Episode #68: Special Guest Scott Bischoff

With Joe Kania on vacation this week, Erik Schlitt welcomed in a special guest — Scott Bischoff. Scott works alongside Erik at Lions Wire as well as writing at Football Guys and is contributing with Matt Waldman on his Rookie Scouting Portfolio. You can find Scott on Twitter at @Bischoff_Scott.

This week Erik and Scott discus:

  • the Lions roster heading into training camp
  • A’Shawn Robinson’s role and how he will impact the players around him
  • Da’Shawn Hand’s versatility
  • Ezekiel Ansah’s usage off the edge and inside
  • what to expect from Jarrad Davis
  • Who backs up Devon Kennard?
  • Christian Jones versatility
  • Jalen Reeves-Maybin’s importance
  • why DeShawn Shead is underrated
  • Tracy Walker’s potential
  • How former starters Nevin Lawson and Tavon Wilson’s roles will change
  • five, six and seven defensive backs sets
  • going “big” to stop the run
  • why a starter designation isn’t as important as it used to be
  • who is Matthew Stafford’s back up?
  • Kerryon Johnson’s potential
  • the running backs rotation
  • will they trade Ameer Abdullah?
  • the offensive line construction
  • Frank Ragnow’s potential

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe to iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us (@erikschlitt, @JoeKania_DLB, @lionsbreakdown)

Episode #67: Goodbye Brandstatter

No big news in the player personnel department this week, but a big move was made in the broadcast booth as Jim Brandstatter learned that he is not in the Lions future plans. He will be replaced by Lomas Brown this upcoming season. Erik and Joe talk about that and a myriad of other topics.

  • The Lions did not make any selections in the Supplemental Draft on Wednesday
  • Marvin Lewis and Teo Redding are training together
  • The Flag Football League on the NFL Network
  • Kris Durham has surfaced in Italy
  • Daryl Rogers has passed away
  • What are the consequences of an improved running game?
  • What if the Lions never picked up Ebrons option?
  • Are there future big stars on this team?
  • Will the Lions sign veteran free agents cut by other teams during camp?
  • Who were the best Lions duos?
  • Check out Erik’s articles from the past week
  • Special thanks to J M Lewis 5213 for the 5-star review!

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe to iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us (@erikschlitt, @JoeKania_DLB, @lionsbreakdown)

Episode #66: Summer Mailbag

The Lions tried not to expend too much energy this week, likely due to the heat and didn’t make much noise when it came to player movement or announcements. Even without a lot of news, there were still a lot of topics for Erik and Joe to discuss.

  • Reuben Foster and Julian Edelman will both be suspended for their games against the Lions, how does it affect the Lions chances?
  • Jim Bob Cooter to be on the hot seat
  • There is a fascination with how the DL will handle the steep learning curve
  • What’s with the negative talk about Jarrad Davis?
  • Quandre Diggs is betting on himself
  • Who wore it better? Barry or Billy?
  • Revisiting the 2014 draft
  • Fredi the Pizzaman is raising money for charity

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe to iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us (@erikschlitt, @JoeKania_DLB, @lionsbreakdown)

Episode #65: Feel the Nostalgia

Summer has finally kicked off and that means several weeks of not much on the Lions front leading up to the start of training camp. Erik and Joe persevere through the desert of news to discuss many things still in the air as the season approaches.

  • Stunningly, no player movement this week
  • Jimmy Raye III has been hired as a new Senior Personnel Executive for the team
  • Figures of guaranteed money for the UDFAs have been released
  • A deep mailbag is rummaged through, a lot of questions revolving around the front 7 are discussed
  • A Curse Watch has been called for and will be monitored closely
  • Finally, a wrap up on our comparison of the 1995 Lions and this 2018 bunch
  • A special thanks to 5-star reviewers Dan Page, Psy man, Matt Stafford Side-Sling, Restore da Roar and J.Goldsmith. Also, thanks for the kind mention from the Detroit Lions Podcast

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe to iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us (@erikschlitt, @JoeKania_DLB, @lionsbreakdown)

Episode #64: Know Your Enemy Part 3

The last 3 mini-camp practices finished off this week with little fanfare. With no major injuries to report, Erik and Joe will spend this week finishing off the NFC North opponents offseason series and look ahead to the training camp schedule.

  • They come and they go, after signing TE Wes Saxton last week, he was released and replaced by TE/LS Sean McGrath
  • A very short time is spent in the Rod Wood-shed this week discussing Eamonn Reynolds taking over as the Director of Football Communications
  • Erik Discusses the structure of this seasons training camp
  • Notes from the last 3 days of mini-camp, Kenny Golladay looking good, as always
  • Erik and Joe break down the Chicago Bears offseason moves
  • The mailbag has a few questions pertaining to the Lion front 7 (or 6)
  • Final discussion topics include some controversy we will see this season and a breakdown of the offense we will see this season in comparison to the NFLs best unit (yardage-wise) from 1995
  • A special thanks to 5-star reviewers Paul Jackson and Diehard Lion

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe to iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us (@erikschlitt, @JoeKania_DLB, @lionsbreakdown)

Episode #63: Know Your Enemy Part 2

Mini-camp has started and with 3 days in the books the Lions have had enough for the week. Matt Patricia has spoken to the media before every practice and, unsurprisingly, did not say much.  Erik and Joe spend their time this week discussing mini-camp.

  • The bottom of the Lions roster remains in flux with the addition of TE Wes Saxton and the subtraction of CB Bryan Pringle
  • An early visit to the Rod Wood-Shed this week where the PR department, of all things, is discussed
  • Darius Slay (#49) and Matt Stafford (#31) both appear in this season of  the NFL Top-100 miniseries
  • The NFL Network was live in Allen Park this Thursday as the Lions finished up week 1 of mini-camp.
  • FB Nick Bawden has a torn ACL
  • Joe and Erik break down the first few days and discuss what the beat writers have noticed
  • Erik and Joe continue examining the offseason moves of the Lions rivals in the NFC North. This week they break down the Lions perennial thorn in their side, Green Bay Packers
  • A lot of fullback, wide receiver and defensive back-centric mailbag questions
  • The discussion portion of the show centers around whether the Lions will have success picking from the Belicheck coaching and front office trees
  • The final discussion question comes from a Colton Wesley article wondering what would have happened if the Oakland Raiders took Calvin Johnson 1st overall in the 2007 NFL Draft
  • A special thanks to 5-star reviewers Kuehn Observations, Malachi’s Lions Blood and Kevin Washington (updated)

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe to iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us (@erikschlitt, @JoeKania_DLB, @lionsbreakdown)

Episode #62: Know Your Enemy Part 1

The countdown to training camp would have begun, but the Lions have not yet announced when camp will begin. Even with this lack of information Erik and Joe still cover all the Lions news that has surfaced over the last week.

  • Coaches Jim Bob Cooter, Jeff Davidson, Paul Pasqualoni, Al Golden and Joe Marciano all used a bunch of generic language when it comes to what exciting new things we will see next year
  • Erik and Joe will spend the coming few weeks examining the offseason moves of the Lions rivals in the NFC North. This week they start with the defending division champ and NFC runner-up Minnesota Vikings
  • The podcast mailbag centers around who stands to benefit most from the coaching changes and who might find themselves on the chopping block by the end of camp.
  • Erik’s latest article has been published, and it covers his most updated roster stack
  • A special thanks to 5-star reviewers Logan Lamorandier, Gillen H2O and Jimmy Thom 2003

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe to iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us (@erikschlitt, @JoeKania_DLB, @lionsbreakdown)

Episode #61: 2018 OTAs

Organized Team Activities began this week at Allen Park. Guess who is not invited? The media. This week Erik and Joe discuss the beginning of OTAs and a bunch of other assorted Lions business.

  • The team signed WR Chris Lacy and JACK Trevor Bates (Full QIB)
  • They released CB Josh Okonye and TE Deandre Goolsby
  • OTAs have only started with only photos released
  • Erik and Joe discuss the new National Anthem policy
  • A very short return to the Rod Wood-Shed
  • The mailbag includes a breakdown of the new kickoff rules and contract hits and misses
  • A discussion session wraps up the week with topics ranging from Quinns best and worst moves to homegrown Lions
  • A special thanks to 5-star reviewers Roland and Restore Da Roar

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe to iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us (@erikschlitt, @JoeKania_DLB, @lionsbreakdown)

Episode #60: 2018 UDFA Recap

A week that normally goes by with little fanfare was anything but in Allen Park this week. In this episode, Erik performs an encore with his breakdown of the Undrafted Free Agents.

  • RB Tion Green and LB Brandon Chubb were the biggest names released this week
  • WR Teo Redding – Bowling Green (Full QIB)
  • WR Deontez Alexander – Franklin (Full QIB)
  • Slot/3rd RB/KR Brandon Powell – Florida (No QIB)
  • TE DeAndre Goolsby – Florida (Full QIB)
  • RT/LG Beau Nunn – Appalachian State (No QIB)
  • LG/OT John Montelus – Virginia (No QIB)
  • 5T JoJo Wicker – Arizona State (Partial QIB)
  • NT Josh Fatu – USC (no QIB)
  • Jack LB  Chad Meredith – SE Missouri St (Full QIB)
  • MLB Al-Rasheed Benton – West Virginia (No QIB)
  • CB Amari Coleman – Central Michigan (Full QIB)
  • NB Mike Ford – SE Missouri St (Full QIB)
  • CB Chris Jones – Nebraska (Partial QIB)
  • DB Josh Okonye – Purdue (No QIB)
  • P/KOS Ryan Santoso – Minnesota
  • A special thanks to the folks that contributed the 5 brand new 5-star reviews!

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe to iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us (@erikschlitt, @JoeKania_DLB, @lionsbreakdown)

Episode #59: 2018 Draft Recap

The draft captivated the NFL world over the past weekend, as always. The Lions were, of course, included in that mayhem and added 6 players that they will hope will help shape their franchise over the next decade. Without further ado, Erik breaks down the 6.

Just a reminder, if you like our show you can subscribe to iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.

As always, thanks for listening. Tweet us (@erikschlitt, @JoeKania_DLB, @lionsbreakdown)