E131: NFC North 2024 Season Preview & Final Roster - The Detroit Lions

[Music] hey everybody this is Matthew soulc and you're listening to not the same old Lions podcast part of the minute media podcast Network this season it's all grit I speak with a variety of guests and interview key players gaining more insight on what makes this team go the Detroit Lions are now in a new grittier era and we look Beyond just a kneecap when it comes to the analysis welcome to another episode in this episode we're going to reflect on the Detroit Lions final 53 man roster plus their newly assembled practice squad then we'll discuss the expectations for the Detroit Lions and the NFC North with an updated perspective now that training camp is wrapped up and the roster been finalized let's get to it Lions fans this is Trevor noi and your listening to not the same old Lions podcast joining me today are our two very familiar voices we've got Coach Jerry angers Nam Michigan High School coach of the year as well as coach of the week by the Detroit Lions and he's also mentored numerous players to the college level and some all the way to the NFL coach great to have you here great to be here great time of year right now that's for sure that it is we have a ton of content to get into today and and it's also good that we're joined by James Cook the senior sports writer for the Travers City record Eagle you can also hear him on his podcast called the getar around that drops on Mondays I think they just had their first or second one James good to have you here yeah thanks for having me okay guys training Camp's over pre-season's over we know a little bit more about this team let's start by taking a look at that 53 man roster and and again it was a 52 man roster when the Lions put it together now it's 53 after we talk about this we will get into the practice squad additions as well so let's start with the departures um who did not make this team there were going to be some tough ones here and we we knew that it was going to be uh some guys we were saying goodbye to that we thought were very capable of being on this roster so coach uh is there any ones that caught your eye that you were like tough to see this guy go or just were surprised to see somebody go well I think Gilmore was one of them you know I mean he's uh he's been around and and uh I was just watching the Pittsburgh game again and you know he had some big tackles when he came downhill and hit people uh that kind of shows what our depth looks like um I think uh you know some of the other guys might still get signed the problem is we have uh three big receivers on the practice squad right now trying to find that big guy so I think that's uh you know I thought maybe bats would get get brought back too you know um but you know other than that pretty much uh played itself out all right James anybody on your uh on your radar that you either were surprise got let go or you know just your thoughts on somebody uh not making the 53 man um well I mean d about people Jones was kind of a a surprise um even though that the news of that kind of leaked out um you know just a little bit given that they had traded a draft pick for him um and uh you know so that was a little bit of a surprise other than that I think uh James Mitchell I guess is one of the guys that that was a little bit of a surprise just because he was a sixth round pick two years ago um but you know when we're gonna get to the practice squad later uh both of those guys will pop back up for sure I think you know like you guys said the the leaking of the Donovan peoples Jones thing um that was a a s not a shock but a disappointment I think is the way I was looking at it cuz you know we talked about Josh Reynolds not coming back and we were like it's up to Donovan peoples Jones to fill this void and all camp we just heard it wasn't happening it wasn't happening but we were expecting it to just switch and change and it didn't happen so so that was that was a surprise um I gotta be honest another thing that surprised me was Nate sudfeld departure okay and honestly for me this was important it was important because as much as everybody trusts Brad Holmes and as much as we all trust Brad Holmes there's just something I have not seen in the backup quarterback position whether it was Bole or Blau or sudfeld that we were all seen as well or that that maybe Holmes was seen and and I don't doubt the intelligence of sudfeld and the way he knows the Playbook and the way he can help jerro goof get ready for a game but guys doesn't that seem like you'd want sudfeld in the coaching position move him to an assistant coach but you don't want you know we've seen enough of him over his career which is actually very little to tell you if something happens to Goff that's not the guy you want going in and you don't want him taking up that roster spot as the number three guy if you can add another defensive back or wide receiver so to me the Nate sudfeld departure was an important thing to see yeah I agree with you on that I mean the it's funny because I just remember Campbell talking about Fram coming in and and being a being a professional I heard him say that you know coming in even though he's short term so I think that's that kind of raised the flag to me that uh sudfeld something was going on maybe sudfeld was saying some things or doing some things or things they didn't like or he didn't try to get better I don't know I mean it's just you know Dan Campbell when he when he throws these little uh tidbits out during his press conferences I always listen to him because I'm saying God there's he's talking about something there so uh I agree I mean he's been around and and he's done a great job of helping the quarterbacks but I think they H decided to move on and get theel uh with the right guys in that can can win football games for us if need be yeah and you know again I I think we we just finally realized we all know his ceiling as a quarterback on the field and if you are a team that has Super Bowl aspirations and you want someone to be your number two it's going to be henden hooker or it's going to be somebody else but it's not going to be him and again if they brought him back as a coach and paid him whatever they wanted be totally fine with that uh the running back room we we kept four you know I thought there was a slight chance we might keep a fifth and you know what we'll talk about that when we get to the practice squad so so that makes sense now that we saw the practice squad guys come back and we really emptied out that wide receiver room oh my goodness um I was excited well we I guess we'll talk about the guys who did make it in just a moment but we really emptied that out and and we'll talk about the Donovan peoples Jones thing in a minute as well uh in the tight end room I guess zra and Mitchell both not making the 53 man I think most of us thought one of them might make it and the lines would go four deep at the tight end position well guys let's let's transition guys who made it James let's start with you on this one what caught your eye what made you happy excited what are you thinking what what are some of your takeaways uh well keeping seven linebackers is interesting uh I didn't I didn't see that happening uh with keeping Neeman and then picking up Trevor noi off of off of waivers so they got seven linebackers now but I mean Neiman and nooski are both good special teamers too so you know it's not like uh they won't see the field or anything but uh I I just didn't expect seven linebackers to be on the first first day's uh initial roster and and and it's also interesting that Dan Skipper made a 53 man roster for the first time time in his eight-year NFL career those are two very good points that we have to talk about before you add any more points to it um the first one let's talk about that seven linebackers right uh and it was six yesterday but then when the news broke today about Trevor noi minutes before the news broke I was coach I was texting with coach and I was like I just checked out the Arizona roster Trevor is not on their final 53 man I was I was sure he was make it the way they claimed him last year and then the news broke that the lions got him back and we were so excited for it and maybe the specials team stuff with the kickoff thing plays right into this coach what's your reaction to Trevor coming back and the lions having seven linebackers I was pretty excited I was