Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Afternoon Lions Links for Wednesday 8-4-21

Training Camp Notes and Observations:

Observations from Day 4 of Detroit Lions training camp practice.:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/tim-and-mike-training-camp-day-4-observations-ford-hand-melifonwu

Day 7 notes and observations: Prized draft pick Penei Sewell learning quickly in Lions camp:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/08/day-7-notes-and-observations-prized-draft-pick-penei-sewell-learning-quickly-in-lions-camp.html




Articles:


Why Dan Campbell was ‘fired up’ by the Amon-Ra St. Brown, Ifeati Melinfonwu practice fight:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/08/why-dan-campbell-was-fired-up-by-the-amon-ra-st-brown-ifeati-melinfonwu-practice-fight.html







VIDEO: 





Posted by LionsFan at 2:32 PM 0 comments

Morning Lions Links for Wednesday 8-4-21

Articles:

5 takeaways from DC Aaron Glenn's media session:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/5-takeaways-from-dc-aaron-glenn-s-media-session-okudah-mcneill-melifonwu


Lions DC Aaron Glenn already seeing improved confidence from young secondary:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/08/lions-dc-aaron-glenn-already-seeing-improved-confidence-from-young-secondary.html

Football Outsiders: Lions’ Quintez Cephus, Julian Okwara among 25 prospects who could ‘level up’ in 2021:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/08/football-outsiders-lions-quintez-cephus-julian-okwara-among-25-prospects-who-could-level-up-in-2021.html




One Play Highlights Vast Difference Between Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/nfl/lions/news/jared-goff-matthew-stafford-have-different-nfl-skills

Aaron Glenn Points Out Linebacker Who Has Stood Out at Training Camp:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/aaron-glenn-points-out-linebacker-who-has-impressed-him



Secondary rankings entering the 2021 NFL season (30. DETROIT LIONS:  If Detroit’s secondary is to pan out as anything other than one of the worst units in the NFL, it will need bounce-back seasons from several players.  Jeffrey Okudah is at the forefront of that after leading all cornerbacks in yards allowed per coverage snap as a rookie (2.3). Okudah surrendered just 0.8 yards per coverage snap in his Ohio State career by comparison. The list extends to free agent acquisition Quinton Dunbar, whose overall grade fell nearly 40 points from 2019 to 2020. Tracy Walker is another player who has proven capable of much better play than the 51.0 PFF grade next to his name in 2020. It’s just a matter of how those players look in Aaron Glenn’s new defense.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-32-nfl-secondaries-entering-2021-season

Linebacker corps rankings entering the 2021 NFL season (28. DETROIT LIONS:  Jamie Collins enjoyed his first solid season outside of New England in 2020 for the Lions, and with the scheme only getting more player-friendly from a year ago, we might expect him to be even better in 2021. Collins forced three fumbles, matching his total from 2019, and has allowed two touchdowns in coverage over the past two years. It will be more of a lottery next to him, with little in the way of proven quality. Alex Anzalone might have the best play on his resume, but he's an injury concern and hasn’t shown that best play in some time. Jahlani Tavai earned just a 32.1 overall PFF grade last season.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-all-32-nfl-linebacker-units-entering-2021-season

Defensive line rankings entering the 2021 NFL season (24. DETROIT LIONS:  Detroit’s defensive line unit finished the 2020 season ranked 30th in PFF grade, ahead of only the Vikings and Texans. Several offseason additions on the interior — such as Michael Brockers, Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill — along with the return of a healthy Trey Flowers should improve matters in 2021, but the Lions still have a ways to go to get back to average.  It’s easy to forget, given how bad Detroit’s defense has been these past two seasons, that Flowers is one of the better defensive linemen in the league when healthy. He is coming off four straight seasons with overall grades of at least 80.0.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-all-32-nfl-defensive-line-units-entering-2021-season

As the Lions put on pads, Dan Campbell wants to see intensity (but not too much of it):  https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/08/03/as-the-lions-put-on-pads-dan-campbell-wants-to-see-intensity-but-not-too-much-of-it/

2022 NFL Draft:


Video:


Lions Training Camp - Prepping for Pads & Offensive Line:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/962033
Posted by LionsFan at 4:19 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Afternoon Lions Links for Tuesday 8-3-21

Training Camp Notes and Observations:


Day 6 notes and observations: Blood flows, punches fly at Lions’ first padded practice:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/08/day-6-notes-and-observations-blood-and-punches-fly-at-lions-first-padded-practice.html



Detroit Lions Training Camp Observations Amon-Ra St. Brown Fight:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations-first-padded-practice


Articles:

