Friday, July 21, 2023

Morning Lions Links for Friday 7-21-23

Articles:

10 QUESTIONS WITH TWENTYMAN: What are the Lions' strengths & weaknesses heading into camp?:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/10-questions-with-twentyman-what-are-the-lions-strengths-weaknesses-heading-into


Lions training camp preview: Sam LaPorta adds slippery ability at tight end:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/07/lions-training-camp-preview-sam-laporta-adds-slippery-ability-at-tight-end.html


Denzel Mims: What the Lions are getting in their new WR:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2023/07/20/denzel-mims-trade-lions-jetss-scouting-report/

6 Things to Watch at Detroit Lions Training Camp:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/what-to-watch-lions-2023-training-camp

How Detroit Lions Offense Improves With WR Denzel Mims:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/how-lions-offense-improves-with-denzel-mims

Lions Place Three on NFI List Ahead of Training Camp:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/hendon-hooker-nfi-list







Jared Goff finally has to play with expectations on his shoulders in Detroit:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/7/20/23801189/2023-detroit-lions-roster-preview-jared-goff-expectations



50 under-the-radar players who could shape 2023 season (8. David Montgomery, Lions: The Lions essentially swapped out Williams for Montgomery and D'Andre Swift for rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, giving themselves a completely new look in the backfield. Montgomery has posted at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage each of his four seasons, and he'll be playing behind one of the league's best offensive lines.  13. Jameson Williams, Lions: Williams fell off the radar a bit after missing much of his rookie season with a torn ACL and fell even further off this offseason after being suspended six games for gambling. But when he returns, Williams should be able to be the Lions' top outside receiver and a complement to Amon-Ra St. Brown, especially given the Lions' otherwise-nondescript receiver room.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-training-camps-2023here-are-50-under-the-radar-players-who-could-shape-the-2023-season/

One breakout player for each NFL team entering 2023 (Detroit Lions: Jameson Williams - We were going to use Aidan Hutchinson here, but he already racked up 9.5 sacks as a rookie despite not generating pressure at all that high a rate (9.9% of pass-rush snaps). Williams has to sit out the first six games of the year due to a gambling suspension, but upon his return he should find the perimeter wide receiver depth chart somewhat easy to climb. In Ben Johnson's offense, with Amon-Ra St. Brown drawing attention underneath, there is room for a speedy deep threat to emerge and collect a lot of targets. Williams has the talent to be that guy.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/one-breakout-player-for-each-nfl-team-entering-2023-big-jordan-love-season-would-be-huge-for-packers/

