Lions News

[Blue Lagoon58]

LOL at fans freaking out about this. LOLOLO

[Forsh]

LOL at fans freaking out about this. LOLOLO

Oh for sure nothingburger ... but something had him focused and dialed in at Bama

[LightninBoy]

Oh for sure nothingburger ... but something had him focused and dialed in at Bama

Some years ago, there was highly rated LBer coming out of Alabama that was drafted in the first round. Many Lions fans wanted to draft him. I had to look up the name: Reuben Foster, ultimately drafted by the 49ers. Anyways, he had a squeaky clean record coming out of college, but once he hit the NFL he immediately got into off field troubles: drugs, domestic violence, etc - a real POS.

Being that college sports are a cesspool - my assumption was he had similar issues in Bama, and they covered it up. But about that time an article came out describing the Alabama football program. The amount of structure around these players is insane. They barely have a single minute of free time. I think there are certain players that absolutely need that structure, thrive in that structure, and then get lost once its removed in the jump to the NFL. I'm guessing that Jamo is one of those. The good news is that he isn't a POS at heart; just a decent kid who has some growing up to do.

[whatever_gong82]

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/10/31/jared-goff-is-first-lions-qb-to-win-nfc-offensive-player-of-the-month/75962937007/

[whatever_gong82]

Coordinator recap: How Jacobs has impacted Packers, Fipp embarrassed, and attitude matters more than scoring marks

Justin Rogers
Oct 31, 2024


Allen Park — A couple of weeks back, after David Montgomery’s remarkable, tackle-breaking reception against the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell offered glowing praise for his running back.

“I mean this guy is unbelievable,” Campbell said. “I would never not block for that guy, ever, because the play is never over with him. It’s just not, it is not over. He’ll keep any play alive. He’s a strong runner. He can will himself to make things happen, and he’s tough, he’s relentless, he’s resilient, he’s everything you want in a back.”


I bring this quote back up because it came to mind when Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn discussed the impact Josh Jacobs has had in his first season with the Green Bay Packers.


“There’s something about acquiring a back that has (pelts) on the wall, that you know that’s a good runner, to change the mindset, I think, for the offensive lineman,” Glenn said. “I remember going to see his workout when he was at Alabama and I was impressed with him. Now, to be able to see how he is in the NFL, the violent, physical, runner that he is, you just know that their offensive line looks forward to blocking for that man. There’s a tick up on how they’re operating, as far as the violence and the physical nature of the game because of who they have running the ball.”

Jacobs, the NFL’s 2022 rushing leader, has more than met expectations after signing a four-year contract as a free agent this offseason. He’s fourth in the league in rushing and averaging 4.6 yards per carry, serving as a key cog for an offense averaging 27.0 points per game.


The Lions, meanwhile, have had some issues against the run the past couple of weeks, allowing their two highest single-game yardage totals against Minnesota and Dallas.

Glenn downplayed the concerns, noting they largely controlled Minnesota’s Aaron Jones after allowing a long gain to open the game, while Tennessee piled up meaningless yards in the closing stages of Detroit’s blowout victory. But the coordinator acknowledged slowing Jacobs is a top priority this week.


“It’s going to be a challenge for us and we have to do everything we can to make sure we stop that because if you let that happen, that’s not good for a defense to allow a team to run the ball and then be able to have (to defend) the play-action passes that they have with these receivers that they have.”

The Lions certainly understand the value of the play-action pass. No one has utilized it more or been better after a run fake than Jared Goff. Green Bay’s Jordan Love has also been sharp on those plays, posting a 108.5 rating on play-action throws.


Another honor

Not directly related to the coordinators, but certainly worthy of note — Goff became the third Lions player to win NFC Player of the Month, joining two-time winners Calvin Johnson and Barry Sanders.

It’s actually Goff’s second time earning the honor, getting it in Sept. 2018, while still with the Rams.

Not that the numbers haven’t been repeated countless times during Goff’s recent run, but in October, he completed 80% of his passes with eight touchdowns and zero interceptions, posting a passer rating of 149.8 in the three games.


