Thursday, May 9, 2024

Lions Links for Thursday Evening 5-9-24

Articles:





Antonio Pierce Denies Ever Calling Lions Terrion Arnold:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/antonio-pierce-denies-calling-lions-terrion-arnold

With Jameson Williams Emerging, Lions Comfortable at Wide Receiver:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/brad-holmes-comfortable-wide-receiver-jameson-williams

Mekhi Wingo Film Review: Versatile DL Capable of Plenty for Lions:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-mekhi-wingo-film-review

Brad Holmes: Detroit Lions Working Really Hard to Extend Jared Goff:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/brad-holmes-jared-goff-extension-update

NFL World Is Saying Detroit Lions Are Super Bowl Contenders:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/nfl-world-saying-detroit-lions-super-bowl-contenders

All Lions: Branch Highest-Ranked Impact DB in NFL: https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/all-lions-branch-highest-ranked-impact-db

2024 NFL offseason: Debating best and worst free agency signings, underrated draft picks, more (After all the offseason activity, which team is best suited to threaten the Kansas City Chiefs?  Dajani: The Detroit Lions. Last year wasn't a fluke, and the front office did a good job this offseason not only keeping their current talent happy with contract extensions, but adding talent as well.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-offseason-debating-best-and-worst-free-agency-signings-underrated-draft-picks-more/

Most improved secondaries after the 2024 NFL Draft: Eagles, Ravens lead the way (DETROIT LIONS
Additions:  Round 1, Pick 24: CB Terrion Arnold.  Round 2, Pick 61: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.  Round 4, Pick 132: S Sione Vaki.  The Lions' defense ranked in the top 10 in run-defense grade and the top 20 in pass-rush grade but placed third worst in coverage grade in 2023. They devoted a lot of resources — salary cap, trade assets and draft picks — to improving their secondary for a Super Bowl run in 2024, and did about as good of a job as possible.  Detroit traded up for cornerback Terrion Arnold once he made it past the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round, and he should start right away. They then double-dipped with Rakestraw, who may not be an immediate starter but is poised to be a long-term impact player. Finally, the Lions grabbed Vaki, a hard-hitting strong safety and an enforcer over the middle.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-most-improved-secondaries-2024-nfl-draft-eagles-ravens

NFL Backup QB Rankings: How Do Justin Fields, Carson Wentz, Jameis Winston, and Jimmy Garoppolo Stack Up? (31. Hendon Hooker, Detroit Lions:  Considered a potential first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hendon Hooker slipped to the third before missing most of his rookie campaign while recovering from the torn ACL he suffered during his final college season. He’ll become Detroit’s QB2 following Teddy Bridgewater’s retirement.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-backup-qb-rankings/

NFC North Roster Rankings: Lions Finally Ready to Compete for Super Bowl (1. Detroit Lions:  The Lions might own a top-five roster in the NFL, a testament to what GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell have done since being hired in Detroit three years ago. For the past year, many football pundits, including this one, have written about Detroit’s weakness in the secondary. That might no longer be an issue after the Lions traded for Carlton Davis III, signed Amik Robertson and selected Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. with their first two draft picks. With depth at cornerback, Brian Branch, last year’s rookie standout, could move from the slot position to safety, creating a young, athletic duo with Kerby Joseph. Suddenly, the secondary appears to be a strength, leaving no holes on the Lions’ roster, at least on paper. Even star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and stout defensive tackle Alim McNeill received help with the acquisitions of Marcus Davenport and D.J. Reader. If linebacker Jack Campbell builds off his rookie season, the Lions could have a dominant defense after heavily relying on the offense the past two seasons. The days of Goff being viewed as a bridge quarterback in Detroit seem to be long gone after he led the team to the NFC title game. Goff will again have an abundance of weapons with No. 1 wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, standout tight end Sam LaPorta and the dynamic running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Detroit’s rugged offensive line took a hit after the departure of guard Jonah Jackson, but the team quickly recovered with the signing of veteran Kevin Zeitler. First-team All-Pro Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker are back as the starting tackles. The Lions are simply stacked throughout the depth chart and head into the season as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.):  https://www.si.com/nfc-north-roster-rankings-lions-finally-ready-to-compete-for-super-bowl

2024 NFC North Offseason Report Card: Key Additions, Subtractions, Final Grades (Detroit Lions 
Offseason grade: A-.  Key additions: CB Terrion Arnold, Edge Marcus Davenport, CB Carlton Davis III, CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., DT D.J. Reader, CB Amik Roberton, OG Kevin Zeitler.  Key subtractions: OG Jonah Jackson, WR Josh Reynolds, CB Cameron Sutton.  Analysis: The Lions enter the season as Super Bowl contenders because of their playoff success last year and roster additions this offseason. It’s tough to find a weakness on GM Brad Holmes’s roster after he acquired three quality cornerbacks to possibly turn the secondary into a dominant unit. Building the secondary might have been the last piece to the Lions becoming a perennial powerhouse. Detroit won big in the draft after cornerback Terrion Arnold was available with the No. 24 pick. The team followed with the second-round selection of Rakestraw, whom many draft pundits viewed as a first-round prospect at cornerback. The Lions also added a veteran presence with the trade for Davis. In free agency, the Lions signed Reader and Davenport to help studs Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill on the defensive line.  The Lions’ dominant offensive line took a hit with the departure of Jackson, who joined the Los Angeles Rams in free agency. But the team recovered well with the signing of Zeitler. Jared Goff will once again have many playmakers, but he could have used another reliable pass catcher, with Josh Reynolds leaving for Denver and Jameson Williams struggling to find his footing since being selected in the first round in 2022. Overall, the Lions are loaded with star power on both sides of the football and might have a strong case for having a better roster than the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC.):  https://www.si.com/2024-nfc-north-offseason-report-card-key-additions-subtractions-final-grades-01hxcy34rqtz

Podcast:


Storylines to Watch at Lions 2024 Rookie Minicamp:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/podcasts/lions-2024-rookie-minicamp-storylines

Video: 

Posted by LionsFan at 8:07 PM

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