Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Lions Links for Tuesday 9-9-25

Articles:


Lions release Detroit native from practice squad, sign 6-foot-7 lineman:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2025/09/lions-release-detroit-native-from-practice-squad-sign-6-foot-7-lineman.html

Why this week’s Lions-Bears game could be pivotal turning point for 2025 season:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2025/09/why-this-weeks-lions-bears-game-could-be-pivotal-turning-point-for-2025-season.html


Detroit Lions Release Anthony Pittman, Sign LB to Practice Squad:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/detroit-lions-release-anthony-pittman-sign-lb-practice-squad

Lions Safety Among Highest PFF-Graded Players Against Packers:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-safety-among-highest-pff-graded-players-against-packers


Detroit Lions Still Trust Pass-Rush, Players Have to 'Step Up':  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/detroit-lions-still-trust-pass-rush-players-have-to-step-up

Lions Don't Play Anywhere Near Standard in Disappointing Loss:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-do-not-meet-standards-2025-opener




What to know on all 32 NFL playcallers: From veterans to first-year coaches, here is what to expect in 2025 (Detroit Lions - Playcaller: John Morton, offensive coordinator.  Experience: Morton enters his first season as offensive coordinator in Detroit but has more than two decades of NFL coaching experience with the Broncos, Raiders, Lions, Jets, Saints and 49ers.  What to know: Morton is a very detailed coach who steps into his position following Ben Johnson, who left for the head coaching job in Chicago. The 55-year-old was Detroit's senior offensive assistant in 2022 before spending the past two seasons as Denver's pass game coordinator, where Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix flourished last season. He also has served in offensive assistant roles under Jon Gruden with the Raiders, Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco and Sean Payton in New Orleans. Gruden, Morton's mentor, describes him as a hardworking guy. "For all the Detroit fans, what you don't see is the work ethic you're getting. This guy is nuts," Gruden said. "People thought I was nuts -- this guy is freakin' nuts, man. He loves it. He's a creative guy." -- Eric Woodyard.  Key stat: During Morton's tenure as the pass game coordinator in Denver (2023-24), only the Chiefs (59.9%) had a higher percentage of their receiving yards come after the catch (55.9%). -- ESPN Research):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46137832/nfl-playcallers-32-teams-mike-mcdaniel-sean-mcvay-brian-schottenheimer

NFL Week 1: Rookie Team of the Week (Interior Offensive Line: Tate Ratledge, Detroit Lions – 57.5
Tate Ratledge was quickly thrust into the starting role after the surprising retirement of Frank Ragnow. While there were some growing pains, he did show flashes at times. Ratledge allowed three pressures, including a sack, but his 64.1 PFF run-blocking grade was the best amongst rookie guards in Week 1.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-1-rookie-team-of-the-week

Why your NFL team won, lost during Week 1 (Green Bay Packers 27, Detroit Lions 13:  Why the Packers won: The Packers' defense stepped up to the plate against one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL, surrendering just 46 yards on 22 rushing attempts. Star linebacker Edgerrin Cooper collected three stops against the run, and the defense had 13 stops in total. Holding the likes of Jahmyr Gibbs to 2.1 yards per attempt is a huge win for the defense, and it set the tone for the game.  Why the Lions lost: It was an all-around tough day for the Lions' offense, and a lot of their issues stemmed from a lack of interior presence. The new starting guard duo, Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge, struggled, conceding a combined seven pressures and three sacks. Mahogany earned a 43.9 PFF pass-blocking grade, while rookie Ratledge was at a 39.2 mark. The offensive line ceded four sacks in total, and it looks as if the revamped unit will take some time to settle in.):  https://www.pff.com/news/why-your-nfl-team-won-lost-during-week-1

Ranking all 8 ex-No. 1 overall QBs facing off in Week 2 (3. Jared Goff, Lions - Career accolades: Four-time Pro Bowl selection, one Super Bowl appearance.  The 2021 Stafford-Goff swap remains a defining development of this most recent era of the NFL. The Rams went on to win the Super Bowl in Stafford's first year in Los Angeles, while Goff and the Lions -- with help from the picks acquired in the trade -- have become one of the NFL's best teams. Goff has played a huge role in that. Last year, he threw for 4,629 yards and 37 touchdowns and finished fifth in MVP voting.  Week 1 was a tough one for Goff, who threw for 225 yards on 39 attempts -- his 5.8 yards per attempt were his lowest since Week 2 of 2024 -- and had just one touchdown compared to one interception. He was also sacked four times. With former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson now the Bears coach and with a new-look offensive line, Goff may need some time to get Detroit's offense back up to speed.  Goff is 7-4 against the Bears and has won five of the last six.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-all-eight-former-no-1-overall-nfl-draft-pick-quarterbacks-facing-off-in-historic-week-2/

