Lions News

[Fraquar]

They have been drafting defense and signing free agents almost exclusively on defense, you act like they haven't done anything.

Go ahead, draft the guy. It's not like we haven't seen this at least a dozen times this century.
He'd literally be the 10th O-lineman in the 1st rd.
They've drafted just two DE and one CB in the 1st Rd in the last 25 years - combined.
You'd think if you have a deep draft at a position of need you'd want to try to double down on it (CB).,
Nah, lets keep drafting O-lineman in the 1st rd.....

[chemiclord]

12,000 yards passing in a 5 year career?
Even if he had an agent he'd have a hard time with that sell of getting paid top dollar.
Only real leverage an agent could play would be the Ravens were "holding him back" intentionally. 🤔

If you saw the sort of talent the Ravens put around him on offense... an agent could feasibly argue just that.

[Whitley]

Go ahead, draft the guy. It's not like we haven't seen this at least a dozen times this century.
He'd literally be the 10th O-lineman in the 1st rd.
They've drafted just two DE and one CB in the 1st Rd in the last 25 years - combined.
You'd think if you have a deep draft at a position of need you'd want to try to double down on it (CB).,
Nah, lets keep drafting O-lineman in the 1st rd.....

You think Skoronski is going to the be the #10 O-Line man taken in this draft? You wan to put some money on that?

[The King]

“So you are going to draft an OT, to play G, until the LT leaves so the RT moves to LT so he can finally move to RT? In the 1st Rd? If that isn't the definition of insanity I don't know what is.”

Sure, why not? Enhancing a strength with versatility while eyeing the future. It’s called team building.

[whatever_gong82]

Lions' Wood talks potential headquarters move, new helmets, Calvin Johnson relationship

Justin Rogers

The Detroit News


Phoenix, Ariz. — When the Detroit Lions shifted the team's headquarters to Allen Park in 2002, the state-of-the-art practice facility was the largest of its kind at the time. But as the game has continued to grow, and resource requirements expand, the Lions are weighing whether they've outgrown their home.

The team has struggled with some space issues, in the locker room and with some of its other amenities, including the cafeteria that's being remodeled this offseason. But the limitations of the current facility are most glaring during training camp, where the infrastructure is inferior for maximizing the fan experience.

That's why team president Rod Wood is weighing moving the Lions' basecamp to another location.



"We're considering whether we're going to continue to stay there and put more money into the facility or be better off looking at locations elsewhere in metro Detroit, where we'd have more space for the team and training camp for the fans," Wood said Tuesday evening at the league meetings. "But right now, in the short run, we're going to stay where we are. Do the best we can to get as many fans in there and have the experience as good as it can be."


Wood said his initial goal was to make a decision on a potential move this year, but that's no longer a realistic timetable.

"I kind of had it as one of my goals this year, was to kind of decide are we staying or are we going to relocate," Wood said. "I'm not going to hit that goal because I've not made that decision yet or recommendation. But it's a near-term thing we need to decide."




The Lions have had the opportunity to see some other training camp setups in recent years while conducting joint practices with other franchises. Last year, they got a firsthand look at the Colts expansive setup at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Ind. But, as much as everyone enjoyed that setup, including members of the Lions organization, Wood said he'd prefer not shifting training camp off the grounds of the team's facility.

"They're not picking up and relocating to a new city," Wood said about the proximity of Westfield to the Colts headquarters. "Players, I presume, are still going home at night, the coaching staff is still going home at night. I'd rather have a bigger practice facility with more fan experience than stay where we are and going on road for training camp."



Wood said he'd love to be able to host up to 15,000 fans for training camp practices. The current setup in Allen Park can only host closer to 2,500.


Here are some other notes from Wood's media session:


▶Yes, new uniforms are coming, but not until 2024. That will coincide nicely with the NFL draft, which the city of Detroit is slated to host next year.



This offseason, the Lions will be introducing a new, alternative helmet. That's set to debut in late spring and will be paired with Detroit's all-gray uniforms, as per league requirements.



