, we’re going to go out there and compete,” left tackle Taylor Decker said. “We’ve had games against some of the top teams in the league where we’ve been really close. And then we’ve had games where we haven’t played as well and maybe we’ve gotten blown out a little bit. Hopefully, we can start to see some momentum and we can keep that identity.”
That -- the ability to compete no matter who is on the field -- is one of the hallmarks of good culture. It’s also one of the hallmarks of a good team. The Lions don’t have that kind of strength across their roster, so they are not a good team. But even in these hard, early days of the rebuild, you can already see it developing in pockets. Nowhere is that more apparent than on the offensive line and in the running game. When you can plug in one of five different running backs on any given Sunday -- when a guy with 1 career yard can get his first NFL start and immediately go off for triple-digits, something no Lions player could do for 70 straight games at one point -- that says so much about a culture that maybe, just maybe, is beginning to take shape.
Moonlight
Footballguy
Dynamite article. Long suffering fans knew that a culture change was the # 1priority. I am optimistic about the Lions future and its a great feeling.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Riley Patterson is now 7/7 on FGA (long 49 - range is up to 55) and 8/8 on XP. Only 22, first Lions rookie to hit 3 FGs in a game since Hanson 1992. Signed him off the Patriots practice squad. Solid 4 years at Memphis (5th NCAA all-time in XP; Austin Seibert is #1) but had a poor Senior year.
Seibert was doing well before he got hurt, 10/12 with a long of 52. Dave Fipps has done a really good job with Special Teams this year. Raymond is 3rd in PR average and Igwebuike 8th in KR average.
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First 5 Pro Bowl players (Tom Brady, Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, Jonathan Taylor, Travis Kelce) were announced by the NFL yesterday, and a little while later the PB players for the four MNF teams were announced. I guess they'll do the same for the four playing tonight? NFL Network will have the remaining selections Wednesday night on a special airing at 8pm.
The Lions of course have few players under consideration. Two best playmakers have been sideline for almost a month. Though, tbh there's no reason to think Hock was getting in; he regressed this year and Kittle/Pitts are clearly on a level he has yet to attain.
But Mr Jack Fox has a good chance to repeat as the NFC Punter. Of course Penei Sewell deserves strong consideration. Trent Williams (49ers), Ryan Ramczyk,(Saints) and Tristan Wirfs (Bucs) have been more consistent season long, but the rookie has outplayed all of them over the last 9 weeks. I could see him getting left off, but still an impressive campaign as he stood tall against the best pass rushers the Lions faced this year.
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from Justin Rogers, Detroit News
Seibert was doing well before he got hurt, 10/12 with a long of 52. Dave Fipps has done a really good job with Special Teams this year. Raymond is 3rd in PR average and Igwebuike 8th in KR average.
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First 5 Pro Bowl players (Tom Brady, Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, Jonathan Taylor, Travis Kelce) were announced by the NFL yesterday, and a little while later the PB players for the four MNF teams were announced. I guess they'll do the same for the four playing tonight? NFL Network will have the remaining selections Wednesday night on a special airing at 8pm.
The Lions of course have few players under consideration. Two best playmakers have been sideline for almost a month. Though, tbh there's no reason to think Hock was getting in; he regressed this year and Kittle/Pitts are clearly on a level he has yet to attain.
But Mr Jack Fox has a good chance to repeat as the NFC Punter. Of course Penei Sewell deserves strong consideration. Trent Williams (49ers), Ryan Ramczyk,(Saints) and Tristan Wirfs (Bucs) have been more consistent season long, but the rookie has outplayed all of them over the last 9 weeks. I could see him getting left off, but still an impressive campaign as he stood tall against the best pass rushers the Lions faced this year.
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from Justin Rogers, Detroit News
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
I'm thinking Ben Johnson might be a little old for the OC job. IMDB lists him as being born in 1918.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Detroit Lions coaches against team 5+ games over .500:
- Jim Schwartz - 0-10
- Jim Caldwell - 0-8
- Matt Patricia - 0-2
- Darrell Bevell - 0-2
- Dan Campbell - 1-0
Da Guru
Fair & Balanced
Starting to like Goff more. Players seem to like him as well. Goff is only 26. Heard hom today on The ticket and he seems to be a good guy and a good interview. so much more in depth that the um..this and um that Stafford used to say.