trying to figure out how I was gonna pay to go out and watch him play play him and root for him only um but the big thing is he's you know he he they the Lions didn't want to lose him last year that's why they put him on the 53 man and then like you said earlier you know Cardinals why should just leave him alone um but you know the big thing is is is he's back he knows the system I talked to his dad tonight Who's My tailgating part partner from uh Sago Valley so I'm pretty excited about that and there were a lot of teams contacting him and his uh special team coach at for the Cardinals even said the same thing you were probably not clear waivers and they were so excited that they brought him back um I think he he fits well with that with the team and uh he knows all the guys and I think that's that's the biggest thing he knows the system and he can probably walk right in and be ready to play yeah that will be great his familiarity will help as well so we were rooting for him and this was just a very pleasant surprise seeing that he's back and we saw how much he contributed to special teams last year for the Lions they in the preseason and they liked them so much so they El ated him because others were trying to get him um and then James you said it man Dan Skipper eighth season is the charm I mean grit tenacity work ethic believing in yourself never giving up I mean is there anything else that we can add to this coach is this like the perfect story that James just brought up about Skipper making this roster oh it's a great call on James part I mean you know for a guy to be on a a practice squad for seven years or six years and then finally start getting to play with the Lions and and of course he'll always be remembered from the Dallas Cowboy game but he's one of those he's a lunch pill guy man he's a he's a blue collar guy for for the Detroit Lions and uh couldn't ask for a better guy to be there and he has a Dan Campell guy all the way and and just so happy for him all right James any other uh excitement over somebody to make it or a surpris that somebody make it or anything that just caught your attention after those first two you gave us uh well the the po it Long Snapper of Hatton making the team over over Scott Dy and then uh the bears picking Dy up um when their long samper got hurt so that was an interesting one and then Strickland making the team at safety and them King keeping five safeties uh Strickland beating out CJ Moore for that last spot at safety was an interesting one that uh I didn't necessarily expect I figured CJ Moore's special teams ability would get him there but Strickland had a really really good preseason yeah you know coach was actually just talking about Strickland recently uh coach what what do you want to weigh in on what you saw from him and and why you like this the move by the Lions well I think his he's he was able to play a couple different positions in the in defensive back field for one two he just comes down come downhill the guy's a hitter uh he's always always seemed to be in the right place at the right time I mean couple of the big hits he had during pre-season uh pretty much tells you that uh you know he he reads the play um acknowledges what's going on deciphers where where the play is going to go and he gets to the spot where the running back or the wide receiver is going to be so I think that's the big one you know him and him and you know I'm G to feed off him and Parker H too we talked about Parker H the tight end uh Slash you know I told you fullback you kept lineing up fullback I kept watching them and I kept watching them get more and more reps and then of course I started watching at fullback and the dude can Block H there's no doubt about that so you know those two guys I think uh emphasize what the Detroit lons are all about uh you know and I guess they go into the skipper mle too you know they're they're probably gonna have their uh they're gonna probably share lunch on the on the bench together eating out of a lunch bail that's the thing the versatility with Parker hessie being able to play that fullback position I think was probably that deciding factor over zil and Mitchell and and we'll get to those guys later when we talk about practice squad uh I like the the keeping of Isaiah Williams because I mean from what I saw at camp and from what we saw in the pre-season games the guy just came to play and you know it all started when we talked about that undrafted free agent contract he got there was something they saw that they wanted to see out of him and he performed and even though he wasn't the ex guy that's tall out that they were looking for there's a skill set there that they think they can work with and use and he provides depth for a player like khif Raymond in that role so I'm excited they kept Williams and a lot of people were speculating they might not keep James Houston but I'm just glad that happened his steiling is way too high and he would have got snatched in a heartbeat and we you know off the waivers you guys right I mean how many guys got picked up off our waivers right we talked about that I think there was two of them I think or waivers whatever I think James had pointed that earlier when you and I were texting with James and and they would have grabbed that guy in a heartbeat anybody that has sacks in seven games uh can't and missed the season because he's injured I think he's back he had a great last uh game against the Steelers and you know I watched that three tackles two hurries a sack uh Run Stop um set the edge you know you knew he he played himself in the making that team well let's move to offensive line a minute then yeah and by the way yes they would have claimed him I totally agree with that and I'm actually no Lions players were claimed off waivers a couple of them did get signed I believe but no one got claimed off waivers which also plays into our practice squad but 10 offensive lineman James that's a pretty big number yeah well you got Skipper making it and then Manu of course Sor doll aashika um and then they kept uh nce as well which was kind of the one that surprised me although you know he had from all reports he had a good Camp um I think it was Penny Su who was raving about him during training camp that was one of the ones that I think Su gave him a nickname and and those are when you hear these different things on that you're starting to think all right if Su gave him a nickname he must like them and we got to believe what Su says so I agree and that you mean uh jamarco Jones well that's again practice squad but but again a lot of linemen um you know trying to find that depth and one guy that's you know still on IR you know with h mahogany so so uh pretty really interesting but look at the I think I think part of that has to do James and and uh Matt is last year we had all those injuries on the old line and we were you know at one point I think we had three three new starters and and two of them were I think were rookies so uh getting some of that depth and some guys that have been in there before I think it's going to help us out so we also know that around the league there isn't a lot of depth at offensive line and so the lions got some guys I mean you know coyote aashika Phil in admirably last year Kobe sorel's another year um you know developed in Giovani Manu you know we drafted him so those guys were going to be there so if you have this Talent you know if they would to let one of them go I'm sure somebody else would have grabbed them because of that that depth issue around the league and you want those guys to fill in if someone does go down for a game or two yeah and I think I think uh n making the team also is you know I thing that this may be a red shirt year for Manu uh so you know know they have but they couldn't they couldn't um try to release him and and try to put him in the practice squad because he would get snapped up uh so they got to keep him on the 53 and then you know so if if you're thinking that maybe he's not going to play a whole lot this year then that's the reason why I think they kept 10 linemen rather than than nine yeah you're right on that James because they drafted him knowing he was going to take some time to develop and stuff kind of like with Kobe sorto last year they didn't expect much but again they kept them on the roster the whole time because if you expose him someone else is going to grab him and then your project is gone and