ALLEN PARK — Cornerback Carlton Davis III was shocked to learn the Tampa Bay Bucs had traded him to the Detroit Lions, but along with the surprise came excitement about coming to Detroit.
Davis said after digesting the news and talking it over with his family he’s all good and excited about making the change.
“When the trade happened I was shocked but there were two sides – excitement and shock. As the days go by, I feel more comfortable and I’m putting it in God’s hands,’’ Davis said at a press conference on Wednesday at the Lions facility shortly after the start of the NFL new year at 4 p.m.
To get the 27-year-old Davis, the Lions sent three draft picks to Tampa Bay – a third-round pick in 2024 (92nd overall), a sixth-round pick in 2024 (201 overall) and a sixth-round pick in 2025. Cornerback was definitely one of the needs for the Lions.
After the Bucs drafted him in the second round in 2018 out of Auburn, he spent six seasons with them which included a Super Bowl win over the Chiefs three years ago. He’ll bring to Detroit what he learned it takes to reach the top.
“You have to be able to weather the storm, be poised in all situations. Obviously, trust your teammates, camaraderie is huge. Everybody has to do their part in the system and be able to overcome obstacles because it’s never going to be a smooth ride, you’re never going to always have it your way,’’ Davis said. “Games can go either way, the momentum always changes. You have to be resilient which this team has shown many times … It’s the small details that eventually gets you to where you want to be at.’’
Davis and the Bucs faced the Lions twice last season so he’s a bit familiar with the team, although as a corner he was concentrating more on Detroit’s offense. (The Lions won both games, including the divisional round in the playoffs)
“Usually when you’re in a tough battle, a team at some point budges, when two teams are competing really hard. They never budged, they kept the same energy and played with the same physicality on every play,’’ Davis said. “So just being an opponent you recognize those things, you respect those qualities in a team, for sure.’’
It’s early in the process but Davis said he would be interested in signing a long-term deal with the Lions. But first he wants to get his feet wet.
As for leadership, he has a basic philosophy: “Show first, talk later.”
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