I don`t think he is a 25 million dollar QB but with the Lions o-line developing i think he can be better than average given a couple of weopons and all healthy RBs.
Wonder if he would take a pay cut after next season for an extension?
I don`t think he is a 25 million dollar QB but with the Lions o-line developing i think he can be better than average given a couple of weopons and all healthy RBs.
Wonder if he would take a pay cut after next season for an extension?
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
@kmeinke
Since coming back from the oblique injury 4 weeks ago, Jared Goff has 9 TDs, 2 picks and a passer rating of 105.1.
The complete list of starting QBs with a better rating than Goff in that stretch:
Aaron Rodgers (121.4)
Matthew Stafford (116.2)
Russell Wilson (108.8)
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Couple things you can maybe point to that correlate.
Josh Reynolds had a disastrous first game VS CLE but since then:
4G 16-249-2
He gives them a receiver with size and speed, two things they’ve been lacking all year before he showed up. Makes you wonder if Goff would be more successful with some NFL caliber WRs.
Amon-Ra St Brown has come on strong the last 3 games. But I remember after the Eagles game - before he took over play calling - DC was musing on things he thought they could try. Specifically mentioned “I don’t think we’re getting all we can out of Amon-Ra. We need to challenge him more, find out what he can do.”
Raymond led the WRs in snaps 6 of the first 9 G. Since then it’s been Trinity Benson, Reynolds, and ARSB the last 3 G. Whereas earlier this year he was mostly the Slot in 11 formations, now he’s staying on the field as the flanker. Playing outside, he’s getting deeper adot, expanding his route tree, becoming a better all around WR. Plus he is a terrific blocker so it makes sense to play him outside more.
Jamaal & Hock missed the last 2 G, Seift the last 3. Never a good thing to lose stars to injury. But it really forced the coaching staff to get creative bc the foundational elements of the offense were unavailable. That’s where the creativity of Ben Johnson comes in. I’m sure Deuce in his role as AHC is involved. Seems like A Lynn has a diminished role, but thankfully they’ve kept that stuff in house with no controversy.
Crazy Goff is playing this well surrounded by UDFAs and an assortment of castoffs. The O line is playing very well.
With the exception of two games (Phi & Den), Glenn had a his unit playing over their heads. How many cornerbacks have we had, like 10? Aubrey Pleasant must be one helluva good teacher.
Cant put lipstick on a pig, 2-11-1 is awful. But you can plainly see how hard they play for DC. That’s impressive. Glad to see they’ve been rewarded with a couple wins to validate that they’re on the right track. They’re improving - last 6 G they’ve been way better than the first 6-8.
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Moonlight
Footballguy
According to Jeff Risdon who covers the Lions for the Lions Wire site Detroit became the first team to enter a game as a double-digit home underdog to win the game by double digits, and also the first team with less than 2 wins (Detroit was 1-11-1) to beat a team with 10 or more wins (Arizona was 10-3) by at least 10 points.
Moonlight
Footballguy
Still remember Goff throwing into double coverage in critical situations too often when other receivers were running free. Or throwing the ball away on 4th down twice. Locking on to WRs like a rookie QB. We need to see more from him but like you I'm encouraged and he has continued to lead despite his and the team's bad start.Da Guru said:
If Goff can continue to produce its a positive in so many ways. But wishing it doesn't make it so.
Da Guru
Fair & Balanced
Well due to his contract and lack of quality QBs in this years draft Goff will probably be the starter next year as well. So time will tell.
Moonlight
Footballguy
I'm dreading this happening less than I was a few games ago. He didn't have much to throw to before and a new system and coaches all made it an uphill climb. As Decker suggested if he can stay in the pocket it helps Oline protection. Also helps going through progressions.
matuski
Footballguy
I'm no Goff fan, but he is easily one of the team's top players.
Which says something about the roster.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Lions are still winless on the road. Maybe they get another tie for Christmas. 
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Rookie K Riley Patterson won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
The whole week, from a FF perspective, was kind of a huge dud, eh? Hitting 3 FGs + 3 PATs should be meh, but without a lot of great performances, why not give some recognition to what was the most shocking upset of the week. Or season/decade/millennium.
Pretty sure we exclusive rights on both Patterson and Seibert so we might see some healthy competition next year. Both did well this year, the only knock on Patterson is he's not great at kickoffs, I think Mr Jack Fox has been doing those.
