Lion News and Related Articles

[Blkbrd671]

Since OTA's and Preseason is over and this board doesn't get a ton of action. Figured we have a thread to track whats going on currently after the games. Apparently Suh has to be in the headlines every week

[Piston Pete]

I have a feeling OTAs will prove that we still have work to do at WR and LB.

[Blkbrd671]

I have a feeling OTAs will prove that we still have work to do at WR and LB.

i actually think we'll find out that we are fine at WR and LB, but definitely need some help on the OL, and maybe DL. My concern is our depth

[ajaX82]

Should be some interesting batttles. I'm actually looking forward to seeing how the Punter/Kicker competition plays out and rooting for the Norwegian dude and Martin. Reiff at LT, the open spot at LB and how the rookies perform should make these OTAs very competitive

[Blkbrd671]

Should be some interesting batttles. I'm actually looking forward to seeing how the Punter/Kicker competition plays out and rooting for the Norwegian dude and Martin. Reiff at LT, the open spot at LB and how the rookies perform should make these OTAs very competitive

i am too, except i think we'll be excited about Rugland until he starts missing FG's and wish we kept akers. Its really concerning that he's never kicked a FG in a real game, let a lone one that's could win or loss us the game.

[Blkbrd671]

From DN

"We talked about reporting date," Schwartz said. "We talked about what's expected of them between now and the beginning of training camp, both from an off-the-field point of view, and also what they need to do to get ready to come in (training camp in) great shape to compete for jobs.

"We've talked all offseason about they really weren't competing. They were really competing against themselves as we went through all this stuff to improve their technique, to get better, to be in great condition. Once we get to training camp, that's when all that pays off because that's when they start competing for jobs


"It's been a good offseason for them," Schwartz said. "First, the guys reported in great shape. Then they worked hard. It's a short offseason. It's only 10 weeks, but they took advantage of every opportunity. They practiced with the same kind of tempo from the very beginning. We've accomplished installing just about all our offensive and defensive schemes. We've introduced a new special teams scheme. There's been a lot of positives in the offseason."

[Blkbrd671]

@ICE

Are you at minicamp? Anything to add to what has been reported.

[Icness]

@ICE

Are you at minicamp? Anything to add to what has been reported.

Not at camp, sorry. Next year I'll be there.

What I picked up thru the cracks:
--the team is not worried at all about Reiff at LT. Not. At. All. The people who I got this from are not prone to false bravado either.

--the Ron Bartell comeback looks very promising. Don't forget that before he broke his neck he was a top 10 NFC CB two years in a row. They love his veteran presence with all the youngsters too. At worst he'll be the best 3rd outside corner the team has had in, like, forever.

--Bill Bentley is at home in the slot and is getting better with his hands & not holding. On the last day he got over on Hill for two pick 6s.

--sounds like Greenwood will be a practice squad guy because he's still very raw.

--Kickalicious hit a 55-yarder against light rush. They were asking him to directionally kick and spot kickoffs and he struggled to keep it inbounds, but his leg is every bit as good as Janikwoski or Greg the Leg in STL>

--Stafford is a little leaner and a lot more vocal. Both developments there make the coaching staff happy.

--Pettigrew lost some lbs.

--DT depth remains the biggest concern for the coaches. After Fairly & Suh, they know Mosley can play in short yardage & run downs and that's it. They are toying with some 3-man lines with Fairly in the middle and Suh & Jones at inside 5-techniques (a little more shaded to the G than right between the G & T) and Ansah lined up wide but standing up. Could see some of that on passing downs, keep an eye out for it.

--if you're looking for a bigger name that isn't going to make the team, Ronnell Lewis needs to be consistently excellent in July & August or else he's one

--Devin Taylor missed almost everything with a hamstring (I think) and that will make his training camp very important.

[Blkbrd671]

@ICE

Are you at minicamp? Anything to add to what has been reported.

Not at camp, sorry. Next year I'll be there.

What I picked up thru the cracks:
--the team is not worried at all about Reiff at LT. Not. At. All. The people who I got this from are not prone to false bravado either.

--the Ron Bartell comeback looks very promising. Don't forget that before he broke his neck he was a top 10 NFC CB two years in a row. They love his veteran presence with all the youngsters too. At worst he'll be the best 3rd outside corner the team has had in, like, forever.

