Uncategorized – Page 60

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs welcomed to Detroit; says his versatility is key

ALLEN PARK — Jahmyr Gibbs was welcomed to Detroit by a couple of Hall of Famers, Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson.

Gibbs, the Detroit Lions first pick in the draft at 12th overall, was flown to Detroit on Friday to get a look at his new home.

Quiet and understated, he stood at the podium and fielded questions with short answers.

Again he said he was shocked that he was drafted at 12th, because he’s a running back he expected to go later. But, said he’s happy to become a Lion and thinks he’ll be a good fit.

“I can see myself making plays,’’ Gibbs said.

He’ll join David Montgomery and D’Andre Swift in the running backs room. Gibbs is a plug-and-play back who is expected to have an immediate impact. Lions GM Brad Holmes said Swift is still on the roster although there has been speculation about a possible trade.

Gibbs noted his versatility with the ability to catch passes and return kicks.

Last season at Alabama he carried 151 times for 926 yards (6.1 yards per carry) and seven rushing touchdowns. He also caught 44 passes for 444 yards and three passing TDs. He was a transfer from Georgia Tech where he played his first two college seasons.

Gibbs grew up in Dalton, Ga., and was raised by a single grandmother. At one point in 2010 they were living in a shelter. It was a tough life at times, he often would stay at the homes of high school teammates. It’s been a long and winding road to Detroit.

When asked about his early struggles, Gibbs said, “I would say I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Detroit Lions draft RB Jahmyr Gibbs and LB Jack Campbell in 1st round

ALLEN PARK — Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is headed to Detroit after being selected by the Lions with the 12th overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night in Kansas City. With the 18th pick, the Lions bolstered the defense drafting linebacker Jack Campbell.

“We couldn’t be more excited with two impact players on both sides of the ball,” Lions GM Brad Holmes said following the first round. “… We find players that fit us and what we’re about. That talent is one thing, but these players fit us.”

After cornerback Devon Witherspoon was selected in the fifth spot by Seattle, the Lions made a trade with Arizona giving them the sixth and 81st picks in return for the 12th, 34th and 168th picks. Witherspoon was speculated as a possible pick for the Lions with the sixth pick in several mock drafts.

Gibbs, who is 5-foot-9 and 199 pounds, played at Alabama and is expected to be a good fit with veteran running back David Montgomery who was signed as a free agent. Jamaal Williams signed with the Saints.

Gibbs said he didn’t expect to get drafted as high because typically running backs have fallen in recent drafts. He was expecting to drop to the 20s. He’s the highest running back pick for Detroit since Barry Sanders in 1989.

“It was pretty shocking to me, but I’m thankful for the city of Detroit,” Gibbs said in a Zoom interview from Kansas City. “I think it’s a great fit for me.”

Gibbs played with Lions’ wide receiver Jameson Williams at Alabama. “We can both make explosive plays in the pass game and the run game, for sure,” Gibbs said.

Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery called Gibbs “a fantastic young man” and repeatedly said he liked his character. He also said Gibbs was the best space player in the draft.

“He not only checks all the boxes, he’s been phenomenal throughout the process,” Montgomery said. He also noted that Gibbs has been coached really well at Alabama.

Gibbs ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

Campbell, who is 6-foot-5 and 249 pounds, played at Iowa. He had a formal interview with the Lions at the NFL Combine and was impressed with them especially coach Dan Campbell. The admiration was mutual.

“I’m excited to step foot in there and be the best version of Jack Campbell I can be every single day,” Jack Campbell said in a Zoom interview on Thursday night from his home in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

“I just feel I’m going to bring Jack Campbell. … I’m a humble guy, ready to learn,” Campbell added.”I’m super appreciative for the opportunity.”

“It’s only about football (in Detroit) and football is all that matters,” said Jack Campbell sounding very much like Dan Campbell.

Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard said that Jack Campbell’s passion makes him an obvious fit for the Lions and the culture coach Dan Campbell has created.

“The athlete, I think everybody sees that … it speaks for itself, it’s exceptional what this player can do at his size,” Sheppard said. “But for me it’s really the thing that jumps him above come other guys is his passion for the game. The way it drives him – he sees it, he speaks it, he lives it. He’s not one of these guys when things are good he’s up, he’s up all of the time because he loves it.”

That passion is a key ingredient for anyone on Dan Campbell’s roster.

“He is a Detroit guy. He is a Dan Campbell guy. He’s a culture fit immediately,” Sheppard said of Jack Campbell who was a captain at Iowa.

Like the other linebackers, Campbell will cross-train at all three positions.

“We were very high on this guy, as a position coach, as well as the total defense,” Sheppard said.

It’s unusual in recent drafts to select a running back — and even a linebacker — so early in the first round. Any criticism rolls off Holmes’ shoulders.

“Frankly, we don’t care. We feel really confident about the work we put in and what those guys are going to do on the field. And I’m not saying in two years, three years. We believe these guys are ready to go right now,” Holmes said.

After the trade of the sixth pick, the Lions have five picks (12th, 18th, 34th, 48th and 55th) in the top 55. They have three picks in the second round on Friday and, at this point, have none in the third. Friday’s action starts at 7 p.m.

Lions WR Jameson Williams suspended 6 games; Moore, Cephus cut due to gambling violations

Lions wide receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill have been suspended for six games by the NFL for gambling policy violations including betting from an NFL facility on non-NFL games.

The announcement was made on Friday morning by the team which also released wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore. Both were suspended indefinitely by the NFL earlier Friday for violating the league’s gambling policy, including betting on NFL games.

Both Berryhill and Williams can participate in off-season and pre-season activities leading up to their suspension, which will begin on the final roster cut-down date.

“As a result of an NFL investigation, it came to our attention that a few of our players had violated the league’s gambling policy,” Lions GM Brad Holmes said. “These players exhibited decision-making that is not consistent with our organizational values and violates league rules. We have made the decision to part ways with Quintez and C.J. immediately. We are disappointed by the decision-making demonstrated by Stanley and Jameson and will work with both players to ensure they understand the severity of these violations and have clarity on the league rules moving forward.”

Jameson, who was a first-round pick in 2022, played in six games (one reception, nine targets) last season after rehabbing from an ACL knee injury that he had incurred before the draft. Holmes said on Thursday they drafted him with the vision of him making contributions starting this season.

Berryhill spent most of last season on the Lions’ practice squad.

C.J. Moore, who has played for the Lions for four seasons, signed a two-year extension in March.

Cephus played in four games (two catches, one touchdown) last season which was his third with the Lions.

(Coming up: The NFL draft starts Thursday and runs through Saturday. The Lions have nine picks, including two in the first round.)