Lions Blog

Articles:

Lions catch a break as Patriots rule out 3 defensive starters for Sunday night: https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/09/patrick_chung_trey_flowers_amo.html

Ask Kyle: Thoughts on the Lions' defensive woes, Jim Caldwell, breakfast meats:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/09/ask_kyle_detroit_ions.html

Q and A with Lions TE Luke Willson: Crazy fan mail:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/22/detroit-lions-luke-willson/1365501002/

Five things to watch: Lions vs. Patriots: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/22/five-things-watch-detroit-lions-vs-new-england-patriots/1394094002/

3 things to watch for in the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots Sunday Night: https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/nfl/lions/3-things-to-watch-for-in-the-detroit-lions-new-england-patriots-sunday-night-football-game

NFL media officiating video explains Diggs Week 2 holding call: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/22/nfl-media-officiating-video-explains-diggs-week-2-holding-call/

Opinion: Lions should claim DE Ifeadi Odenigbo off waivers: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/22/opinion-lions-should-claim-de-ifeadi-odenigbo-off-waivers/

Angry Tom Brady Out For Redemption Versus Lions:  https://971theticket.radio.com/articles/angry-tom-brady-out-redemption-versus-lions

History shows that Brady will tame the Lions in Week 3:  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2018/09/22/history-shows-that-brady-will-tame-the-lions-in-week-3/

Colts Should Turn Luck Loose in Philly, Patricia’s D Has Its Hands Full Against Pats, Deshaun Watson Ready to Remind You How Good He Is (2. There are things we know about first-year Lions head coach Matt Patricia. He’s a scientist. He is banned from dozens of mini-golf courses in the six New England states due to his habit of dumping the basket full of those little scorecard pencils into his fanny pack. He has a beard. But what you might not know: He used to work for none other than Bill Belichick, who—ironically—does not himself have a beard, and who will be his opponent Sunday night.  Aside from the clichéd teacher vs. student angle on Sunday Night Football, this will be an especially fascinating test for Patricia’s young Detroit defense. The Patriots have a lack of weapons on the outside—at least until Josh Gordon is ready for a bigger role than run straight upfield then catch it/catch it then run straight upfield. But the Patriots have the kind of mismatch weapons at running back and tight end (well, one tight end) to give this Lions team fits. I am sticking to my assessment of Jarrad Davis as a future star once he gets the reps he needs to improve in coverage, but he’s not there yet. Christian Jones has also had issues; neither guy looks anywhere near comfortable in the new scheme. Though the one positive you can take away from an ugly first two games for Detroit: It seemed like this thing might go off the rails after the embarassing opener and a defecit in San Francisco, but they played hard and battled back a week ago. Tom Brady has been to the postseason 14 straight seasons, and in that span the Patriots have only lost back-to-back (meaningful, Brady playing four quarters with something on the line) games six times. Detroit’s linebackers are going to have to be significantly better—or Matthew Stafford is going to have to stand on his head again—if it’s going to be seven.): https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/09/23/week-3-preview-andrew-luck-carson-wentz-eagles-colts-matt-patricia-belichick-patriots-lions

Why the Lions are worth less than most other NFL teams: http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sports/why-lions-are-worth-less-most-other-nfl-teams

Articles from Opposing Teams Media:

New England Patriots at Detroit Lions preview: Game plans, predictions, point spread, top matchups and more:  https://www.masslive.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/09/ec5104fe451855/new-england-patriots-at-detroi.html

What NFL pundits and personnel are saying about Matt Patricia and the Detroit Lions:  https://www.boston.com/sports/nfl/2018/09/22/matt-patricia-lions-media-bill-belichick-patriots

6 things Patriots fans should know about the Lions: https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/22/6-things-patriots-fans-should-know-about-the-lions/

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Morning Lions Links for Saturday 9-22-18

Articles:

Lions RB LeGarrette Blount fined $10,026 for coming off bench to fight:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/09/lions_rb_legarrette_blount_fin.html

Backed into a corner, the Lions return to Ford Field in search of a cleansing:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/09/jets_season_is_making_their_31.html

