Detroit Lions – Page 23

Lions Dan Campbell on Frank Ragnow: He’ll be missed but the train rolls on

ALLEN PARK — Coach Dan Campbell choked up a bit addressing the retirement of veteran Lions center Frank Ragnow..

“Frank’s been an unbelievable teammate, football player, man of the community,’’ Campbell said at his Thursday press conference prior to the final session of OTAs.

Ragnow, 29, announced earlier this week that he has decided to retire.

“He’ll be missed, but the train rolls on. And it’s the next man up. So we will be ready to go when camp hits. We will be ready to go. We have plenty of versatility there, we like the guys we drafted, we like our free agents that we brought in, the young guys Kingsley being one of those guys among others,’’ Campbell said.

Ragnow, 29, was a first-round draft pick by the Lions in 2018 starting16 games as a rookie. In seven years he started 96 games, missing significant time in 2021.

“I’ve got all the respect for Frank Ragnow, I love him to death. Quite frankly some of this stuff about contract talk is disrespectful, that’s not what this was about,’’ Campbell said. “Love you Frank, appreciate you.’

The coach said he was aware Ragnow was contemplating his future.

“We did our best to give him his space and let him sort it out which he did,’’ Campbell said. “It was kind of one of those, you’re going to come to a decision at some point here, we’d certainly like it before the offseason is out. He did and it was time.

“Listen, whenever you know it’s your time, it is the right time because it’s not fair to him and it’s not fair to his teammates or anybody else,’’ Campbell said. “I respect the hell out of him for the decision, it’s not easy to do. But he knows himself, I’ll always respect that.’’

It was a surprising announcement in one way because Ragnow had one of his best seasons in 2024 and seemed as healthy as he had been in a long time.

“You’re like, he’s in his prime right now. But if you’re him you have to remember the amount of time and work and details spent on taking care of his body – the rehab that goes into it before he even trains – you’re talking hours and hours,’’ the coach said.

Ragnow is the second starting offensive lineman to leave this offseason. The Lions lost right guard Kevin Zeitler to free agency.

Campbell is confident in the options they have to quickly get up to speed on the line.

“That’s why Hank Fraley is the coach in that room. He’s done a helluva job developing talent. He’s going to get these guys right, whoever it is,’’ Campbell said.

Possibilities include rookies Miles Frazier and Tate Ratledge (second round pick) and Miles Frazier (fifth round). Campbell also mentioned Equakon Kingsley who joined the team as an undrafted free agent center following the 2024 draft.

Graham Glasgow, who started 16 games at left guard last season, has the flexibility to play guard or center. He started all games at center in 2018 and started at center and right guard in 2022.

“We’re going to have options, that’s why we’re excited about training camp. We’re going to find this out, we’re going to let these guys go at it,’’ Campbell said. “We just signed Trystan Colon, there’s another option. Don’t know a lot about him because he just got here. We’re going to have plenty. We still have (Kayode Awosika) here. We’ve got guys.’’

Lions Jameson Williams ready for a bigger role entering his 4th season

Big change in number for Jamo who is now No. 1

ALLEN PARK — After Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams took a huge leap from 2023 to the 2024 season, the obvious question is what is next for the speedster.

Williams finished last season with 58 catches for 1,001 yards with seven receiving and one rushing touchdown. In 2023, he finished with just 354 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns.

His speed was on display on Friday during the team’s third session of Organized Team Activities. More is expected of him this season.

“I guess going into Year 4 you know I’ve got a little pep in my step, becoming a vet, moving over from the rookie stage,’’ Williams said. “I’m just ready to play more football and be more consistent for my team.’’

Coach Dan Campbell has noticed a difference in him this spring.

“Oh, my God, he’s got a ton of growth left. And you know, he’s listening, he’s had a good spring, and it’s another one – I don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves in OTAs, but I mean there’s so much versatility with him,’’ Campbell said on Friday. “There are so many things that we can do just with his routes on the outside. I mean, we can do things inside, but just with his speed, and he’s gotten so much stronger. His ability to stop, put his foot in the ground. Man, when you can run like you can run, and now you’re beginning to – where man, you can stop on a dime, I mean, you talk about a hard cover.’’

Campbell said the sky’s the limit for Williams who changed his number from 9 to No. 1.

“He’s exactly where we want him to be right now at this point, man. He’s been here, he’s grinding, he’s getting better. (Lions wide receivers coach) Scottie’s (Montgomery) freaking grinding him, it’s awesome,’’ Campbell said. “But we expect him to have a huge season. We really do, man. He’s going to be one of those guys that we’re going to lean on this year, and it is really going to be big for us. And all he’s got to do is just keep working like he’s working and, and we’ll be good.”

Williams, who is 24, said he worked on building his strength after consulting with others but basically he said he feels the same, noting that he has gained about 5 pounds.

“Ever since I was small I’ve been into working hard as a kid. I always had the mindset to just go out there and be the best, work the hardest. My dad always texts me ‘outwork everybody no matter who it is, outwork everybody,’’’ Williams said.

Quarterback Jared Goff has noticed a difference too.

He’s already made (the next step), it’s been awesome to see. He’s done a helluva job – continue to do what he’s done, just get more consistent,’’ Goff said. “He’s working hard, he’s being a leader now. It’s fun to see him grow into that and show guys how he wants to do things. He’s talked to me a ton, it’s fun.’’

Williams feels good about his new role as a leader.

“The young guys come to me about a lot of stuff and I actually feel good because I know what they’re asking me,’’ Williams said. When I was at their stage I had guys I could go to and they helped me with things.’’

Lions Dan Campbell cherishes a good challenge; calls schedule the ‘right kind of brutal’

ALLEN PARK — With the OTAs this week, the Detroit Lions are taking the next step toward the start of the season in September.

Coach Dan Campbell sees a few challenges ahead. One of them is the schedule which he calls “the right kind of brutal.”

While outsiders may look at the Lions’ game schedule and think maybe the team is headed for a season of disappointment, that is not the way Campbell sees it at all.

“I love the schedule we have this year, this is the type of schedule that builds you for the postseason. We’re going to get tested early and often and all year long and it’s freakin’ awesome. It’s really how you want it,’’ Campbell said on Friday prior to the on-field work. “We’ll be ready to go when the time is right.’’

That’s because his message, as usual, is there is no room for complacency.

“We’ve gotten to where we’ve gotten because we haven’t been complacent and we have gone and put the work in again and done all the little things you have to do to win games and win the division again. We have to do that all over again,’’ the coach said.

He said the challenge is why he loved this game and why the NFL is the best.
“Not only (games) here at home, our own division, go on the road, it’s awesome. To me, by the end of the year we ought to be scarred up, scarred up and ready to, hardened for battle and ready for the playoffs,’’ Campbell said. “There’ll be nothing easy about it. Just to get through our own division is going to be brutal, but it’s the right kind of brutal.”

Another challenge is that he is working with two new coordinators – John Morton on offense and Kelvin Sheppard on defense. Plus new personnel and a few in new positions.

“We’ve got offensively and defensively staffwise either new coaches or in new positions or first time having the room — that’s 14 guys, that’s a lot,’’ Campbell said.

He’s got to get everyone on the same page by making sure the coordinators want what they want and they also know what Campbell wants.

“This is the best time to do that, we’re working through the kinks which is awesome,’’ Campbell “It’s only been two days but it’s been really good. Guys are in a good spot, good energy, thorough has been awesome.’’