O'HARA: Jackson's work ethic catching the eye of Lions coaches:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-jackson-s-work-ethic-catching-the-eye-of-lions-coaches

Detroit Lions activate edge rusher Austin Bryant from physically unable to perform list:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/08/detroit-lions-activate-edge-rusher-austin-bryant-from-physically-unable-to-perform-list.html






Video:





Posted by LionsFan at 2:34 PM 0 comments

Morning Lions Links for Tuesday 8-3-21

Training Camp Notes and Observations:

Day 5 notes and observations: Amani Oruwariye, Jeff Okudah off to strong start in Lions’ secondary:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/08/day-5-notes-and-observations-amani-oruwariye-jeff-okudah-off-to-strong-start-in-lions-secondary.html


Articles:



Detroit Lions linebackers still getting feel for intricacies of new-look defense:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/08/detroit-lions-linebackers-still-getting-feel-for-intricacies-of-new-look-defense.html

Wax on, wax off: Lions’ bulked-up Jonah Jackson adds martial arts to offseason training:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/08/wax-on-wax-off-lions-bulked-up-jonah-jackson-adds-martial-arts-to-offseason-training.html

Lions assistant head coach Duce Staley embracing far-reaching role on Dan Campbell’s staff:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/08/lions-assistant-head-coach-duce-staley-embracing-far-reaching-role-on-dan-campbells-staff.html



Lynn says St. Brown 'could be' sleeper of the draft: 'Hell of a slot receiver':  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/lynn-says-amon-ra-st-brown-could-be-sleeper-of-the-draft

Jared Goff Addresses Lack of Deep Passes Early in Training Camp:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/nfl/lions/news/jared-goff-addresses-lack-of-deep-passes


Packers' AJ Dillon, Ravens' J.K. Dobbins among running backs poised for Year 2 breakout in 2021 (D'Andre Swift
Detroit Lions (Year 1: 13 games | 114 att | 521 rush yds | 4.6 ypc | 8 rush TDs | 46 rec | 357 rec yds | 2 rec TDs):  Swift was the Lions' most efficient running back a year ago, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. He was outgained by Adrian Peterson (604 to 521), although the future Hall of Famer had just over 40 carries more than the rookie. Swift was able to show everyone why he was such a highly touted player coming out of college as a quick, do-it-all back. With the change in coaching staff and QB over the offseason, look for Dan Campbell's squad to run the ball plenty with Swift leading the way. He has the tools to double his 2020 production, but there are two potential roadblocks in front of him: free-agent signee Jamaal Williams and the fact that this rebuilding team (no disrespect) could often be playing from behind.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/packers-aj-dillon-ravens-j-k-dobbins-among-running-backs-poised-for-year-2-break

Projecting 2021 starting lineups for all 32 NFL teams:  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-projecting-starting-lineups-32-nfl-teams-training-camp#DET

NFL receiving corps rankings ahead of the 2021 season (31. DETROIT LIONS:  The roster overhaul in Detroit has hit the receiving unit hard, and they will have a completely different look in 2021. They’ve become one of the biggest groups in the league with the additions of 6-foot-4 Tyrell Williams, 6-foot-2 Breshad Perriman and 6-foot-3 Geronimo Allison. Williams last played with the Raiders in 2019 and has been an effective big-play threat throughout his career, averaging 16.1 yards per reception.  Perriman is a big-play threat of his own, having averaged 16.5 yards per reception in his career. He has two years with 70.0-plus receiving grades in 2018 and 2019, and this will be another opportunity to show that he can handle a bigger workload. Allison will compete for the No. 3 spot after grading at 61.4 or lower over the last three years. Last year's fifth-rounder Quintez Cephus and 2021 fourth-rounder Amon-Ra St. Brown will also be in the mix at receiver.  At tight end, T.J. Hockenson has developed nicely and graded at 75.4 overall last season, good for 10th-best among tight ends. Darren Fells also joins the Lions after a career-high 69.4 grade last season with the Texans. He adds even more size to the mix, as the 6-foot-7 270-pounder has developed into a good red-zone threat.  The Lions have overhauled one of the better groups of pass-catchers in the league, and while the names don’t stand out on paper, there’s plenty of potential — and size — in this group.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-all-nfl-receiving-corps-ahead-of-the-2021-season

Backfield rankings entering the 2021 NFL season (25. DETROIT LIONS:  The best-case outcome for Detroit is that D’Andre Swift earns more of a bell-cow role in 2021 and excels in it. After all, his receiving ability was a big reason why he was PFF’s top-ranked running back coming out of Georgia in the 2020 NFL Draft. Swift’s rookie season had its ups and downs, though. His 69.4 overall grade on the year finished behind several other rookie running backs who got out to hot starts.  Jamaal Williams does represent a quality addition to the backfield to complement Swift next season. He is coming off consecutive PFF grades of at least 74.0 and has shown at various points throughout his career that he can contribute on all three downs.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-all-32-nfl-running-back-units-ahead-of-the-2021-season

