Paula Pasche

Lions camp: Nick Bellore ‘super excited’ to make transition to fullback

Veteran linebacker welcomes his new role

ALLEN PARK >> Someday Nick Bellore will look back on his NFL career and the wonder of it all, but not today.

The Detroit Lions linebacker-turned-fullback is too busy learning the offense and a new role as a full-time fullback.

Bellore, who played at Central Michigan, signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York. Jets in 2011 and now enters his eighth NFL season, his second in Detroit. Most of it has been spent as a part-time linebacker and solid special teams contributor.

While listed as a Lions’ linebacker in 2017, he did see some time on offense.

In fact in a Dec. 3 loss to the Ravens, Bellore caught a one-yard touchdown pass. The first touchdown of his career. It was on second-and-goal from the one-yard line in the fourth quarter. Matthew Stafford found Bellore all alone in the right corner of the end zone.

“You don’t have much time to think. I knew right after we ran the ball it was probably my time to catch it, so I had to get out on the route, turn your head and Stafford always puts it right on you. I had no time to think,’’ Bellore said.

So when the coaches talked to him about leaving his linebacker duties behind, he was all in.

“I was super excited because I was a backup linebacker my whole life and it was nice to get an opportunity to get out on the field. They felt I could help the team and I thought it was something I could excel at, I was super excited when they asked me to do it and I’m glad it has blossomed into something this year,’’ Bellore said on Thursday.

It’s a new coaching staff under Matt Patricia, but offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter remains from last season.

“We had kind of talked about it, but it was one of those things, once I got here I think they felt it was something they could place me there to help the team — we have a lot of great linebackers — so it’s something where I was happy to do it,’’ Bellore said.

Patricia seems quite impressed a week into camp. He knows Bellore from game-planning against him when Patricia was with the Patriots and Bellore played for the Jets and 49ers.

“He’s just been a really good football player. Every time, whatever his role has been out on the football field, he’s executed at a high level. Even going through the tape from last year and some of the things that they asked him to do — both sides of the ball,’’ Patricia said. “Just goes out, has a good feel for the game. It’s not too big for him, he can really transition from the different sides of the ball. He’s a smart guy and finds it, and sees it, and has good vision. So, he’s just a good, solid football player. You always like guys like that. Tough guy, smart guy — you try to find some place on the field for him.”

It was clear that Patricia and Cooter wanted to use a fullback this season when they drafted Nick Bawden in the seventh round. Bawden tore his ACL in June and will miss the entire season. That leaves Bellore as the only fullback on the roster.

“He’s an awesome young guy and it’s a shame that happened to him. He actually just talked to me yesterday and he said whatever help I need because obviously he knows it, he’s been doing it for a long time,’’ Bellore said. “I really appreciate that. He’s someone I’ll keep in contact with. He’s around the facility helping us out so any question I have he can clear it up for me.’’

Moving from defense to offense has its challenges.

“I think the terminology and learning the whole play call. Sometimes on defense you can hear it and know exactly what it is from the first couple words but when the quarterbacks are in there giving you the play you don’t know how long it could be set for, you have to pay attention until the last word because it could completely change your job,’’ Bellore said. “Really just dialing into the terminology on offense and what they call things. Football is football but defensively we call things different than they call things on offense, so that took some getting used to.’’

Last year in his limited role on the Lions’ offense they dumbed it down for him.

Often learning new football terminology is compared to learning a foreign language.

“I probably got a C-minus in French in high school. I was never a foreign language guy. They had a small playbook for me and kept it easy for me which helped but now since I’ve had more time under my belt they can give me more stuff,’’ Bellore said.

The run game is a huge emphasis for the Lions since it was the worst in the NFL in 2017. Adding a fullback is just one new wrinkle.

“Definitely from a fullback standpoint, or even just trying to put a second back in the back field, it’s something that always gives teams a lot of difficulty,’’ Patricia said. “When you can line up with a guy in the backfield and then insert him into the defense from that standpoint, create an extra gap or extra space, it always adds another level of complexity to it to try to defend.’’The Lions also signed veteran LeGarrette Blount as a free agent and drafted Kerryon Johnson in the second round.

“I thought they’ve looked awesome. Obviously LG is a load and Kerryon can do it all. They’re both in the infancy of learning the offense like we all are,’’ Bellore said. “I think once we get it all hammered down it should be great, they’re working hard and doing a good job.’’

Lions training camp: Five thoughts from veteran RB LeGarrette Blount

Blount has won 3 Super Bowl rings in last 4 seasons

ALLEN PARK >> If you’re expecting LeGarrette Blount to be the savior, to resurrect a Lions’ run game that has been dormant for too long, take a deep breath and step back.

Blount, who is 31, should provide a boost to the Lions’ run game which was the worst in the NFL last year. However, he will just be one factor.