--Bill Bentley is at home in the slot and is getting better with his hands & not holding. On the last day he got over on Hill for two pick 6s.

--sounds like Greenwood will be a practice squad guy because he's still very raw.

--Kickalicious hit a 55-yarder against light rush. They were asking him to directionally kick and spot kickoffs and he struggled to keep it inbounds, but his leg is every bit as good as Janikwoski or Greg the Leg in STL>

--Stafford is a little leaner and a lot more vocal. Both developments there make the coaching staff happy.

--Pettigrew lost some lbs.

--DT depth remains the biggest concern for the coaches. After Fairly & Suh, they know Mosley can play in short yardage & run downs and that's it. They are toying with some 3-man lines with Fairly in the middle and Suh & Jones at inside 5-techniques (a little more shaded to the G than right between the G & T) and Ansah lined up wide but standing up. Could see some of that on passing downs, keep an eye out for it.

--if you're looking for a bigger name that isn't going to make the team, Ronnell Lewis needs to be consistently excellent in July & August or else he's one

--Devin Taylor missed almost everything with a hamstring (I think) and that will make his training camp very important.

thx bud, not bad for not even being there.

[ajaX82]

Nice stuff Jeff. Glad Reiff is going to stick at LT. Interesting that DT depth was not too long ago one of our biggest strengths and now is the complete opposite.

[Blkbrd671]

Nice stuff Jeff. Glad Reiff is going to stick at LT. Interesting that DT depth was not too long ago one of our biggest strengths and now is the complete opposite.

From what i've read, C. Williams is still FA and their are notable other FA DT still available. i don't think depth is a concern for the coaches.

[ajaX82]

Depth chart for first preseason game out. Some interesting notes:

Moore ahead of Lewis as QB3
Edwards and Durham as WR4 and WR5 (I keep reading that Durham is having a great camp)
Warford as 3rd string RG! (yikes)
Ansah starting LE
Palmer starting OLB (Whitehead 2nd)
Bartell starting CB
Akers and Martin starting specialists

It's only preseason and is unofficial, but some interesting stuff.

[Icness]

Warford has not handled Fairley well at all. I don't know whether it's more of Fairley becoming dominant or Warford struggling, but the rookie has not been great. Slower to react to moves than anticipated; the game is moving too fast for him right now. He's not going to start but 3rd round picks aren't supposed to anyways.

I've heard a lot of positives as well about Durham. Supposedly he's playing with more physicality and toughness. That's what big, slow, possession receivers need. Good on him for improving. Edwards scares me because he's a downfield deep threat in the skinny body of a shifty slot receiver. He's not laterally quick like you'd expect and has negligible strength. I watched him up close at UH a lot and he's a good player but one I'd rather see on another roster, all things being equal. Fragile wideouts are the last thing we need.

[Blkbrd671]

Warford has not handled Fairley well at all. I don't know whether it's more of Fairley becoming dominant or Warford struggling, but the rookie has not been great. Slower to react to moves than anticipated; the game is moving too fast for him right now. He's not going to start but 3rd round picks aren't supposed to anyways.

I've heard a lot of positives as well about Durham. Supposedly he's playing with more physicality and toughness. That's what big, slow, possession receivers need. Good on him for improving. Edwards scares me because he's a downfield deep threat in the skinny body of a shifty slot receiver. He's not laterally quick like you'd expect and has negligible strength. I watched him up close at UH a lot and he's a good player but one I'd rather see on another roster, all things being equal. Fragile wideouts are the last thing we need.

Good sh* , and Congrads on the new position at Bleacher.

*Question: I've never felt Bleacher was reputable news wise but rather just opinions of the average fan. Is it moving more towards a credible site?

[ajaX82]

Warford has not handled Fairley well at all. I don't know whether it's more of Fairley becoming dominant or Warford struggling, but the rookie has not been great. Slower to react to moves than anticipated; the game is moving too fast for him right now. He's not going to start but 3rd round picks aren't supposed to anyways.

I've heard a lot of positives as well about Durham. Supposedly he's playing with more physicality and toughness. That's what big, slow, possession receivers need. Good on him for improving. Edwards scares me because he's a downfield deep threat in the skinny body of a shifty slot receiver. He's not laterally quick like you'd expect and has negligible strength. I watched him up close at UH a lot and he's a good player but one I'd rather see on another roster, all things being equal. Fragile wideouts are the last thing we need.

