Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Morning Lions Links for Wednesday 9-6-23

Articles:

NOTEBOOK: Hutchinson ready to show what he can do in Year 2:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-hutchinson-ready-to-show-what-he-can-do-in-year-2


Welcome to the first installment of a new series of stories told through the voices of Detroit Lions players. Beyond the lights. Beyond the field. Beyond the Game.

Chiefs’ Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes praise Lions duo ahead of season opener:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/09/chiefs-andy-reid-and-patrick-mahomes-praise-lions-duo-ahead-of-season-opener.html

Star Chiefs TE Travis Kelce hyperextends knee, status against Lions uncertain:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/09/star-chiefs-te-travis-kelce-hyperextends-knee-status-against-lions-uncertain.html

Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow misses final practice before Lions-Chiefs:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/09/pro-bowl-center-frank-ragnow-misses-final-practice-before-lions-chiefs.html


Levi Onwuzurike Details Back Injury, Recovery Process:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/levi-onwuzurike-details-back-injury-recovery-process

Ever fueled by defeat, Goff can live up to vow to 'make Lions a winner':  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/jared-goff-can-back-up-vow-to-make-detroit-lions-a-winner

2023 Preseason Recap: Every NFL team's highest-graded UDFA (DETROIT LIONS: CB STEVEN GILMORE (89.7):  The brother of former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, Steven Gilmore went undrafted out of Marshall and enjoyed a phenomenal preseason. He posted an elite 90.5 coverage grade, with a pick-six in the final game against Carolina. That was one of two interceptions over the preseason to match his four pass breakups. Gilmore allowed just a 37.0 passer rating when targeted.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2023-preseason-recap-every-nfl-teams-highest-graded-udfa

32 teams, 32 observations from 2023 NFL training camp and preseason (DETROIT LIONS - The Lions have one of the best wide receivers in the league in Amon-Ra St. Brown (90.7 overall grade in 2022, second among 113 qualifying wideouts). There are some questions, however, about who is next in line for targets coming into the 2023 season.  Jameson Williams is suspended for the first six games of the season and DJ Chark Jr. (502 yards in 11 games last season) is now with the Carolina Panthers.  Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta has been taking first-team reps since day one of camp and has built chemistry with quarterback Jared Goff. LaPorta broke 20 tackles on 58 catches in 2022 and recorded 50-plus receptions and 600-plus receiving yards in 2021 and 2022 at Iowa.  If the Lions are going to end the longest active drought in the NFL without a postseason victory (1991), there’s a good chance LaPorta is a big reason why.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-32-teams-32-observations-2023-nfl-training-camp-preseason

For Detroit Lions, 2023 NFL season offers chance to reach new heights:  https://www.nfl.com/news/sidelines/for-detroit-lions-2023-nfl-season-offers-chance-to-reach-new-heights

Ranking all 32 backup QBs for 2023 NFL season (5. Teddy Bridgewater (Lions):  The one-time Vikings starter is too conservative and injury-prone to warrant a full-time gig anymore, but he's flashed as a capable mid-term fill-in for playoff-caliber lineups, most notably going 5-0 for the Saints back in 2019. With Nate Sudfeld and rookie Hendon Hooker both sidelined with injuries of their own, he's locked in as the emergency man behind Jared Goff.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-nfl-backup-qb-rankings-panthers-steelers-49ers-among-teams-with-top-insurance-options/

2023 NFL Rookie of the Year: Award favorites, sleepers (Offensive Rookie of the Year - 4. RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (+1000):  Gibbs and Robinson may be listed as running backs in your Fantasy league, but both displayed a natural ability to catch the football in college. Their dual-threat capabilities make them realistic candidates to win the honor.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-nfl-rookie-of-the-year-rankings-bryce-young-christian-gonzalez-among-favorites-sleepers-to-win-awards/

Touchdown Wire's staff predictions for the 2023 NFL season (Offensive Rookie of the Year - Jarrett Bailey: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions.  Putting a dynamic runner behind one of the best offensive lines in football will almost always pay dividends. The Lions are somewhat top-heavy when it comes to their skill positions, and with Jameson Williams missing the first six games, the Lions will lean on the run game a little more frequently. Gibbs can also serve as a solid receiving option out of the backfield, which OC Ben Johnson will take advantage of. While the Lions were laughed at for drafting Gibbs so high, he is an excellent runner and will have a ton of success in Detroit.):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-predictions-patrick-mahomes-josh-allen-trevir-lawrence/

Every NFL team's biggest (potentially) fatal flaw for the 2023 season (Detroit Lions: What if the passing offense doesn't come to pass?  The Lions finished on an 8-2 tear in 2022 and much of the credit goes to an offense that really gelled around QB Jared Goff operating OC Ben Johnson’s creative scheme. Amon-Ra St. Brown emerged as a Pro Bowl wideout, and the relatively healthy offensive line gave Goff time to consistently find the best option to attack the defense. It sure looks like the offense will remain great, but there are some moving parts that could slow it down.  Opponents have had time to study Johnson’s offensive proclivities. The WR room lacks a truly proven commodity outside of St. Brown; Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond are good, but neither really scares defensive coordinators. Rookie TE Sam LaPorta and fellow rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs are going to be major parts of the passing offense, and it remains to be seen if either will be truly ready for an instant impact. Goff was masterful down the stretch, but he’s had trouble sustaining success in the past. Even with what looks to be the NFL’s most-improved secondary and a deep pass rush, the offense will likely have to outscore what some foes post against the Detroit defense. Can Goff & Co. keep it rolling? – Jeff Risdon, Lions Wire):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-season-patrick-mahomes-josh-allen-deshaun-watson-justin-herbert/

