Biggest Issues That Need To Be Sorted Out In Training Camp

[Just Want A Title]

We have gone through the draft, rookie mini-camp, OTA ect and gotten some idea of what to expect but there are still some important questions that still need to be sorted out:

OT Depth--This might be the biggest area of concern.  If Taylor Decker or Penei Sewell go down with an injury, we have no proven #3 OT who could step in.  Matt Nelson isn't the answer at LT and I don't think he could hold down RT either.  Ross Piersbacher seems to be be C/G back-up and has been taking reps due to Frank Ragnow's nagging foot issues.  Colby Sordsal played LT in college at William & Mary but has been mostly repping at G.  Expecting him to hold either position down would be a big reach.  VaiTai might be able to hold RT down but he never really played well at RT.  Maybe that will change now that he is healthy.  Obina Eze has been moving a lot better and by all accounts looked a lot better than he did last year repping at G and T in the off-season.  He has everything you could want physically but we don't know if he is polished enough to handle a role with extended playing time.  Personally, I am hoping Obina Eze can develop and hold down the #3OT/swing tackle role.  It seems like we have more questions than answers going into training camp.

Kicker--I was hoping John Parker Romo would come in and show out but he and Riley Patterson were surprisingly inconsistent.  I am really hoping someone establishes themselves as a consistent kicker.  Maybe Badgley can do that if he isn't forced to make a lot of long kicks.  John Parker Romo has the biggest leg.  It would be nice if he would settle in but that hasn't happened yet.  Riley Patterson was pretty reliable for Jacksonville last year but his range is only slightly better than Badgley.  Maybe our PK isn't on the roster yet.  It would be pretty uncomfortable to make a playoff run with any of the kickers on our roster.

Frank Ragnow's Foot Health--He really gutted it out last year.  He didn't practice much at all but still played at a high level.  Can that continue to work?  Maybe.  I suspect everyone wants it to work but this something the Lions are going to have to watch and manage carefully.

Brodric Martin's Development--The question of whether Alim McNeil will make another step forward and become a consistent pass-rushing threat is what most folks are talking about.  However, the speed of Brodric Martin's development could have a huge impact on the Lions defensive line.  He is a legit 6'4" and 330lbs DT  who doesn't carry a lot of sloppy weight.  That is probably why he moves better than most people expect at his size.  His length is a mismatch for most interior O-Linemen.  It is reasonable to expect him to block running lanes and cause havoc close to the line of scrimmage.  However, if he can create upfield pressure that moves or collapses passing pockets that would be huge for the Lions.  One scouting report mentioned that he already had a decent club move.  He is one rookie that might have issues with the "Rookie Wall" though.  A longer season with a much higher level of competition could have an impact on a player of his size.  The addition of Christian Covington takes a lot of pressure off of him from my perspective.

What are some of the things everyone else is looking for during training camp?  Thoughts?

 

[Nnivolcm]

Will anyone step up and break the second round pick curse?

Outside of Darius Slay(2013) and Louis Delmas(2009) the Lions haven't had a second round pick make it to a second contract in a horrifically long time. Some of those were due to injury, some where due to being over drafted, some were busts, and there was even a Titus Young. 

Brad Holmes has picked four players in the second round: rookies Sam Laporta and Brian Branch, along with Josh Pachal (2022) and Levi Onwuzurike (2021). Pachal's and Onwuzurike's careers have both gotten off to slow starts due to injuries. Will any of them be able to break the curse in 2023?

[Just Want A Title]

9 minutes ago, Nnivolcm said:

Will anyone step up and break the second round pick curse?

Outside of Darius Slay(2013) and Louis Delmas(2009) the Lions haven't had a second round pick make it to a second contract in a horrifically long time. Some of those were due to injury, some where due to being over drafted, some were busts, and there was even a Titus Young. 

Brad Holmes has picked four players in the second round: rookies Sam Laporta and Brian Branch, along with Josh Pachal (2022) and Levi Onwuzurike (2021). Pachal's and Onwuzurike's careers have both gotten off to slow starts due to injuries. Will any of them be able to break the curse in 2023?