Worst overreactions from NFL Week 1, from Aaron Rodgers to Lions' offensive dud ("The Lions' offense has no roar anymore"  What was that? The Lions rushed for only 46 yards in Green Bay, losing 27-13. Jared Goff had his typical outdoor game struggles and then some, averaging only 5.8 yards per attempt, throwing an INT and taking four sacks. The last time the Lions' offense looked so bad was a 38-6 loss to the Ravens in Week 7 of 2023.  That was with Ben Johnson calling the plays. The latest result was with John Morton as offensive coordinator. For how much money they now have invested in wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and with Jahmyr Gibbs revving up the backfield, how did this happen?  The Lions' offensive line has gone from to great to bad in the interior, indicated well by the pressure the Packers got in Goff's face on top of run-blocking woes. They couldn't get as aggressive as they wanted in the passing game as a result without the support of play-action or protection. Johnson is a hard OC to replace when the fundamentals are breaking down. There were little means to move the ball unless Gibbs or tight end Sam LaPorta was seeing the ball on shorter routes.  The Packers' defense also is tricky in Lambeau, even without a full-healthy Micah Parsons. The Lions will have more issues, like in Week 3 against ... the Ravens ... in Baltimore. If they struggle in the home sweet dome Ford Field against Johnson's Bears in Week 2, then there's real reason to panic.  "The Packers are the new team to beat in the NFC" The Packers smashed the Lions even before Parsons got his cosmetic sack of Goff with the game already in hand. Love played at a high level, spreading the ball around well to his receivers, avoiding mistakes and sacks. Josh Jacobs ran had when needed to and the Packers dominated ball control.  Matt LaFleur needed to make the early statement vs. Dan Campbell and the Lions to show who has the early power in what should be a loaded NFC North battle. The truth is, there are five more big division games left, three on the road. The Bears-Vikings winner also will be right there with the Packers.  Ahead of the Packers in the NFC, the Eagles, 49ers and Commanders are the bigger obstacles. Green Bay will get another key litmus test on Thursday night at Lambeau Field. Winning there will bring the Super Bowl attention this team deserves.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/aaron-rodgers-lions-packers-worst-overreactions-nfl-week-1/221a6ecae7cc93547ddc574f

Former Lions Center Frank Ragnow Gets Call From Well Known Detroit Personality About Returning:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/former-lions-center-frank-ragnow-gets-call-from-well-known-detroit-personality-to-return-to-team

NFL Week 1 Rookie Report, Starring Emeka Egbuka, Harold Fannin Jr. and More (WR Isaac TeSlaa, Lions:  He only got one target in Sunday’s shocking loss to the Green Bay Packers, but that’s all TeSlaa needed to announce his NFL arrival with authority.A third-round pick out of Arkansas, TeSlaa made the most of his opportunity, making a ridiculous one-handed touchdown grab that featured some of the best toe-drag swag you’ll ever see. The catch was so incredible, the officials couldn’t believe it in real time, initially ruling it an incomplete pass.  TeSlaa generated tons of buzz with his workout at the NFL Scouting Combine, and the Lions clearly saw something special in him, drafting him a few rounds earlier than most analysts expected. His combination of size, speed and athleticism gives him a sky-high ceiling, and you can bet the Lions will reward the small sample size we saw Sunday with more opportunities moving forward.):  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/nfl-week-1-emeka-egbuka-harold-fannin-jr-jacory-croskey-merritt-isaac-teslaa-armand-membou

Power Rankings:


Video:

Stephen A. questions the Lions' hiring of John Morton as OC:  https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/46207214

Which 0-1 team are you more confident in: Chiefs or Lions | 'GMFB':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/which-0-1-team-are-you-more-confident-in-chiefs-or-lions-gmfb
Posted by LionsFan at 7:50 PM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
.main-inner .sidebar .Poll { background-color: #AD966C; padding: 15px; }