what you're hoping to develop all right uh any other thoughts anybody on the defensive side of the ball you guys you want to talk about that you're you're glad the Lions kept you were surprised they kept uh you know we talked about the number of linebackers that is interesting was seven and so and that's a position we already thought they had some depth so we would have thought maybe you know uh a different position but uh anything you want to weigh in on the defense I think defense lot they you know they end up signing three guys uh to the practice squad I think that kind of a concern with Brock Martin but it doesn't sound I mean from our standpoint we're not we're not in the uh in the locker room or in the training room with Brock Martin so um you know I think they and again DJ reader is probably not gonna be ready um till week two I would imagine who knows uh he does have another whole week to get you know get his legs underneath him so I think that's uh going to be the big one you know Edge guys you know we pretty much knew those guys Wen again we're going to lose John Kaminsky um but uh you know with all the new rules with the 53 man and stuff like that you know that's why there's there's some umh things being changed in there where they can protect some guys and then put them on ir and bring another guy up so but that's all I see all right James anything from you on the secondary uh any other parts of the roster you know defensive backs they they put them all together and they've got 11 right there you know you've got Davis Arnold Robertson rraw we all expecting that we're expecting vildor uh they kept khil dorsy they've got Branch Kirby Joseph iffy but then they also kept Brandon Joseph along with Lauren Strickland so uh we're not sure on ify's health and you know we've got some other guys that are battling back from injury so this may have been a thing of keeping that depth there especially at the safety position yeah I think so I mean Strickland is you know an in thebox safety which is what uh if he was going to be you know so I think that that's an insurance policy for his injury there and dorsy played pretty well in the pre season and once uh Mosley got hurt I think he really stepped up and moved into that number six Corner Spot all right and the last thing we talked about Long Snapper and you know a lot of people have already talked about the athleticism um of Hogan Hatton and what he can do and that might have been one of the things that won the Lions over on him jack Fox our punter no no no no discussion there Jake Bates we're going in with him as our kicker uh the Lions did not bring a kicker to the practice squad either they're they're going all in on Jake Bates uh we've seen greatness we've seen worry and we've seen a lot of stuff in between uh I I how you guys feeling on this one coach let's start with you um I'm excited about it I just think he loses some Focus I think uh when he's had those critical kicks uh he's made them and I think that's gonna transfer into the game on Sunday when it matters and Thursday and Monday or whatever day you know you know I missed a field goal here miss an extra point there uh pre-season still working on some things but he's still got that big leg um and he's gonna he's gonna win some games for us we talked about that and his confidence level is going to be that much higher and and uh the alliance coaching staff does a great job of making sure people are at the top of their game when it counts so uh let's run with it and we'll see what happens how about you James yeah the the Hatton thing was interesting and and essentially gives the Lions eight linebackers on the roster because he can also play linebacker in a pinch as well so another little versatility thing there too all right and yeah as far as Jake Bates goes uh it's going to be an interesting ride and uh I'm I'm looking forward to it I'm I in the way that I'm optimistic and hopeful you know Michael badgley's injury was unfortunate and that that changed things but I don't know that I see another person out there that I would have rather grabbed uh during these roster Cuts so like Campbell said at a recent press conference it's not like he's arrived there's going to be growing pains and so as long as he's getting better that that's all they're looking for so so until further notice that's our guy and uh let's hope it goes well okay today we saw a lot more moves now we already mentioned the only move the Lions put in the only waiver claim that we know of at least the only got one um was Trevor noi linebacker out of Arizona he was with the Lions last year lions got that that brought the 52- man roster up to 53 and then we brought a whole heap of guys back to our team by putting them on the roster on the practice squad and there brought some new guys into town I'm going go right down here from the Lions linebacker Mitchell agude uh Center Kingsley uh ukan I I got his name wrong I'm going to get that better sorry that Kingsley UM quarterback Jake fro is the guy the Lions brought back as opposed to sudfeld running back Jamar Jefferson happy to see that back uh jamarco Jones we talked about him the tackle James Mitchell and Shane zra both make their way back from the tight end room you've got Chris Smith Isaac uku Kyle PCO Pat o' Conor on the defensive line there I think I already said jamarco Jones and then wide receiver Tom Kennedy is back we adding Allen Robinson and Tim Patrick uh safety CJ Moore is back and then the last member would be Donovan peoples Jones now it's been reported he has signed back to their practice squad the Lions released all their transactions today and they do not have him listed on their transaction so maybe it's something that will happen tomorrow but it has been listed he will be back as well uh overall look this may be the best prct ractice Squad the Lions have had since practice squads existed coach what are you seeing here we could win a lot of football games with that group and and the glue to it is Tom Kennedy I mean that dude Ain never going away I love him man he's that's just great stuff I he's probably just a great practice player he gives us a great look he's tough he's enjoying life uh being with the Lions and being on that I think um you know we talked about jamarco Jones you know he's a a great uh guy to be in the you know basic kind of practice squad to help back that uh offensive tackle position um you know I think we we um The Edge guys you know Auda and urqu who's who's you know young guy and auda's been there before um you know and and talk about Chris Smith you know uh Campbell talked about him I think we talked about him last show that he keeps getting better and he keeps continuing to work so um you know I just think we we added some great depts with that area some guys that if somebody does get injured we're not looking at the waiver wire or trying to pull somebody off a couch but uh we can go right into the next room over the you know next part down and bring these guys up so um I I I agree with you I think we just have some great pieces to to fit into to players that we don't need be and every one of those guys we watch them play and I don't I don't fear any of them coming out on the field if need be all right James before we talk about any of the the new additions to the roster or through the practice squad talk about the guys the Lions brought back who caught your eye what are you excited to see about these guys yeah keeping Fram over sudfeld was was interesting keeping Jamar Jefferson over bam Knight I think was was an interesting one I I kind of thought that Knight's um return skills would maybe keep him on the practice squad um keeping Pat o' Conor it's interesting that they essentially kept five defensive linemen in the practice squad if you counted gudy they have him listed as linebacker but I mean really he's kind of a a defensive end a little bit too kind of like James Houston um and then uh and then and then if they if D of people Jones comes through then they have four wide receivers on the on the practice squad which is also interesting um you know and kind of if you count of G as a defensive lineman they don't have a linebacker but as we mentioned before they essentially have eight on the active roster so you don't necessarily need one of the practice yeah that makes a lot of sense and just to remind people uh the rule is you can elevate a person three times from the practice squad to the active roster