Tag: Brad Holmes

Lions GM: Hockenson would have been traded even with a 6-1 record

ALLEN PARK — Brad Holmes, the Lions general manager, insisted on Wednesday that he would have traded tight end T.J. Hockenson even if the Lions 1-6 record was reversed.

The 25-year-old Hockenson was traded to the Vikings for a second-round pick (2023) and a third-rounder (2024) on Tuesday, the NFL trade deadline day.

“This move was not reflective of our record. If our record was reversed and it made sense for us we would have still done it,’’ Holmes said during Wednesday’s practice “It wasn’t anything of that nature, it made sense for us and we’ll move forward with it.’’

Hockenson, a 2019 first-round pick, had 26 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns in the first seven games.

“I think that we’ve proven that our offense can score a lot of points, I’m sure he was a part of it. But the deal would have made sense, it was not based on record whatsoever,’’ Holmes reiterated. “I think it was a good deal for the future of our team and that’s my job, I’ve always got to have a laser focus on the current and also the future.’’

Holmes said this is not a sign that the team has given up on the season after losing five straight games.

“We’re working hard every single day to win as many games as possible. We’ve still got 10 games left and that’s what we’re working hard to do,’’ Holmes said. “Just because we’re in that phase of rebuilding doesn’t mean we can’t go out and work as hard as we can and win some games.’’

He said it is archaic thinking that trading in the division is a bad thing.

“When we make these kinds of decisions I’m totally at peace. T.J. is a good football player and the next time we play him he’ll still be a good football player, he’ll make a play or make some plays and score a touchdown or whatever he does. The camera will be in my face, I’ll look at it and wave,’’ Holmes said.

Hockenson is in the fourth year of his rookie deal. The Lions picked up his $4.9 million fifth-year option, putting him under contract through 2023. He is eligible for an extension.

Holmes said that many factors went into the trade decision and wo9rking on an extension for Hockenson was just one of them.

The GM also thanked Hockenson for his contributions to the team.

“I want to publicly express my appreciation for everything T.J. did for us. We’ve had a great relationship since I’ve been here. I wish him all the best, besides when we’re playing him, going forward,’’ Holmes said.

(Up next: Packers (3-5) at Lions (1-6) at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6)

Despite Lions’ slow start, Sheila Ford Hamp has confidence in the leadership

ALLEN PARK — This season’s 1-5 start is not at all what the Lions expected. That includes coach Dan Campbell and owner Sheila Ford Hamp.

While Campbell has chances to express his frustration each week, Hamp keeps communication lines open with the coach, but doesn’t talk to the media often. However she met with reporters before Wednesday’s practice to make things clear.

“We’ve got 11 more games to go, so I just don’t want everyone to push the panic button and give up the ship,” Hamp said, according to The Associated Press. “I think we’ve got the right people in place to pull this off, and I truly believe that. I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t.”

Before she spoke, Campbell reiterated his stance on the first six games.

“I’m not discouraged. I’m discouraged that we don’t have more than one win like anybody is, but I’m not discouraged like ‘I can’t believe it, we’re just not going anywhere.’ I just don’t believe that,’’ Campbell said. “I’m not going to make excuses, we should have more than one win but I’m not discouraged, we’re still making progress. We’re getting a good look at these guys on the roster.’’

Quarterback Jared Goff was happy to hear that Hamp has voiced her support through the media. “I’m very confident, we’ve got the right guys in place,’’ quarterback Jared Goff said.

In his second season as Lions coach, Campbell owns a 4-18-1 record. It appears his job is safe along with GM Brad Holmes.

Hamp, who was instrumental in the hiring of both, said that she believes in their leadership. 

Campbell’s predecessor, Matt Patricia, was fired after two and a half seasons with a 13-29-1 record

NOTES: Lions punter Jackf Fox, who signed a three-year extension this week that will pay him $3.775 million per season, said he still drives the car he had in college (a Toyota 4Runner) and has no plans to splurge on a new one. … Rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams, the second-round draft pick, has been rehabbing a torn ACL. Campbell said on Wednesday he expects Williams will see playing time this season but it will probably be at least another month. … Running back D’Andre Swift, who has missed the last three games, practiced on Wednesday. … WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was pulled from Sunday’s game and placed in concussion protocol, was wearing a red no-contact jersey at practice. 