The whole week, from a FF perspective, was kind of a huge dud, eh? Hitting 3 FGs + 3 PATs should be meh, but without a lot of great performances, why not give some recognition to what was the most shocking upset of the week. Or season/decade/millennium.
Pretty sure we exclusive rights on both Patterson and Seibert so we might see some healthy competition next year. Both did well this year, the only knock on Patterson is he's not great at kickoffs, I think Mr Jack Fox has been doing those.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Goff wins FedEx Air Player of the Week
Milking this one win for all it's worth, eh? Are we on to Atlanta yet?
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Campbell didn't name a starter but Boyle was made available to the media today and seemed to be getting the #1 reps in the open portion of practice the reporters are able to see. In his other start this year he threw for 77 yards and had the worst passer rating of a Lions quarterback since Drew Stanton in 2009. 15/23 with 2 interceptions. The staff seems to think he'll be better prepared this time, but I'll believe it when I see it.
Goff is unlikely to be ready to play on Sunday -- all 10 Lions players who tested positive for the virus before this week missed at least one game. But they are including him in everything virtually and if he tests out he'll fly to Atlanta whether he has practiced or not.
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Was hoping Sewell or Oruwariye would get consideration but whatever.
Milking this one win for all it's worth, eh? Are we on to Atlanta yet?
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Campbell didn't name a starter but Boyle was made available to the media today and seemed to be getting the #1 reps in the open portion of practice the reporters are able to see. In his other start this year he threw for 77 yards and had the worst passer rating of a Lions quarterback since Drew Stanton in 2009. 15/23 with 2 interceptions. The staff seems to think he'll be better prepared this time, but I'll believe it when I see it.
Goff is unlikely to be ready to play on Sunday -- all 10 Lions players who tested positive for the virus before this week missed at least one game. But they are including him in everything virtually and if he tests out he'll fly to Atlanta whether he has practiced or not.
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Was hoping Sewell or Oruwariye would get consideration but whatever.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
I have a lot of respect for Anthony Lynn as a man. This has got to be tough to swallow. Every other week the three coordinators have a Thursday presser. He’s just the consummate pro, always.
“It’s not the job I signed on for, but it’s the role I have. I do everything any OC does, I just don’t call the plays. I call some. But my main role is to help put these guys in a position they’ll succeed.”
They ask him about next year and he just brushes it aside. “Listen, I’m here to help Detroit win games right now. I do that to the best of my abilities, then the opportunities will present themselves. I have to stay present and focus on what’s in front of me.”
The entire time he’s up there, just exudes positivity. Spoke at length about Sewell and how’s so freaking nasty it’s borderline dirty, and that attitude is infectious. Compared Amon-Ra to Hines Ward bc he’s just an incredible blocker and very crafty with his footwork.
At some level it’s gotta hurt his pride but doesn’t even give those guys (media) the slightest crack to wedge into. Credit to him and to DC that the shifted responsibilities did not cause any riff.
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Probably gonna be a rough week with Boyle in there. I’d like to think they’ll overcome it, next man up, etc. But feels like a letdown after last weeks game is inevitable. Consistency is the real mark and they’re probably not there yet.
Think Swift will be a go, but I have no confidence they will be effective with the backup in there. Too bad bc ARSB, Reynolds, and Reynolds have been coming on the last few games.
“It’s not the job I signed on for, but it’s the role I have. I do everything any OC does, I just don’t call the plays. I call some. But my main role is to help put these guys in a position they’ll succeed.”
They ask him about next year and he just brushes it aside. “Listen, I’m here to help Detroit win games right now. I do that to the best of my abilities, then the opportunities will present themselves. I have to stay present and focus on what’s in front of me.”
The entire time he’s up there, just exudes positivity. Spoke at length about Sewell and how’s so freaking nasty it’s borderline dirty, and that attitude is infectious. Compared Amon-Ra to Hines Ward bc he’s just an incredible blocker and very crafty with his footwork.
At some level it’s gotta hurt his pride but doesn’t even give those guys (media) the slightest crack to wedge into. Credit to him and to DC that the shifted responsibilities did not cause any riff.
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Probably gonna be a rough week with Boyle in there. I’d like to think they’ll overcome it, next man up, etc. But feels like a letdown after last weeks game is inevitable. Consistency is the real mark and they’re probably not there yet.