▶Wood insisted he still doesn't know whether the Lions will travel to Germany to play the Kansas City Chiefs next season, but at the very least, the current expectation is the team will have several primetime games.

In his conversation with the league's schedule maker, Wood didn't have many requests this year. He did note the team would prefer to open on the road, since they play nine games away from Ford Field this season and would rather not have a bunch of away matchups crammed at the end of the schedule.

Wood also noted, jokingly — but maybe with a little truth in his jest — he put in a personal request for Detroit's road game against Baltimore to conveniently overlap with his son's October wedding in Delaware.




▶The team continues to make positive progress mending the strained relationship with Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson. Wood delegated that task to COO Mike Disner, who has done a nice job connecting with Johnson on a personal level, according to previous comments made by the player.

Disner, who was at Wood's media session on Tuesday, offered his perspective on the talks with the franchise legend.

"It's been a pleasure to get to know Calvin throughout the process," Disner said. "He's an impressive, impressive guy. One of the best receivers in the history of the NFL, and on top of that, I mean, he cares deeply about his family, the community, football and the city of Detroit. Him and Barry (Sanders) choosing to live here after they're done is part of what makes them so special.

"Just getting to know Calvin throughout the process, having that open dialogue and just getting to know him as a person, kind of what he's interested in, a lot of that aligns with what we're interested in as an organization, you know, helping the city grow the game," Disner continued. "So we're excited about furthering that relationship."




▶After some struggles in recent years, the Lions aren't having any issues selling tickets this offseason. The team is seeing an unprecedented renewal rate of season tickets, over 96% according to Wood, to go along with plenty of new orders.

Wood said he anticipates every home game being a sellout in 2023.

▶Both the practice facility and Ford Field turf replacements are complete. The team was initially going to stagger the installations by a year, but felt it made more sense to have the players practicing and playing games on identical surfaces.

Wood shared comments from recently signed running back David Montgomery, who called it the nicest turf he's every walked on.



▶On the NFLPA survey of players that identified the team's dining options and training room as weaknesses, Wood said the Lions conduct their own, more comprehensive survey of the roster, and found some overlap in those criticisms. He noted the team had already been taking a proactive approach to improvements in those areas before the NFLPA released their findings.


"Part of bringing in (director of player health and performance) Brett Fischer was a response to that," Wood said. "And we're redoing the dining facility. We're taking the opportunity to move the dining facility upstairs, so we won't be competing with the players and we won't be taking space from them. Hopefully that will at least improve things. And we'll continue to look at the surveys moving forward. We do it on everything with players, way beyond what the PA survey does. I think it was for the most part solid, but the same two areas were identified and we invested in them."



▶The Barry Sanders statue for Ford Field is nearly completed. Wood anticipates a VIP event to initially unveil it before a ceremony prior the team's home opener.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @Justin_Rogers

[whatever_gong82]

Lions' Campbell talks elevated expectations, determining football character and more

Justin Rogers


The Detroit News



Phoenix, Ariz. — Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell met with the media at the league meetings Tuesday morning. He addressed several topics, including the team's interest in defensive tackle Calais Campbell, upcoming joint practices with the New York Giants and squashing the idea the Lions could be interested in quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Here are some of the leftover nuggets from Campbell's session:



▶ On the off-chance you haven't been paying attention, outside expectations for the Detroit Lions have rapidly swelled after the team finished out last season winning eight of their final 10 games, combined with what have been perceived as smart free-agent additions at positions of need.


And while the expectations inside the building have consistently been high, they've also been realistic, as the franchise traversed the early stages of a difficult rebuild. But, coming out the other side of that process, Campbell said the bar in 2023 is the NFC North crown and a home playoff game.



"I think we're positioned much better to swing with the big boys this year," Campbell said. "Now, I can't tell ya what that means in win totals, but that is the goal, man. We got to go get this division."


