Category: Uncategorized

Dan Campbell: Lions versatile WR Josh Reynolds is the ‘unsung hero’

ALLEN PARK — Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds quietly seems to go about his business. However, he does not go unnoticed by the coaches. Dan Campbell calls him the unsung hero among many other accolades.

“Since 2021 he’s been one of the best additions we could have had. He’s perfect for what we are because (of)  the reliability factor, the hands, the route tree that he’s able to run,’’ Campbell said on Saturday. “It goes a long way.’’

Reynolds’ 21 catches rank third (to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta), but 14 of the 21 were 20 yards or longer. That mark ties for second in the NFL with only the Rams” Puka Nacua coming in with 15.

He leads the NFL in first-down percentage (95.2) and his three receiving touchdowns are tied with St. Brown and LaPorta.

The Lions need Reynolds to be on his game when they host the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football.

While many eyes are on wide receiver Jameson Williams who is coming along slowly, Reynolds has stepped up.

“He does all of these things, he does all the dirty work. He’s been an explosive receiver for us and he’s very reliable. When you’re calling plays like Ben (Johnson) or myself, there’s a huge comfort level in having that guy,’’ Campbell said. “He’s been a clutch receiver for us. He’s kind of an unsung hero because he does so many different jobs.

Campbell said it’s a blessing and curse to be Reynolds because he can handle so much, they throw a lot at him.

“He just gives you flexibility to not only put him in certain spots but it allows you to put Saint in certain spots because he can play the other ones,’’ Campbell said. “He’s a huge asset for us.’’

Johnson agrees saying Reynolds is playing lights out and  doesn’t get mentioned enough.

“It’s like every time we throw him the ball, it’s a big play almost. So, probably shouldn’t have brought it up, just keep letting that fly under the radar but, no,’’ Johnson said. “That whole group man, (WR Kalif Raymond) Leaf, we talked about Leaf last week. I mean the whole room is – they’re doing a phenomenal job.”

NOTES: Center Frank Ragnow (toe/calf) has not practiced this week but still is a possibility to play against the Raiders. The extra time since it’s a Monday night game could be a blessing. If Ragnow is unable to go Graham Glasgow will likely start at center.

Lions QB Jared Goff confident going against Raiders on Monday night

Goff’s 3 thoughts on Crosby, Gibbs and JMo

ALLEN PARK — Jared Goff, like the rest of the Lions, is not in panic mode because they lost a game — and lost it badly — to the Ravens on Sunday.

The Lions are still 5-2, remain in first place in the NFC North and just have to get back on track against the Oakland Raiders (3-4) on Monday Night Football.

Some fans are quite agitated, but not Goff.

“It’s a rollercoaster outside of our building at times, for every team in the League. It’s no different for us, but in here, it’s pretty ‘steady Eddy’ and ready to respond this week,’’ Goff said on Thursday.

The quarterback said they will learn more about themselves on Monday night.

Five thoughts from Goff:

1. The Raiders defense has been solid in taking away chunk plays. There’s a reason for that. “I think they do a good job of rushing, obviously. We’ve talked about  Maxx (Crosby) a few times,’’ Goff said. “Obviously, him rushing the passer, as well as a few of their other guys that can rush the passer. And they’re good on the backend too, so they’re good at limiting that stuff. It’s going to be our job to try to find them in different ways and see if we can get more than other teams have.”

2. While most of the Lions didn’t play well in the loss, rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs stepped up and showed that he’s quickly maturing into a solid NFL running back.”He can catch the ball in the backfield, we can hand it to him, he can do all sorts of things. He’ll get another big workload this week I would imagine with David (Montgomery) still out. And yeah, it’ll be good,’’ Goff said. Goff said Gibbs is very smart, a quick learner and they’re excited to see him continue to grow.

3. Goff said he just has to keep working with WR Jameson Williams who was targeted six times against the Ravens, but didn’t make a catch and had at least two drops. “It’s so early in his career and his development. I just keep working, keep working with him, building that trust with him and getting on the same page,’’ Goff said. “He’s working his tail off at practice and has done a great job trying to get better every week and I expect to see his development continue.” Williams’ speed is his biggest asset and early on, Goff had to adjust for that speed when passing to him but the two are more comfortable now. “I think I’m past that now where I know his speed and we’ve got a good rapport in that way. But yeah, it’s just getting on the same page with everything and, again, it’s just so early in his career and his development that it’s just reps, it’s just reps, it’s just time and it’s a matter of time before everything starts to click for him in our offense.”

Lions Dan Campbell shoulders blame for loss to Ravens; promises team will be ready to face Raiders

It will be back to fundamentals in practice this week

ALLEN PARK — The disappointment of the 38-6 loss at Baltimore will motivate coach Dan Campbell and the Lions to be ready to face the Las Vegas Raiders on the upcoming Monday Night Football. On Monday, Campbell took 100 percent of the blame for not having the team prepared and promised they will be ready for the Raiders.

“I think what’s disappointing is, losing itself really stings, but the fact we were never even in that game that’s what burns. That’s the burn of it, that more than anything. You just want to know you’re in the fight and when you weren’t that’s a real bitter pill,’’ Campbell said at his Monday press conference.

The Lions were down 14-0 in the first quarter to the Ravens and 28-0 at the half. Detroit’s defense couldn’t handle quarterback Lamar Jackson and the offense could never get in a rhythm. 

“You see what it is, when you step back and you look at a number of performances that were very much sub-par across the board it’s not a coincidence. I did not do a good job of getting them ready. I did not,’’ Campbell said. 

“They did everything right over there, we did everything wrong. As good as they played on that side, which they earned that win, we certainly helped them and served it up on a platter for them,’’ the coach added.

Campbell said there’s a need to get back to fundamentals prior to facing the Raiders (3-4) who lost, 30-12, to the Bears on Sunday. He elaborated: “Our one-on-one work, our technique work, good-on-good, one-on-one pass rush, one-on-one man-to-man coverage, one-to-one getting open on routes, our releases, our handwork.

“You hope you got enough fundamentals through camp and you know what, you have to go back to it,’’ he said. “I know that’s where I can help with a little more intensity and urgency which I can deliver myself. I can help these guys, I know I can.’’

Every game is important because it’s the next but Campbell threw in another bit of caution on Monday.

“All I know is we’ve got to bounce back, that’s the most important thing. At the end of the day we’re 5-2, and where we’re going to have a problem is if we back it up with another loss,’’ Campbell said. “To me there’s a ton to learn off this tape for myself, to the coaches and for these players. But we’ve got to own it.’’

NOTES: Safety Kerby Joseph is out of concussion protocol after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit late in Sunday’s loss.. … RB Mohamed Ibrahim dislocated his hip in the game, was taken to Baltimore-area hospital where he was put under anesthesia to put it back in place. He was back at the Lions facility on Monday, but Campbell said he’s in pain and will not be able to play for a while.