Back on track

Since going 1-for-7 in the red zone against Tampa Bay in Week 2, the Lions have been tough to stop, scoring 16 touchdowns with their last 18 trips inside the 20-yard line.

That’s helped them climb back near the top of the success rate rankings. They’re currently seventh after finishing second and fourth the past two seasons.


“I like to think that we’ve been pretty good over the last two-and-a-half years down there, being able to punch it in,” offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said. “That game (vs. Tampa), I think we talked about it after it happened, that was kind of an asterisk when we looked at it as a staff. I don’t know that, schematically, we’re doing much different, but we have a philosophy once we get it down there that we try to adhere to, and our guys did a heck of a job executing the plan last week.”

The Lions went 5-for-5 against the Titans, matching their Week 4 effort against Seattle.


Thanks, but no thanks

Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp was awarded a game ball by Campbell in the locker room after Sunday’s win over Tennessee. How’d that feel for the veteran coach?

“Yeah, embarrassing,” Fipp said. “I really don’t like it. I mean, I’m very appreciative of that. My least favorite part of the whole game, honestly, is attention. I would rather just lay in the weeds and do my job.


“I said in there, I love being around the players,” Fipp said. “The players and the game of football really give me life and I love what I do. I enjoy being around them, I enjoy helping them. It’s my passion. Seeing them be successful is like the most important thing in the world to me. And so, really, for me, the game is about them. There was a time when I was a very young coach where I was excited about the game day environment and all that stuff, but that’s really come and gone. So, I’m grateful for the game ball. I really don’t like the attention.”

Keep your flowers, Fipp is all about business.


Maximizing talent

Even though Jameson Williams isn’t directly under Glenn’s purview, the veteran coach and longtime player was asked about the coaching staff’s role in working with players from wildly different backgrounds, particularly when they’re running into some issues off the field.

Glenn’s answer was thoughtful, both from a big-picture standpoint and in direct reference to Williams.


“Nowadays, there’s so much that’s going out with social media, things like that, that it’s tough,” Glenn said. “And you just have to remind them that times are different. When I grew up, when you guys grew up, and what he’s going through now, there’s just no room for it. What you’re doing is you’re not allowing yourself to capitalize on everything that you can capitalize on.

“Listen, we all know Jamo is a talent,” Glenn continued. “He’s a talent and I want to be able to see him capitalize on everything that he can because of the talent that he has and because of the person that he is. If you don’t really know him, you should get to know him, because he’s a really, really good person. To me, that’s how I look at that is the relationship part of it that you speak to. Sometimes, that’s not even the football part, that’s more of the relationship of what I went through and how can I help him.”




Protective secrets

Johnson said he was approached by a Titans coach after Sunday’s game regarding strategies for reducing turnovers. The Lions have been among the best at protecting the ball this season, while the Titans’ four giveaways brought them to 16 on the still-young season.

Johnson said he didn’t give away any secrets during the interaction but praised running back’s coach Scottie Montgomery for emphasizing ball security with his group, as well as Goff's steady decision-making.


“It’s constant harping on it as coaches,” Johnson said. “It gets old, it gets redundant, but at some point, these guys, I think they just hear it in the back of their minds when they’re carrying the ball down the field.

“It’s each and every week we just attack that portion of it, and we have a quarterback right now that is playing very smart, sound football,” Johnson continued. “He’s taking care of the ball. If it presents it to him down the field, he’ll throw it. He’s got no problem ripping a dagger or throwing a post down the field, but teams that we keep seeing get all this depth and he’ll check it down. He’s just being very smart and deliberate with how he’s attacking coverages right now.”


One area where Goff hasn’t been as secure is maintaining possession of the ball when hit in the pocket. He’s put it on the ground four times in the past two games and has been fortunate he or a teammate has recovered each of those fumbles.

“Usually, whatever we emphasize early in the week and in practice, it carries over to the game,” Johnson said. “That’s what we found at least with our guys. They’re very conscientious that way, and so (quarterbacks) coach (Mark) Brunell’s been on him in individual periods, just in terms of what it should look like in the pocket when we get pressure.”