Think Swift will be a go, but I have no confidence they will be effective with the backup in there. Too bad bc ARSB, Reynolds, and Reynolds have been coming on the last few games.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
I’m mainlining - just inject that Honolulu Blue Kool Aid straight into my veins.Zeppelin said:I never thought I could ever be excited about the future of a team with 2 wins but I am.
I know it's risky saying this but I'll say it anyways: This is NOT the SOL.
__________________
I share your optimism about Campbell & Holmes.
Hope we retain DC Aaron Glenn, DB coach Aubrey Pleasant & future OC Ben Johnson bc they are stud assistants.
Impressive staff, team is super young and they needed good teachers. They have a great atmosphere around Allen Park.
Feel like Alim and Levi were good additions but you almost cannot have too much depth for that rotation. Let Brockers go. Flowers has been disappointing / injured 3 years running - 2 years left but not sure he’ll be back. Lots of questions to be answered on defense, have some good pieces but stil a ways to go.
Charles Harris is a guy we need to lock up, terrific year. We need to find talented EDGE rushers who compliment him. LBs played over their heads this year, nothing did tackles but better than the last 2-3 years.
We will have to see how injury recovery shakes out but we seem to have OK depth at DB. Still need a S to play alongside Walker (he’s another FA we should sign.)
Not sold on Goff long term but he’s fine as a bridge through next year.
RB should be interesting. Swift is a great playmaker but I think the 3rd/4th/5th stringers succeeding tells you how much O line play & scheme matters.
ARSB is going to be an excellent WR2 to whoever we draft or sign next year. Like Josh Reynolds a lot, s/b brought back ad the WR3.
Exercising the 5th year option in Hock is a no brainer but really not sure about giving him a big time long term deal. Disappointed in his regression in blocking. Just seems like a nice, good player. He might not ever take that next step to elite.
Fipp is a terrific STC and the kicking game + returners were solid this year.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Jags earning their way to the #1 draft spot. I have the utmost confidence that the same brain trust that selected Urban Meyer as HC will also make the correct draft choice at #1.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
10-5 AGS
Moonlight
Footballguy
Disappointing loss. If either Swift or Goff plays, Lions win this game. Lions out gained Falcons by more than 80 yards, had over a 16 minute advantage in time of possession but lost.
The false start penalties hurt as did Boyle's ball placement which included one right into a defender's hands.
Campbell's decision to go for the FG was WTF!. The FG made no difference (except to bettors). The Lions were deep and only needed 6 yards. Atlanta wanted to run out the clock. They weren't trying to score. And would only try to score if Lions tied the game or more likely went for 2 and made it after the TD.
If Cambell makes decisions like this when games really matter I just shudder.
Will give him kudos for the fake punt though.
The false start penalties hurt as did Boyle's ball placement which included one right into a defender's hands.
Campbell's decision to go for the FG was WTF!. The FG made no difference (except to bettors). The Lions were deep and only needed 6 yards. Atlanta wanted to run out the clock. They weren't trying to score. And would only try to score if Lions tied the game or more likely went for 2 and made it after the TD.
If Cambell makes decisions like this when games really matter I just shudder.
Will give him kudos for the fake punt though.
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Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Lions already + 9.5 @ Seattle, then Green Bay.
#1 or 2 in sight with 3 teams right behind GB for that important bye for them to try for.
BigJonE300
Footballguy
St. Brown has caught at least eight passes in four straight games, which ties Odell Beckham Jr. for the longest such streak by a rookie in the Super Bowl era. He's already the Lions' all-time rookie reception leader. There are some silver linings on this team.
TampaMike19
Footballguy
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
TartanLion
Footballguy
Ideal loss really. Valiant effort before the backup QB throws an INT when trying to win game at the death. We roll on
Da Guru
Fair & Balanced
I just watched the 4th quarter again this morning. Campbell goes for it all the time yet took the FG late in the game. Lions go for it and score they tie the game, go for it and not score Atlanta is pinned deep.
Lions gave Falcons ball back and one first down would have basically iced it. In fact it looked like the runner was going to have the first when he fumbled. It worked out but odds were not good.
Last drive with time running out Lions used almost all the play clock twice, one without a TO and time was ticking away and had to hurry play. Not sure if that was Boyle or Campbell but it was not smooth at all.
