Detroit Lions Breakdown Podcast

This week the Lions hosted their annual summit for the season ticket holders and members of the media including our own Erik Schlitt. Joe and Erik will break down the topics discussed by Bob Quinn, Matt Patricia and the gang and answer an overflowing mailbag.

• Just shortly after discussing how he would bridge the gap to returning Special Teams Coach John Bonamego, Devin Fitzsimmons joins the Vanderbilt staff
• Is it important that the Lions have a RB coach by the time player movement starts?
• What were the top topics from the Lions Summit?
• Bob Quinn made it clear that the Lions did not have any interest in Kareem Hunt
• Why did the Lions say that they are not ruling out drafting a QB at No. 8?
• Bevell wants to re-raise Matthew Staffords ceiling
• What Quinn wants in a playmaker
• The tight ends in this draft class entice Quinn
• Discussing how the Fleet fared on Saturday
• LS Don Muhlbach is back for a 16th campaign
• LB Steve Longa and DE Mitchell Loewen are back in the fold
• Could Ryan Santoso supplant Sam Martin?
• How the EDGE rusher fits in the 3-3-5 defense
• Could Ziggy Ansah come back?
• How will the Lions address running back, draft or FA?
• Does the Denver Broncos trade for Joe Flacco throw a monkey wrench in the Lions options to trade in the first round?
• Rashan Gary, Brian Burns or Ed Oliver in the first round, how each would fit the Detroit defense
• Receiving threats are a major need
• Would the Lions take TE T.J. Hockenson, or WR D.K. Metcalf, in the first round?
• What other early options at tight end or wide receiver could the Lions consider early on?
• If the Lions traded down, would they target an offensive lineman, like Dalton Risner in the first round?

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This week Erik and Joe flip to the defensive side of the ball where they break down every position group. As a special bonus, and also due to rambling on in the previous episode, they will also break down the offensive line.

• “Everything Offense” episode covered almost all of the offense. The first breakdown is the last remaining offensive position group
• The defensive line gets their turn first in the defensive breakdown
• Damon Harrison finds himself at No. 40 on PFF Top-101 grades for NFL players
• PFF: Hand earned highest pass rushing grade for rookie IDL since they started keeping track in 2006
• At how many different positions will we see Hand in 2019?
• Will Ed Oliver be in play when the Lions draft at #8?
• Lions Wire has profiled EDGE’s Rashan Gary and Brian Burns this week
• The newest Lion is free agent linebacker Tre Williams
• Is the need at LB greater than it seems?
• Under what condition will the Lions move Jarrad Davis to WILL?
• A recent mock has Buffalo LB Khalil Hodge to the Lions in the third round, how does he fit?
• Could Nevin Lawson be on his way out? And how would the Lions replace him?
• Will Jamal Agnew find his role in the secondary increase in 2019?
• Would it be for the best if the Lions moved on from Teez Tabor?
• Are the Lions more likely to upgrade the corner position through free agency or the draft?
• Could Bradley Roby be an option?
• Is DeAndre Baker a similar talent to Greedy Williams?
• Who will replace Glover Quin’s leadership in the locker room if he retires?
• Could Landon Collins be an impending Lion if he makes it to free agency?
• Don’t forget, the Lions hired John Bonamego as special teams coordinator
• Bill Belichick gives the Lions some love for showing his Patriots how to beat the Rams

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For the just the 3rd time in Detroit Lions Breakdown Podcast history Erik and Joe welcome in a guest voice, Lions Wire writer Scott Warheit visits the studio to discuss the Detroit Lions recent coaching changes, how they impact the offseason, and as always, take questions from the listeners.

