The Detroit Lions Podcast

Lions vs Commanders Preseason Preview, What to Watch for - Detroit Lions Podcast

The Detroit Lions will use the Washington Commanders preseason home game to sort interior offensive line depth, clarify wide receiver three, and test nickel rotations while select starters play, as Dan Campbell stated. The order of substitutions will tell the story. Coaches want second-game data points on risers and rebound candidates.Which starters will play and why does it matter?Some Detroit Lions starters will play, not all, and the substitution order will reveal priority roles more than the score. As Jeff Risdon noted on the Detroit Lions Podcast, if quarterback Jared Goff sits there is no point in exposing wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown or offensive tackle Penei Sewell, while tight end Sam LaPorta needs only a brief series because his back issue can recur.Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is part of that protect-your-core logic. Expect the focus to be on who plays with whom and when, not how long the first group stays out there.What are the key Detroit Lions offensive line battles?Interior depth is unsettled and this game will shape the center and guard pecking order. Guard Ben Bartch, center Seth McLaughlin, and guard Tate Ratledge are central to the mix, and the staff will test combinations and timing to see who sticks.Offensive lineman Miller Frazier must rebound after penalties and uneven snaps while bouncing from right guard to left tackle in Cincinnati. Offensive tackle Blake Miller needs to shore up his inside shoulder in pass protection, and offensive tackle Larry Borom should post a clean slate to solidify the swing role. The sequence of reps across center and guard will be the clearest depth-chart signal.Who owns WR3 and the last wide receiver spots?Greg Dortch has outperformed Isaac TeSlaa this summer, making Washington a swing game for wide receiver three. A sure-handed, physical outing from Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa can calm concerns, but more drops or tips would strengthen Lions wide receiver Greg Dortch for WR3.Tay Martin is the front-runner for WR5. Depth pressure comes from Lions wide receivers Lucky Jackson, Cedrick Wilson, Malik Cunningham, Tom Kennedy, and Dominic Lovett. The staff can keep only so many, so special teams value and mistake-free play will separate the final few.What should we watch on defense and special teams?Nickel snaps remain open, with Lions defensive back Thomas Harper factoring as a nickel-safety hybrid and situational usage in play. With starters scheduled to see the field, Jeff Risdon expects a brief look at Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill before the rotation turns to depth pieces.Practice has shown Lions defensive tackles McKade Wingo and Skipper Gill-Howard repping ahead of Lions defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike, and the second preseason game can validate that order. Undrafted pushes continue with Lions edge rusher Eric O’Neill and Lions linebacker Erick Hunter stacking good tape. On offense, Lions running back Sione Vaki is a special teams lock, but this is a chance to validate the runner piece against live tackling alongside Lions running backs Jacob Saylors and Jabari Small. Bottom line, performances matter far more than the score, and no injuries is the priority. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #lionspreseason #washingtoncommanders #kelvinsheppard #erico'neilljaredgoff #samlaporta #amon-rast.brown #benbartch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily DLP: Mid-Preseason Mailbag - Detroit Lions Podcast

The Daily DLP goes through listener mailbag questions culled from the Detroit Lions Podcast Patreon Slack channel. Lots of great questions that host Jeff Risdon offers his best knowledge and insight to answer as cleanly and succinctly as possible. Among the questions: What are the biggest changes to the Lions offense under Drew Petzing so far? Can we trust in the changes we're seeing in the practices and preseason to carry into the regular season on defense? Who is the biggest surprise cut candidate? Any free agents looking for a ring worth signing? Most competitive roster decisions in making the 53-man roster, and will the Lions once again keep fewer than 53 on that initial roster like they did a year ago? #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #mailbag #preseason #lionstrainingcamp #jahmyrgibbs #blakemiller #ennisrakestraw #devinwhite #sethmclaughlin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily DLP: Auditing the Lions PFF Grades vs Bengals - Detroit Lions Podcast

