Tag: Al-Quadin Muhammad

Lions DT Alim McNeill ready to go after 10 longs months off

Alim McNeill says he never has a dark day. He’s one of the more positive people you’ll ever meet.

So when the Detroit Lions defensive tackle, who has not played since he tore up his knee 10 months ago, says he’s positive he’ll be back at 100 percent on Monday night, there’s no reason to doubt him.

McNeill practiced for two weeks knowing he wouldn’t play, but this week the end result of all his hard work and therapy to get back on the field was in sight. He coudlnt be more excited. 

“One thousand percent, probably slept a little longer last night too trying to get more rest for the week,’’ McNeill said. “Ten thousand percent, I’m 100 percent locked in right now. Ready to go.’’

The Lions (4-2) are coming off a loss at Kansas City. They’re facing the Tampa Bay Bucs (5-1) featuring mobile quarterback Baker Mayfield.

McNeill’s return is perfect timing for his teammates.

“I know he can’t wait to be back and it’s going to be fun to watch,’’ defensive end Aidan Hutchinson said. “We’re playing beside each other on some reps, it’s going to be really good to have him back.’’

McNeill plans to pick up where he left off when his season ended on Dec. 15. Oddly enough, the Lions were wearing their black uniforms that day and they’ll be wearing them again on Monday night.

“Mac brings a lot to us. I feel like he’s going to bring a lot in the pass game because he is a guy we believe can win one-on-ones in the pass game,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “But also all that he can do in the run game. I mean he’s stout, he’s aggressive, he’s powerful. So, I just think he’s another player that can elevate those around him.’’

Campbell said he will help Hutchinson just like Hutchinson will help him. The coach expects him to boost D.J. Reader and Al-Quadin Muhammad too.

McNeill said he’s been watching the games and visualizing what he could do if he was playing.

“I see myself fitting in just fine, being explosive, getting off blocks, creating pressure on the quarterback, making plays in the backfield,’’ McNeill said. “So that’s all I’ve been envisioning and that’s the work I’ve been putting in toward being able to do that.’’

The Lions and Bucs have played each other five times since 2019 with the Lions winning two of those matchups including one in the playoffs. Detroit lost to the Bucs in Week 2 last year, 20-16.

“I would say it definitely helps with a familiar opponent that we’ve seen a couple times now,’’ McNeill said. “They still do a lot of the same tendencies, the same things, but it will be all fresh to me because I’m coming back in. Once I get my legs under me with two or three snaps I think I’ll be all right.’’

UP NEXT: Tampa Bay Bucs (5-1) at Lions (4-2), 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 20 at Ford Field)

Five things to watch as Lions, seeking 4th straight win, face the Bengals

Looking for their fourth straight win, the Lions are heavily favored against the Bengals at Cincinnati.

After a rough start at Green Bay in the opener, coach Dan Campbell loves the resiliency of the team.

“ We don’t get caught up in things that don’t relate to us or have any bearing on what we control, if you will. Man, our guys stay locked in on what it takes to win a game, and/or why you didn’t play well, and it really is as simple as that,’’ Campbell said, admitting it’s not an easy thing to do.

Critics, fans, social media — it’s all out there.

“So I think, man, that’s hard to do. But I think our guys are pretty locked in, pretty disciplined. They come in this building, and they barricade themselves in and they look at it for what it is, ‘The most important thing is what my teammates and what my coaches are saying, and this is where we have to get better and where I can get better,’’’ Campbell said. “And that small little – that one little step, that one little hand placement, man, the release. That makes all the difference, not the, ‘Are you good enough anymore?’ You don’t get caught up in all that. We have a very resilient bunch, and the core of our team is very strong, it’s very strong.”

The Lions (3-1)  are coming off a 34-10 win at Cleveland while the Bengals (2-2) were routed 28-3 at Denver last week.

Five things to watch:

ONE: The Lions defensive backs could have their hands full with Bengals’ wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Plus they’ll be juggling the lineup with D.J. Reed out for at least the next four games. “We know these two receivers are really good, they’re looking for those matchups, they feel if they can get a one-on-one that’s where the ball’s going and why wouldn’t it,’’ Campbell said. “We’re going to have to do a good job of disrupting those guys as much as we can and try to limit what they can do but also not let them tear us up in the run game.’’

TWO: After concentrating on details and more practice this week, it’s expected that Jared Goff and Jameson Williams will be back on the same page. “I think (Williams) bounced back right away because look at what he did after in the game. He continued to block his butt off during the game. We hit him on that one third-down play. So, he bounced back the next play, that’s what I think,’’ offensive coordinator John Morton said. “And then the way he practices, listen, there’s no problem with Jamo. And there’s going to be times where we’re going to ask him to step up and he’ll do it. We’ve got the utmost confidence in him. But I would say right to the next play and that’s what he did. I think that’s where he’s grown. Didn’t faze him, so.”

THREE: Aidan Hutchinson and the defensive line continue to dominate. Hutchinson has a sack in each of the last three games and four overall. He’s not out there alone. Edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad has stepped up big-time: “”I think we’re pretty safe to say that Muhammad is a guy opposite Hutch, not just another guy we’re throwing out there. But he’s been tremendous,’’ defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said. “I mean, you’ve literally seen Muhammad line up at the nose, the three, the edge, and hasn’t batted an eye. He’s gotten in the run game in there, it hasn’t just been pass rush. I’ve seen him drop a knee and anchor. I mean, just anything you’ve asked that guy to do. …. Head down, he’s been a grinder since day one ever since I’ve met him.”

FOUR:  Cincinnati’s 32nd ranked total offense will need to find a way to break through Detroit’s defense which is ranked 12th. Remember Joe Burrow is out with turf toe and Jake Browning is the starting QB. Browning has thrown three touchdowns and five interceptions in the first four games while being sacked seven times. ee

FIVE: Special teams have contributed big-time especially in Sunday’s win over the Browns when Kalif Raymond ran a punt back for a touchdown and Jake Bates kicked two field goals. With the rule changes, special teams have taken on a more important role this season. “I love the fact that special teams is having a bigger impact. It obviously makes our jobs more important, it makes our role more important, it makes really all the players playing those plays’ jobs more important. I think it helps everybody,’’ special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said. “I think I said in the offseason or training camp, the returner position’s going to be more important, both kick and punt. Kickoff return, you have to have two guys back there, you can’t just have one. So that makes that more important on the roster – how many guys you have, who they are. So I would say overall it’s outstanding. I love it. Puts more pressure on me too, but that’s why you do it, so it’s fun.”

PREDICTION: Lions 35, Bengals 10

UP NEXT: Lions at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12.