Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Morning Lions Links for Wednesday 12-20-23

Articles:

Detroit Lions waive former starting kicker to make room for rookie quarterback:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/12/detroit-lions-waive-former-starting-kicker-to-make-room-for-rookie-quarterback.html

With playoff spot all but a formality, let's explore the Lions' postseason scenarios:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/12/19/lets-explore-detroit-lions-postseason-scenarios/71966057007/

What does Sam LaPorta need to enter the record books?:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/sam-laporta-lions-nfl-rookie-records-tight-ends/

By the Numbers: Jared Goff Is Not Game Manager:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/jared-goff-is-not-game-manager

Isaiah Buggs: When Lions Gel, 'We're Unstoppable':  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/isaiah-buggs-lions-unstoppable



When will Dan Campbell rest his best players? "When we're done with the season.":  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/detroit-lions-dan-campbell-wont-be-resting-his-top-players

NFL season-long statistical review after Week 15: Team tiers, dropback outcomes and more:  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-statistical-review-week-15-team-tiers-dropback-outcomes-2023

Grading all 31 first-round picks after Week 15 of the 2023 NFL season (PICK NO. 12: DETROIT LIONS: RB JAHMYR GIBBS - Overall Rookie Grade: 75.8 (Rank: 3/8).  Principal Opponent: P.J. Locke.  Week 15 Snaps: 32.  Week 15 Grade: 88.8.  Gibbs was spectacular against Denver and finished Week 15 with the highest grade of any offensive rookie. He averaged an astounding 9.1 yards per carry and forced six missed tackles, his most since Week 8. Gibbs is generally considered an explosive player in space, but he is excelling between the tackles. Sixty-five of his 100 rushing yards came between the tackles, and he owns the sixth-best rushing grade in the NFL on such runs.  PICK NO. 18: DETROIT LIONS: LB JACK CAMPBELL - Overall Rookie Grade: 53.8 (Rank: 3/5).  Principal Opponent: Lucas Krull.  Week 15 Snaps: 33.  Week 15 Grade: 58.5.  Campbell’s best work against Denver came in run support, as he racked up three tackles and two stops. He continues to look increasingly comfortable attacking downhill and has posted a 76.4 run-defense grade over the past six weeks. Detroit is also decreasing his exposure in coverage. Campbell tied a season-low with 10 coverage snaps in Week 15 despite the team being ahead for the majority of the game.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-grading-all-first-round-picks-week-15-2023-nfl-season

14 wild NFL stats from Week 15: Flacco flourishes in 4Q (Lions rookies are roaring. The Lions rookie class combined to score five touchdowns, which is the most in a single game since the Bills in 1979.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/browns-joe-flacco-has-biggest-fourth-quarter-of-any-qb-this-nfl-season-plus-13-other-wild-stats-from-week-15/

11 things we learned in NFL Week 15: Dominant Dolphins, Jets turmoil, career revivals (5. The Lions got right — and established their postseason formula.  The Lions not only needed a win on Saturday, after dropping two of their last three, but needed a convincing win. They got it over the Denver Broncos and it had a lot to do with one man: center Frank Ragnow. On The Athletic Football Show, Nate Tice offered this stat: on snaps with Ragnow on the field the Lions would rank second in the league in EPA per play. Without him on the field? They'd rank 27th. Success for the Lions hinges mostly on the health of their offensive line, even with their pass-defense issues. They were able to stop a red-hot Broncos team and strengthen their grip on the NFC North in large part because Ragnow came back and the offensive line is healthier than it has been recently.  Quarterback Jared Goff threw for five touchdowns, matching a single-game career high. Three of those touchdowns went to rookie star tight end Sam LaPorta. Detroit rediscovered its run game, and more specifically, rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, who had two touchdowns on the day including the first receiving touchdown of his career. Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 185 rushing yards and further exposed Denver's run defense woes. Detroit got back to being the ‘fun Lions' under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The fun Lions who can outscore anyone.  Those are the Lions who need to show up in the postseason, which means their offensive-line health is paramount. Detroit could also be getting reinforcements defensively. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is due to return for the first time since Week 2. Edge rusher James Houston has a chance to be back by the end of the month. That should be enough to reinstate that early-season confidence in the Lions once again — just in time for the playoffs. —Carmen Vitali):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/11-things-we-learned-in-nfl-week-15-dominant-dolphins-jets-turmoil-career-revivals