Aggression wins again

Fipp was able to cycle back to a comment he made last week, about the value of not being passive, to highlight why punt returner Kalif Raymond was able to have so much success against the Titans.

“Kalif was playing really fast and he’s on the attack,” Fipp said. “It’s kind of like I said to you guys a week ago, when you play on the attack in this game, good things happen to you. So you’re always trying to stay on the attack, no matter what the unit is, and Leaf did a great job of that.”


On the opposite end of that spectrum, Fipp praised defensive end James Houston for reeling in his aggression in favor of being smart.

“Houston came down there (on Raymond’s touchdown return) and didn’t block a guy because he might’ve blocked him in the back, which was good to see,” Fipp said. “I always say sometimes the best plays are the ones you don’t make. The decision not to block the guy or try to make it ends up being, really, one of the best plays out there.”


Attitude, not records

The Lions fell three points shy of matching the franchise’s single-game scoring record against Tennessee, impressively doing all the damage in the first three quarters.

I asked Johnson if he was aware they were close to the mark and whether it would have been meaningful to achieve it.

“The records don’t matter, it’s just the mentality of when we step on the field, until the head coach tells us to let off the gas, we’re trying to score a touchdown every time,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t matter if we’re up by five scores, down by five scores, that’s just who we are and that’s what we believe in. It’s been that way since Coach Campbell got here.”

[whatever_gong82]

What the Lions are saying about rookie class development and contributions beyond Terrion Arnold

Justin Rogers
Nov 1


Allen Park — In the early stages of an NFL rebuild, rookies tend to see the field early and often.

In 2021, coinciding with the arrival of general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions’ rookies played a league-high 5,280 snaps. That reliance on first-year players calmed down a bit as the rebuild rounded into contention, but the team still squeezed more than 7,000 snaps from its rookie classes the past two seasons.


Entering the 2024 campaign as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, with stellar depth throughout much of the roster, the Lions simply haven’t needed those immediate contributions as they have in the past.


Sure, first-round selection Terrion Arnold has been on the field nearly 90% of the team’s defensive snaps, but who else? The team’s remaining rookies — both draft picks and undrafted free agents — have combined for just 189 offensive and defensive snaps through seven games, and nearly three-quarters of those belong to sixth-round defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo.

With that in mind, let’s check in on the group of newcomers outside Arnold:



Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw

Five games, 25 defensive snaps, 66 special teams snaps

To start the regular season, Rakestraw was the team’s No. 3 outside cornerback, behind starters Carlton Davis III and Arnold. The second-round pick even popped on for three snaps during the opener as an injury replacement.


But after suffering a hamstring injury during pre-game warmups in Week 2, sidelining him two games, Rakestraw was displaced as the top backup by veteran Kindle Vildor.

Rakestraw has seen the majority of his defensive playing time in the closing stages of blowout victories two of the past three weeks. Against Dallas, the work was primarily on the outside, while the snaps came in the slot against Tennessee last Sunday.


Position coach Deshea Townsend praised Rakestraw’s budding versatility this week, and the rookie feels he demonstrated his growth when he fired through a gap to make a run stop in the fourth quarter against the Titans.

“Tackling, for me, is what I've always something I've liked to do,” Rakestraw said. “So that's nothing. It's about being more intentional with the details. There are different gaps you have to fit (as the nickel) if a player moves or a player comes from the other side (of the formation).


"I'm just learning those details, so I can hit the gaps faster," he said. "I made one good tackle where I shot the gap pretty well. That's all because of the reps I've been getting. In fall camp, I probably wouldn't have shot the gap the way I did because I didn't understand it.”

Coming off the bench is unfamiliar territory for Rakestraw. This is the first time he hasn’t been a starter since his sophomore year of high school. As a three-star recruit out of Duncanville (Texas), Rakestraw immediately earned a starting role as a freshman for the Tigers.


