Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley optimistic about new-look line

ALLEN PARK — Inconsistency was an issue for the Detroit Lions last season and one reason they were watching the playoffs instead of playing in them.

The offensive line has been addressed through the offseason and while it’s early, Hank Fraley, run game coordinator/offensive line coach, has reason to be optimistic about improvements.

“I like where we’re headed, we’ll see where we’re at, we’re still just in underwear there’s a lot of unknowns still, but I love the direction we’re heading in,’’ Fraley said at Tuesday’s veteran minicamp.

Last year the line did not live up to its high standards which are set by coach Dan Campbell.

“If we’re not living up to those standards ourselves then we’re not going to have the year we want to have,’’ Fraley said. “Really the thing I’m harping on these guys, it’s not necessarily always the strongest, the fastest, the most talented but you’ve got to be consistent. If you look back over last year we weren’t as consistent as we need to be in certain things, certain times, we’ve got to get that cleaned up and be more detailed.’’

Fraley, who was an NFL center for 11 seasons, says playing O-line involves a mindset. 

“There’s not too many sports where you get to walk out and you get to bully people,’’ Fraley said. “Offensive linemen, the mentality is being a bully between those white lines and we can be as nice as we want once we get off the field.’’

While positions are not set in stone, the projected line could feature Penei Sewell at left tackle, Christian Mahogany at left guard, Cade Mays at center, Tate Ratledge at right guard and rookie Blake Miller at right tackle. Competition in training camp at guard could change the projections.

Sewell is making the transition from right tackle to fill the shoes of Taylor Decker.

“I told him it’s like riding a bike, you can go years without riding a bike mentally then you get on a bike you have to find your balance, your timing a little bit, how you pedal how, you do all that,’’ Fraley said. “It’s been a long time since he’s done it continually He’s transitioned pretty smoothly everybody knows he’s a great athlete — takes great pride in his work.’’

Mays, who has played in 52 NFL games (27 starts) since he was drafted in the sixth round by Carolina in 2022, gives more veteran presence.

Miller, the Lions’ first-round draft pick, has impressed Fraley so far. While he’s making some mistakes ,when he does make one it’s mental and he’s able to adjust and clean it up. 

The run game also suffered last season which, of course, affects the whole offense. Fraley said the offense has to earn the right to run the ball to get the coordinator to call the next run and establish it.

The Lions wrap up the two-day veteran minicamp on Wednesday and then will be off until training camp starts in July.

Lions DC Kelvin Shepard pleased with tall group of edge rushers

ALLEN PARK — It’s early in the process and no pads are allowed yet during offseason workouts, but Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Shepard likes what he sees from the edge rusher group.

One of the first things he sees is that they are tall. Tall is good.

“That’s something that we attacked, we saw we needed. Like always, we mentioned it and the front office did a great job and went out and kind of attracted some of it, barring what we could do, some of the guys we were looking for,’’ Shepard said on Thursday before the team’s ninth OTA workout.

Of the seven edge rushers on the current roster four of them are 6-foot-5 or taller. That includes Aidan Hutchinson (6-foot-7), free agent signee Payton Turner (6-foot-6), undrafted free agent Anthony Lucas (6-foot-5) and free agent D.J. Wonnum (6-foot-5).

The EDGE roster fills out with rookie Derrick Moore (6-foot-3), Eric O’Neill (6-foot-2) and second-year Ahmed Hassanein (6-foot-2).

“It is a good mix and blend. We have some long, we have some shorter, powerful, so to say, type players. The first thing I think is there’s going to be a lot of competition come training camp with that unit,’’ Shepard said. “There’s six to seven guys I’m looking at and they all look like they can play and have potential. It’s just a matter of when the pads come on and what that looks like.’’

Shepard said some of the talent is obvious like signing veteran free agent Wonnum and drafting Moore (Michigan) in the second round. 

He also pointed out that Turner, in his sixth NFL season, is a former first-round pick and Hassanein was on the practice squad all last season and is looking to make a push.

Even though undrafted, Lucas was a “game-wrecker” at USC per Shepard.

“We’re very excited for the group. When it comes to the length – it’s what you look for on the edge nowadays, especially what complements the 

werewolf (Hutchinson) we have, what does that look like,’’ said Shepard who is in his second season as defensive coordinator.

“A lot of guys want this juiced up, speedball type player but does that truly complement what that player does well? That’s something that we have to sit back as a staff, as a front office and look at,’’ Shepard added. “We’re all on the same page as far as what we’re looking for to complement that player.’’

What’s next: Veteran minicamp next week and then players are off until training camp.

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs ready to take on more of the load

Dan Campbell: He’s our bell cow now

ALLEN PARK — In Jahmyr Gibbs’ first three seasons with the Detroit Lions he was paired with veteran running back David Montgomery. Coach Dan Campbell called them the two-headed monster. They were close on and off the field. 

Since the Lions traded Montgomery to the Houston Texans in March, Gibbs is now THE guy.

“He’s going to be our bell cow now. He really became more of that last year, but we’re going to hang our hat on him quite a bit. We’re going to do a lot of things we feel he does well,’’ Campbell said on Thursday prior to the Lions offseason workout. 

Gibbs is good with the change, he’s used to carrying a load just like he did at Alabama before he was the Lions’ first-round pick in 2023.

“Growing up I’ve always been the person that’s always had the most carries,’’ Gibs said. “I’m not looking at it any different than any other year.’’

He said his preparation for the season will remain the same with consistency as the key. 

Last season Gibbs started all 17 games and finished with 13 rushing and 5 receiving touchdowns. He carried the ball 243 times for 1,223 yards, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. He also had 77 receptions for 616 yards.

Expect to possibly see him running more routes come September.

“I’ve mentioned this before he can run everything we’ve got, he can run every scheme that anybody has ever run,’’ Campbell said. “He’s not just an outside runner, he’s not just a space runner, he can create his own space in the middle. Some of his biggest runs have been gap schemes right down the pike where he’s had patience and found it and guys blocked it up.’’

One other change for Gibbs is new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing who replaced John Morton who was let go. Campbell called the offense on game days to end last season.

“He’s really smart, he’s really strategic,’’ Gibbs said of Petzing. “He demands a lot of his players but he knows we can do it so that’s what he puts on us. It’s going to be fun.’’

The running back room has added new faces including veteran Isiah Pacheco who spent the last four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

“He’s got a lot of juice, he’s very energetic, he’s a fun person to be around, he plays really hard,’’ Gibbs said of Pacheco. “He wants to do anything for the team that Dan tells him to do.’’

NOTES: Campbell announced that rookie WR Kendrick Law, a fifth-round pick, tore his ACL in practice on Tuesday and will be out for the season. The Lions added WR Kyre Duplessis to the roster.