um and that's I guess a great luxury you have by bringing Zila and Mitchell both back you're keeping depth because people were surprised they both got cut after Ben Johnson talked about how deep of a room it was I'm actually kind of surprised that zra maybe didn't get claimed by somebody who might actually need a little bit of depth in their their tight end room but we saw what happened late in the season with injuries and if you have these guys here and you can pull one of them up uh that's great I really like that um I love that Jamar Jefferson's here I mean we're starting to see stuff from he's battled injuries and that's kind of what slowed some of his growth but I I agree with you James zonovan Knight has looked good I actually looked I don't think anybody signed him yet and I'm kind of surprised that that's the case because he definitely showed some flashes and some ability as well Jake from I'm happy about that I mean I wanted us to go get bayy zappy I mean you know I I wanted us to get somebody that has a little bit more of a ceiling at least you know Jake from showed something in that preseason game and and it gives you a little bit of Hope there again you're looking at henden Hooker being the number two and your hoping henden hooker progresses and improves if he ever has to see the field we obviously don't want that to happen um but let's let's move over and CJ Moore coming back at safety I think that's an important one we need to look at too because he could play a vital role if somebody goes down on special teams or in that that defensive secondary because uh he has done things for us in the past and so I like that we brought him back on the practice squad all right well then let's let's talk about the big guys I'm talking about the tall ones okay this is what's making the headlines all right Tim Patrick Alan Robinson we've got both of these guys they're later in their career they're after some injuries that have happened in their careers but we've got them there to help out because the the talk all we've ever heard for about the last I don't know three months is who's going to be the ex receiver for the Lions ever since Josh Reynolds left which was more recent than that people were really concerned and being like all right what's gonna happen here and we all thought Donovan peoples Jones was going to be the guy and so let let me start with you guys uh coach start with you Tim Patrick Alan Robinson where are these guys what do you see out of these guys at this point well let you big I mean you said big and I'll tell you right now Tim Patrick that he is a dog his hands his catching ratio uh his not dropping balls catching going over defenders uh you know he's big he moves well I think he's a four five you know who cares about that he's six foot4 uh you know he had two freak injuries you know the ACL and then Achilles knock on wood all I can think is Mosley on that because a guy but he had a he had a really good pre-season and uh you know I mean reing and you've read it and I'm sure James has read it too you know a lot of those uh people in in the um in the U Denver area are sad to see the guy go great team player uh I mean you don't hear anything bad about him I mean that's the thing and and work ethics and and continuing to try to make himself better does he fit the mold of the Detroit Lions or not holy cow uh Allen you know uh Robinson you know another big guy you know late in his career bringing those guys in though uh into that room to help to help our young to help J Mo you know H to help St Brown not that St Brown needs a ton of help and you know help anybody Isaiah Williams you know I just think it's I think they're both great fits for it uh one of them's gonna one of them's gonna rise to the 53 man where one I think will stay back and and give us a great look in in practice so uh I think two great additions and um knock on would that uh uh Patrick stays healthy because man he is scary he is scary wide receiver and before I go to James to get his thoughts uh coach Donovan peoples Jones back on the practice squad what are your thoughts on that move you know what I hope he's on it and because I and I hope that helps him realize he's got to put in some extra effort I there's something wrong he is too athletic to not be starting for the Detroit Lions that's just my feeling a guy that had seven 800 yards in Cleveland uh comes back and he and he can't get open and he and he can't get the ball and and he doesn't make catches and you know I don't care if the passes are bad or thrown or something's not something's not going on so um uh so I think that's one maybe it's maybe he doesn't like the block I don't know I mean we're not there I'm not there at practice every day but hopefully uh hopefully those three guys people Jones looking saying my career is either going to be over with or I got to step up and make some things happen so uh again all pluses uh having those three big guys with Kennedy uh in that in that room uh not on the 53 man all right and uh James Allan Robinson Tim Patrick what are your thoughts on those guys and then you can even touch on the the Donovan peoples Jones if you want yeah well they they got the big targets that they wanted they said they needed a big Target in the receiver room and and they got that Robinson's 62 220 Patrick 64 220 um Patrick is a very good blocker for a wide receiver as well um and very good route Runner very good hands so you know the really the only knock on him is that he'll be 31 in November Robinson is already 31 uh and that Patrick has missed the last two years with injuries and and and that's not been the only injuries he's had in his career he's always been injury-prone even from college but when he's played he's been very productive uh you know he's had a couple of 700 plus yard season with the uh with the Broncos without having great quarterbacks throwing to him and and not being the number one guy so I mean those those are pretty good numbers for him um as far as Donovan peoples Jones I'm you know the thing I'm kind of wondering is you know they they wanted they want their wide receivers to be blockers and you know he put on some weight this offseason and I think it was to to help him in that part of the game and I think he's adjusting to a little bit to his game of of adding a little bit of bulk to his frame and and hopefully he can over the course of the Season maybe adjust to that a little bit more yeah that's that's a good observation with that weight and the blocking and I I'm you know what I'm I'm happy that they brought him back to the practice squad because there might be something there that he can contribute uh I I'm the wide receiver position on the practice squad is probably what excites most people the most uh I mean there's multiple things to get you excited about this this squad because it is a well assembled practice Squad but I I think I feel a lot better about whatever is going to happen with that Exposition now that we have Tim Patrick and Allen Robinson and yeah they're not 24 years old in just hitting their Prime but let me share a little text message exchange I had with my uncle and my cousin huge Bronco fans okay uh they follow Broncos their entire life and I you know couple days ago yesterday I was like the Broncos are expected to get rid of Tim Patrick he's been injured a lot obviously what your thoughts my uncle's one-word response stupid okay and he doesn't Min words and and you know there's a time when everybody was raving on Royce Freeman and he goes that guy you know I don't remember his name like Phillips or somebody like some other guy that was smaller he goes well that guy's running a lot better and guess what that other guy he ended up being the starter for the Broncos That season so I said to him so you still think Patrick's decent my Uncle and Cousin both simply said yes and so they follow the team they watched all the pre season stuff I think Tim Patrick's going to be that guy that steps up in the exposition um you know coach has talked about well how he's done in the past as long as he can stay healthy and we don't need someone to catch 80 passes we've got people to do that already but we need two things we need production that will give us I don't know you know 25 to 40 catches in the season right maybe three to 500 yards maybe four to five touchdown something like that that another option basically someone who can catch the ball and I'm not going to compare