2021 Pre-season thread

[Old Lion]

He GONE

Roster impact of the Lions releasing CB Quinton Dunbar

All of the sudden, the Lions are lacking veteran depth on the outside.

www.prideofdetroit.com

Unfortunately, Dunbar’s departure leaves the Lions in a precarious spot, but they appeared to be planning for this situation during the past week of training camp.

“Mike Ford is going to transition a little from nickel going to outside,” coach Dan Campbell said. “We’re going to get a pretty good look at him out there, too. So it just - he gives us more flexibility and a guy who’s done it and played it, knows it. That was really kind of the premise behind doing it.”

Ford has been improving every year so I am not surprised by any of this. I am glad that this staff is not putting up with players not living up to their hype. We have way too many years of veterans coming here and then not showing effort.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

You know when your teams lack of talent exists ?

When your damn Punter is ranked 10th overall and your QB1 is ranked 11th

The top 10 Detroit Lions for the 2021 season

Here are the top 10 players on the Lions roster for the 2021 season.

www.prideofdetroit.com

2021 Detroit Lions roster rankings: 20-11

We’re cracking the top 20 in our countdown of the Lions 2021 roster.

www.prideofdetroit.com

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Ford has been improving every year so I am not surprised by any of this. I am glad that this staff is not putting up with players not living up to their hype. We have way too many years of veterans coming here and then not showing effort.

Pleasant mostly and to some degree Glenn appear to be making strides with coaching these DB's up.

Not condemning players performance on every mistake they make also helps for confidence which should relay to the field play

I'm still counting on - maybe more hopeful - Oruwariye makes a huge jump this year whether it's at outside CB or seeing if he can play slot CB

Hopeful he can is probably the most realistic option

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Roster impact of the Lions releasing CB Quinton Dunbar

All of the sudden, the Lions are lacking veteran depth on the outside.

www.prideofdetroit.com

After dealing with a personal issue and being unable to practice for most of training camp, the Detroit Lions announced that they are moving on from CB Quinton Dunbar ahead of their first preseason game.

The 2021 free agent was expected to compete for a starting role at one of the outside cornerback spots, but it was quickly clear that he had fallen behind Jeff Okudah and Amani Oruwariye in the competition. Still, Dunbar was holding a key role as a veteran third corner and provided the Lions with solid depth at the position if something were to happen to either of their up-and-coming youngsters.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Roster impact of the Lions releasing CB Quinton Dunbar

All of the sudden, the Lions are lacking veteran depth on the outside.

www.prideofdetroit.com

After Ford, the Lions' outside depth is inexperienced. With Dunbar missing practices, third-round rookie Ifeatu Melifonwu has been repping with the second team, as has UDFA rookie Jerry Jacobs and second-year CB Alex Brown. Everyone else has been primarily working out of the slot. Therefore, if the Lions are in a pinch and need a reserve to step in for Okudah or Oruwariye, Ford is the likely call until Melifonwu is ready.

So for now, Ford becomes a very valuable player in the Lions' secondary and will hold two key roles. The Lions are surely hoping Melifonwu, Robey-Coleman, or Elder can elevate their games and take one of those jobs off Ford’s plate, but none are there at the moment.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Lot's of positive talk coming from Okudah regarding the UDFA kid Jacobs and from some of the media as well when it has come to camp reps

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Lions really trying to find RB4
Probably mostly to get healthy bodies taking reps but I don't see any of these sticking on the final roster.
Swift, J. Williams and J. Jefferson are guaranteed RB1, RB2, RB3 outside of an injury between now and reg season

Detroit Lions release CB Quinton Dunbar, sign RB Craig Reynolds

Tough break for the veteran cornerback, as the Lions’ secondary depth takes a big hit.

www.prideofdetroit.com

Like most Lions running backs, Reynolds is a one-cut runner who has talent when in space. He also has the ability to compete as a returner due to his vision and smooth agility when the ball is in his hands. He will likely compete with recently signed Javon Leake at the end of the running back depth chart.

 

[Mebert]

Lions really trying to find RB4
Probably mostly to get healthy bodies taking reps but I don't see any of these sticking on the final roster.
Swift, J. Williams and J. Jefferson are guaranteed RB1, RB2, RB3 outside of an injury between now and reg season

Detroit Lions release CB Quinton Dunbar, sign RB Craig Reynolds

Tough break for the veteran cornerback, as the Lions’ secondary depth takes a big hit.

www.prideofdetroit.com

Like most Lions running backs, Reynolds is a one-cut runner who has talent when in space. He also has the ability to compete as a returner due to his vision and smooth agility when the ball is in his hands. He will likely compete with recently signed Javon Leake at the end of the running back depth chart.