Dan Campbell said most Detroit Lions starters will play Saturday against the Washington Commanders. The staff wants live defensive reps after the Bengals preseason opener highlighted interior issues and clarified several depth battles. As host Jeff Risdon noted, not every headliner will dress, but the standard is set for a sharper outing.Will Detroit Lions starters play against Washington?Yes. Head coach Dan Campbell said most starters will play. The goal is targeted work, not a long run-up.Who stood out and who struggled on defense vs the Bengals?Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga, Detroit Lions, and undrafted rookie linebacker Erick Hunter, Detroit Lions, topped the defensive sheet, while the interior defensive line lagged. Defensive tackle Ben Stille, Detroit Lions, graded best among the interior but played only in the final two defensive series, underscoring why more starter reps are planned. Michael Grey said the grades matched his notes on most fronts, but there was a clear disconnect on defensive lineman Chris Smith, Detroit Lions. The film and the grading service had Smith down, yet Dan Campbell specifically praised him for dirty-work execution, and the coach’s view is what drives roles. Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Detroit Lions, finished near the bottom against the Bengals, then responded with a strong Monday practice, which is exactly the rebound the staff wants to see.Which Lions boosted or hurt their stock on offense?Running back Jacob Saylors, Detroit Lions, and wide receiver Cedric Wilson, Detroit Lions, helped themselves. Jacob Saylors created yardage behind uneven blocking and finished as the team’s leading receiver, and Cedrick Wilson ripped a clean deep crossing catch. Undrafted rookie guard Melvin Priestley, Detroit Lions, played left guard in the second half and impressed with power. Offensive tackle Blake Miller, Detroit Lions, posted a 66.6, a solid baseline outing with teachable reps. Center Seth McLaughlin, Detroit Lions, checked in at 62.0; one sack was charged to the play where offensive tackle Larry Borom, Detroit Lions, had the losing pass-pro rep. Guard Chris Mahogany, Detroit Lions, flashed an 85.2 pass-block grade against a 56.7 run-block grade, with two penalties dragging down his total. On the other end, wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions, and linemen Michael Niese, Detroit Lions, and Miles Frazier, Detroit Lions, hurt their cases. Frazier drew three penalties, and penalties crushed grades across the board.What roster battles are Detroit sorting right now?Depth, not the starting 22. Detroit is sorting the fourth and fifth defensive tackle spots, wide receiver five and six, and running back three and four. The staff values cross-team grade stacking over raw numbers, and Saturday’s targeted starter snaps are designed to sharpen the defensive front while giving bubble players another clean evaluation window for the Detroit Lions Podcast crew to track. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #dancampbell #washingtoncommanders #bengalspreseasonopener #livedefensivereps #interiordefensiveline #jaredgoff #jahmyrgibbs #amon-rast.brown #peneisewell #amenogbongbemiga Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily DLP: Roster Moves, OL Shuffle and Practice Notes - Detroit Lions Podcast

The Detroit Lions clarified their center plan: Juice Scruggs returned to first-team work and Tate Ratledge took center reps, setting Scruggs on the Week 1 path while Detroit stress-tests depth. In a rain-soaked session after the Cincinnati preseason opener, coaches rotated interior linemen to lock in trusted combinations ahead of the NFL regular season.Did the Detroit Lions clarify who starts at center in Week 1?Yes. Juice Scruggs is tracking as the starting center, and Detroit cross-trained Tate Ratledge at center with the starters while keeping Seth McLaughlin in a reserve lane. As Jeff Risdon noted, Scruggs has NFL pivot experience and projects as the player snapping the ball to Jared Goff in Week 1.When Juice Scruggs worked at center, Tate Ratledge played right guard and Christian Mahogany played left guard. When Scruggs sat, Ratledge slid inside to center, Ben Bartch came in at left guard and Mahogany moved to right guard. McLaughlin did not run with the first team in those center looks. The staff even evaluated wet-ball snapping in the rain to prepare for outdoor games. Dan Campbell previously praised McLaughlin’s effort while acknowledging his smaller build, reinforcing the view of him as a dependable backup.What roster moves and signings changed the bottom of the depth chart?Detroit waived with injury designation running back Kai Robichaux and safety Law Strickland, both hurt against the Cincinnati Bengals, and both will revert to injured reserve after waivers. Dan Campbell said Kai Robichaux broke his foot, and Law Strickland suffered a non-contact lower-leg injury.The Lions added running back Trayveon Williams and cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe. Trayveon Williams, a 2019 sixth-round pick out of Texas A&M, is a compact inside runner. Jeff Risdon noted he has 72 carries for 343 yards across seven seasons and one qualifying season as a kick returner with a poor average as a rookie, so returns are not a selling point. Ekow Boye-Doe, a Kansas State product who has spent most of his time on NFL practice squads and was in the DC Defenders camp, brings legit speed but is undersized and faces long odds after a rough first day in Allen Park.Who popped in Sunday’s rain practice?Aidan Hutchinson dominated, including blowing up a screen, a timely reminder of his game-wrecking impact. Second-round pass rusher Derek Moore returned and posted a sack in team work, flashing the length and range that set him apart from Detroit’s power-first edge depth.Isaac TeSlaa delivered the catch of the day in red zone, going up over coverage for a touchdown and spiking in celebration, as relayed from practice reports. Cornerback Khalil Dorsey showcased high-end ball skills with a full-extension, one-handed attempt downfield, the kind of playmaking that fuels his roster case on defense and special teams.How are the fringe jobs shaking out at WR, TE, OL and OT?Tay Martin earned first-team reps with an opening at wide receiver and continues to draw praise from Dan Campbell for his camp and special teams work, pushing into the roster conversation. Tight end Jackson Meeks, converting from wide receiver, returned and must win via special teams in a crowded room. Tackle depth got a boost with Devin Cochran back at practice after an early-week knock.The staff is maximizing versatility while Cade Mays remains out until at least early October. Dan Campbell set the standard plainly: “We do not have time to waste... we have to be able to trust you. You have to be dependable, coachable, and a competitor.” Detroit is rewarding competitors who stack dependable reps, exactly what Sunday’s wet-weather practice was designed to reveal. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #juicescruggs #tateratledge #christianmahogany #sethmclaughlin #benbartch #jaredgoff #dancampbell #aidanhutchinson #isaacteslaa #taymartin #khalildorsey #ekowboye-doe #kairobichaux #lawstrickland #cincinnatibengals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions Stock Up/down After 1st Preseason Game - Detroit Lions Podcast