During that time, he would preach patience and hard work to his young teammates who didn’t earn early opportunities to contribute. Now, he’s having to convey that same message into the mirror.

“It teaches you to be humble,” Rakestraw said. “When I was starting as a freshman in the SEC, there were a lot of guys who didn't get those opportunities and I was telling them to keep their head up, not knowing that four years later I'd be in that same situation. The things I said to them, I just have to be real, remember those same words I told them, and do the same things they did to elevate themselves where they were able to play at Missouri and be good ball players.


“I have to keep that mindset,” Rakestraw said. “I can't think about anybody else, I just have to think about my development every single day.”

Barring an injury ahead of him on the depth chart, Rakestraw’s role will likely remain unchanged this season. In fact, there’s a good chance he’ll be pushed further down the depth chart once Emmanuel Moseley returns from the torn pec that’s sidelined him to start this season.


In the meantime, Rakestraw will continue to contribute on special teams, where he’s getting reps on kickoff return, kickoff coverage and punt return.

Looking forward, he could have a path to compete for a starting job in 2025. Davis and Moseley are both on expiring deals, while Robertson’s cap hit jumps from $2.85 million to $6.4 million in 2025, making him a potential cap casualty in the offseason. Those odds increase if the Lions feel Rakestraw is primed to take over the nickel role.



Offensive tackle Giovanni Manu


0 games, 0 snaps

Despite making the 53-man roster out of training camp, Manu has been a healthy scratch for each of the team’s first seven games. And, to be fair, that was always the plan.


The physically gifted Tongan, who played collegiately in Canada, was selected as a developmental project by Holmes. During the offseason program, that was often apparent. The jump in speed and strength regularly looked overwhelming for the third-round pick.

Following training camp and three preseason games, where he logged nearly 150 snaps at left tackle, we haven’t had eyes on how Manu’s development. That's because media is barred from the meaningful portions of practice this time of year.


Last week, I asked offensive line coach Hank Fraley where Manu has been making the biggest strides behind the scenes.

"He’s progressing with the consistency of the play and starting to get more of the big picture, too," Fraley said. "When things move pre-snap, what’s happening? Where does the call need to adjust to? Do I need to adjust? I think the play speed has definitely picked up over time."


Like many young players not contributing on Sundays, Manu’s practice work comes on the scout team, where he gets a chance to go head-to-head with Detroit’s defensive starters.

"Our defense does a lot of pre-snap movements and all these pressures, so he’s learning on the fly here and he’s playing faster and making calls and stuff," Fraley said. "So that’s where I think he’s progressed a lot more than what you saw in training camp. It was, 'All right, let me get my first couple steps down, let me see this.' Now it’s seeing, 'Oh, adjust, here’s our adjustment to it.' without somebody relying on him (knowing) how to make the calls, so he’s gotten better there."


Don’t expect to see Manu this season. The Lions will turn to Dan Skipper or Colby Sorsdal if they need an injury replacement at offensive tackle. There’s also a strong chance the team would activate practice squader Jamarco Jones before trusting Manu.

Next offseason will be significant for the rookie. He’ll have the opportunity to showcase his development and prove whether he’s worthy of a game-day role backing up Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell.



Running back Sione Vaki

Seven games, nine offensive snaps, 128 special teams snaps


Vaki is firmly fourth on the backfield depth chart, which isn’t surprising given he’s still raw at the position, making the full-time conversion of offense this offseason after primarily playing safety at Utah.


Realistically, he was never going to be a threat to take playing time from David Montgomery or Jahmyr Gibbs, and even in the lopsided wins over Dallas and Tennessee, veteran Craig Reynolds has received the bulk of mop-up duties.

Most of Vaki’s limited offensive work has been as a lead blocker in I-formations. It’s unusual, given his 213-pound frame, but there’s an overlapping skill set and mentality from his work on special teams.


“We just really like his ability to strike on the move,” position coach Scottie Montgomery said. “He targets well, and because of his leverage and power in his lower quarters, he's just always striking on the move, which is timing. It's like a boxer's timing, at times. He knows how to get to that point, maybe take that extra step and go in and engage. We've seen a lot of good things out of him.”