Offensive line rankings entering the 2021 NFL season (10. DETROIT LIONS:  It's fair to be optimistic about Detroit building one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.  Left tackle Taylor Decker is coming off career-highs in overall grade (82.0) and pass-blocking grade (85.8) while ranking 12th overall among tackles last season. He’s ranked above average in both pass blocking and run blocking since entering the league in 2016.  The Lions will trot out rookie Penei Sewell at right tackle after drafting him with the seventh overall pick. He was the top offensive tackle on the PFF draft board. Sewell posted the highest grade we’ve seen from a true freshman and the highest overall grade for any offensive tackle since 2014 prior to his opting out of the 2020 season. Sewell has the tools and production to become one of the better all-around tackles in the league very soon.  Center Frank Ragnow has improved in all three of his NFL seasons, headlined by an 80.3 grade last season, the third-best mark among centers. Ragnow allowed half as many pressures last season as he did in 2019 on just about the same number of snaps.  Guard is the biggest question mark for the Lions’ offensive line. 2020 third-rounder Jonah Jackson started at left guard last year, but his 57.0 overall grade ranked just 58th out of 84 qualifiers. Jackson showed plenty of potential as a pass protector in college, so the hope is that his 67th-ranked 51.2 pass-blocking grade will improve. Halapoulivaati Vaitai is the starter at right guard, where he performed well on 282 snaps a year ago. Vaitai has spent most of his career at right tackle, but his power is a better fit at guard, which should mitigate some of his pass-blocking woes.  The Lions appear to have built the foundation of an excellent offensive line for the foreseeable future.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-all-32-nfl-offensive-line-units-entering-2021-season


Power Rankings:

PFF's NFL Power Rankings for the 2021 NFL season (32. Detroit Lions - Super Bowl Win Probability: <1%.  Highest-Graded Player: ED Trey Flowers (83.3)):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-for-the-2021-nfl-season

2022 NFL Draft:


VIDEO:

Posted by LionsFan at 4:32 AM 0 comments

Monday, August 2, 2021

Morning Lions Links for Monday 8-2-21

Articles:

Hockenson building rapport with Goff, wants to top 2020 Pro Bowl season:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/hockenson-building-rapport-with-goff-wants-to-top-2020-pro-bowl-season

Dan Campbell fined Tracy Walker for not getting an interception:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2021/08/01/detroit-lionstracy-walker-interceptions-dan-campbell-training-camp/5443343001/

Lions' rookie Jacobs overcomes troubled past to make his play for a roster spot:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2021/07/31/lions-rookie-jerry-jacobs-overcomes-troubled-past/5442986001/

August Roster Cutdown Dates for Detroit Lions:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/detroit-lions-august-roster-cuts-u

Must-See Battle Starts Monday at Detroit Lions Training Camp:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/penei-sewell-romeo-okwara-battles-excites-dan-campbell

5 Players to Watch Week 2 of Detroit Lions Training Camp:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/five-players-to-watch-detroit-lions-week-two

T.J. Hockenson: 2020 Season 'Not Where I Want To Be':  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/tj-hockenson-believes-he-can-play-better-in-2020

Video:

WATCH - 2021 Lions Training Camp Special:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/961611

Posted by LionsFan at 5:26 PM 0 comments

Afternoon Lions Links for Monday 8-2-21

Training Camp Notes and Observations:


Detroit Lions Day 5 Training Camp Observations Penei Sewell:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/detroit-lions-day-five-nfl-training-camp-observations


Articles:

O'HARA: What we learned from first week of camp practices:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/what-we-learned-from-first-week-of-camp-practices-campbell-pittman







Video:



Posted by LionsFan at 1:28 PM 0 comments

Sunday, August 1, 2021

Morning Lions Links for Sunday 8-1-21

Training Camp Notes and Observations:



Articles:


T.J. Hockenson: 2020 Season 'Not Where I Want To Be':  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/tj-hockenson-believes-he-can-play-better-in-2020

Aubrey Pleasant using on-field technology to make immediate adjustments:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/7/31/22603575/lions-db-coach-aubrey-pleasant-technology-immediate-adjustments


Video:

Jared Goff embraces new challenges with fresh start in Detroit:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jared-goff-embraces-new-challenges-with-fresh-start-in-detroit

Posted by LionsFan at 4:30 AM 0 comments
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