Three questions each NFC North team must answerDetroit Lions (1. Can they handle being the hunted instead of the hunters?  A year ago, the Lions were on HBO's "Hard Knocks" looking to prove they were more than just head coach Dan Campbell soundbites about biting people's kneecaps. Fast forward to today, and these Lions, who last won a division title in 1993 when the teams were members of the NFC Central, are the betting favorites. The NFL even included them in the 2023 season opener against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs!   Detroit won eight of its final 10 games in 2022, which included eliminating Rodgers and the Packers from playoff contention in the final game of the regular season on "Sunday Night Football." That was awesome, except for requiring a 1-6 start to develop a sense of urgency. That early-season slide hindered their end-of-year hot streak from catapulting the franchise to its first playoff appearance since 2016. The Lions have all the ingredients to realize their potential after pairing a rebuilt secondary with their high-powered offense. Now, they just have to put it together.  2. Can Jared Goff and the Lions offense maintain their high-level play from the end of 2022 into the 2023 season?  Jared Goff's resurgence helped power a top-five scoring offense (26.6 points per game, fifth-best in NFL) as he led the league in touchdown to interception ratio (29 touchdowns to only seven interceptions). Goff closed out the season on fire, throwing 15 touchdowns and no interceptions in the Lions' final nine games. His 324 consecutive passes without an interception mark the longest such streak in franchise history.  Jared Goff's Lions career - Goff's connection with 2021 fourth-round pick wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown shined bright, as Brown broke out with 106 receptions, 1,161 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns, which led to the first Pro Bowl selection of St. Brown's career. According to The Athletic's Nate Tice, St. Brown led the NFL with an 18% success rate per target given the total amount of routes run, meaning the second-year wideout made the most of the chances he received from Goff given all of the chances he could have received.  It will be interesting to monitor how much 33-year-old Marvin Jones has to give in his second stint in the Motor City given they'll need to lean on him as one of their top options outside of St. Brown, at least through their first six games (the length of 2022 12th overall pick Jameson Williams' gambling suspension). Tight ends typically don't begin their careers as high-end pass-catchers since only two (Hall of Famer Mike Ditka in 1961 and Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts in 2021), but rookie second-round pick Sam LaPorta could be incorporated into the offense quickly based on their current receiving options.  Detroit also added to their receiver room Wednesday evening, trading for Jets former second-round pick Denzel Mims. The Lions reportedly sent a conditional sixth-round pick to Gang Green in exchange for Mims and a seventh-round pick in 2025, per NFL Media. The 25-year-old, who was the 59th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, became one of the odd men out after New York signed receivers Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Mecole Hardman.  Detroit will also be breaking in a new running back duo in 2023 with 12th overall pick Jahmyr Gibbs out of Alabama and former Chicago Bears rusher David Montgomery (signed a three-year, $18 million deal) following the departures of D'Andre Swift (traded to the Eagles) and 2022 rushing touchdowns leader Jamaal Williams (signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Saints). If offensive coordinator Ben Johnson can once again find the right mix this season, the Lions could once again have a top-five scoring offense (26.6 points per game in 2022, fifth-most in the NFL). 3. How quickly can the Lions rebuilt defense come together?  As great as Detroit was on offense last season, it was equally awful on defense. 3. How quickly can the Lions rebuilt defense come together?  As great as Detroit was on offense last season, it was equally awful on defense.  Lions defense (2022 season) - Lions general manager Brad Holmes swiftly addressed their secondary, which surrendered the third-most passing yards per game (245.8) in the league. He did so through free agency -- signing cornerbacks Cameron Sutton (three years, $33 million), Emmanuel Moseley (one year, $6 million) and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (one-year, $6.5 million, co-led NFL with six interceptions) -- and in the 2023 NFL Draft -- selecting the draft's top safety, Alabama's Brian Branch, in the second round (45th overall). Sutton was a sneaky smart signing since his 54.6 passer rating allowed in coverage was the fifth-best in the NFL last season among 50 players with at least 75 targets against them. Moseley is solid, but his health has been a question in prior seasons.  If the secondary holds up, allowing the offense to provide the team with a lead, their pass rush could pick up simply because opponents' offenses will be more predictable and forced to pass more. That was the case when Detroit went on its run to conclude last season, and it would be a predictable outcome with a better secondary and playing consistently with the lead in 2023. Lions pass push (2022 season)):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/three-questions-each-nfc-north-team-must-answer-during-2023-season-can-lions-handle-the-spotlight/

NFL Top 100 Players of 2023: Where Do Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, and Others Rank This Year? (97.  Penei Sewell, OT, Detroit Lions:  Many of us rightfully scoffed when the Detroit Lions decided they were going to throw Penei Sewell on the right side of the offensive line. But in the end, Sewell must have been willing to make the move, because after a short development curve, he’s right back to being an incredibly dominant bookend blocker. He provides physical dominance on the field with his massive frame and impressive athleticism, and since making the move, he has steadily improved his hands and feet playing on the other side.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-top-100-rankings-2023/

How Long Is Jameson Williams Out? Suspension Timeline, Return Date, and More on the Lions’ WR:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/jameson-williams-suspension-2023/

NFL Defense Rankings (Updated 2023): Who Has the Best Defense in the League? (15. Detroit Lions:  The Detroit Lions are predicted to have about a league-average defense this year despite how poorly they performed last year. Some of that is regression, but much of it comes through their heavy investments on that side of the ball, including draft picks Brian Branch and Jack Campbell, along with free agents C.J. Gardner Johnson, Cameron Sutton, and Emmanuel Moseley. Detroit should also see a little bit more development and health from their pass-rush unit.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-defense-rankings/

Trade Grades:

Trade Grades: Jets deal WR Mims to Lions (Lions: B-.  Odds are, if Mims truly couldn't make any headway on the Jets offense the last two years, he's not going to prove to be some kind of underutilized steal in Detroit. But swapping late-round picks is hardly a big gamble, and the Lions could use some added depth and upside at a position where Jameson Williams will open 2023 on suspension and guys like Marvin Jones and Josh Reynolds are better utilized as secondary players anyway. It's a classic low-risk, medium-reward move.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/denzel-mims-trade-grades-jets-move-on-from-former-second-round-wr-lions-add-talented-player-in-low-risk-deal/


Podcast:

'Carlos & Shawn': Recapping the Tom Gores interview; all aboard Lions hype train:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/07/20/detroit-lions-hype-train-detroit-pistons-tom-gores/70438045007/
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Posted by LionsFan at 5:08 AM

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