Ben Johnson is returning to the Lions as OC
January 18th, 2023 at 9:36 AM ^
The culture is so good....Hard to believe I can say that confidently.
Excited for this draft and for Holmes to talk to Free Agents that would normally not consider us.
January 18th, 2023 at 9:55 AM ^
Brad Holmes should be up for some executive of the year consideration. In two years, he's transformed the roster and has the rebuild ahead of schedule.
January 18th, 2023 at 10:15 AM ^
At this point, I agree. He has drafted well and made some smart roster moves. Seems he's gotten the coaching staff right too. The next part of the equation though is cap management and not overpaying guys or setting up big contracts to expire in the same offseason etc. Will take a bit longer to see how he performs there. So far, he is probably the best GM the Lions have ever had.
January 18th, 2023 at 10:29 AM ^
He didn’t hire Campbell. Campbell is the one who identified Johnson.
January 18th, 2023 at 11:28 AM ^
I think people need to remember the role
Speilman has also played . He hired Dan Campbell
January 18th, 2023 at 5:11 PM ^
Speilman the Buckeye - there are exceptions for everything and Chris was an exceptional Lion.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:04 AM ^
Well, if you believe his interview for that old HBO documentary on the rivalry, he was coming to Michigan until his dad threatened to disown him...
January 18th, 2023 at 12:12 PM ^
Ben Johnson was actually a Patricia/Quinn hire. But Campbell worked with him in Miami and retained him as one of the only staff holdovers and later saw his potential as an OC.
January 18th, 2023 at 11:26 AM ^
‘The best GM the Lions ever had’ is a bar so low that Bill Laimbeer could jump over it.
January 18th, 2023 at 12:11 PM ^
Russ Thomas was the Lions GM for around 20 years (1967-1988) and his main qualification was being a buddy of WCF. He was not good; more worried about profit over results.
Chuck Schmidt was a solid GM in the 90's.
January 18th, 2023 at 12:33 PM ^
Stole my comment
I was about to say name the 2nd best GM the Lions have had.
1 playoff win in 6 decades. LOL.
Tim Tebow has more playoff wins than the entire franchise in the last 60+ years.
January 18th, 2023 at 2:03 PM ^
Not quite true. Tebow actually has exactly as many playoff wins as the Lions have had since their last championship in 1957: one (1).
January 18th, 2023 at 12:53 PM ^
"So far, he is probably the best GM the Lions have ever had."
Holmes has certainly shown promise, but I'm putting on my old man hat and reaching into the dim mists of history to say that the title of the best GM in Lions history should go to Nick Kerbawy, who was GM from 1951 to 1958, helping to assemble the dominant Lions teams of the 1950s that played in four NFL title games, winning three of them.
In his stint as GM, Kerbawy drafted Hall of Famers OG Dick Stanfel, DB Jack Christiansen, DB Yale Lary, LB Joe Schmidt, and DL Alex Karras. In addition, he drafted a number of Lions who were key members of the championship teams of that decade: DB Jim (Hacksaw) David, DT Gil Mains, OG Harley Sewell, RB Gene Gedman, DE Darris McCord, RB Howard Cassady, WR Steve Junker, DB/WR Terry Barr, and OC John Gordy.
In addition, Kerbawy was assistant GM in 1949 and 1950, and in those two years the Lions obtained future HOF members QB Bobby Layne and HB Doak Walker via trade, drafted Heisman winner Leon Hart, and obtained OG Lou Kreekmur, who was a starter on all three Lions NFL championship winners.
He also obtained QB Tobin Rote prior to the 1957 season from the Packers, and all Rote did was lead the Lions to two post-season victories after Layne went down with a broken ankle, including the 59-14 demolition of the Browns in the NFL championship game.
January 18th, 2023 at 1:37 PM ^
You are old AF, Don.😂
January 18th, 2023 at 2:00 PM ^
Speak for yourself, Salvatore
January 18th, 2023 at 3:47 PM ^
Those were the Lions of my youth. A thrill just read those names. Fondly remember going to Thanksgiving games with my Dad and brother, both now deceased. Playing Paul Brown’s Cleveland team led by QB Otto Ghram in championship games. Perhaps if I live a couple more years I may get to celebrate another Lion’s championship. Beer a long time.
January 19th, 2023 at 12:04 AM ^
I don't know if that last sentence was intentional or not. But I like it.
January 18th, 2023 at 10:31 AM ^
100% agree but the thought of the Lions "rebuild being ahead of schedule" feels odd since it began in 1957.
January 18th, 2023 at 10:39 AM ^
It’s only 66 years, I’d say they’re right on track
January 18th, 2023 at 11:16 AM ^
I think it's been a team effort. Holmes, Campell, and Sheila Ford-Hamp would tell you the same thing. As good as Holmes and Campbell have been, they wouldn't have had the success they had without each other.
January 18th, 2023 at 1:59 PM ^
If only it started one game sooner
January 18th, 2023 at 9:39 AM ^
Excellent news! 2023 season for the Lions will be shooting for the NFC North crown. I hope they make good decisions with their upcoming UFAs - I'd love for them to keep guys like Anzalone and J.Will.
January 18th, 2023 at 9:54 AM ^
Lions haven't won the division in 30 years, haven't won a playoff game in 32 years, haven't won a title in 66 years, and have a .452 overall winning % since inception (94 years)
My dream is to see them win the Super Bowl
My expectation (based on, well, everything) is to live an entire lifetime and never see them even go to the Super Bowl.
January 18th, 2023 at 11:18 AM ^
Tough but fair ;)
January 18th, 2023 at 12:36 PM ^
The ineptitude is really startling. You generally luck into a playoff win once a decade even if you are horrid 7 of those 10 years. Easiest sport to roll over a roster quickly and plenty of last to first stories in divisions. But not the Lions.