Darius Slay, Marvin Jones, Ezekiel Ansah all questionable for Lions:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/09/darius_slay_marvin_jones_ezeki.html

Slay weighs in on old debate: Brady or Manning?:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/21/detroit-lions-cb-darius-slay-weighs-debate-brady-manning/1383814002/

Daunting history of 0-3 looms large as Lions brace for Patriots: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/21/daunting-history-0-3-looms-large-detroit-lions-brace-new-england-patriots/1383225002/

Bill Belichick has chance to beat another former assistant:  http://www.fox2detroit.com/sports/bill-belichick-has-chance-to-beat-another-former-assistant
Five Bold Predictions for Week 3 (3. Sony Michel will be a Top 10 running back this week: Bill Belichick is going up former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Did you know, Belichick is 11-4 against his former assistants? The Patriots have averaged 27 points per game against their former assistants. Bill loves to exercise that tough love. Teach them a lesson. He treats his former students like Obi Wan treated Anakin on Mustafar. You were the chosen one. And speaking of chosen one, this will be the game the running back chosen in the first-round of the draft this year, Sony Michel, goes off. See, Belichick could go for total annihilation. Have Tom Brady throw for five touchdowns. But like Obi Wan, Belichick will show mercy. Have Michel run all over them. I'm predicting 82 rushing yards, 5 receptions for 51 yards. Two touchdowns. 4. Kenny Golladay breaks into the Top 10 as well: Let's stick with this game. I'm here for Golladay this season. The automotive industry was turned on its head when the minivan was introduced back in the 1980s. And now, Detroit is on the rebound once again with Mini Megatron. Golladay is third in the NFL with 111 snaps, trailing just Antonio Brown and JuJu. He's fifth in the NFL (tied with AB) with 11 first-down receptions. Which is great for you in the PPFD leagues. And it shows Stafford is looking for him when it counts the most. He's also third in the NFL with six explosive plays, as measured by Pro Football Focus. Let's be real here: The Lions will have to throw the ball a lot. Golladay will feast on Sunday night.): http://www.nfl.com/fantasyfootball/story/0ap3000000964712/article/five-bold-predictions-for-week-3
La Canfora: Pats will pummel Patricia's Lions: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/week-3-nfl-best-bets-pats-will-pummel-matt-patricia-and-more-of-jason-la-canforas-picks/

Patricia will have a hard time getting first NFL win with Lions against Patriots: https://calgaryherald.com/sports/football/nfl/detroit-lions/patricia-will-have-a-hard-time-getting-first-nfl-win-with-lions-against-patriots/wcm/4f5c99c7-3f23-4e2c-96ab-2b7b7cc7ab57

Articles from Opposing Teams Media:

Belichick out to school another pupil in Lions' Patricia: http://www.thesunchronicle.com/sports/patriots/belichick-out-to-school-another-pupil-in-lions-patricia/article_cddb36f3-3017-551f-b995-d9fa4d5cda34.html

What to watch for when the Patriots play the Lions: 20180921/what-to-watch-for-when-patriots-play-lions

Car Max Keys to the Starting Lineup: A Sunday night shootout in Detroit: https://www.patriots.com/news/car-max-keys-to-the-starting-lineup-a-sunday-night-shootout-in-detroit
Video:

Opposing View: Patriots: https://www.detroitlions.com/video/opposing-view-patriots

What's the most interesting storyline in Patriots-Lions?: http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000964307/What-s-the-most-interesting-storyline-in-Patriots-Lions

PFF NFL Video Breakdown – Big-Time Blocks of Week 2 (Ragnow's block is number 2. At the 1:25 Mark): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-pff-nfl-video-breakdown-big-time-blocks-week-2

Friday, September 21, 2018

Afternoon Lions Links for Friday 9-21-18

Articles:

NOTEBOOK: Johnson striving to be a three-down back: https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-johnson-striving-to-be-a-three-down-back

Lions vs. Patriots injury report: Sept. 21: https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-vs-patriots-injury-report-sept-21