any of these guys to Anquan Balden but the lions got Anquan Balden in the final year of his NFL career that he played for a full season I think he went to Buffalo after that but didn't play Balon put up some pretty fantastic numbers that year for the lions in his final season if we had something like that that would be ridiculously good but here's the other thing guys if St Brown were to miss any time even just one or two games suddenly that wide receiving room looks really different I get it a lot of people have said the Lions have so many weapons it's okay if we don't have that but there's value to that for a variety of reasons one is if J Mo or St Brown goes out well who else do you have to fill in and so uh do either you guys want to speak to the depth and how this helps make that need not such a big need now going forward I think with that depth part you know you got you got Williams who's a rookie undrafted of course and Raymond who we know what Raymond's all about and and I think you you know it gives you it gives you great uh great feeling that we have these guys that we can pluck even though they're 30 31 even know they've had injuries they they played the game they've been around you don't stick you not you don't play in the NFL that long as a wide receiver and not not be able to contribute to a team with a good quarterback great quarterback with a great tight end with a great running game like the Detroit Lions have uh we're going to pull every ounce out of those guys and those guys are going to give us every ounce that they have and it's going to make us that much better and it does get us into a situation to where uh we don't panic as much and go oh my God St Brown knock on wood misses a game or J Mo or something like that so I think it's I think it's huge I think that goes back to the tight end position too uh with with zra and Mitchell you know with leaport I mean those are all depth pieces that right now when I look at that second list of guys I'm excited because I know that those guys can come in and do what we need to do for one game two games or three games and we're gonna be in great shape so I I I I just think the Lions um did a great job Brad Holmes and the boys did a great job getting the right right people in there to help this team uh get to where they're trying to get to all right well I think it's unanimous we're all pretty thrilled about this practice squad they they they had a plan they executed it and we've got a lot of great players that you could pull from here if we needed somebody to sub in on the offensive side of the ball in a lot of different positions so let's talk about our outlook for the Detroit Lions this year and we'll briefly touch on the other teams in the NFC North let's start with the Lions and talk about an area of strength what area are you like most excited about to see from this team this year or where think they're going to be the strongest James let's start with you on this one well I think the strongest area of the team is was last year too which the offensive line but I like how the uh defensive secondary has become a strength where it was not last year especially Corner mainly um so I you know really interested to see how tyon Arnold and and enus rraw you know fair in game uh competition in in the actual NFL not preseason games so uh that I think that depth right there is going to be so much of a difference on that defense yeah watching those guys develop and if they can uh gel as the season goes on it's going to take that big weakness from last year and and definitely make some adjustments there uh and that offensive line I mean that's probably the biggest area that needs to stay strong for all those other parts to work um coach how about you well I agree with the the secondary you know I watched was watching the Rams game last year and when we went to Zone coverage and stuff like that staford had a pretty big day against us and then when we were able to press and and bump and push you know the the the plays that stick out last year you know are are you know bounce off the bounce off the helmet for a big catch and and uh uh Thea getting getting loose you know nobody carving them because we sat on a short route stood of a playe over top to where we could bump and run run and keep a safety over top so I think I think that's going to be the the biggest the biggest thing to watch this year and I think our defensive line pressure is gonna be so much better with the pieces that we have uh I'm gonna say it again wingle wingle wingle wingle wingle uh I was watching him again today and and again he's not going to be the the the best on the D line but he's going to give us that depth and so uh you know looking forward to looking forward to what that defense and I think AG is just drooling right now with the pieces that he has and uh and what he's what he what he's able to do with it as you can tell by how many PE different people have played different positions and and I think uh that's going to be the big thing and uh James Houston's coming off the edge boys here he comes and so and again offense we don't have to talk about we know that they the scary thing is the offense has gotten better personal wise and if we stay healthy uh it's going to be a fun season yeah the off is actually what I want to talk about because yes the offensive line is where where it all starts and and that's where it has to happen but I think the lions running game's going to be better this year because David Montgomery has another year in the system and jir Gibbs has another year in the NFL all right so so those two guys right there and then who knows what Soni vaki is going to bring he's the mystery man here he's a new piece of the puzzle but I think the game's gonna slow down a little bit for Gibbs and that's G to be huge because there times he missed some of those short passes and imagine him getting those I mean we saw VY getting them in the preseason he looked like a a bigger Theo Ric out there with those third down passes that Ric was known for but I think you're going to see a lot more can I say they're going to see a lot more creativity when we're already so creative I don't know but uh yeah Ben Johnson's going to be really happy he came back and didn't take that head coaching job in Washington because uh there's going to be a lot of fun I think with this offense and I just I know people expect the running backs to be good but I think we're going to see a different level and I mean I just can't wait to see the creativeness so that's that's my thing I know you guys H those other areas are pretty good too U but I'm looking forward to seeing what the running backs do well I guess let's see is there any area of concern is there an area you know I will start I was concerned with the wide receiver X position I was like you know we need a big I know Campbell said we don't need to have one to run this offense and while I'm sure that's true I mean look around the NFC North at the other wide receiving groups out there you gotta keep up I mean and no disrespect to the roster because we did make some good moves here that I think make me feel better about it but could you imagine putting Herman more in his prime on this team I mean it would just it would take that offense over the top and that's why I was even going to say heck even Anquan balin's final year is it in the NFL just somebody like that and Tim Patrick might be that guy Allen Robinson might be able to provide some of that so again we don't need major contributions the area of concern I did say was wide receiver three I guess I'm going to put it at safety right now only due to iy's injury and if it if he injury isn't longterm or anything then I think we have depth and we're fine so coach so start with you any area of concern you have for the team right now well I think injuries just an injury here an injury there uh as is a big concern and off those injuries the injuries of the guys that we brought in that they can stay healthy and because those are those are huge pieces you know like you know you you talk about Davenport you know and you talk about reer and you talk about uh uh Patrick you know these guys came in after they've had these injuries can they substain a 17 uh Game season plus playoffs and and still be an integral part of this team so so you know I think that's the biggest thing right now is is concern that uh we don't start losing guys right and left and and we had a c we