Those expectations are rooted in both Detroit's budding base of talent, but also the culture Campbell has installed, along with general manager Brad Holmes. During a recent chat with the roster's longest-tenured player, Taylor Decker, Campbell said the two discussed the impact of the buy-in and belief that grew during the second half of last season.


"I think there's a feeling that will be hard to lose," Campbell said. "It would be hard to lose that, because there again, once you get the right type of guys, and have been put through the pressure our guys have, and they come from where they've come from, man, you appreciate it a lot more. And on top of that, you keep stacking a little bit of talent, you keep upgrading, you keep bringing in reinforcements, and the foundation is here. Then, you bring in guys who are like-minded about winning and can play some ball, and can help you in areas, I think it's hard to fail."


▶ One of those like-minded individuals the Lions added this offseason was cornerback Cam Sutton.

"Cam just popped off the tape, just because the way he played, man, was everything we're about," Campbell said. "It's not always the flashiest, but, man, it's productive, it's violent and it's nasty. He fits us, and we knew he could help us."




▶ In the ongoing debate about football character in relation to prospective draft pick Jalen Carter, Campbell said there are things that can help put concerns to rest, starting with consistently good effort on tape and honesty in the pre-draft interview process.

"I would say football character is very important," Campbell said. "Of course, the human being always will make the difference. We don’t want to bring in somebody that’s going to do something that we’re all going to be sorry about. That’s not the idea. But, usually, if you have high football character, the other is pretty good. ...You have to weigh how much is in that player. Is that player going to benefit your team or impact your team and how consistent is it going to be? Then, you have to make that determination."




As the team does with every prospect they'll consider drafting, they're continuing to dig in on Carter, talking to his college coaches and teammates. Campbell said the team recently learned some "interesting" things about the Georgia standout they hadn't previously known after interviewing a teammate.

Campbell also said a strong locker room, which he believes the Lions have two years into his tenure, offers the opportunity to take on selective risks.



"I do think that’s possible," Campbell said. "But, without the core, you can’t do it. You can’t take a swing at one of those. If you feel like your foundation is set, you can get away with one, maybe two, maybe. But, you can get away with one."



▶ One of the most compelling position battles is setting up to be at right guard, where incumbent Halapoulivaati Vaitai will seek to fend off the recently re-signed challenger Graham Glasgow. With both players having extensive experience, Campbell said the competition epitomizes a new motto he's been using this offseason.


"This is my new term, that 'you're raising the floor,' right?" Campbell said. "A guy like Graham raises the floor. He's been a starter in this league. He's been a pretty good center. He's got guard flex, obviously. And so he's a guy that we know that can go in there and compete to start. And let's see where Big V's at coming off this back. I know we have some optimism in the building, you know? But, we won't know. And really, that's what Graham gives you, man. He gives you ability — he can step in and he can hold the fort down."



▶ Campbell is not a fan of the considered proposal to allow the flexing of late-season games to Thursday night.



▶ There's been a lot of debate about the fairness of pushing the quarterback during a sneak, which the Philadelphia Eagles used to great effectiveness throughout last season. And despite several teams pushing to ban the strategy, Campbell made it clear he was not among that group.


"I'm all good with it," Campbell said. "I've got no problem, man. Here's why: I think of it defensively, you've gotta have a plan to stop it. That's what fires me up. We're going to have a plan to stop it. That's like my goal, we come back here next year and (teams) will be like, all right, we can't do that anymore. You know? Listen, you've got something good, defensively, you've got to find a way to stop it. This will be fun.




▶ Echoing Holmes' comments from earlier in the week, Campbell acknowledged the Lions are on the prowl for receiving help after losing DJ Chark in free agency.

"Yeah, I would say so," Campbell said. "I think it would be nice to find another guy that can help us out there. I would say our eyes are there. We do have eyes there, somehow, some way. But yeah, we'll miss Chark. He's another one. He brought something to us that was a little different than the rest of them, so yeah, I think that's a fair assessment.