• First, we get to know our guest Scott Warheit 
• Next is diving into Scott’s latest column — Matt Patricia’s choice of Darrell Bevell was shocking, but it shouldn’t have been
• How will the Darell Bevell hire impact the team’s needs
• Have the Lions chances of re-signing Golden Tate increased with Bevell’s hiring?
• Who are some free agents the Lions may target with ties to Bevell this offseason
• FB Nick Bawden may get some opportunity based off of Bevell’s fullback usage
• The Lions have hired John Bonamego as special teams coordinator
• How will the special teams be impacted with the return of Bonamego?
• The group discusses the Lions rank of 12th in Rick Gosselin’s 2018 Special Teams rankings
• What are some position coaches responsibilities?
• WR Brandon Reilly gets signed to Reserve-Future contract
• Who are some targets in free agency and the draft that fit the slot receiver profile?
• #OnePride 2019 Lions’ Fan Mock Draft 1.0, Erik asks Scott and Joe who their choices would be in rounds 1, 2 and 3 according to his Twitter poll 
• The Lions are headed towards an estimated $36 million in cap space
• Who might the Lions pursue as a high-end defensive end in free agency?

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The Lions two-week-long search for an offensive coordinator came to an end on Wednesday when news broke that they hired former Seahawks and Vikings OC Darrell Bevell. There is a lot to learn about Bevell and Erik and Joe cover it this week…

• The LionsWire article on the Bevell news
• Erik breaks down Bevell’s coaching career and how it evolved and adapted
• What do we know about Bevell’s eye for talent? He is largely credited for identifying Russell Wilson as the quarterback he wanted in Seattle  
• Could adding a coach like Dave DeGuglielmo (former offensive line coach of the Colts) be in the cards for the Lions?
• How long should it take for the Lions offense to learn the new system?
• The Lions work searching for coordinators is not done as they are searching for a Special Teams coordinator as well
• Erik rolls out important Lions offseason dates
• Players are drawing interest from the Lions at East-West Shrine practices, including corner Jimmy Moreland and running back Nick Brossette
• Erik lists off some Senior Bowl prospects
• What tight ends the Lions may target this offseason, via trade, free agency or draft
• Another TE target has emerged as Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson has declared for the draft
• Can Tyrell Crosby be ready to start on the OL next season?
• What is the trade value of the 8th overall pick
• Bob Quinn is getting smarter with his trade moves
• Would the Lions be interested in trading for an established player if they had to deal away a Day 2 pick?
• Could the Lions pick a guard at Pick 8 if T.J. Lang retires?
• Who Erik thinks could be the Lions 3rd round sleeper, similar to Kenny Golladay and Tracy Walker?
• The Lions head into free agency and the draft with an estimated $36 million in cap space
• Who might the Lions be targeting in free agency at RB?

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The search for an offensive coordinator extends another week as the Lions ponder their options. Erik and Joe sift through the eligible candidates as eight other teams continue preparing to chase the Vince Lombardi trophy.

• The Offensive Coordinator search continues, the list of coaches grows
• What Bob Quinn wants in the next Offensive Coordinator
• Quinn has made it known that Patricia will hire his next Offensive Coordinator
• New candidates include Nate Hackett and Steve Sarkisian for Offensive Coordinator spot
• The listeners have suggested eight other coordinator options and Erik breaks them all down
• Erik and Joe pick their leading candidate
• Will there be any more coaching moves?
• Matt Harriss will move on from his capologist role
• Mike Disner was hired as vice president of football operations and will be Harriss’ replacement
• Who was the best feel-good story of 2018?
• Da’Shawn Hand = PFF ALL-Rookie team
• The Alliance American Football League (namely the San Diego Fleet) is full of former Lions
• What value does the No. 8 pick in the 2019 draft have?
• Can the team trade back?
• How lackluster is this quarterback class?
• Who are the top tight ends on the board?
• Can the Lions wait until after Round 1 for an EDGE rusher? Is the class deep enough?
• As far as underrated needs go, is off-the-ball LB one of them?
• Have Alabama players taken a hit to their draft stock after losing the National Championship?
• Would the Lions consider drafting an offensive tackle early?
• Will Ziggy Ansah be back?
• Which free agents could the Lions potentially break the bank for?
• Could Anthony Barr find his way over from the Vikings?
•  Could Antonio Brown be a Lions trade target?

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Despite the strong offensive showing in the Lions 31-0 drubbing of the Green Bay Packers this past Sunday the team unsurprisingly parted ways with OC Jim Bob Cooter. Without any games remaining on the schedule, Erik and Joe talk about a myriad of topics concerning this offseason…

• The big news, the Lions agreed to part ways with Cooter
• Erik runs down his top candidates for Lions offensive coordinator position
• Lions part ways with offensive assistant and special teams helper Derius Swinton
• Quinn provided a little insight at his end of the season press conference
• Quinn taking on responsibility for the season that fell short of expectations
• The guys examine the end of season Pro Football Focus grades for the top players on offense and the top players on defense
• A run down of Lions Wire’s 2018 season awards
• The Lions already have a full list of opponents for the 2019 season
• Lions sign a handful of players from the practice squad to futures contracts
• The Lions are giving a look to QB Connor Cook, running backs Mark Thompson and Kerwynn Williams, and punter/kicker Ryan Santoso, giving them all futures deals
• The complete list of 2019 Lions free agents
• Erik and Joe look over Lions Wire Roster Stack: January edition
• Which Lions’ free agents will probably be back in 2019
• Who could be options for the Lions at backup quarterback in 2019?
• Quinn stated that he tried to acquire other tight ends before and throughout the season. In what ways could he improve the position group moving forward?
• The Lions finally landed at the No. 8 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft
• Who could be 5 realistic prospects for the Lions first round pick
• Grading Quinns’ first draft

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The Lions season will come to a close Sunday at Lambeau Field as they take on the Green Bay Packers. This past Sunday the Lions left their fans coal in their stockings in a lackluster 27-9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. A Lions win may, or may not, put their current 5th overall draft position in Jeopardy.

• Week 17 injury report
• Charles Washington and Bruce Ellington placed on injured reserve
• Brian Brown joins the practice squad
• Takeaways from the Week 16 loss to the Vikings
• Week 16 Naughty and Nice list
• Week 16 snap counts
• Week 16: By the Numbers
• The Lions still cannot stop the Hail Mary
• Green Bay Packers Preview
• Vegas Bet line favors the Packers
• Pat McAfee will make his debut on the game call
• Packers placed Kenny Clark on injured reserve
• Packers are rumored to be interested in former Lions coach Jim Caldwell
• Should the franchise QB be involved in coaching decisions moving forward?
• Discussion over which Lions coordinators and position coaches may no longer be employed Monday
• Would Adam Gase — current Miami coach — be an option for the Lions OC job if he’s fired?
• Which young players could step up into a leadership role?
• Lions rookie class ranks as the sixth best draft class according to Bleacher Report
• What does Kenny Wiggins bring to the table in comparison to TJ Lang?
• Is Joe Dahl the Lions fullback of the present and future?
• Has Jarrad Davis peaked as a football player?
• Will Ezekiel Ansah return?
• Can the Lions reduce injuries in 2019?
• Which Lions may be moving on in the offseason?
• The Lions hold the 5th overall pick and the odds have them sticking there
• The Lions are likely to stay at pick #5 based on the point spreads

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Any hopes of making the playoffs were ultimately crushed this past Sunday as the Lions suffered a 14-13 loss at the hands of the Buffalo Bills. This Sunday, the Lions host the Vikings and will look to avenge their loss back in November in Minneapolis, or at least hold their defense to less than 10 sacks.

• Kerryon Johnson will end his season on injured reserve
• Da’Shawn Hand also find his way to injured reserve
• Jamal Agnew activated from injured reserve to the active roster
• Injury report: Damon Harrison is not a lock to play Sunday
• Lions promote nose tackle John Atkins to the active roster
• Darius Slay is again a Pro Bowler, Quandre Diggs an alternate
• 3 positive takeaways from the loss to the Bills
• Kenny Golladay had a first of hopefully many career games
• Golladay on PFF’s Team of the Week
• Bad special teams play costs the Lions the game
• Week 15 snap counts
• Week 15: By the Numbers
• Vegas favors the Vikings by 5.5
• Has Kerry Hyder underachieved in 2018?
• Where does Tyrell Crosby fit in the offensive line in 2019?
• How has Coach Matt Patricia given Lions fans reasons for optimism?
• What positions might the Lions target in free agency and the draft?
• Speculate who may be a top free agency target on both sides of the ball.
• What defensive position in the draft could have the biggest immediate impact?
• What’s the highest and lowest draft pick the Lions could end up with?

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