Jacob Saylors seized a roster-opening opportunity for the Detroit Lions, delivering fresh legs, clean routes, and hands that produced a team-high receiving output in Thursday's wet preseason loss at Cincinnati. His all-around day put him squarely in the 53-man conversation and reset the running back depth picture heading into Washington week.Can Jacob Saylors make the 53-man roster?Yes, Lions running back Jacob Saylors pushed himself into the real roster mix with a complete performance. He looked rested and explosive, processed quickly, and caught the ball naturally, finishing as Detroit's leading receiver on the night. As Jeff Risdon noted, Sailors showed the fresh-body benefit after having true recovery time since last year.The staff wants backs who trigger fast and finish, and Sailors checked those boxes. His vision and reaction stood out in the quick game and he added value in the passing attack, a critical separator for back-end roster roles.Is Isaac TeSlaa in trouble after the early turnover?No, Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa is not in danger of being cut, but he must clean up technique and urgency. He had the early-tip turnover on a ball that hit both hands and later lost a contested catch by failing to separate and secure through contact.Coaches need quicker wins off the line and faster catch-to-tuck transitions on shorter concepts. Expect Detroit to feed TeSlaa targets this week in practice and in the preseason game against the Washington Commanders to rebuild confidence and trust.What did we learn about Luke Altmyer and the offensive plan?Lions quarterback Luke Altmyer earned stock up by executing the quick-game emphasis. Detroit instructed him to get the ball out on time to his first read, and he did, which capped downfield shot volume. The wet-ball turnover appeared more like a lost handle than a designed pitch, as Jeff Risdon observed after rewatching.The takeaway is clarity, not concern: the operation prioritized rhythm, timing, and ball security in difficult rain conditions, and Altmyer delivered a steady night within that plan.Which defenders helped, and who hurt, their roster cases?Lions defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard, wearing number 50, stacked a strong week by translating his first-step wins into real disruption. When he wins immediately, he is a problem. Lions defensive lineman Ben Stille, number 78, also earned stock up with a pressure, sturdy run fits, and forcing cutbacks. Lions linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga, number 57, flashed stout build and anticipatory coverage beyond a special teams profile.Edge rushers on opposite tracksLions edge rusher Eric O'Neil, 25 years old, strung together a sack, another QB hit that forced a throwaway, and a useful special teams rep. He profiles as a practice-squad keep if the numbers squeeze, but his pass-rush efficiency is real. Conversely, Lions defensive end Anthony Lucas stayed blocked too often and lacked effective counters after initial engagement.Secondary notes to watchLions cornerback Roger McCreery answered with sharp leverage and run support, then finished late with Lions cornerback Keith Abney in the slot while McCreery played outside. That usage hints at how Detroit is sorting their inside-out roles.Who took a step back?Lions safety Dan Jackson must stop diving at feet in space, and Lions safety Loren Strickland did not help his case either. Lions linebacker Troy Reeder had an anonymous outing at Mike. On the line, Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier struggled at right guard and later at left tackle with stiff, slow sets. Reps could reshuffle when the staff balances work for veterans like Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and DJ Wanham in practice. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #jacobsaylors #isaacteslaa #lukealtmyer #skylergill-howard #anthonylucas #erico'neil #benstille #manuogbongbemiga #troyreeder #milesfrazier #rogermccreery #keithabney #aidanhutchinson #washingtoncommanders #cincinnatibengals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices