Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Afternoon Lions Links for Wednesday 10-6-21

Articles:

NFC NORTH: Where all four teams stand four games into the season:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/nfc-north-where-all-four-teams-stand-four-games-into-the-season

When it rains: Frank Ragnow out ‘pretty long time,’ Penei Sewell banged up too heading into Vikings game:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/10/when-it-rains-frank-ragnow-out-pretty-long-time-penei-sewell-banged-up-too-heading-into-vikings-game.html

Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow becomes 12th Lions player to land on injured reserve; kicker Seibert activated:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/10/pro-bowl-center-frank-ragnow-becomes-12th-lions-player-to-land-on-injured-reserve.html

Add rookie OT Penei Sewell to the Lions long injury list:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/06/detroit-lions-penei-sewell-injury-update/

Where the Detroit Lions rank in team PFF grades after 4 weeks:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/detroit-lions-pff-grades-season-ranks/


Film Review: Lions Front Seven Comes Up Short against Justin Fields:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/nfl/lions/news/lions-front-seven-struggles-against-chicago-bears

Detroit Lions Week 5 scouting report: Is the Minnesota Vikings’ defense back?:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/10/6/22711063/detroit-lions-week-5-scouting-report-minnesota-vikings-defense-back

These 10 Lions may be the only ones guaranteed to stick through the rebuild:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/10/6/22711309/10-detroit-lions-players-guaranteed-stick-through-rebuild


VIDEO:


Posted by LionsFan at 12:37 PM 0 comments

Morning Lions Links for Wednesday 10-6-21

Articles:

Detroit Lions place Romeo Okwara on injured reserve, reportedly sign OL Ryan McCollum:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/10/detroit-lions-place-romeo-okwara-on-injured-reserve-reportedly-sign-ol-ryan-mccollum.html

Ask Kyle: Thoughts on Dan Campbell setting a record pace on fourth down, state of the rebuild, Penei Sewell:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/10/ask-kyle-thoughts-on-dan-campbell-setting-a-record-pace-on-fourth-down-state-of-the-rebuild-penei-sewell.html



Why Detroit Lions Must Sign Linebacker Jaylon Smith:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/nfl/lions/news/lions-must-sign-jaylon-smith

Which Detroit Lions Should Remain Part of the Rebuilding Process?:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/who-should-remain-on-lions-roster-beyond-2022





One thing we learned about each NFL team in Week 4 of 2021 season: Cardinals, Cowboys are for real in NFC (Detroit Lions:  They fight each week, but this team is not opportunistic enough. Three different red-zone trips against the Bears in the first half, and they somehow managed to come away with zero points there, finishing 1-for-5 inside the 20.):. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/one-thing-we-learned-about-each-nfl-team-in-week-4-of-2021-season-cardinals-cowboys-are-for-real-in-nfc/

These NFL teams picked a bad year to need a top QB prospect (Detroit Lions:  Jared Goff is a serviceable placeholder for now, but his presence shouldn’t keep the Lions from trying to upgrade under center next offseason. Unfortunately, they may not find a prospect that would give them a marked improvement right away, and they may not be interested in a longer-term development project.):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-teams-need-quarterbacks-2022-nfl-draft-steelers-colts-washington-texans-lions/

NFL Rookie Rankings Week 5: Humphrey climbs, Oweh impresses, and Odighizuwa has arrived (13. Penei Sewell, OT, Detroit Lions):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-rookie-rankings-2021-nflwk-5/


2022 NFL Draft:

2022 NFL Draft Stock - Week 5 (10-5-21):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2022stock_05.php

PFN 2022 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 50 prospect rankings after Week 5 of the 2021 CFB season:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-nfl-draft-big-board-top-50-prospects-w0/

In a wide-open 2022 class, Aqeel Glass is the QB prospect you need to know:  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2021/10/05/nfl-draft-2022-quarterbacks-aqeel-glass-alabama-a-m-bulldogs/

Posted by LionsFan at 4:15 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Afternoon Lions Links for Tuesday 10-5-21

Articles:


NFC North roundup: Packers, Bears on top while Lions-Vikings prepare to fight out of cellar in Week 5:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/10/nfc-north-roundup-packers-bears-on-top-while-lions-vikings-prepare-to-fight-out-of-cellar-in-week-5.html