Special teams have unquestionably been Vaki’s calling card. That was expected coming out of the draft, where the Lions talked him up as one of the top performers in this class on those units.


“I think Vaki’s done a great job for us,” special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said. “He’s got a good skillset. Obviously, his college experience probably helps. He was a defensive player and an offensive player in college, so he can play coverage aspects on special teams and return.

“He’s done a good job in protection on punt, and really, on all four phases I feel like he’s done a good job,” Fipp said. “Whatever he’s got to continue to improve, all of us do, myself included, but I think he’ll continue to get better and better and better.”


Most notably, Vaki was able to utilize his unique skill set to help the Lions execute a fake punt, catching a 17-yard pass from punter Jack Fox against Tampa Bay in Week 2.

Showcasing explosive ability as a ball carrier during the preseason, Vaki could overtake Reynolds as the No. 3 back in 2025 with continued development and assignment reliability. Regardless, the special teams contributions alone are adequate value for his fourth-round draft position.



Defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo

Seven games, 140 defensive snaps, 26 special teams snaps


Because of some injuries along the defensive line, Wingo has had a larger role than initially expected. The undersized defensive tackle has helped backfill snaps that otherwise might have gone to Brodric Martin, Kyle Peko, Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, John Cominsky or Josh Paschal, depending on the week.

Viewed first and foremost as a penetrating interior option, Wingo has been getting cross-trained as a big edge along Detroit’s front since the offseason. His ability to handle those alignments has helped the team patch their depth issues at defensive end, with 40% of his workload coming on the edge.


“The thing that happened with him, once we started having these injuries, we have to move him around in different spots,” defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “But that’s the good thing about Wingo, his versatility and his lower-body strength to be able to handle different opportunities that we’re giving him to play different positions. He’s been playing inside, he’s been playing a big end for us.

“That was a pleasant surprise for us, honestly,” Glenn said. “We knew he was a good player, we knew that he was strong, but to see him be able to hold up at the point of attack was good to see so we can put him in those spots.


In terms of production, Wingo hasn't had much. He’s tallied five tackles (one solo) and five quarterback hurries in his first seven appearances. Regardless, his motor has resonated with his teammates.

“He's doing really good, chasing tackles, playing hard,” DJ Reader said. “That's what it's about as a young player. There are not going to be a lot of opportunities out there, but you go make them for yourself. Wingo chasing the ball (on) plays, those plays are important. Those plays help us stop them from getting first downs, keeping them in third downs and things like that. It might go unseen to the naked eye, but the way he's playing is really, really encouraging.”


continued...

[whatever_gong82]

Guard Christian Mahogany

0 games, 0 snaps

Whatever hope Mahogany had of earning one of Detroit’s top backup jobs was derailed by an offseason bout with mononucleosis. The illness kept him away from the team most of training camp and landed him on the physically unable to perform list until this week.


Mahogany was able to practice the three weeks prior to being added to the 53-man roster on Tuesday. Again, not being able to watch those practices, we have to lean on what his position coach has to say about the development.

“When he was first back, he can't do nothing but work out, lift, all that stuff,” Fraley said. “He's in the meetings, but he's not going out there to practice, to grind with the guys. Now that we've had him back, it's been great to see. He's put a lot of work in.


“(Director of Sports Performance Mike) Clark and those guys got him ready to go,” Fraley said. “We were trying to make sure he was ready when he was coming back, getting him in that cardio shape and everything, the strength. Honesty, watching him come back, it's kind of what you saw in OTAs. When you did see him play, it's like, 'Man, he's got something to him.' He's come back hungry and is really fitting well in the room. It's been exciting to see him.”

Fraley went on to praise Mahogany’s understanding of the playbook, football IQ and overall consistency. Despite those positive attributes, it probably won't be enough for the rookie to leapfrog Kayode Awosika on the depth chart any time soon. Still, Mahogany could conceivably be in the mix to compete for a starting job at right guard in 2025, depending on what the Lions do with pending free agent Kevin Zeitler, who turns 35 years old in March.