10 QUESTIONS WITH TWENTYMAN: How has Davis improved from his rookie year?:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/10-questions-with-twentyman-how-has-davis-improved-from-his-rookie-year

Taylor Decker misses final Lions practice of week, but Darius Slay returns:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/09/taylor_decker_misses_final_lio.html

Here are the Patriots connections on the Lions:  https://www.mlive.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/09/acca79fe85575/here-are-the-patriots-connecti.html

Lions CB Darius Slay 'doing whatever I can' to play vs. Patriots: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/21/detroit-lions-darius-slay-taylor-decker/1380717002/

Yes, the Browns are better than the Lions:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/21/detroit-lions-cleveland-browns/1377676002/

Lions vs. Patriots: Scouting report, prediction:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/21/detroit-lions-new-england-patriots-prediction/1379495002/

Here is what Lions must do to beat Patriots:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/21/detroit-lions-new-england-patriots/1375325002/

Here's what Belichick has that Patricia doesn't:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/21/detroit-lions-matt-patricia-bill-belichick-book/1374405002/

View from the other side: Lions vs. Patriots:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/21/view-other-side-detroit-lions-vs-patriots/1378551002/

4 Key matchups for the Lions vs. the Patriots:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/21/4-key-matchups-for-the-lions-vs-the-patriots/

4 shocking but possible Lions roster cuts:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2018/08/31/4-shocking-but-possible-lions-roster-cuts/

Matthew Stafford keeps Tom Brady matchup in perspective:  https://247sports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/Article/Matthew-Stafford-Tom-Brady-matchup-in-perspective-122284147/

Golden Tate: You want LeGarrette Blount on your team:  https://247sports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/Article/LeGarrette-Blount-shove-Golden-Tate-reacts-122278655/

Lions near dead last in terms of NFL value:  https://247sports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/Article/Lions-franchise-value-ranking-Forbes--122276965/

Patriots-Lions Capsule:  https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2018/09/21/patriots-lions-capsule/

Will Josh Gordon make Patriots debut Sunday in Detroit? Here's what we know: https://www.profootballweekly.com/2018/09/21/will-josh-gordon-make-patriots-debut-sunday-in-detroit-heres-what-we-know/ay3fchq/
2019 Draft Prospects:

Five possible Lions draft prospects: Week 4 (9-21-18): https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/21/five-possible-lions-draft-prospects-week-4/1365455002/

Meet Arizona State's Renell Wren, the relentless gem of the 2019 DL class (9-21-18):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/09/21/meet-arizona-states-renell-wren-the-relentless-gem-of-the-2019-dl-class/

Video:

Patricia on Patriots preparation: https://www.detroitlions.com/video/patricia-on-patriots-preparation

Slay on New England: https://www.detroitlions.com/video/slay-on-new-england

Talkin' With T.J.: Frank Ragnow:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/talkin-with-t-j-frank-ragnow

Coach's Scouting Report: Week 3: https://www.detroitlions.com/video/coach-s-scouting-report-week-3

Bruschi thinks Pats have too many weapons for Lions: http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=24746099

Morning Lions Links for Friday 9-21-18

Articles:

O'HARA'S WEEK 3 CHECKLIST: Lions vs. Patriots:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-s-week-3-checklist-lions-vs-patriots

NOTEBOOK: Stafford encouraged by run game improvements:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-stafford-encouraged-by-run-game-improvements

Taylor Decker said he's not tipping plays despite Chris Spielman's comments:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/09/taylor_decker_said_hes_not_tip.html

Josh Gordon is complicating things for Lions' short-handed defense:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/09/josh_gordon_is_complicating_th.html

Detroit Lions' pass rush goes from weak to wild; tied for 3rd in sacks:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/21/detroit-lions-defense-pass-rush/1374411002/

Why Detroit Lions' Matt Patricia never will be Bill Belichick:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/21/detroit-lions-matt-patricia-bill-belichick-book/1374405002/

Detroit Lions' Golden Tate: First win is the toughest to get: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/21/detroit-lions-golden-tate/1373392002/