Barring any injuries I think Sam LaPorta is in a position to make a solid contribution as a rookie.  I also think that Brian Branch could carve out a solid rotational role despite our depth at S and CB.  Paschal is in a good position also after making some decent contributions late last season.

[Lions017]

WR depth. Losing Williams for a while hurts and he never really proved anything in the first place. 

Jones is old. Reynolds is a fine third or fourth receiver but not a game-changer. Raymond is like a fifth receiver, special teams guy. ARSB is a stud but if he goes down we are seriously screwed. 

[Sllim Pickens]

Stories I am following:

• I know rookie TEs typically take time to adapt, but hoping Laporta finds a roll early and earns a starting spot.  We all have discussed previous TEs taken early and how that hasn't helped the team so hoping having a former TE at head coach and getting good production out of UDFA that we get more out of Laporta early. 
• Interested in seeing how the OL shakes out and what the depth looks like.  We need improvement from our depth and definitely need better play from RG this year.  Hoping Ragnow stays as healthy as possible as well so we can at least play one game with our true starting OL to start the year.  
• Seeing how the DBs sort themselves out.  CJGJ played mostly slot CB for Glenn in NO and they mentioned using him similarly here.  Branch did the same at Bama last year so interesting to see if Branch is more of a slot backup to CJ and replace him next year or if they will push one to S more.  Given we have Kerby and Walker there, its likely they will be at slot more but being versatile will sure help both get on the field more.  Speaking of Walker, most players struggle coming back from achillies injuries so seeing how he bounces back will be big. 
• Seeing how Jamo develops before having to leave the team for his suspension.  He needs to get the reps in and continue to grow his route running skills and build a rapport with Goff.  But also he won't be there for 6 games so they will have to run others in reps, especially as we get closer to the season.  This is an important camp for him so we don't waste two years of him before getting a real look at what he can do.  
• Continuing to keep an eye on young guys, especially those who have had injuries.  Levi is hoping to be ready for training camp but he really hasn't played football for 3 years so how effective will he be if he is able to suit up.  Paschal is going through his first camp healthy so hopefully he can develop.  Same with James Mitchell who I think could push for the starting TE spot if Laporta has a slow transition as most TEs do.  Will Hendon Hooker take part in much of the camp and get some much needed reps, and if not, how will he fit into the roster during the season.  I don't think a rookie who missed camp is a viable option if Goff were to get hurt but if he stays on IR, he wouldn't get to practice.  Will be interesting to see how they handle him this year.   

[Nnivolcm]

6 hours ago, Lions017 said:

WR depth. Losing Williams for a while hurts and he never really proved anything in the first place. 

Jones is old. Reynolds is a fine third or fourth receiver but not a game-changer. Raymond is like a fifth receiver, special teams guy. ARSB is a stud but if he goes down we are seriously screwed. 

How could you not mention TK85?

 

[Just Want A Title]

38 minutes ago, Nnivolcm said:

How could you not mention TK85?

 

One thing I hope other depth receivers on the roster pick up from Tom Kennedy:  He has a really good sense of where the first down marker is at and what he needs to do to move the chains.

[Sllim Pickens]

I think people are blowing our WR problems up bigger than they truly are.  Chark played in 11 games and had 500 yards.  Thats less than 50 yards per game.  We added Marvin Jones who put up similar numbers in Jacksonville last year.  We also added Green who is a late round pick and maybe not the most dangerous weapon now but has some upside.  Now adding Mims for a late round pick swap in 2025 helps with depth but he has not shown enough to get me excited.  Raymond and Reynolds were key guys down the stretch as were all three of our TEs last year.  I think adding Laporta, James Mitchell with a full offseason, and using Gibbs in the pass game will easily fill the void left by Jamo for the first 6 weeks.  The bigger issue is if Jamo has a better rapport with Goff this year and if we can take advantage of his speed once he comes back unlike last year.  I think WR could definitely be better, but we really have the same room as last year (an injured Chark and an old Marvin are very similar) plus some youth with potential.  