Also a big congrats on the BR job. I read on DLD that you are back in Michigan in GR...welcome back. I'm moving to GR myself next week, nice town.

I'm bummed on Warford; I thought he would come in and dominate. And I hope we keep Durham over Edwards

[Icness]

Warford has not handled Fairley well at all. I don't know whether it's more of Fairley becoming dominant or Warford struggling, but the rookie has not been great. Slower to react to moves than anticipated; the game is moving too fast for him right now. He's not going to start but 3rd round picks aren't supposed to anyways.

I've heard a lot of positives as well about Durham. Supposedly he's playing with more physicality and toughness. That's what big, slow, possession receivers need. Good on him for improving. Edwards scares me because he's a downfield deep threat in the skinny body of a shifty slot receiver. He's not laterally quick like you'd expect and has negligible strength. I watched him up close at UH a lot and he's a good player but one I'd rather see on another roster, all things being equal. Fragile wideouts are the last thing we need.

Good sh* , and Congrads on the new position at Bleacher.

*Question: I've never felt Bleacher was reputable news wise but rather just opinions of the average fan. Is it moving more towards a credible site?

Definitely trending in that direction. It's under the Turner Sports umbrella now and trying hard to establish itself as a rival to ESPN and CBS. They hired a couple of very experienced and reputable editors and now they reject more than they publish. Lured some very good writers too, among them Mike Freeman, Matt Miller, and my good friend Ben Allbright.

Thanks! I start on the 15th.

[Icness]

Warford has not handled Fairley well at all. I don't know whether it's more of Fairley becoming dominant or Warford struggling, but the rookie has not been great. Slower to react to moves than anticipated; the game is moving too fast for him right now. He's not going to start but 3rd round picks aren't supposed to anyways.

I've heard a lot of positives as well about Durham. Supposedly he's playing with more physicality and toughness. That's what big, slow, possession receivers need. Good on him for improving. Edwards scares me because he's a downfield deep threat in the skinny body of a shifty slot receiver. He's not laterally quick like you'd expect and has negligible strength. I watched him up close at UH a lot and he's a good player but one I'd rather see on another roster, all things being equal. Fragile wideouts are the last thing we need.

Also a big congrats on the BR job. I read on DLD that you are back in Michigan in GR...welcome back. I'm moving to GR myself next week, nice town.

I'm bummed on Warford; I thought he would come in and dominate. And I hope we keep Durham over Edwards

We will have to get together. I'm hoping to spend my football Sundays at The Score on the NE side even though its like 45 minutes from my house in Holland.

[Blkbrd671]

We will have to get together. I'm hoping to spend my football Sundays at The Score on the NE side even though its like 45 minutes from my house in Holland.

Hey ICE, i changed the title of the thread for the Preseason games, since doesn't seem like anybody likes to post during the game. Could you give us your take on the game?


Personally:

I think our front 4 looked really good for what limited time we saw them.
We had a couple secondary issues.
I read that darius slay had a quiet night, is this because QB's didn't want to throw his way?
Edwards looked good in his returns
Bush has another level of explosiveness
Hill looked much better than Stafford, who struggled.

[Blkbrd671]

As Johnson sprinted past a Jets linebacker and veered his route toward the home sideline, Cromartie was crouched in no-man’s land. He had to respect Bush as a receiver, but doing so left Johnson wide open on a patch of uncovered turf behind him for a 28-yard gain.

“I went up to Reggie afterwards, I was like, ‘Nobody ever drops Calvin for anybody,’ ” Stafford said. “It was kind of awesome having a corner drop Calvin to play Reggie coming out of the backfield. That’s kind of the offense that we envision and everybody else doing their part and making plays as well.”

[Icness]

My Jets thoughts:
http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2013/0 ... ets-notes/

http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2013/0 ... dbs-fared/

The first link is right after the game, focused on the 1st half
The second link is a pretty extensive breakdown of every secondary member

I was really discouraged by the lousy LB play overall and in coverage in particular.
Liked the increased blitzing, esp. against a skittish QB and a truly awful offensive line outside of Mangold & D'Brick. Peterman would not be the 5th guard in Detroit and he's the best they've got.