Much emphasis has been placed on running the ball effectively, including signing Blount who has won three Super Bowl rings in the past four seasons. Last year with the Eagles and twice with the Patriots. Last season he had 173 carries for 766 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

His work ethic and straight-forward approach seem to fit right in with coach Matt Patricia who knew him from their Patriot days together.

Blount was asked on Wednesday if the run unit was going to work to develop swag and he provided the perfect answer: “We’re going to worry about the swag later. We’re going to worry about football right now.”

Here are five thoughts from Blount:

1. He’s serious about being serious. He’s not going to boast about the run game potential at this point one week into camp. “It’s early. We’ve only done drills against each other like we’ve been doing the entire offseason. It’s pretty tough to gauge at this point,’’ Blount said. “We’ll just continue to work hard, we’ll continue to grind, fix all the mistakes that we have, pay attention to all the details we have and do everything we can to improve the running game and our play of offense all together.’’

2. Patricia demands physicality and has placed a huge emphasis on it through drills at camp. “You practice being more physical, you practice hitting more, you practicing tackling live, you practice getting in situations where you have no choice but to play downhill and either make a stop or make a play. We’re continuing to try to get better with everything, all aspects of the game,’’ Blount said.

3. While he is starting his ninth NFL season, he is working beside Kerryon Johnson, a rookie with potential. “He’s a good runner, he’s a really good runner. He does a lot of things well, he does a lot of things exceptional,’’ Blount said. “He can catch the ball, he can run the ball, he has great vision, he picks up on the offense well. He’s going to be a good player, he’s a good part of our team.’’

4. Age isn’t probably his favorite topic, but he sad he feels great and doesn’t think he is slowing down. He makes sure to take care of his body.. His offseason program hasn’t really changed much. “Work out, run, lift and eat,’’ he said with a hearty laugh. It appears to be working. In the last five seasons he has missed just four games (all in 2015).

5. Blount has played with quarterbacks Tom Brady and Carson Wentz in recent years. He doesn’t see himself as a quarterback evaluator since he’s never played the position, but thinks highly of Matthew Stafford. “I think Stafford is a great quarterback, he’s been doing wonderful things over the course of his career. A lot of amazing games, a lot of comebacks, he’s done a lot of good things in this league,’’ Blount said. “He’s somebody that I definitely have a lot of confidence in , that can do what we need him to do, we have a lot of confidence in him to make sure our offense is running smoothly.’’

Five reasons the Detroit Lions offensive line will improve this season

Frank Ragnow impressive so far

The offensive line has been the focus of GM Bob Quinn since he arrived in Detroit. His drafts and free agent signings could see a payoff this season.

Last year injuries were a factor throughout the season. So far in training camp, health is not an issue.

Obviously strong play by the line is crucial to get the run game on track after last season when the Lions averaged a measly 3.4 yards per carry and just 76.3 rushing yards per game ranking them at the bottom of the NFL.

It looks like the starting lineup will be left tackle Taylor Decker, left guard Frank Ragnow, center Graham Glasgow, right guard T.J. Land and right tackle Rick Wagner.

After four days of training camp, here are five reasons the offensive line will be better this year:

1. The addition of first-round pick Frank Ragnow (in photo) looks to be huge. Look for him to start at left guard where he has taken most of his reps since OTAs. He did get some work in at center on Monday. That’s likely to give the line more flexibility in case of injury. It is certainly not because he hasn’t played well at left guard. His domination there stood out big-time on the first day of pads on Sunday. He said he’s living his dream and working hard each day to learn.

2. Decker played in only the final eight games last year after suffering a torn labrum in June 2017. The Lions didn’t have much time to find a replacement and really no one could fill Decker’s shoes. He’s back, excited to go and will be ready from the get-go. He won’t talk about last year but is pumped to be on the field in training camp this year. No one is probably happier than Matthew Stafford who was sacked 47 times last season.

3. Continuity is key to the offensive line. Of all the position groups the line needs consistency to play well. This was a huge issue in 2017. Due to injuries the line had 10 different looks in 16 games. It wasn’t just Decker who was out. Graham Glasgow was the only starting offensive lineman to play every game. There is no telling what may happen in the next several weeks or months, but at this point everyone is healthy. That includes right guard T.J. Lang who was coming off hip surgery last season.

4. Glasgow looks to be the starting center. He started last season at left guard but started six games at center giving him invaluable experience at the position. He and Stafford have a better comfort level after last season.

5. Depth is key because injuries happen. The Lions added experience on the line by signing free agents — guard Kenny Wiggins and center Wesley Johnson. Wiggins has played in 45 games the past five seasons for the Chargers where he started all 16 games at right guard in 2017. Johnson has started 24 games in the past three seasons for the Jets including 15 starts at center in 2017. Brian Mihalik, who played in 15 games and started two for the Lions last year, and Corey Robinson, who played in eight games in 2017 with five starts, return as backup tackles. Also, fifth-round pick Tyrell Crosby, who played left tackle at Oregon, is available although he might land on the practice squad with so many veterans ahead of him on the depth chart.