How the Jags shut down Gronk; can Lions too?:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/20/detroit-lions-stopping-rob-gronkowski/1368663002/

Lions Matthew Stafford, receivers look to get back their deep ball connection: https://lionslowdown.com/2018/09/20/lions-matthew-stafford-receivers-look-to-get-back-their-deep-ball-connection/

Matthew Stafford among NFL leaders in taking shots downfield:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/20/matthew-stafford-among-nfl-leaders-in-taking-shots-downfield/

Lions add OL Demby to practice squad, waive WR Hatcher:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/20/lions-add-ol-demby-to-practice-squad-waive-wr-hatcher/

32 NFL Observations, Week 2 (Detroit Lions: Rookie guard Frank Ragnow has allowed 13 total quarterback pressures so far this season, the most ever recorded by an offensive guard in the first two weeks of a season.):  https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-32-nfl-observations-week-2

PFF's NFL QB Rankings – after Week 2 (15. MATTHEW STAFFORD, DETROIT LIONS (2018 season grade: 70.5): Leading the league in two specific categories is not going to win you many games, and that’s just what Stafford has done so far: He leads the league in turnover-worthy passes (four) and catchable passes dropped (eight).): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-pffs-nfl-qb-rankings-after-week-2

Week 3 QB Power Rankings (14. Stafford:  Much better bounceback for Stafford even if the Lions lost again. 347 yards and three touchdowns -- that's closer to what Stafford could have had in Week 1 with a full game and some catches from Marvin Jones.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-qb-power-rankings-week-3-ryan-fitzpatrick-in-top-10-where-did-rising-star-patrick-mahomes-land/

One reason for each 0-2 team to hope in 2018 (4. Detroit Lions - Reason for hope: The defense will continue to buy into Matt Patricia's coaching. We had to go through six quarters of mistake-filled football first, but the Lions showed signs of life in the second half of their loss to the 49ers. Rather than trying to freelance and make plays, Detroit's defenders -- who were loosely coached before -- seem to finally be responding to Patricia's scheme. Matthew Stafford is leading a passing attack that is stacked with firepower. When the Lions fully buy into Patricia's approach on defense, they'll be a much better team -- especially if they figure out how to get something out of the ground game. To me, this group is still capable of making a potential playoff push, though I would not put them in the same neighborhood as the Texans, Raiders and Giants.):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000964359/article/texans-raiders-among-02-teams-with-best-shot-at-a-turnaround

Articles from Opposing Teams Media:

What They're Saying: Detroit Lions: https://www.patriots.com/news/what-they-re-saying-detroit-lions

Dolloff: Patriots Secondary Will Have Its Hands Full With Lions' Deep, Skilled Receiver Group:  https://985thesportshub.com/2018/09/20/new-england-patriots-secondary-detroit-lions-receivers-dolloff/

Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia hoping to be rare Bill Belichick assistant to succeed as a head coach:  https://www.masslive.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/09/72032088005750/detroit-lions-coach-matt-patri.html

Video:

Lions feel different; can they upset Patriots?: https://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/20/detroit-lions-vibe-feels-different-but-can-they-upset-patriots/1373984002/

What's the most interesting storyline in Patriots-Lions?:  http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000964307/What-s-the-most-interesting-storyline-in-Patriots-Lions

WATCH: Miller goes one-on-one with Michael Roberts:  http://www.fox2detroit.com/sports/watch-miller-goes-one-on-one-with-michael-roberts

Lions believe talent can overcome 0-2 start:  https://www.wxyz.com/sports/football/lions/sick-of-hearing-about-better-execution-the-lions-know-that-but-can-t-win-until-they-do

Lions Blog

Monday, September 24, 2018

Morning Lions Links for Monday 9-24-18 Part 2

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Morning Lions Links for Monday 9-24-18 Part 1

Afternoon Lions Links for Sunday 9-23-18

Morning Lions Links for Sunday 9-23-18

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Morning Lions Links for Saturday 9-22-18

Friday, September 21, 2018

Afternoon Lions Links for Friday 9-21-18

Morning Lions Links for Friday 9-21-18

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