▶ Campbell didn't have much of an update on former second-round pick Levi Onwuzurike, who missed all of the 2022 season because of a back injury. The two spoke a couple of weeks back, and all indications are the rehab is going well, but the team won't really know if he's able to contribute until later this offseason.

"You don’t know with a back," Campbell said. "But, I mean certainly, he’s going to get an opportunity if the body will allow it."

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @Justin_Rogers

[jaadam4]

I’m sad to say but that Onwuzurike pick is a bust. That’s sad as Holmes was so high on him but he had that health red flag from jump street

[froot loops]

Go ahead, draft the guy. It's not like we haven't seen this at least a dozen times this century.
He'd literally be the 10th O-lineman in the 1st rd.
They've drafted just two DE and one CB in the 1st Rd in the last 25 years - combined.
You'd think if you have a deep draft at a position of need you'd want to try to double down on it (CB).,
Nah, lets keep drafting O-lineman in the 1st rd.....

Again, they have been addressing defense in the draft and in free agency during the Holmes era and you are running your yap like they have done nothing.

[CGVT]

Again, they have been addressing defense in the draft and in free agency during the Holmes era and you are running your yap like they have done nothing.

Running your yap? Jesus Christ. Who do you think you are, Fred Flintstone?

[froot loops]

I think the turn of phrase is appropriate in this case.

[-Deborah-]

Sad to read that the Lions are thinking of moving their training facility. We used to live in walking distance to it and it was always fun to drive by and see the random Lions player walking to their car. My husband encountered T.J. Lang at the nearby 7-11 once. Said he exchanged dirty looks with a big dude at the store and later realized it was T.J. haha. And I was cut off by former COO Tom Lewand, who was looking at his phone and was oblivious to his surroundings. Also got cut off by Louis Delmas, who was driving much too fast trying to get on the Southfield Freeway.

I'll be interested in seeing what other locations they consider.

[wcfwtf]

Oakland county where all the front office people live probably

[Futureshock]

This is the biggest challenge the new front office has. What do you do about the QB situation?

You’re picking 6 so if you like a guy you can trade up and go and get him, securing the future (hopefully). Or you give Goff a year but you’re probably going to be paying him 50 million plus a year.

I’d err towards getting one now. Fix the roof while the sun is shining. At the very least they’re grabbing a project QB.

I think it all is my friend. Chemi hits this point a lot and it's true. It isn't all that hard to go from terrible to serviceable, Team record wise. Taking that next step and staying there for a discernable time is really challenging and if you don't have your foundation solidly built and you take a wrong step, it can all come crashing down.

Going forward from this point will have a ton of challenges. I'm glad to have people who seem to know what they're doing here now.

[Cody_Russell]

I’m sad to say but that Onwuzurike pick is a bust. That’s sad as Holmes was so high on him but he had that health red flag from jump street

I agree that all signs point towards Onwuzurike being done in the NFL. Unfortunate for everyone. Spinal fusion surgery to the lower back. Apparently there is no evidence of a NFL player coming back from that specific surgery.

The red flag of a back injury in college at Washington existed. I’m not sure if we were aware of it during the 2021 draft process. This is why drafting Dalton Kincaid makes me nervous… though it could be a different back injury situation.

Need another DT or two! Hopefully the Lions get some help from the draft.

[jaadam4]

I think it all is my friend. Chemi hits this point a lot and it's true. It isn't all that hard to go from terrible to serviceable, Team record wise. Taking that next step and staying there for a discernable time is really challenging and if you don't have your foundation solidly built and you take a wrong step, it can all come crashing down.

Going forward from this point will have a ton of challenges. I'm glad to have people who seem to know what they're doing here now.

I don’t disagree with this but the offense was just really really good last year. They were a very efficient unit that have the makings to be one of the best in the league. That part isn’t mediocre at all.

The defense taking steps will be where it’s at with the team. Once those rookies start transitioning from rooks to vets this team could be scary. Holmes and his team know how to draft. Just give us a real LB and a DT and that squad could be equally as good as the offense.

This team has the makings to be special.