[Just Want A Title]

28 minutes ago, Sllim Pickens said:

I think people are blowing our WR problems up bigger than they truly are.  Chark played in 11 games and had 500 yards.  Thats less than 50 yards per game.  We added Marvin Jones who put up similar numbers in Jacksonville last year.  We also added Green who is a late round pick and maybe not the most dangerous weapon now but has some upside.  Now adding Mims for a late round pick swap in 2025 helps with depth but he has not shown enough to get me excited.  Raymond and Reynolds were key guys down the stretch as were all three of our TEs last year.  I think adding Laporta, James Mitchell with a full offseason, and using Gibbs in the pass game will easily fill the void left by Jamo for the first 6 weeks.  The bigger issue is if Jamo has a better rapport with Goff this year and if we can take advantage of his speed once he comes back unlike last year.  I think WR could definitely be better, but we really have the same room as last year (an injured Chark and an old Marvin are very similar) plus some youth with potential.  

I agree with you on this.  It is a little dicey to count on rookies but Gibbs and LaPorta but they have the talent to make an early impact in the passing game.  James Mitchell is someone who could help fill the void also.  Antoine Green has a path and the talent to see some snaps early in the season.  He seems like a much younger version of Marvin Jones.  

[Sllim Pickens]

3 minutes ago, Just Want A Title said:

I agree with you on this.  It is a little dicey to count on rookies but Gibbs and LaPorta but they have the talent to make an early impact in the passing game.  James Mitchell is someone who could help fill the void also.  Antoine Green has a path and the talent to see some snaps early in the season.  He seems like a much younger version of Marvin Jones.  

Yeah, depending on rookie TEs is not smart, but we have depth there so if Laporta isn't Kittle right away, its okay.  But I think Gibbs has a big impact year 1.  RBs often make an early impact if they are ever going to, especially first round picks.  Gibbs has the hands and elusiveness to be a weapon from day 1 and I have no issue counting on him to pick up some slack in the passing game.  Green I agree with you on and he will struggle to make the roster most likely but he also has similar skill sets to guys we like and could force his way onto the team and to limited reps. 

[Just Want A Title]

Well the first development with the kickers has occurred:

https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2023/07/20/detroit-lions-roster-move-release-michael-badgley/

[Just Want A Title]

No surprises here with Hendon Hooker being placed on the NFI list:

https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-place-3-players-on-reserve-nfi

[Sllim Pickens]

3 hours ago, Just Want A Title said:

Well the first development with the kickers has occurred:

https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2023/07/20/detroit-lions-roster-move-release-michael-badgley/

I wonder if it was a move to make room and get Mims here and then he will re-sign once other moves are made.  Seems odd to cut the incumbent kicker who was the favorite to win the job especially when the other 2 have struggled.  

[Just Want A Title]

Now the RB room got a little more interesting with the addition of Justin Jackson:

https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/7/21/23803295/report-detroit-lions-to-re-sign-rb-justin-jackson

Update:  Greg Bell was waived after the signing of Justin Jackson.

Edited July 23, 2023 by Just Want A Title

[Louis Friend]

On 7/20/2023 at 1:48 PM, Sllim Pickens said:

I wonder if it was a move to make room and get Mims here and then he will re-sign once other moves are made.  Seems odd to cut the incumbent kicker who was the favorite to win the job especially when the other 2 have struggled.  

Maybe he was only the favorite to win the job by the media. From my understanding, he’s been dealing with a groin injury and hasn’t practiced all offseason so far. With the Lions using a draft pick to bring back Patterson, I’m not shocked by this move. 
 

As for the WR situation, I agree with you.

2022-2023

ARSB-ARSB

11 games of Chark-17? Games of Jones

Reynolds-Reynolds

Raymond-Raymond

6 games of Jamo-11 games of Jamo

??????-Green/Mims

 

I’m not sure how people think the Lions have some drop off from last season. At worse, we get similar production from Jones that we got from Chark, Jamo plays 5 more games with better chemistry with Goff (getting an offseason together and working out together) and added possible depth with Green and/or Mims. This is besides adding a solid TE in LaPorta and a great pass catching RB in Gibbs. I think our passing game will be just fine despite Jamo getting suspended.