had a stretch in that preseason I start to get a little nervous and uh again hopefully uh you know those guys can come back and and uh and and play over them and play through them and uh we know you're only 100% uh only one day of the year and that's first practice and then it's all downhill from there so let's try to stay in that 85 to 95 percentile and see what we can do with this uh this great team that uh Brad Holmes has put together yeah that that makes a lot of sense those injuries because we have guys who are coming off of injuries who have battled injuries and that's Brad Holmes Mo and it has worked out at times so hopefully we will get uh some healthy guys out there and some higher production than uh maybe some people are even expecting or at least as much as people are hoping for James how about you any areas of concern you got with the team I I don't know a kicker I guess I don't know there's not really a whole lot of areas of concern really right now I mean I'm not worried about only having four wide receivers because they've got Patrick on the practice squad um so I he's a good Dependable receiver that they can call up whenever they want um so yeah yeah I'm not I'm not really too worried about a whole lot of spots I mean until injuries start coming and you know you have attrition then you got maybe some guys you don't necessarily want to be starters out there or something but uh as of right now I mean this roster from top to bottom looks pretty darn good and and even the practice squad like Jerry said the practice squad looks maybe the best that the Lions have have put out there I and I think that the reason why they kept from over sudfeld is because you can only have six vets who have more than two years of experience on the practice squad now sudfeld would have qualified as one of those six Fram do not see you're the Mastermind here you know these things like you know yeah I didn't know that I I'm guessing coach didn't know that aspect he knows lots of things but I'm thinking that might be one thing he didn't know so that's some great insight there yes it is yeah that's it's huge for James to come up with that one and say that's pretty and again I think I text you guys yesterday about uh chess and checkers or something like that and lions are playing chess right now well and James you brought up the wide receiver depth on the practice squad once those guys got signed I wasn't too concerned either about the the wide receiver depth and and I guess one area we didn't really talk about because they're not players or coaches but an area of strength should be the consistency of the coaching staff not every team can say that and that's going to give the Lions a leg up this offense isn't learning a new scheme this defense isn't learning a new scheme and so there's a lot to be said for that when 75 or 80% of the guys already know it and you're bringing in 10 to 15 to 20% to to add to those pieces so all right well guys uh here's a commentary a thing I want to talk about with the Lions and it everyone's been talking about it going forward on fourth down Dam Campbell goes for it a lot on fourth down and I I feel like people look at it in a very simplistic lens they look at it like you're playing mad in the video game and he just goes for it all recklessly and I don't think it's Reckless I I think it's very very calculated and I also don't think it's just because they don't think they have a kicker cuz Michael Badgley was a very capable kicker last year and I gotta believe that and and Campbell was asked about it with Jake Bates will he kick more or or will that change things and Campbell said will you have to ask me after I do it he goes and then I might not tell you anyway but I think he looks at so many variables right we've kind of talked about this before you know if you are at Fourth and two and your option is put a top five offense on the field to try and pick up two yards or punt the ball and put the number 24th defense or 21st defense on the field to try and stop an offense could you see the logic and maybe going for it with that top five offense so I think he's looking at a lot of variables like hey can my defense stop this team are we on the road are we at home you know he went for that two-point conversion three times in a row on the road he might not done that at home and so now the kicker will play into it for sure and Campbell said you know they've got to set the kicker up for success but I just want to throw out there there's a lot of depth to these decisions of going forward on fourth down and his players have bought into what he does which I think that coach you're going to tell me I think that's probably the most important thing is that no matter what you're doing your team's Got to Believe In You So coach uh let's start with you on the four down decisions and then James will talk to you well there's a lot of lot of things that go into it Anna legs goes into it of course they were 80% correct with last year lons by going for it on fourth down is it a long two yards is it a short two yard that also could takes fact let's for instance we kicked the field goal before halftime against the uh um 49ers last year did that three points help us hell no we lost the game if we' have scored a touchdown there we probably would have won the game you know and he he even said said it he looked at it and he said that was a long three I think he said you know or whatever long two I think it was a long three so those are things that he goes sometimes sometimes I think he just sits there and I'm sits there as a coach and says I told my guys we're gonna do this and my guys I trust my guys and my guys trust me so let's go and get it so you know there's a lot of things that come and do we can second guess to BL face I you know when when we ran at halftime and we didn't kick against 49ers I was like oh I didn't like it I like that we put on some more points and and extended that lead but also took in a situation you're playing against 49ers where were we playing at he went for three times against the Cowboys on the road and again I'm not gonna second guess him I never will but the point is that's what he does that's his M Mo and you have to take analytics into it you have to take him saying I got the best offensive line in the group how many times did we go for it on a third and seven where we ran the ball and got it all third and eight and and we picked up the first down because that mindset was we're going to go for it on fourth down anyways if we get the fourth and one that's okay when Philadelphia does the tush push that's what they set up he even said it we line up for four downs on offense when we go get over the 50 yard line that's that's Dan Campbell's M Mo you know what and let's live with it and and yeah we got a good kicker now might he might he stretch a lead with a 60-yard kick how much times left on the clock how many timeouts are left can we get into better field goal position can we score a touch analytics takes over we're not in those rooms trust the man CRS the team let's go Lions all right James how about you yeah there's there's a lot of like he mentioned analytics and I think a lot of it is that and that if you just do the what the success rate is for the Detroit Lions with the offensive line they have of getting one to two yards is pretty high um and even when you don't get it I think it's just you're going to score more points than taking field goals um just getting getting touchdown if you get a touchdown one out of every two times that you get in the in the Red Zone that's seven points if you take the field goal both times there it's at most six that's pretty basic math sev's more than six uh you know and the lions were even better than 5050 last year so you know I think and it just changes the opposing defense too uh the the opposing defense on third down can't just pin their ear back ears back and then Rush Jared gof they got to play third down almost like it's second down because they know that there's a fourth down probably coming yeah you're exactly right it keeps the defenses guessing a little bit and when you're guessing you can't just go on muscle memory and just go all out for something and also wasn't it the playoff game against the Rams when the Lions went forward on fourth down and threw a touchdown pass to Sam leaport instead of taking the field goal and the Lions won that game by one point so again you got to look at the whole big