Watching last play have no idea where Boyle was going with that ball. From behind he was looking into triple coverage. If the first defender did not pick it off the other one would have. There was nothing open in the middle. The camera shot was not wide enough but someone had to be open but Boyle stared the middle of the field.
All in all though Lions played pretty well and if Goff played probably would have won.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Very good take.
On the last play Boyle tracked with Raymond, never took eyes off him. Throw was high which might just have been being keyed up. Moment was too big for him.
In other games Campbell has admitted they’ve had trouble getting the play in - not sure why but that’s on him/Johnson/Lynn whoever.
The clock management on the penultimate drive was atrocious, no sense of urgency or situational awareness. Agree 100% the 4th D decision is a head scratcher.
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From a macro view, more positives than negatives in Campbell’s first year. He HAS to improve his in game decision making. It’s the blocking & tackling of his job, the basic fundamentals - it’s unacceptable to whiff on the easy stuff.
On the whole, though, they’re headed in the right direction. Pretty important off-season coming up. Resign key guys - Jack Fox, Kalie Raymond, Josh Reynolds, Charles Harris, Tracy Walker, and Alex Anzalone seem like no brainers. Go after a pass rusher and/or WR. Same priority in the draft. Sounds like we might coach the Senior Bowl which can really help in the evaluation process.
Holmes had a good (not great) first draft, no real misses - but outside of Penei, it’s not clear if we got any real impact starters. At times, Onwuzurike, McNeil, Barnes, Iffy & Jefferson flashed. But those guys need to keep improving. He struck out on the low cost WRs (Tyrell Williams & Perriman) but hit some solid doubles as well. I like the dynamic between the GM & HC - they’re in sync and complimentary.
They’re not close, they have a ton of work to do, but I feel better about the current front office than any other time in my life. I think they got it right this time. But we’ll see - good feelings only go so far, must translate into wins, division titles and playoff wins.
Da Guru
Fair & Balanced
I agree. Lynn is gone so Whoever the new OC is will be calling plays. Calling plays and running the game looks to be a bit much for Campbell. Tough to learn on the job.
I was in a local bar and the crowd was loud and going crazy cheering then the usual moans when the INT happened. First time in a long time though that I saw some energy for the Lions.
Hard to say I am happy with their record but they have been in many games till the end. Lost on a record FG, and a 54 yarder at the gun. So I do have some hope.
I thought Onwuzurike would be better but DT is a tough spot for a rookie.
RBs are fine. If they can land a playmaker WR or two I think Goff can succeed here. He is only 26. And I was not at all on board with Goff.
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You forgot about the rookie you have been touting since day 1...St. Brown. He is arguably the steal of the draft. You can also add in a potential home run in UDFA Jerry Jacobs. Time will tell but he looked pretty damn good.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
haha It's funny. as I was writing that I was like "am I missing one?"
He's definitely a foundational piece, but if he is our WR1 in any other season going forward, things will have gone terribly wrong. But yeah, so much to love about his game - footwork, route running, blocking.
I can envision an offense where he's the third or fourth option but we still think he's the glue that holds it all together. Smart football player and gonna be in this league a long, long time.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Jared Goff has cleared COVID protocols.
Josh Reynolds has tested positiver for COVID.
Josh Reynolds has tested positiver for COVID.
Moonlight
Footballguy
It was a bonehead move by Campbell to take the FG. Low percentage move. He got bailed out by the fumble. Reminded me of the Pittsburgh game when he was bailed out by a fumble while Pittsburgh was driving the ball at games end.
Like his aggressiveness but it needs to be balanced out with common sense. Does calling the plays take away from his overall mgt of the game.
Moonlight
Footballguy
Agree with this very much. A guy averaging 9.4 yds a reception can not be the centerpiece of your office.
He will lose targets once the Lions add other WRs. But can set a tone with his toughness and blocking and coming through in clutch situations.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Round 4, #112. One of Holmes best moves so far.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
I’d have to dig through the ARSB thread or this one to find it, but the number of times a Day 3 WR who posts a Top 24 season at any time in their career is extremely rare. Like since 2010 I wanna say the only three taken 4th round or later are AB, Diggs and Tyreek.Leroy Hoard said:
Football player. Def a Holmes/DC kind of guy.
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Yesterday the Lions set an NFL team record for most 4th down attempts in one season.