Daryl Worley in line for much bigger role in the Lions secondary:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/05/daryl-worley-detroit-lions-secondary-db-issues/

Hand Size of Jared Goff Discussed on Lions Flagship Radio:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/nfl/lions/news/jared-goff-hand-size-discussed-by-dan-campbell

Lions, Campbell learning who to trust – and who not to – 'when we gotta have it':  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/lions-learning-who-to-trust-when-we-gotta-have-it




Studies suggest long recovery after Achilles injuries for Romeo Okwara, Jeff Okudah:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/10/5/22710542/romeo-okwara-jeff-okudah-achilles-injury-recovery-time-studies

Power Rankings:

Posted by LionsFan at 12:09 PM 0 comments

Week 5 Power Rankings

Athlonsports (28. Detroit Lions (Last week: 28):  Jared Goff talked after the game about the gut punches needing to stop and even factoring in how hard this team is playing right now, this is still the Lions so that’s the business they’re in.):  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/nfl-power-rankings

USA Today (30. Lions (26): The last time Detroit claimed a win with a quarterback not named Matthew Stafford? Try 2010, when you would've laughed at notion of an electric Ford Mustang.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2021/10/05/nfl-power-rankings-week-4-2021-cardinals-rams-buccaneers/6000233001/

Yahoo (30. Detroit Lions (0-4, LW: 28) - At least the Lions are getting something out of their unheralded receivers. Quintez Cephus had 83 yards, Amon-Ra St. Brown had 70 yards and Kalif Raymond had two touchdowns. Sunday wasn't a positive day, and it'll be a rough season, but Detroit has to take its small wins when it can.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-kyler-murray-is-an-mvp-candidate-but-are-the-cardinals-super-bowl-worthy-035824451.html



Touchdown wire (30. Detroit Lions (0-4) (Last week: 28):  The Lions were in a position to actually beat the Bears this week, even with some promising play from Chicago under center for once. But the Detroit offense needs to figure out those red zone woes.):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-power-rankings-week-5-winning-top-buffalo-bills-arizona-cardinals-los-angeles-rams/

FTW (30.  Detroit Lions (0-4) - Good news: Uh, D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson continue to be nice offensive cornerstones.  Bad news: They’re not exactly biting kneecaps this year.):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-power-rankings-week-5-cardinals-bills

Walterfootball (30. Detroit Lions NFL Power Rankings Detroit Lions (0-4) - Previously: 29.
The Lions may have beaten the Bears if it weren't for the constant screw-ups in the red zone. Detroit began the game at Chicago with three trips into the red zone, yet came away with no points because of constant blunders. I suppose this sort of ineptitude was to be expected after the team blew a sure victory the way it did the prior week versus Baltimore.):  https://walterfootball.com/nflpowerrankings.php

ESPN (31. Detroit Lions (0-4) (Previous ranking: 30.  Biggest surprise: Starting 0-4) - Why it's a surprise: Nobody expected the Lions to be a playoff team, but starting 0-4 isn't ideal -- even for the Lions. Against Chicago, they failed to score on four different red zone drives, which tied for the most by any team in a game since 2000 -- and Detroit's most in a single game. Quarterback Jared Goff has now lost six consecutive regular-season starts, which is the longest active streak among QBs. It hasn't been all his fault, with injuries and costly miscues haunting this team, but the Lions have to improve at limiting mistakes in scoring situations if they want to win a game. -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32333691/nfl-power-rankings-week-5-1-32-poll-plus-biggest-surprise-every-team

CBS (31. Lions:  They compete in games, but it's just not enough. This first year will include a lot of losing for Dan Campbell.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-5-power-rankings-bills-serve-notice-with-dominant-defense-unbeaten-cardinals-rise-to-no-1/

SN (31. Detroit Lions 0-4 (29):  The Lions keep fighting and working hard but the major talent deficiency on defense keeps coming back to bite them. Their offense has to be mistake-free and that doesn't happen with Jared Goff.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-power-rankings-cardinals-packers-cowboys-seahawks-titans/18tul4ql0bjrm1x51k54hdrizp