picture here folks just pointing that out because a lot of times I feel like the national National narrative on the Lions and fourth down is that they're too aggressive and it's going to come back to bite them and and you know you can make a lot of arguments but I think if you look at the logic and the facts I think they back up that these Lions team these Lions players in this team has been more successful based on the calls they have made and again go ahead J was going to say all I was going to say is if it works you're a genius and if it doesn't work for any reason you're always second guest what we gonna add there James and exact I think that's exactly right too and also uh the players love it and they love Dan Campell because of that uh and I think it's just another thing where the players will play that much harder uh for Dan Campbell because you know they they love doing that all right guys now it's time to talk about the schedule Lions can win any game on this schedule I fully believe that both of you guys think that way and you know you talked about how James you just you're impressed with the strength of this team and whatnot but we know it's not going to be easy and so let's look at that first four games for the Lions we have the Rams bucks Cardinals which coach doesn't have to travel to anymore and the Seahawks game uh I'm going to pick them going three and one in that first four game stretch going up to the buy I like the matchups uh they could win all four if we're being completely honest but I'm just leaving the space for a hiccup in there uh any thoughts on that first quarter of the schedule coach I mean I think three and one four and0 if we get through those first two games the way we need to those are going to be two Wars two teams would be in the playoffs it's gonna you know make the third game a little bit different James how about you yeah think come out of that three and one I think they'll be they'll be pretty happy obviously they want to be 4-0 but uh three and one I think will be pretty good the the you know the Rams the Buccaneers are both going to be motivated after having lost to the lions in the playoffs last year uh so those games are going to be a little more difficult than I think people think and uh and then at the Cardinals the Cardinals are G to be a better team than last season a lot better I think uh Kyler Murray I I think is going to have a pretty big breakout season this year with the talent that they put around him and then the Seahawks are are what they are and they've always given the Lions trouble in the last few years yeah and there are no easy games on our schedule this year the NFC North as a whole is bigger and better not bigger but it's better and so I'm going to say three in one after those first four and I would be very happy with that as you guys said um the next four we go to the Cowboys off the by week then we go to the Vikings we're home for the Titans and then we're off to Lambo field for the Packers three Road games uh in four weeks coach what do you got here uh let's go two and two on that possibly three and one uh you know going out to who knows what's going to happen out in Dallas and anytime you gotta B play a divisional uh opponent on the road uh you're gonna have a tough time even though last year we went into Lambo and and beat him and then we turned around and lost him so um I you know I I I I would say two and two at the worst but three in one I think is very feasible I swear you're reading my notes I've got two and two or three and one here because I'm thinking the same thing um James how about you yeah pretty similar uh you know they'll be coming off the bye against the Cowboys so I think that that is going to help them a lot in that game and then then you've got at the Vikings the Vikings off season has kind of had some some major hiccups with uh player Personnel stuff coming up and uh injuries and the tragedy that they had with one of their draft picks uh dying in a car accident and uh so their their off season has been kind of a disaster a little bit um but I think they're's still going to be a pretty solid team uh you know they'll be the fourth of the the NFC North but I think they're still going to be a pretty credible team and you're not going to be able to just show up and beat them um and then I think Tennessee will be better than last season and you know we know what the Packers have I they they are one of the most young and exciting offenses in the NFL yeah the Titans probably made some of the most free agent signings I've seen in a while this off season um so that that's going to put the Lions around 5 and three maybe at this point could be six and two I don't know that's what kind of what we're thinking then the next group we start off by going to Houston to play the Texans then we host the Jaguars we go to the Colts and then we host the Bears on Thanksgiving uh I'll start here I've kind of got us going three and one again or potentially two and two but uh I'm going to go with three in one uh I just the Texans are going to be the tough game that's going to be a Sunday night game I believe that will be everyone's going to tune in to see is CJ stra doing what he did last year uh the Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to be better uh so I'm I'm putting the Lions right there what do you have James yeah I could see that too that that that Texans one is going to be a big game uh the Texans are gonna be another team that's going to be I think way better than they were last year and Stroud was great last season as a rookie he can step up even just a little bit with the weapons that they've put around him they should have a pretty good defense and they or pretty good offense this year uh that can just pile up some points Jaguars I think are are a beatable team um you know they don't have the defense that they used to have uh you know when they were Saxonville and uh and the Colts I think is also a pretty beatable team where the Lions should be favored even on the road and then you got the the Bears who are potentially going to be an electric team with all that offense that they put around Caleb Williams all right coach how about you I'm thinking three in one uh I think the the trip to Dallas and then getting back off to Houston again is going to help us because we're gonna be able to have that our body set the right way and know exactly what has to be done on that right we we out there uh I I just don't I you know I think I think that you know the Bears are going to be they have a lot of talent around them and things like that but I just think we're gonna we're going to put some serious serious pressure on Caleb and uh and and and and come out of I think we'll the one loss that we have in there will be one that we probably don't expect but I think we're going to win the big games okay and that that's that's how it happens sometimes right we have those losses we don't expect or don't account for so that's why we kind of throw throw that number in there well coach let's look at the last quarter of the Season which we're going to lump into five games and this is not an easy end to your season uh we we host the Packers on a Thursday night then we play the bills and then travel to Chicago for our true outdoor weather game just before Christmas then we hit the road to the 49ers a game everybody's going to be waiting all season to see before finishing at home against the Vikings how do you have us finish in here these final five coach oh boy that's uh that's that's the gauntlet right there uh it'll be interesting to see how we do you know I don't see us going any worse than three and two in that stretch um I think we could we maybe even surprise one uh if we're healthy and we're getting oursel we'll be you know running on all cylinders you know I I see a three and two uh easily to be honest with you with that even though we have to get on the road and travel some of those big games um and again I look at the 49ers game and you know even if we do lose to that game long as we beat him in the championship to go to the Super Bowl who cares but uh you know it'll be it'll be interesting to see where we get in in that situation but I don't see any anything worse than three and two uh I I'm going off of last year that we never lost two games in a row and I just think with this stat that we have and with these players that we have They're Not Gon to have a double hiccup yeah you cannot understate