(NEXT UP: Miami Dolphins (4-3) at Lions (1-5) at 1 p.m. on Sunday.)

Five reasons why Lions hit ‘rock bottom’ in 29-0 loss at New England

Nothing went right for the Detroit Lions in the 29-0 loss at the New England Patriots.

It was the worst overall showing so far this season and dropped them to 1-4. Detroit’s defense has been horrid every week and on Sunday the Patriots’ defense made sure the Lions offense was ineffective. The offense that had been averaging 35 points per game was nowhere to be found.

“To me it’s as bad as it gets, it’s the worst, this is where we’re at. Sometimes it’s going to get bad before it gets better. I believe we hit rock bottom, so now the only place to go is back up,’’ coach Dan Campbell told the media afterward. 

The Lions have a bye week before they get back in action at Dallas on Oct. 23.

“We’re going to get some guys back, I’m going to look at everything top to bottom which I have time to do for the bye,’’ Campbell said. “I’ve seen it too many times, I’ve been in this league too long as a player and coach. I’ve seen teams start out rocky and it’s doom and gloom and all of a sudden they win one and they win the next one and win the next one. I told them all they have to do is win the first one.’’

Five of the reasons the Lions lost:

1. Once again the Lions defense looked unprepared. And from the get-go, the offense looked out of sync too. “Our offense has been pretty steady, played pretty well and this was a day we didn’t do well. We really never got in a true rhythm, we couldn’t convert so we couldn’t stay on the field,’’ Campbell said. After the loss to the Seahawks a week ago, Campbell said he would take a deep dive into everything. The defense looked different – cornerback Amani Oruwariye was a healthy scratch – but they made rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe look pretty darned good. 

2. The Lions’ offensive line had been mostly effective in the first four games, but they could not control Matthew Judon who had two sacks and more pressures on Jared Goff. He beat Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell on the sacks. “Judon is a good player and we knew coming in, we did a significant amount of chipping and nudging to his side, but I didn’t necessarily feel like he wrecked the game,’’ Campbell said. “When things don’t go well in your protection, there are a number of reasons and it’s all encompassing between protection, it’s between the backs and the quarterback. But he’s a good player. I don’t feel like he wore our tackles out or anything like that. He’s a good player, we knew it coming in.’’  Logan Stenberg started at right guard which was a surprise since it seemed a healthy Evan Brown would be a better option. In the second half, Brown moved into the spot. 

3. Campbell had to be somewhat aggressive on fourth down because he has a new kicker and obviously does not have faith in him. The Lions were 0-for-6 on fourth-down attempts. So add the lost fumble by Goff and the interception thrown by Goff and they basically had eight  turnovers. That’s unconscionable. From those turnovers, the Pats scored 20 points.

4. Injuries on the secondary did play a role. Savion Smith, Will Harris, Jeff Okudah, DeShon Elliott and Ifeatu Melifonwu exited with injuries, although Elliott returned. Smith was taken off the field in an ambulance to a local hospital. The team reported that he had feeling in his extremities, but was being checked for a neck injury. It was a scary moment for both teams. No one appeared to be at fault. Also this secondary took a huge loss when it lost Tracy Walker to an Achilles two weeks ago. Perhaps some of those injured defensive backs will have time to recover during the bye week.

5. It’s kind of getting old, but the coaching staff gets much of the blame for this 1-4 start, although GM Brad Holmes deserves his share too. The manpower on defense was questionable from Day One. Campbell often says they have to improve on a daily basis. He sees things that we don’t. “As bad as it looks, I also know what we’re capable of. It’s hard to say that when you look at the score, but we got better defensively, we played better today than we’ve played. Is it good enough? No. But we did play better,’’ Campbell said. “And offensively we’re better than what we just put out there on tape. Yes, it’s bad. As a total team, 29-0 to this point in the season, it’s as bad as it’s gotten.’’

(Photo courtesy of Detroit Lions)

(Next up: Bye week, then the Lions play at the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 23.)