Tag: Brad Holmes

Lions report for offseason workouts as defending division champs with higher expectations

ALLEN PARK — When the Lions reported for offseason workouts this week, it was as defending NFC North champs. While that’s something quite new, the goal remains the same.

They ended last season one win short of making it to the Super Bowl. Certainly that provides a different approach to the offseason.

“I think we all know what the goal is, it’s always been the goal. I don’t think it was not the goal last year,’’ quarterback Jared Goff said on Tuesday. “I think we got a chance to taste it last year so you get to see what it feels like but that’s the goal, and this year it’s absolutely the goal.’’

After winning two playoff games, ending a decades-long drought, many of the same players are back from a year ago. Expectations and standards will rise.

“Internally we’re going to do the same thing we’ve been doing: try to raise our internal expectations and standards. Even better, Dan (Campbell) put it great last year how much harder it’s going to be,’’ Goff said. “We know that it’s going to be harder, people are going to be gunning for us and it’s going to be at first to defend our division title that’s No. 1 and then see where we can go from there. Holding that trophy at the end of the year only one team gets to do it and that’s our goal.’’

Left tackle Taylor Decker, who has recovered from offseason foot/ankle surgery, said he couldn’t even watch the Super Bowl like he usually does.

“I think I watched a quarter, then I was disinterested. I felt like we matched up well with anybody we were going to play with. It definitely hurts and was a disappointment especially because as special of a year as it was to end and go home early,’’ Decker said on Tuesday.

“It was a bummer for sure, but stuff like that’s going to happen, you’re not going to win every single game in a blowout, I think we’ll be better for it and learn some things for it but I don’t think that’s going to define our approach,’’ Decker added.

The team is back for individual workouts this week with no coaching allowed. So they have not had a welcome-back speech from Campbell yet. So there’s been no outward talk about their goals, it’s mostly just understood.

“Obviously how the game ended was a disappointment for us especially because I think we showed throughout the season last year that we belonged in that position, it wasn’t a fluke,’’ Decker said. “They were a better team that day which was a disappointment for us. I don’t think that’s going to change our mindset or how we feel about ourselves that we came up short.. Moving forward we have bigger goals ahead of us, I don’t think that one moment is going to define how we move forward with our mindset and approach.’’

Tight end Brock Wright said they’ve been talking that the motto is “it takes more” and explains it as a holistic approach starting at the top with GM Brad Holmes and Campbell.

“So I think everybody will have to step up their game. (Last year) brings confidence, but I think everybody on our team should be confident knowing that we have the experience of being there and looking forward to carrying that over to next year,’’ Wright said.

One more thing: New Lions uniforms will be unveiled on Thursday night to season-ticket holders at Ford Field. Wright said he thinks they’re cool, but couldn’t share more info. Players are sworn to secrecy.

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Detroit Lions add edge rusher Marcus Davenport to help boost defense

He knew Dan Campbell while with the Saints

ALLEN PARK — Edge rusher Marcus Davenport knows Lions coach Dan Campbell from their days with the New Orleans Saints. It may be what helped to steer him in the direction of Detroit.

Davenport signed a one-year deal with the Lions this week that has a maximum value of $10.5 million with a base of $6.5 million.

He described his game as violent and physical.

“But that’s even something I want to change. I want to adapt, I want to learn. I was told recently that there’s a lot of young guys that can learn from me and my first thought was we’ve got a lot of guys I can learn from,’’ said Davenport who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round in 2018 and played there for the last five seasons. Last year he signed a one-year deal with the Vikings, but his season ended when he suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 6.

Davenport recalled a story about Campbell from the Covid era when he was elevated to interim coach while coach Sean Payton was ill.

“He gave a speech. I remember it was the first time in a long time somebody gave a speech and my heart was ‘Yeah! That’s what we’re doing!’ I just remember his energy. I don’t want to say not many people have the same kind of passion, but it takes someone that was there to actually understand,’’ Davenport said at a Thursday press conference. “To be able to see him in this position I’d like to be able to help with that.”

The speech?

“It wasn’t like biting knee caps, it was something along the lines that we have grit, that’s the message I took away. Grit, he was being serious,’’ said Davenport who is 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds.

While he knew Campbell, he did his due diligence to learn about Lions GM Brad Holmes.

“He told me something nice, it made me smile,’’ Davenport said. “He said, ‘I watched your games and we can tell you’re one of those guys that really appreciates the game and puts it out there. You’re a physical player.’ He even said in the limited games you played,’’ Davenport said. “After hearing that it helped me feel like I made the right decision. It’s always nice to have some belief especially when I haven’t been able to prove everybody right.’’

Davenport, 27, also knows linebacker Alex Anzalone, a leader on the Lions defense, from their days with the Saints.

“Yeah you know he’s an alpha now. He’s always been a good dude, I didn’t expect nothing less,’’ Davenport said. I’m just happy to see him running around making plays and getting excited.’’

Cornerback Carlton Davis III brings experience, Super Bowl ring to Detroit Lions

ALLEN PARK — Cornerback Carlton Davis III was shocked to learn the Tampa Bay Bucs had traded him to the Detroit Lions, but along with the surprise came excitement about coming to Detroit.

Davis said after digesting the news and talking it over with his family he’s all good and excited about making the change.

“When the trade happened I was shocked but there were two sides – excitement and shock. As the days go by, I feel more comfortable and I’m putting it in God’s hands,’’ Davis said at a press conference on Wednesday at the Lions facility shortly after the start of the NFL new year at 4 p.m.

To get the 27-year-old Davis, the Lions sent three draft picks to Tampa Bay – a third-round pick in 2024 (92nd overall), a sixth-round pick in 2024 (201 overall) and a sixth-round pick in 2025. Cornerback was definitely one of the needs for the Lions.

After the Bucs drafted him in the second round in 2018 out of Auburn, he spent six seasons with them which included a Super Bowl win over the Chiefs three years ago. He’ll bring to Detroit what he learned it takes to reach the top.

“You have to be able to weather the storm, be poised in all situations. Obviously, trust your teammates, camaraderie is huge. Everybody has to do their part in the system and be able to overcome obstacles because it’s never going to be a smooth ride, you’re never going to always have it your way,’’ Davis said. “Games can go either way, the momentum always changes. You have to be resilient which this team has shown many times … It’s the small details that eventually gets you to where you want to be at.’’

Davis and the Bucs faced the Lions twice last season so he’s a bit familiar with the team, although as a corner he was concentrating more on Detroit’s offense. (The Lions won both games, including the divisional round in the playoffs)

“Usually when you’re in a tough battle, a team at some point budges, when two teams are competing really hard. They never budged, they kept the same energy and played with the same physicality on every play,’’ Davis said. “So just being an opponent you recognize those things, you respect those qualities in a team, for sure.’’

It’s early in the process but Davis said he would be interested in signing a long-term deal with the Lions. But first he wants to get his feet wet. 

As for leadership, he has a basic philosophy: “Show first, talk later.”