Ten Takeaways: Texans Are Building a Powerhouse (The Lions’ rookies, man. Sam LaPorta had five catches for 56 yards and three touchdown, and played 63 snaps on offense (95%). Jahmyr Gibbs had 108 scrimmage yards on 13 touches, while playing 32 snaps (48%). And linebacker Jack Campbell (33 snaps) and safety Brian Branch (46 snaps) again played a ton. It’s because of this that the Lions’ bounceback Saturday night against the Broncos should be a surprise to no one. This is still an ascending team.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/12/18/nfl-week-15-takeaways-texans-future-powerhouse

NFL Week 15 Winners and Losers: Lions Bounce Back, Cowboys Crash Back to Earth (Winners - Lions:  Detroit needed a dominant performance after a month of disappointment.  The Lions’ offense regressed in losses to the Packers and Bears, but they were in sync against a very good Broncos’ defense on Saturday night. Jared Goff delivered five touchdown passes in the 42–17 victory, including three to rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, who might have a case for an All-Pro selection.  The rushing attack was also on point, with rookie Jahmyr Gibbs as the lead back. Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 185 rushing yards. At the start of the season, Dan Campbell said he wanted Gibbs fresh for the stretch run. That plan has come to fruition, with Gibbs getting more work than Montgomery in recent weeks.  The Lions (10–4) will be dangerous in the postseason if Goff and the running backs play as well as they did against the Broncos. They also received stellar play from the defense, which had struggled for most of the second half of the season. Detroit didn’t allow Denver to score until the third quarter.  With a three-game lead in the NFC North, the Lions are well on their way to capturing their first division title in three decades.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/12/19/week-15-winners-losers-lions-cowboys-bills-rams

NFL Week 16 Rookie Stock Watch: Lions’ Duo Rising After Dominant Performance (Rising - Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions.  Last week: Not rated.  Gibbs was tremendous Saturday night against the Broncos in Detroit’s 42–17 rout. He ran for 100 yards on 9.1 yards per carry with a touchdown, while also catching another score. The Lions (10–4) are rolling toward their first NFC North title in franchise history, and both Gibbs and the next man on our list have plenty to do with it.  Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions - Last week: Not rated.  LaPorta continues to be terrific. After torching the Saints two weeks ago for 140 yards and a touchdown, he lit up Denver for five catches and 56 yards to go with three scores, giving him nine on the year. Without question, he’s been a key to Detroit’s offense, especially when Amon-Ra St. Brown has been limited by double teams.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/12/19/2023-week-16-nfl-rookie-stock-watch-lions-sam-laporta-jahmyr-gibbs#gid=ci02d135f0500024b6&pid=rising

Top five candidates for 2023 NFL Executive of the Year (Brad Holmes Detroit Lions - Key acquisitions/signings: Replacing Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift in the backfield with David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs has proven to be quite savvy. The Lions have also received key contributions from free-agent signings Graham Glasgow and Cameron Sutton, as well as the re-signing of Alex Anzalone, who leads the team with 108 tackles. I have always emphasized the importance of re-signing your own top players -- that’s a critical part of free agency. Draft outlook: Gibbs, LB Jack Campbell, TE Sam LaPorta and DB Brian Branch (all taken in the first two rounds this past April) have been exceptional as rookies, providing a number of game-changing plays in 2023. A couple examples: Branch’s pick-six of Patrick Mahomes in the Week 1 win at Kansas City; LaPorta and Gibbs’ five combined touchdowns in this past Saturday’s blowout of Denver. I also love that the Lions drafted quarterback Hendon Hooker, who tore his ACL last November while at Tennessee, in the third round. The young passer has the luxury of logging a redshirt year and could become the eventual replacement for Jared Goff. This rookie class has a chance to be special.  Overview: Hired in 2021 as part of a culture change, Holmes has routinely added the right pieces to build a playoff contender through free agency and, most importantly, the draft. A key component of Holmes’ success is that he has an aligned vision with head coach Dan Campbell. Holmes has put a premium on acquiring players who match the makeup and profile they collectively believe in.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/top-five-candidates-for-2023-nfl-executive-of-the-year

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Posted by LionsFan at 8:15 AM

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