NFL.com (31. Lions:  Previous rank: No. 27.  The hits keep on coming for the Lions. Linebacker Romeo Okwara, Detroit’s most important player on defense, is done for the year after tearing his Achilles tendon in Sunday’s 24-14 loss to the Bears. It’s the same devastating injury that ended the season of 2020 first-round pick Jeff Okudah back in Week 1. It’s all crushing news for a Lions team that had one of the thinnest rosters in football to begin the season. With attrition setting in, Detroit’s talent disparity is compounded. Now the lone remaining winless team in the NFC, it’s on head coach Dan Campbell to keep the team from losing hope.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-week-5-2021-nfl-season

PFT (31. Lions (0-4, No. 27): Jared Goff is now 0-11 with a head coach other than Sean McVay.):  https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/05/pfts-2021-week-five-power-rankings/

PFN (31. Detroit Lions:  The Lions could have very easily defeated the Bears in Week 4, but they were terrible on third down (4-of-11), atrocious in the red zone (1 touchdown in 5 trips), and missing in action in goal-to-go situations (1-of-4). Jared Goff isn’t their future, and they have to know that. Unfortunately, the 2022 draft class hasn’t helped us feel good about the future of Lions quarterbacking, either.  Head coach Dan Campbell has to spend this season building a culture and helping his young defensive players progress. The Lions are in a multi-year rebuild. They just need fans and the front office to buy into that future — because the now is ugly.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-power-rankings-2021-nflwk-5/


Average Power Ranking (455/15):   30


Posted by LionsFan at 12:04 PM 0 comments

Morning Lions Links for Tuesday 10-5-21

Articles:

KEY QUESTIONS: What are the injury updates from Sunday's game?:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/what-are-the-injury-updates-from-sunday-s-game-okwara-ragnow-decker

Top Lions offensive linemen Frank Ragnow, Taylor Decker not expected to play against Vikings:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/10/top-lions-offensive-linemen-frank-ragnow-taylor-decker-not-expected-to-play-against-vikings.html

Romeo Okwara ruptures Achilles tendon, confirming Lions’ worst fears:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/10/romeo-okwara-reportedly-ruptured-achilles-tendon-confirming-lions-worst-fears.html

Detroit Lions evaluating playing time for young pieces thrust to action on short-handed defense:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/10/detroit-lions-evaluating-playing-time-for-young-pieces-thrust-to-action-on-short-handed-defense.html




Lions PFF grades: Best and worst players against the Bears from Week 4:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/lions-pff-grades-best-and-worst-players-against-the-bears-from-week-4/


Week 4 stock report: Few bright spots in dark performances vs. Bears:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/10/4/22707414/detroit-lions-week-4-stock-report-chicago-bears


2022 NFL Draft:



2022 NFL draft: Spencer Rattler, Malik Willis neck and neck in QB prospect power rankings:  https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-spencer-rattler-malik-willis-neck-and-neck-in-qb-power-rankings-180136169.html

Video:


Posted by LionsFan at 4:16 AM 0 comments

Monday, October 4, 2021

Afternoon Lions Links for Monday 10-4-21

Articles:

TIM AND MIKE: Week 4 observations:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/tim-and-mike-week-4-observations-sewell-raymond-barnes

O'HARA'S MONDAY COUNTDOWN: A closer look at the Lions' fourth-down calls:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-s-monday-countdown-a-closer-look-at-the-lions-fourth-down-calls

3 things we learned: Lions rookie Penei Sewell is struggling at left tackle:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/10/3-things-we-learned-lions-rookie-penei-sewell-is-struggling-at-left-tackle.html

Snap counts: Detroit Lions continue to shuffle defensive backfield pieces during loss to Bears:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/10/snap-counts-detroit-lions-continue-to-shuffle-defensive-backfield-pieces-during-loss-to-bears.html



Dan Campbell: 'We need a lot of red zone work' after disastrous day in Chicago:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/04/lions-dan-campbell-week-4-bears-red-zone-offense-defense-stats/


Dan Campbell Could Back Off Aggressive Play-Calling:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/dan-campbell-took-change-fourth-down-strategy



Monday Overreactions: The Jared Goff experiment should be a short one:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/10/4/22707825/monday-overreactions-jared-goff-experiment-short-one

Grades:

Lions grades: Offense wastes multiple opportunities as secondary allows nice rebound for Justin Fields:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/10/lions-grades-offense-wastes-multiple-opportunities-as-secondary-allows-nice-rebound-for-justin-fields.html


Video:

Posted by LionsFan at 11:58 AM 0 comments

Morning Lions Links for Monday 10-4-21

Articles:

FOUR DOWNS: Red-zone woes hurt Lions in loss to Bears:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/four-downs-red-zone-woes-hurt-lions-in-loss-to-bears-goff-raymond-ragnow

NOTEBOOK: Okwara & Ragnow leave game with injuries:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-okwara-ragnow-leave-game-with-injuries

Inside the locker room: Jared Goff done with moral victories, ‘maybe getting pissed off will be the answer’:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/10/inside-the-locker-room-jared-goff-done-with-moral-victories-maybe-getting-pissed-off-will-be-the-answer.html

Romeo Okwara feared to have suffered season-ending Achilles injury; Frank Ragnow could miss time too: https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/10/romeo-okwara-feared-to-have-suffered-season-ending-achilles-injury-frank-ragnow-could-miss-time-too.html

Dan Campbell stands behind fourth-down playcalls that doomed Lions, but does regret no-huddle:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/10/dan-campbell-stands-behind-fourth-down-playcalls-that-doomed-lions-but-does-regret-no-huddle.html




Lions currently sit 2nd in 2022 NFL draft order after Week 4:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/04/2022-nfl-draft-order-detroit-lions-week-4/



Dan Campbell doesn’t regret 4th down aggressiveness vs. Bears, and he shouldn’t:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/10/3/22707773/dan-campbell-doesnt-regret-4th-down-aggressiveness-vs-bears-shouldnt


NFL Week 4 Game Recap: Chicago Bears 24, Detroit Lions 14: https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-4-game-recap-chicago-bears-24-detroit-lions-14

Week 4 takeaways, big questions: Giants and Jets get OT upsets, Washington comes back, Chiefs rebound (Lions - What to know: The Lions' red zone offense must improve. Thanks in part to two costly fumbles by QB Jared Goff and center Frank Ragnow, Detroit became the first team in at least the past 40 seasons to reach the red zone in each of their first three possessions and fail to score any points, per the Elias Sports Bureau. Then, following another failed attempt in the fourth quarter, their four empty red zone drives tied them for the most by any team in a game since 2000. If the team can't limit mistakes in scoring situations, they'll find it difficult to get that elusive first win. -- Eric Woodyard.  When will the Lions win a game? The schedule doesn't let up for the 0-4 Lions. They visit the Minnesota Vikings next week, then host the Cincinnati Bengals at home before traveling to face former quarterback Matthew Stafford and the red-hot Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 24. So it doesn't get much easier with this brutal schedule. Head coach Dan Campbell categorized the schedule to start the season as being "the hand we're dealt," adding that the tough early slate will make the team stronger. -- Woodyard.  Woodyard's confidence rating (0-10): 3.5, down from 5. Sunday's loss in Chicago was bad from the start. Not only were the Lions not able to capitalize on red-zone opportunities, they added injuries to Ragnow (toe) and outside linebacker Romeo Okwara (foot), which isn't a good mix for a team in the midst of a full rebuild.) : https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32331522/nfl-week-4-takeaways-learned-big-reaction-questions-stat-leaders-every-game#detchi