Let me add this stat. The Tampa Bay Bucs WHO HAVE NOT BEEN IN THE DIVISION FOR DECADES have a more recent "NFC North" division title (1999) than the Lions (1993).
January 18th, 2023 at 10:00 AM ^
Anzalone, Buggs and Cominsky are free agents who are putting their money where their mouth is. They want to continue playing for the Lions.
January 18th, 2023 at 10:02 AM ^
Culture guys, all of them! Sign those men and let's fucking win this division! FTP, baby!
January 18th, 2023 at 10:10 AM ^
Cominsky and Buggs both played really well this year. There are probably upgrades to Anzalone available.
January 18th, 2023 at 11:05 AM ^
Analzone is a good culture guy...but I think they can do better at that position.
January 18th, 2023 at 11:11 AM ^
🎶Get in the zone….
Analzone!🎶
January 18th, 2023 at 12:43 PM ^
Don't you dare edit it. :D
January 18th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
that is one hell of a misspelling there bud
January 18th, 2023 at 11:18 AM ^
I missed it until you pointed it out! OMG!
January 18th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
Alex, that guy couldn't find his run fit with a map. If you wonder why he is willing to take less money to get it done before free agency just dust off a copy of the game vs the Panthers. There are enough good football character guys in the room to worry about bringing back bad football players for the sake of culture.
January 18th, 2023 at 12:41 PM ^
He had a really good year (for his standards) but yes it would be better if he were a backup. Much like UM, the cornerback room is really going to be a key.
January 18th, 2023 at 6:34 PM ^
You want to see a good defender, watch when I go near the wife's Analzone.
January 19th, 2023 at 6:55 AM ^
There are a few good positions for sliding into the.....
January 18th, 2023 at 11:18 AM ^
Cominsky is a great option in rush packages coming up the middle. He's like a poor-man's Hutchinson. Buggs and Anzalone had their moments but both can be upgraded upon. I'd look to the first round of the draft for Buggs' position and the middle rounds for a LB.
January 18th, 2023 at 2:30 PM ^
... the first round of the draft for Buggs' position ...
Bryan Bresee from Clemson.
January 18th, 2023 at 2:06 PM ^
Devin Bush is a Free Agent and expressed interest in being coached by an ex-player.
January 18th, 2023 at 12:08 PM ^
This is why Dan Campbell is the guy. Sure, he might blow a game or two with his ingame management, but I now believe he more than makes up for it with his culture and the way he runs the team. Every other coach would have lost his locker room at 1-6. He finished 9-8. If the Lions had hired [insert other coach here], they would have started this year 3-5 and finished 6-11. And we'd be in the same spot we've always been. Not with Campbell. Props to this guy. I think he'd have been Coach of the Year if not for Daboll
January 18th, 2023 at 3:38 PM ^
Jamaal & cominsky have both expressed strong interest in being resigned.
that coaches AND players want to stay should say volumes about the culture change within this franchise
January 18th, 2023 at 9:39 AM ^
Great for the team. Hopefully they gave him a new contract that pays him as one of the league's best OCs.
January 18th, 2023 at 9:47 AM ^
I'm excited to see what this offense can do with a fully healthy Jameson Williams. Kid's speed was obvious in limited action. If they can bring back Williams and Chark and improve that woeful back seven this offseason, they will be a trendy pick to win the NFC North.
This is the first offseason I've been excited for in my entire adult life.
January 18th, 2023 at 12:46 PM ^
I gave up after the Stafford Suh Calvin trio broke up - they were trending up and then in true Lions fashion, one of their best players walks. (and then Calvin later lol) So it's been more than half a decade of not looking aside for mock drafts hah. The last 10 weeks is the first time I have even peeked back in.
Yes it's exciting. It is so annoying that the last 2 years there was not a Burrow top at the top of the draft (and yes sometimes those go bust too) Having a cheap QB over the next 5 years would be helpful in roster construction. They have some big contracts they are going to start to need to dole out in a few yrs such as Amon and Sewell, just as Goff hits the market.
January 18th, 2023 at 9:48 AM ^
Good news! I only saw them a couple of times, but what I saw on offense was really fun! Now, about that defense... I don't know if the DC should be retained, but something needs to be done. Get the defense to a respectable level and this team is a playoff nightmare.
January 18th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
The defense was really really good the back half, with the exception of the Carolina game.
They need another pass rusher and a corner badly, and hopefully Tracy Walker will be healthy by camp.
January 18th, 2023 at 3:42 PM ^
They need another high end starter @ DT. Jalen Carter if he falls or Brian Bresee…..those guys have the potential to be game wreckers providing consistent pressure inside….combine that with hutch having a full year in the system under his belt coming off the edge and houston doing his thing and this team will be getting offenses off the field pretty quick.
then a guy like Christian Gonzales, Devon Witherspoon or Brian Branch @18 to solidify the back end……maybe move Jerry jacobs to slot coverage
January 18th, 2023 at 10:15 AM ^
As mentioned above, it was more about the back 7. The front 4 were fantastic and want to stick around. Another year of development for Hutch and Houston with Buggs and Cominsky inside, plus some good rotational pieces like Okwara and McNeill, is really exciting. Plus who knows who could be added in FA. If this next draft focuses on fixing the second and third levels while adding more depth at other solid positions, the Lions should be a force to be reckoned with for the next few years.
January 18th, 2023 at 10:28 AM ^
Houston is a LB. Much too small to be an everyday DL.
McNeill is their best interior DL. He isn’t a rotational piece. He is better than Buggs. Cominsky slides inside on passing downs. But really is a DE.
Lions need more along the DL. Briese or Murphy would really give this DL some bite.