I am fine with it. I like that they are looking at a player they know will be rb4, not bringing in an older back to stunt the growth of our high pick like we did with Peterson

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

this is the one rookie out of this years class that I want to see on the field most during pre-season games.

I'm not concerned one bit with Sewell, Onwuzurike, McNeil or St. Brown

Maybe Barnes receives some late 4th quarter reps at off-ball Linebacker. We'll probably see him at ST services to start out.

Pittman and Shaun Dion Hamilton are two LB receiving most of the praise from coaches, players and media alike during camp. I hope their play continues when the lights come on and it's not just a practice ascension only.

Derrick Barnes back practicing, expected to play in Lions preseason opener

Lions 4th-round rookie LB Derrick Barnes is back practicing and expected to play in Lions preseason opener

lionswire.usatoday.com

Barnes faces stiffer competition than originally anticipated at the inside (off-ball) linebacker spots. Anthony Pittman and Shaun Dion Hamilton have both had very impressive training camps, and holdovers Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Jahlani Tavai are looking to make positive in-game impressions, too. With Barnes having been limited so much in camp, it will be interesting to see how much action he sees against Buffalo.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I like how different this regime is when it comes to dealing with players and their injuries - mental health inclusive here too - and not solely from physical treatments the players are receiving or seeking multiple opinions from specialists and doctors but also coming from the mouths of FO personnel and the coaches when it's spoken about to the media.

This entire organization has made a complete 180 degree flip since January.

It's about time even though it's still in the transition period

 

[Mebert]

I like how different this regime is when it comes to dealing with players and their injuries - mental health inclusive here too - and not solely from physical treatments the players are receiving or seeking multiple opinions from specialists and doctors but also coming from the mouths of FO personnel and the coaches when it's spoken about to the media.

This entire organization has made a complete 180 degree flip since January.

It's about time even though it's still in the transition period

I enjoy that we are mostly through training camp and have not yet read about how much the team hates the coaches. Campbell already said he felt the team was not left barren on talent, that leads me to believe we are not as far off as people assume, but the team was weaker because of trash coaching.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Now healthy, Bryant showing flashes of potential in Lions camp

Outside linebacker Austin Bryant finally had a healthy offseason to work on his craft, and it's shown up in Lions training camp so far.

www.detroitlions.com

Austin Bryant had an offseason where he wasn't rehabbing an injury. There were no 6 a.m. rehab sessions for him this offseason.
Bryant finally got a chance to actually work on his craft. He worked with a pass rush coach (Nate O'Neill) down in South Florida this offseason. Bryant said the whole tool box of pass-rush moves got worked on, including a spin move Bryant's flashed a couple times in both 1-on-1 pass-rush reps against the offensive linemen and in team periods.

Dealing with injuries is never fun and can be frustrating for a young player like Bryant. Nevertheless, Bryant said he wouldn't change anything about his NFL journey up to this point. Along the way he's adopted the "Mamba Mentality," which is an unrelenting drive and commitment developed by late basketball legend Kobe Bryant.

Austin Bryant said he read Kobe's book and has watched all his podcasts and interviews, and has adopted that mantra for himself. He even has a tattoo of Kobe on his lower left leg.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Austin Bryant has lost some weight since measurables prior to 2019 draft and even his 1st season. going from being listed at 271 pre-draft to 277 1st season - 2019 - to being listed at 260 coming from detroit lions.com for early season measurables 2021 (usually OTA's) and now down to 250.

I've got no problem if he's truly 250 or if it was a typo and meant to be 260. That's solid weight for a Jack LB. Hopefully he has increased his strength while also gaining some speed/explosiveness off the blocks at L.O.S.