Safety Loren Strickland

Three games, 37 special teams snaps


A roster surprise, the undrafted rookie out of Ball State won over the coaching staff during the offseason program because of versatility and effort.

“Everything that we talk about culture-wise, he embodied with his play style,” position coach Jim O’Neil said earlier this month.


After breaking his thumb in the preseason, Strickland was limited to start the year. In the three games where he’s appeared, he’s been exclusively on special teams, seeing reps on kickoff coverage and block, punt return and field goal block.

In recent weeks, he’s been a healthy scratch, with the team having more significant roster needs at other spots.


Wide receiver Isaiah Williams

One game, five offensive snaps, three special teams snaps


Williams wowed in the preseason, leading the Lions in receptions and receiving yards. Despite largely being limited to the slot, the production and steady improvement were enough to earn him a roster spot out of camp, over veterans Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tom Kennedy and Daurice Fountain.

With Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond currently blocking a path to playing time, and Williams offering minimal special teams value, he’s struggled to earn a role on game days. He finally got the call last Sunday with Jameson Williams suspended, catching a couple passes in the fourth quarter after the starters got the hook.


Williams’ under-the-radar value has come on the practice field, where coaches have raved about the preparatory looks he’s giving the starting defense while working on the scout team, often imitating the opponent’s top receiver.

“He’s been the guy that pops every week on scout team, and I know he’s won scout team player of the week several times for (Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn) and the defensive staff,” offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said. “And so, you see it. You see what you saw in the preseason with the speed, the explosion, and now it’s just carrying over and you’re seeing it day in and day out. And so, the trust level’s certainly going up."



Long snapper Hogan Hatten

Seven games, one offensive snaps, 64 special teams snaps


Hatten’s rare athleticism for his position allowed him to unseat incumbent Scott Daly for the snapping job this offseason. And, to this point, the Lions have been thrilled with their decision.


“Number one is velocity (of his snaps),” special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said earlier this month. “The quicker he gets the ball back there, the more time (holder Jack) Fox has to get the ball down. Ultimately, what the kicker wants is, the kicker wants to see the ball down on the spot for longer.

“…Velocity is one thing, the next thing about getting it down on the spot would be location,” Fipp continued. “The better the location is, more right over the spot, the quicker Fox can get it down. Then you’re also talking about the laces, and if the laces need to be adjusted, that takes time, which, again, puts the kicker behind it a little bit.”


After Jake Bates’ game-winning kick against Minnesota, Fox echoed the praise for Hatten's snaps.

“It's an easy deflection, but Hogan has been snapping so well that I'm not worried about spinning the laces or that it's going to be high or low,” Fox continued. “He's crushing it. People don't understand that, but he's been giving me great laces, right where it needs to be every time.”


Email: jrogers@detroitfootball.net

X: Justin_Rogers



© 2024 Justin Rogers | Detroit Football Network
jrogers@detroitfootball.net

[chemiclord]

You wouldn't think long snapping is an art... until you listen to kickers and holders gush about their long snapper.

[froot loops]

In articles I've read about the explosion in 50+ field goals, an underrated factor is the improvement of the snap and hold.

[wcfwtf]

I one time thought about that highly touted linebacker who I think came out of Notre Dame.
Yhe one who had the made up girl friend and stuff. I think he got drafted by the Chargers never to be heard of again.
At least I don’t remember ever seeing hearing about him.

[chemiclord]

Manteo T'eo. Had a completely decent 8-year career, but wasn't particularly remarkable.

[wcfwtf]

Yeah that’s him. I remember watching a Chargers game and hearing his name a few years ago and thinking wow he’s still playing.
Eight years ago already. Time flies

[chemiclord]

He retired at the end of the 2020 season, so not quite that long ago.

[whatever_gong82]

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/11/01/detroit-lions-k-michael-badgley-feeling-good-in-torn-hamstring-rehab/75998084007/

[whatever_gong82]