Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Morning Lions Links for Tuesday 7-25-23

Training Camp Articles:



Lions Articles:

Dan Campbell ‘fired up’ to bring Justin Jackson back into Lions’ RB room:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/07/dan-campbell-fired-up-to-bring-justin-jackson-back-into-lions-rb-room.html


Lions’ Taylor Decker and stacked offensive line keeping tunnel vision through hype:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/07/lions-taylor-decker-and-stacked-offensive-line-keeping-tunnel-vision-through-hype.html
Lions Host QB Teddy Bridgewater for Workout:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/teddy-bridgewater-works-out-for-lions

Phone Call From Jared Goff Gave Denzel Mims Confidence:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/phone-call-from-jared-goff-gave-denzel-mims-confidence



NFL training camp: Top questions, roster projections for all 32 teams (Detroit Lions - How will the Lions handle heightened expectations?  The Lions finished 2022 with a winning record for the first time since 2017. Now what? Can Jared Goff show that he's the quarterback of the Lions' future? Will this year's first-round picks -- RB Jahmyr Gibbs and LB Jack Campbell -- make an instant impact? For the first time in what feels like years, the Lions have heightened expectations entering camp. As Dan Campbell enters his third season as coach, the pressure is on to take the Lions to their first postseason appearance since 2016. "My whole focus is on how do we get better? How do we get better than we were last year?" Campbell said in June.):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37919259/nfl-training-camp-preview-top-questions-roster-projections-all-teams-2023

Top 10 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates in 2023: Bijan Robinson, Bryce Young lead the pack (6. Jahmyr Gibbs:  We know Gibbs won't be the primary back with David Montgomery in the fold as the new RB1 in Detroit. However, Gibbs' is an explosive two-way threat with game-changing ability. The Lions have one of the most talented play-callers in the league in Ben Johnson, who should be able to find creative ways to get Gibbs touches and targets, especially out of the backfield. Production as a runner and receiver will help, but he'll need to prove he can find enough touchdowns to win this award.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/top-10-nfl-offensive-rookie-of-the-year-candidates-in-2023-bijan-robinson-bryce-

2023 NFL season: Biggest challenge for each team (Detroit Lions - Biggest challenge: Developing chemistry in the secondary.  And this was a challenge before do-it-all DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson was carted off the practice field on Monday with a non-contact knee injury. Detroit's pass defense hasn't been up to snuff the past two seasons, as the Lions have been competitive but have found themselves in too many shootouts. This offseason, the team committed significant resources to the secondary, adding CBs Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley and Gardner-Johnson in free agency, before pouncing on versatile DB Brian Branch in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Along with holdover safeties Tracy Walker and Kerby Joseph, the Lions have the makings of a much-improved group in the back end. A significant injury to the uniquely talented CJGJ would be a real blow, though NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported that there is optimism following the initial scare. Regardless, DC Aaron Glenn must find the best ways to utilize everyone. A better pass rush also could aid this unit. The Lions open with the Chiefs in Week 1, which will throw the secondary right into the fire, although the schedule softens a bit after that. But Detroit's playoff hopes could rest on how much this secondary improves this season.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-season-biggest-challenge-for-each-team

Pete Prisco's Top 100 NFL Players of 2023 (66. Penei Sewell:  He has developed into a top-tier right tackle, a brute who can dominate in the run game. He's improving in pass protection as well.  83.  Amon-Ra St. Brown:  He showed in 2022 that he was among the league's best move-the-chain receivers with 64.2 percent of his catches going for first downs. He caught 106 passes with six touchdowns.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-top-100-nfl-players-of-2023-patrick-mahomes-no-1-as-qbs-go-1-2-3-nick-bosa-top-defensive-player/

Biggest '23 NFL training camp battles not involving QBs (Detroit Lions: Jack Campbell):  Lions second-year linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez came out of nowhere last training camp as the 2022 sixth-round pick out of Oklahoma State soared up the depth chart to earn a spot in the starting lineup. Unfortunately for Rodrigo, as head coach Dan Campbell affectionately named him on HBO's "Hard Knocks," the Lions then had a horrific year defensively, allowing 392.4 total yards-per-game, the most in the NFL. Lions defense in 2022 season - The disappointing performance across the entire unit led general manager Brad Holmes to overhaul the secondary 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 selecting the 2023 NFL Draft's top safety, Alabama's Brian Branch, in the second round (45th overall). He also selected Iowa inside linebacker Jack Campbell 18th overall with the Lions' second first-round selection, putting Rodriguez's job in danger. Campbell won the 2022 Butkus Award as the top linebacker in college football. His 92.9 PFF coverage grade was the best among linebackers in the FBS last season. Head coach Dan Campbell preaches competition, and this battle will certainly be fierce.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-nfl-training-camps-biggest-non-qb-rookie-battles-bijan-robinson-zach-charbonnet-face-stiff-competition/

2023 Preseason All-Rookie Team (Running back - Second team: Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions):  Gibbs will be the RB1 in Detroit by November and has some of the most effortless acceleration and long speed I've ever witnessed in a running back prospect. The pass-happy ways of Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and the presence of lateral-juking stud David Montgomery will eat into Gibbs' opportunities as a rookie. Tight end - First team: Sam LaPorta, Lions. The T.J. Hockenson trade came when the Lions were 1-6, and, ironically, they could've used him down the stretch during an 8-2 heater to end the season. Now the ferocious LaPorta steps into a TE1 role in what was a dynamic aerial-driven attack in 2022 -- only the Chiefs and Bills had a higher Expected Points Added total on dropbacks! LaPorta has an NFL frame, a thick lower half that makes him a moose in the open field, and he's an explosive athlete, so he'll be able to get open underneath and at the intermediate level.  Linebackers
First team: Jack Campbell, Lions and Daiyan Henley, Chargers - Campbell and Henley were my top two linebackers in the class, and they landed in tremendous locales. The only gripe I had with Campbell -- and I mean, the only gripe -- was his shorter arms. Otherwise, he ticked every box for me on film. Range, blocking-shedding, and coverage mastery. I love what Detroit has along the defensive line in front of him too. Monster first season ahead for him with the Lions.  Safeties
First team: Ja'Ayir Brown, 49ers and Brian Branch, Lions - I know there's Tracy Walker and 2022 rookie stud Kerby Joseph in Detroit's safety room. The Lions did not pick Branch -- such a pro-ready prospect -- in Round 2 for him to stand on the sidelines in 2023. He's the best tackling defensive back I've ever scouted and has tremendous instincts and ball skills in coverage. He'll be a cozy fit into the nickel role.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-preseason-all-rookie-team-lions-chargers-with-first-team-selections-on-offense-and-defense/


Video:

Why Stephen A. Smith picks the Lions to win the NFC North:  https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/38063458

Is the Lions 'hype train' already out of control? | 'GMFB':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/is-the-lions-hype-train-already-out-of-control-gmfb

Rapoport details Lions hosting Teddy Bridgewater for free agent visit:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/rapoport-details-lions-hosting-teddy-bridgewater-for-free-agent-visit
Posted by LionsFan at 5:06 AM

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