NFL 2023 team tiers: Where does each NFC squad stand before kickoff? (Ascending - Detroit Lions:  The Lions are the hottest team in the NFL not to have made the playoffs this past season. And for good reason: Dan Campbell had Detroit playing sensationally after an 8-2 end to the season, and the team added depth on offense and defense this offseason. Rookies Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta could contribute immediately on offense, while fellow first-year players Jack Campbell and Brian Branch could have roles on defense. This season will prove if the Lions are here to stay or not.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-2023-team-tiers-where-does-each-nfc-squad-stand-before-kickoff-130001392.html

Meet the NFL's best unsung stars (PASS RUSHERS (4) - We like guys that can violate the pocket, especially when they come in all shapes, sizes and pedigrees. We also hate the term “EDGE” but wanted to get a nice cross section of quarterback hunters, so here goes.  The Detroit Lions will almost surely be forever grateful that DE Aidan Hutchinson “fell” to them with the No. 2 pick of the 2022 draft. He produced 9½ sacks in his first season and finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Like Wilson, good bet Hutchinson will be an All-Ekeler one-timer. But, for now, we’re thrilled to have his prodigious talent and non-stop Motor City motor.  DEFENSIVE BACKS (5) - CBs Rasul Douglas and Kendall Fuller share a similar background, third-round picks who entered the league as role players, bounced around a bit and earned Super Bowl rings before settling in as quality starters with their current teams, the Green Bay Packers and Commanders, respectively. DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s background is just a touch different, given he was a fourth-rounder and has yet to win a championship. However he was a key component of Philly’s NFC champion defense in 2022 while tying for the league lead with six picks. We’ll let Douglas and Fuller – each has a pair of pick-sixes over the past two seasons – line up wide while motormouth Gardner-Johnson, now with Detroit, can plug into the secondary anywhere – though we especially value his ability to man the slot.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/08/25/austin-ekeler-team-nfl-best-unsung-heroes-players/70670901007/

Adam Caplan’s NFL News and Rumors Notebook: Brian Burns Holdout Update, Lions’ RB Plan, and More (Detroit Lions - When the team selected former Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs with the first of their two first-round picks, it came to a fairly big surprise to some in personnel sources from other teams since the Lions already signed veteran RB David Montgomery in free agency.  Montgomery, who signed a three-year, $18 million deal with $8.75 million fully guaranteed, will be the starter, so why draft Gibbs?  A source with knowledge of the situation said the Lions don’t look at Gibbs as just a running back, rather they view him as a multipurpose offensive player.  Several teams Pro Football Network talked to leading up to this year’s NFL Draft had a first-round grade on Gibbs, but the question with some teams was whether he could be an every down back. The Lions clearly aren’t concerned about that since they have a clear plan in mind — and that’s to take advantage of his obvious skill set.  Gibbs, who caught 104 passes during his three college seasons (two with Georgia Tech and one with Alabama), offers something that Montgomery doesn’t — that’s raw speed (4.36 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine).  Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who enters his second full season calling the plays, was asked about the test this week’s opponent (Kansas City Chiefs) will present Gibbs and Montgomery, who are playing together for the first time.  “I think we’ve seen within our own setting — I think we’ve seen a lot of them and we know what we’re going to expect out of both those guys. I think they are very — yes, they are complementary backs. What (Montgomery) does well, Gibbs might not do as well and vice versa, but I think they both are very versatile, so we might use Gibbs in some ways that people don’t quite think we might or Montgomery the same way.  “I’m really excited to see what they can do out on the field here this week, but we’re going to use them all over the place.”In addition to Gibbs, the team has big plans in mind for another rookie.  Second-round pick S Brian Branch was quickly installed as the team’s nickel defender early in training camp and because of that, veteran DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson is slated to just play safety this season.  Gardner-Johnson, who signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal back in March, played safety last season with the Philadelphia Eagles for the first time since his college days (2016-2018 Florida).  Gardner-Johnson was known in personnel circles as one of the best nickel defenders in the NFL prior his trade from the New Orleans Saints to the Eagles right before the start of last season.  A source with knowledge of the situation said that Branch has been so impressive that despite his lack of speed, Branch showed he could easily transition to outside cornerback if need be.  Branch dropped out of the first round mainly due to a slow 40-yard dash time (4.58) during this year’s NFL Combine, but looked very smooth during training camp practices in coverage, which gives the team the belief he could play on the outside if called upon to do so.  Also in the defensive backfield, the team surprisingly decided to activate veteran CB Emmanuel Moseley off the active/PUP list last week.  Around the middle of August, a source with knowledge of the situation said it seemed inevitable that Moseley, who was coming back from a torn ACL suffered with the San Francisco 49ers last season during their Week 5 game against the host Carolina Panthers, would remain on PUP to start the season, which would put him out at least four games. He had not practiced since last October with the 49ers.  However, Moseley, who signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Lions, made strong progress over the last few weeks, which gave the team the belief that he was ready to start practicing. Players on the reserve/PUP list are prohibited from practicing.  Moseley practiced for the first time with the team last Friday and took in limited work on Monday.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-news-rumors-brian-burns-jahmyr-gibbs-caplan-2023/

2024 NFL Draft:

2024 NFL Draft Stock Report:  https://walterfootball.com/draft2024stock_01.php

Podcast:

Dungeon of Doom mailbag: Jahmyr Gibbs’s offensive ROY chances; previewing Lions-Chiefs:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/09/dungeon-of-doom-mailbag-jahmyr-gibbss-offensive-roy-chances-previewing-lions-chiefs.html

Video:




Will offenses dominate in Lions-Chiefs matchup? | 'GMFB':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/will-offenses-dominate-in-lions-chiefs-matchup-gmfb
Posted by LionsFan at 7:55 AM

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