2021 NFL season, Week 4: What we learned from Sunday's games (Lions - Bears:  1. Justin Fields bounces back in first win. The rookie QB showed what he could do when he isn't swarmed by defenders every snap. Fields unleashed several vertical shots, opening up a previously restricted offense and hitting on four of six passes of 20-plus air yards. His holeshot to Allen Robinson down the sideline was a picture-perfect pass from the big-armed QB. Coach Matt Nagy did a much better job putting his rookie QB in advantageous situations, using motions, adding extra protection and calling easy intermediate routes early. The coach was in dreamland with a big lead, able to lean on the ground game and give Fields shots. Fields finished 12 of 18 for 215 yards, and one deflected INT. The few times he was under pressure, the QB showed his ability to spin out of trouble using his legs. When Fields had time against a weak Lions pass rush, he rifled balls confidently all over the field. It was the type of game we often saw at Ohio State. There were still some areas for the rookie to grow -- a bad sack-fumble late. But Fields is an excellent vertical thrower and it showed against a lousy defense. Finally, the Bears O has a field-stretching element after playing in a box for three weeks.
2.  Lions bungle red zone opportunities. Detroit moved the ball between the 20s most of the day, generating 347 yards and 23 first downs, but went just one of five in the red zone. In Detroit's first three possessions, they drove to the 8-yard-line, 5-yard-line, and 3-yard line. Those series ended with a premature snap fumble, turnover-on-downs, sack-fumble. I'm not sure if you'd term this the most Lionsy Lions loss or the most Goffy Goff loss. The QB vacillated from head-scratching error to impressively dodging rushers to find open targets. Jared Goff threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns, but also took four sacks and lost two fumbles. The signal-caller threw a bevy of high balls on the day, including a fourth-down throw late with the Lions driving to make it a one-score game. On the pass, Goff didn't see a wide-open Quintez Cephus over the middle. That's Jared Goff. When things are clean, he can make impressive plays. Under heat, however, he's melted in four starts with the winless Lions. 
3.  Hello, Darnell Mooney! Oh no, David Montgomery. Fields' ability to stretch the field unlocked Mooney, who ate up Lions defenders, generating three plays of 20-plus yards. The Bears need Mooney as a complement to Robinson. The first three weeks of Chicago playing dink-and-dunk negates what Mooney does best. With Fields uncorking bombs, Mooney comes alive. The worst news for the Bears came with Montgomery going down with a second-half knee injury. The back powered the offense, generating 106 rushing yards and two TDs on 23 attempts before the injury. Damien Williams played well after Montgomery went down, but Chicago will miss the starter if the injury is a season-ender.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-season-week-4-what-we-learned-from-sunday-s-games

NFL Winners and Losers: Since Week 1 loss, Bills have shown they're still Super Bowl worthy (Losers - Dan Campbell: Campbell is a competitor and he wants to win. It might take a while.   The Detroit Lions had a favorable matchup on Sunday and it didn't matter much. The Chicago Bears looked much better than they did last week at Cleveland, and rolled to a fairly easy win. They were up 21-0, thanks to a big day from David Montgomery and an improved performance by rookie quarterback Justin Fields. The Bears won 24-14.   The Lions have been competitive most of this season, but they weren't on Sunday and now they're 0-4. It is going to be a long season, and it might be a while until they hit the win column.): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-winners-and-losers-since-week-1-loss-bills-have-shown-theyre-still-super-bowl-worthy-202523953.html

Grades:

Lions' Week 4 Grades: Jared Goff's Miscues Prove Costly:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/nfl/lions/news/lions-week-4-grades-

CBS (Lions - C-:  The red zone was more like the Twilight Zone for the Lions on Sunday and that's why they ended up losing this game. During the first half alone, the Lions got inside of Chicago's 8-yard line on THREE separate drives, but on each drive, they came away with zero points. The first drive ended on a bizarre fumble. The second drive ended on a failed fourth down and the third drive ended on a strip sack of Jared Goff. Those three drives pretty much summed up Detroit's red-zone woes. To add insult to injury, the Lions also got inside of the Bears' 10-yard line in the second half and once again came away with zero points after another failed fourth down.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-4-grades-cowboys-get-an-a-for-beating-undefeated-panthers-titans-get-a-d-for-stunning-loss/

2022 NFL Draft:


College Football Players of the Week: David Ojabo and Logan Wright best of Week 5:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-players-of-the-week-2021-cfbwk-5/

College Football Week 5: PFF’s Team of the Week and Player Awards:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-x-team-of-the-week-player-awards-2021

College Football Week 5 Takeaways: Notable grades, advanced stats & more:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-5-takeaways-grades-advanced-stats-2021

VIDEO:


Jared Goff's best passes from 299-yard game | Week 4: https://www.nfl.com/videos/jared-goff-s-best-passes-from-299-yard-game-week-4





SportsWorks - 10-3-21 -- Woody, Stoney & Burchie talking Lions, UM/MSU, Tigers & Wings:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/985535
Posted by LionsFan at 4:23 AM 0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
.main-inner .sidebar .Poll { background-color: #AD966C; padding: 15px; }