Tag: D.J. Reader

Detroit Lions Alim McNeill expected to contribute more, maybe even as a fullback

ALLEN PARK — Alim McNeill, Detroit Lions defensive lineman, did not hesitate to answer what he sees for this team starting in September.

“Perfect season. We won the Super Bowl, celebrating here in Detroit in the city, that’s what I see when I close my eyes, when I go to work out, when I go run, when I’m at practice working on different moves,’’ McNeill said on Thursday. “That’s what we are all thinking about, that’s what I’m thinking about. Everybody has the same attitude here, we just want to win. Whatever we can do to win.’’

The Lions are coming off a loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. It’s over, no time for wondering what if. It’s full-speed ahead.

McNeill’s visionary words have to be music to the ears of coach Dan Campbell whose message to the team on the last day of the three-day mandatory minicamp was to remember what they are playing for.

“Each individual, what do you want out of this year? What do you want to look like when we’re sitting here and it’s February? Where is your mind? Think about that and let’s work backward from there, that’s the message,’’ Campbell said.

The coach was asked what he wants: “You know what I want, I want the whole enchilada.’’ 

McNeill, entering his fourth season, is expected to play a major role on the defensive line, lining up next to veteran D.J. Reader who will be in his first season in Detroit.

“In my head it looks like destruction. There’s no other way I can see it, everytime I close my eyes and visualize I just see destruction,’’ McNeill said. “I’ve been watching D.J. since I was younger.’’

Reader isn’t able to practice due to a injury but is expected to possibly be ready for training camp. Still, he is making a difference. In fact, McNeill said it’s a thousand percent better with him on the sidelines, giving suggestions.

Campbell has big expectations for McNeill.

“Mac has so much ability and the way that he is built and the nimbleness and athleticism and power that he has for the way he is, for the way he’s built. You don’t see that every day,’’ Campbell said. “We still feel like there’s more in there. He really took a big step last year. We feel like there’s more in there.’’

Campbell said Terrell Williams, the new defensive line coach, said he’s always liked McNeill but things they can get even more out of them.

Curiously, they might find a bit of a role on offense for the 6-foot-2, 315-pound lineman.

Campbell has mentioned to the media that McNeill could be an option as a fullback, but he and McNeill have not talked about it.

“It’s nothing firm. I have no clue. I hope it is,’’ said McNeill who didn’t play D-line until college. In high school he was a linebacker and running back. In his senior year he had 20 carries for 63 yards and eight touchdowns. Eight.

 Does he miss carrying the ball?

“I still got that, I’ll never lose that,’’ McNeill said.

Stay tuned.

(Up next: Thursday was the last day of spring work for the veterans. They’ll return for the start of training camp. The rookies will practice next week.)

Healthy Detroit Lions DL Levi Onwuzurike adds weight, reaps praise from Dan Campbell

ALLEN PARK —  Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell hesitates to heap too much praise on any of his guys since they are not wearing pads or as he says it, they’re in pajamas.

Still on Wednesday, the second day of Lions mandatory minicamp, the coach praised defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike using a few words of caution.

“I just want to be careful because we’re not in pads, I want to reiterate that. But Levi is having a really good spring, (Josh) Pachal is too,’’ Campbell said. “But Levi, because of where he’s come from and all he’s had to deal with, this guy he’s continued to rehab, he’s continued to train his body. He’s put on weight because his back can handle it now. He’s having a really good spring.’’

Onwuzurike appreciates the message but he too knows that the real time for evaluation for defensive linemen is when the pads are on.

“I feel like he said there’s no pads so take it with a grain of salt. I’ve done what I worked out in the offseason to do,’’ Onwuzurike said. “I’ve made my place. I think I could’ve done better, 100 percent for sure could’ve done better,  but once again we’re not in pads so you can’t really review this.’’

Onwuzurike, the 2021 second-round pick who played 10 regular season and three playoff games in 2023, was coming off missing the whole of 2022 because of a back injury.

“All last year, for the most part, I wasn;t necessarily thinking about it last year but still had limits, you know what I’m saying,’’ Onwuzurike said. “Toward the playoffs is when I really started feeling good.’’

The coaches had asked him to gain weight in the offseason and through a diet heavy on steak, chicken breast and salmon, he did just that. He said he’s about 300 now where last year he played between 280 and 285 pounds.

The difference is his back can handle the extra pounds now.

“It limits you, your back separates your lower body and upper body. The best way I can explain it is that everything is moving together as one. Speed to power, my whole body feels like all one, all together,’’ Onwuzurike said.

He’s adding versatility to his playbook, seeing some time at edge in minicamp.

“You want to take all those opportunities you can, the more you can play, the more spots you can play, the more you’ll get out there,’’ Onwuzurike said. “I played (edge) in high school so I’ve kinda got it in my system.’’

He said he’s getting tip from Aidan Hutchinson, who excels on the edge, and veteran D.J. Reader who mostly plays at nose tackle.

“Whenever (Reader) is on the side and we come off, he gives us little pieces of advice. … Kind of take his word and take it out on the field,’’ Onwuzurike said.

After missing all of his second season in 2022  with that back issue, Onwuzurike is displaying that he’s 100 percent back during this minicamp.

“It’s good to see he’s put on weight which we talked about doing, he’s able to hold that weight, he’s strong, he’s explosive, he’s banking good reps right now,’’ Campbell said.

(Next up: The Lions wrap up the mandatory three-day minicamp on Thursday. Then the veterans will be done until training camp. The rookies are scheduled for practices next week.)

Detroit Lions bolster defensive line signing free agent D.J. Reader

ALLEN PARK — Veteran defensive tackle D.J. Reader has agreed to a two-year deal with the Detroit Lions which is worth up to $27.5 million.

“The energy as soon as I got here today was amazing. I was super happy, saw some familiar faces, that was a really good feel. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be,’’ Reader said during a Thursday night press conference.

Reader, who turns 30 in July, was on the radar visited the Lions on Thursday. He fills a huge need on the defensive line, a point of emphasis for the offseason needs. 

“The physicality of it, that’s the best part, the best part (of the defensive line),’’ Reader said.

It’s expected he’ll play alongside Alim McNeil forming a powerhouse duo. 

“I’m super excited, he’s a young player who has a lot of talent. He’s also a Carolina guy, I’m super happy about that. I love the guys from Carolina. I feel we have the best athletes in the country, you can quote that one. I’m excited to pair with him, seeing things he does well, I watch him all the time on film. I’m excited to pick his brain about what he likes about the position,’’ Readed said.

Reader, whose nickname is BBQ, spent the last four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and helped them reach two straight AFC Championships and Super Bowl LVI. 

“Things happen, sometimes things don’t work out in a relationship and you have to move on. The Lions are a better opportunity and I’m really, really excited about it,’’ Reader said.

Last season he played and started in 14 games last season with one sack, 34 tackles, a pass defense and a fumble recovery. He missed the end of the season after tearing a quad tendon.

He said while rehab is not a walk in the park, it’s coming along and expects to be ready to start the season.

The 6-foot-3, 335-pound defensive tackle was a fifth-round draft pick out of Clemson in 2016 by the Houston Texans and spent his first four seasons there before moving to Cincinnati.

He’s the fourth key defensive addition this offseason including two cornerbacks, Carlton Davis III and Amik Robertson; and edge rusher Marcus Davenport.