or overstate uh the fact that the Lions did not lose back-to-back games and I mean it seems like that comes down to not just the players rebounding but the coaching and the way those coaches got them ready for the next game after coming off of that uh James how are you seeing those final five yeah I think three and two may maybe even four- one you know I think I I can see the Lions maybe stumbling at the Bears they always seem to have the last couple years under Campbell they have one bad Road game where they just don't show up um you know you were at the Ravens game last year and then you had the the Panthers game the year before where they just lost to teams that they shouldn't be losing to or just got blown out and uh I could see that maybe being that Bears game but then but you've got those the Packers and the bills games are at home that should help them they'll have all the motivation in the world in that 49ers game on on the you know on the road there in the second to last game and then you got the Vikings for the last game which I I think should be a win I I don't think the Vikings will be in playoff contention or anything by then so I don't know that they'll have a whole lot to play for okay and yeah I'm still surprised that Lions did not get scheduled up against the Packers for that that final game just expecting where those teams are going to be obviously if JJ McCarthy was healthy we would probably be expecting a very different Vikings team at that point but they will be improved I I think uh so we'll look we'll put our our full record together here and where each of us are in just a moment uh in the division is it safe to say every team is potentially improved from last year um from their record and whatnot even with the injuries and the things that Minnesota's dealt with are you guys expecting each of these teams in the Lions division to be better than last year coach where you at on this oh there's no doubt about it I mean you know the Packers everybody's building the Packers up to possibly have the best offense and and you know the Vikings are going to be better of course Chicago's got Caleb and they they've uh put this great offensive team together with all these great receivers and these great running backs and things like that so you know I think there's going to become you know we may have some shootouts in those things and are there are the other teams offense is as good as our offense and which defense is going to miss make the big play so yeah this is you know you could you could have a four-way tie in this league maybe uh you know I mean it's that good but uh you know I just I think we're GNA come out on top on it I I just think uh too many people are doubting us and and there should be no doubt in in uh what they've been witnessing over the last uh what a 30 games or whatever all right James how about you yeah I think I think the NFC North is the is the toughest division from top to bottom in the NFC um and uh you know I can see the Vikings in week seven maybe being a little bit of a problem know TJ hackinson should be back by then he's supposed to miss like four or five weeks I think is kind of what they're looking at now um and they played the Vikings in week seven so you he he'll be incredibly motivated because he got hurt against the Lions uh so you know the whole and the whole division like we like we talked about the Packers and uh and the Bears offenses could be scary yeah I think the Bears had the potential to be the most improved team in the division a lot of that's going to depend on the play of Caleb Williams but they've added Playmakers on offense multiple and that defense is not anything to mess with either so and then the Packers have become the darling of the division for a lot of people to say hey I think the Packers are going to win the division this year that that's been the cool pick if if you know I know Sports Illustrated has the Lions on the cover and a couple of those writers pick the Lions to go to the Super Bowl but a lot of people are like you know it's the Darkhorse or whatever is is the Packers and then then maybe they're not even the Dark Horse because uh they did so well against Dallas in the playoffs last year and against San Francisco so here we go what are the final standings going to look like now now I'm going to give you guys some insight I spoke with a reporter out of Chicago one out of Minneapolis and one out of Green Bay and their episodes dropped earlier this week Chicago and Minnesota reporters both picked Green Bay to win the division and the Green Bay Packer reporter raved heavily about the Packers but still pick the Lions to win the division based on believe they have that much respect for what the Lions have done and they they believe in what the lions are doing so uh I guess James let's start with you what do you have for the final standings what order do you have do you have numbers and and just kind of what's your guesswork on this I mean I would I think the lions are the favorites for the division and then I would say the Packers after that I could I could see them finishing within a game of each other in in the division and it and it being an incredibly tight race and then the the the Bears maybe even a close third I just think that the Bears have so much youth in that offense that they're going to make some mistakes here and there so I think that's going to put them a little bit behind Detroit and Green Bay and I'm totally fine with people picking somebody other than Lions to win the division and give them just hand them more bullettin board material and more motivation all right coach how about you totally agree with everything he said long as we stay healthy we'll win the division and and you know I mean the Packers last year uh you know they had receivers going down right and left you know getting injured stuff you know is Reed the best receiver who's their best receiver who's the best guy you know the Bears have built their themselves um have basically assembled the team on paper that looks really really good but I'm G I gotta go by team I gotta go byy the coaching staff the front office the fans the teammates the play ERS the guys that love each other the Brotherhood the lunch pales the Lions end of story I love it I love it I I did say in one of the uh interviews or conversation I had that I wasn't as bullish on the Lions but I still picked them to win and what I meant by that was we're not going to win the division by three games this year I don't see that happen and we have a tougher schedule we have a tougher Division I still think we win the division though I'm I'm I'm going the same order you guys are and I think it's you know before JJ McCarthy got hurt I didn't know the order between the Bears and the Vikings but I I've got all four teams finishing one game apart i' got the Lions followed by the Packers one game and then the Bears one game behind them and the Vikings one game behind them and and the Lions they might go 11- six instead of 12- five this year you know what Kansas City went 11- six last year and won the Super Bowl so that number doesn't matter obviously getting home fielded advantage in the playoffs would help a lot and I haven't looked at San Francisco or Philadelphia schedules to know what their records could be either um but if we take care of our business that'll fall into place as well coach any final thoughts before we get out of here this has been amazing and very information packed no just looking forward toh how this all plays out with the uh practice squad and the and the new guys and the old guys and the injured guys and the guys that have met practice because of injuries and just look forward to that first game uh week from Sunday awesome James how about you any final thoughts uh I'm I'm just I'm excited to get this NFL season going high school football college football all all the football I'll just I'll just take it all right all the football that's right folks all the football is back high school and college this week NFL next week thank you so much for tuning in folks if you enjoyed this episode and you didn't catch out the the previews we did with the the Packers the Vikings or the Bears those are up as well check those out for in-depth analysis on our division Rivals you can find more episodes and content at not theame old lions.com please like Please Subscribe please tell your friends about this show and until next time stay gritty my friends