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Paywall article from today's Detroit News.
A champion, plays big and baked goods; what former coaches are saying about new Lions
Justin Rogers
The Detroit News
Orlando, Fla. — NFL coaches are more concerned about what is — or what can be — than what was. Regardless, the league meetings offer an opportunity to get some early insight into players who have left programs for new opportunities.
On Monday morning, the AFC's coaches met with media at the event being held at a shared JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton property in Orlando, where Las Vegas' Antonio Pierce, Baltimore's John Harbaugh and Cincinnati's Zac Taylor were each asked what the Lions were getting in their former players who signed with Detroit as free agents earlier this month.
Pierce, a longtime NFL linebacker, who translated an interim opportunity with the Raiders into a full-time head-coaching job this offseason, had to hold back a smile when asked about cornerback Amik Robertson.
"A ball hawk," Robertson said. "A guy that's very — you know, you hate to say it — but he's kind of got a little man's complex. He plays bigger than what he is. You look at him, 5-8, 5-9 guy, but extremely talented, gifted competitor. Sad to see him go, but very proud of him."
Pierce said Robertson battled daily on the practice field and was always ready to answer the bell when his number was called, particularly when he moved into the starting lineup, beginning in Week 4 last season.
"When he got the opportunity this year, he made the most of it," Pierce said.
Following Detroit's recent decision to release 2023 starter Cam Sutton, Robertson is expected to compete with Emmanuel Moseley for one of the team's starting jobs. Moseley played just two snaps for the Lions last season and has missed most of the past two years due to ACL tears in each knee.
Sticking on the defensive side, Taylor raved about defensive tackle DJ Reader's leadership and championship mentality.
"He was a great leader for us, tremendous player, everything that we wanted our players to be about and our leaders to be about," Taylor said. "(He) was consistent with his effort and performance, and has made some critical plays for us in some critical games that we’ll always remember. Wish D.J. the best of luck and I know (new Lions defensive line coach) Terrell Williams will take good care of him."
Taylor and Williams overlapped in Miami, where both worked under Lions coach Dan Campbell when he served as the franchise's interim head coach in 2015.
Even though Reader didn't start his NFL career in Cincinnati, Taylor said the defender's leadership style was cultivated during his college days at Clemson.
"He’s just a champion," Taylor said. "He’s won championships at Clemson. Like I said, (he) was part of some big moments here at Cincinnati for us. I know that’s why Detroit’s bringing him in."
Reader hasn't won a Super Bowl, falling just short in Cincinnati. He acknowledged at his introductory press conference with the Lions earlier this month that the loss to the Los Angeles Rams still fuels him.
"I was telling them upstairs, these guys got that same taste that I got," Reader said. "I got to a Super Bowl and lost. These guys got to the NFC Championship and lost. So everybody in this building has that same goal to go get that taste out of their mouth. I’m so ecstatic about that part. I could run through a wall right now, because you don’t have (a lot of) time to right those wrongs. This is an opportunity, and I don’t think we’re going to take it lightly as a team to go out there and do our thing."
From Harbaugh, the Lions snatched away guard Kevin Zeitler, a 12-year veteran who received Pro Bowl recognition last season for the first time in his career. In addition to what the Ravens coach expects Zeitler to bring to the Lions on the field, he shared what he'll — or more accurately, his wife Sara — will contribute behind the scenes.
"Kevin Zeiter, all ball, every single day," Harbaugh said. "Ball and baking. I mean, his wife bakes the best stuff. Everybody in Detroit and that building is going to get the best baked goods they've ever had in their life. But Kevin's an excellent football player. He's got a lot left in the tank. Very tough, physical guy. In a lot of ways, he was the personality of our team. He kind of established us that way."
Grit and cookies? Not a bad deal, as long as they're not gritty cookies.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
@Justin_Rogers
A champion, plays big and baked goods; what former coaches are saying about new Lions
Justin Rogers
The Detroit News
Orlando, Fla. — NFL coaches are more concerned about what is — or what can be — than what was. Regardless, the league meetings offer an opportunity to get some early insight into players who have left programs for new opportunities.
On Monday morning, the AFC's coaches met with media at the event being held at a shared JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton property in Orlando, where Las Vegas' Antonio Pierce, Baltimore's John Harbaugh and Cincinnati's Zac Taylor were each asked what the Lions were getting in their former players who signed with Detroit as free agents earlier this month.
Pierce, a longtime NFL linebacker, who translated an interim opportunity with the Raiders into a full-time head-coaching job this offseason, had to hold back a smile when asked about cornerback Amik Robertson.
"A ball hawk," Robertson said. "A guy that's very — you know, you hate to say it — but he's kind of got a little man's complex. He plays bigger than what he is. You look at him, 5-8, 5-9 guy, but extremely talented, gifted competitor. Sad to see him go, but very proud of him."
Pierce said Robertson battled daily on the practice field and was always ready to answer the bell when his number was called, particularly when he moved into the starting lineup, beginning in Week 4 last season.
"When he got the opportunity this year, he made the most of it," Pierce said.
Following Detroit's recent decision to release 2023 starter Cam Sutton, Robertson is expected to compete with Emmanuel Moseley for one of the team's starting jobs. Moseley played just two snaps for the Lions last season and has missed most of the past two years due to ACL tears in each knee.
Sticking on the defensive side, Taylor raved about defensive tackle DJ Reader's leadership and championship mentality.
"He was a great leader for us, tremendous player, everything that we wanted our players to be about and our leaders to be about," Taylor said. "(He) was consistent with his effort and performance, and has made some critical plays for us in some critical games that we’ll always remember. Wish D.J. the best of luck and I know (new Lions defensive line coach) Terrell Williams will take good care of him."
Taylor and Williams overlapped in Miami, where both worked under Lions coach Dan Campbell when he served as the franchise's interim head coach in 2015.
Even though Reader didn't start his NFL career in Cincinnati, Taylor said the defender's leadership style was cultivated during his college days at Clemson.
"He’s just a champion," Taylor said. "He’s won championships at Clemson. Like I said, (he) was part of some big moments here at Cincinnati for us. I know that’s why Detroit’s bringing him in."
Reader hasn't won a Super Bowl, falling just short in Cincinnati. He acknowledged at his introductory press conference with the Lions earlier this month that the loss to the Los Angeles Rams still fuels him.
"I was telling them upstairs, these guys got that same taste that I got," Reader said. "I got to a Super Bowl and lost. These guys got to the NFC Championship and lost. So everybody in this building has that same goal to go get that taste out of their mouth. I’m so ecstatic about that part. I could run through a wall right now, because you don’t have (a lot of) time to right those wrongs. This is an opportunity, and I don’t think we’re going to take it lightly as a team to go out there and do our thing."
From Harbaugh, the Lions snatched away guard Kevin Zeitler, a 12-year veteran who received Pro Bowl recognition last season for the first time in his career. In addition to what the Ravens coach expects Zeitler to bring to the Lions on the field, he shared what he'll — or more accurately, his wife Sara — will contribute behind the scenes.
"Kevin Zeiter, all ball, every single day," Harbaugh said. "Ball and baking. I mean, his wife bakes the best stuff. Everybody in Detroit and that building is going to get the best baked goods they've ever had in their life. But Kevin's an excellent football player. He's got a lot left in the tank. Very tough, physical guy. In a lot of ways, he was the personality of our team. He kind of established us that way."
Grit and cookies? Not a bad deal, as long as they're not gritty cookies.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
@Justin_Rogers
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