Austin Bryant's NFL Combine measurables

Former Clemson defensive end Austin Bryant had the following unofficial measurements during the NFL Combine on Friday morning: Height: 6-3 7/8 Weight: 271 Hand:

www.tigernet.com

RASRAS Information

Visit the post for more.

ras.football

Austin Bryant (LB): Bio, News, Stats & more

Selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round (117th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.

www.detroitlions.com

Now healthy, Bryant showing flashes of potential in Lions camp

Outside linebacker Austin Bryant finally had a healthy offseason to work on his craft, and it's shown up in Lions training camp so far.

www.detroitlions.com

Bryant gives the Lions terrific size (6-5, 250) and length coming off the edge, and we've certainly seen the expansion of his pass-rushing repertoire this camp. He's playing a rush outside linebacker role in Aaron Glenn's defense, and he's been one of those players, along with Julian Okwara and Charles Harris, who have done some good things early on.

"I'm excited, man," Bryant said of being healthy and the role he's currently playing. "This defense attacks and it's aggressive and we get to be who we are as players and that's what I'm most excited about."

 

[Old Lion]

Austin Bryant has lost some weight since measurables prior to 2019 draft and even his 1st season. going from being listed at 271 pre-draft to 277 1st season - 2019 - to being listed at 260 coming from detroit lions.com for early season measurables 2021 (usually OTA's) and now down to 250.

I've got no problem if he's truly 250 or if it was a typo and meant to be 260. That's solid weight for a Jack LB. Hopefully he has increased his strength while also gaining some speed/explosiveness off the blocks at L.O.S.

Austin Bryant's NFL Combine measurables

Former Clemson defensive end Austin Bryant had the following unofficial measurements during the NFL Combine on Friday morning: Height: 6-3 7/8 Weight: 271 Hand:

www.tigernet.com

RASRAS Information

Visit the post for more.

ras.football

Austin Bryant (LB): Bio, News, Stats & more

Selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round (117th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.

www.detroitlions.com

Now healthy, Bryant showing flashes of potential in Lions camp

Outside linebacker Austin Bryant finally had a healthy offseason to work on his craft, and it's shown up in Lions training camp so far.

www.detroitlions.com

Bryant gives the Lions terrific size (6-5, 250) and length coming off the edge, and we've certainly seen the expansion of his pass-rushing repertoire this camp. He's playing a rush outside linebacker role in Aaron Glenn's defense, and he's been one of those players, along with Julian Okwara and Charles Harris, who have done some good things early on.

"I'm excited, man," Bryant said of being healthy and the role he's currently playing. "This defense attacks and it's aggressive and we get to be who we are as players and that's what I'm most excited about."

If all this holds up to the smell test come regular season we could move Flowers inside and remove a fat guy and have Bryant on the end on obvious pass downs.

 

[RobBase]

Let’s goooooooooo

 

[RobBase]

Sewell just got beat by Rousseau.

 

[fastforward]

The blue stripe on the helmet is going to hurt Goff.

 

[Mebert]

Our 4th string is an absolute juggernaut!

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Sewell just got beat by Rousseau.

He had exceptional footwork on that play but hand placement and too upright to anchor.
Vaitai got blown up on that play and you could see Sewell had his eye on that instead of maintaining key on Rousseau

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

J. Okwara's sack was nothing speacial.
Bills LT didn't do anything to stop Okwara and all that Okwara through at him was a mediocre hand slap and dip. It was speed only by Okwara that got him that sack by a lackluster LT.

Lots of praise from other media outlets minus this one for Okwara

Lions studs and duds from the preseason opener vs. the Bills

Here are the positive and negative impressions of players from the real-time observation of the Lions’ close loss.

lionswire.usatoday.com

Dud: Julian Okwara​

Okwara had a wretched night against the Bills’ second-team offense. There’s no other way to say it.

His pass rushes in the first half looked the same on every single rep, an outside move with poor hand usage that was easily pushed wide and around the edge, offering an easy throwing lane. On a couple of occasions, it also provided Bills third-string QB Davis Webb an easy escape route for a chain-moving run, too. And that was the better part of Okwara’s game in the first half.

Against the run, Okwara was astonishingly bad at setting the edge. The Bills defense pushed and collapsed him out of the way with far too much ease.

Okwara did get some redemption with a nice QB hurry in the third quarter and a fantastic sack late in the 4th (against the Bills fourth-string OT), but it was not a good night overall for No. 99. The fact that the Lions coaches were compelled to leave Okwara on the field against the deep reserves is not a good sign for the second-year EDGE, but at least he played well against them.

To his credit, Okwara owned his poor run defense and missed opportunities as a pass rusher in his postgame press conference.