Graham Glasgow – Page 2

Lions’ Penei Sewell blossomed as a leader last year and it continues

ALLEN PARK — While Penei Sewell is entering just his third season as the Detroit Lions’ right tackle, last year he took on a leadership role for the offensive line.

The 22-year-old is picking up where he left off as the Lions go through OTAs this week, with a mandatory minicamp on the schedule for next week.

It seems like a natural role for Sewell, a Pro Bowl alternate last season.

“As the season went along I kind of felt like my body was trying to say something. I didn’t know if it was to myself, a specific person or the whole team,’’ Sewell said on Thursday. “So actually one of the teammates came up to me and said, ‘Man you have to talk.’ It was really Jared (Goff). I kind of stepped into that role and let my heart speak and ran from there.’’

It started late last season and, while it was not the only reason the Lions made the turn-around to win eight of the last 10 games, it did not hurt.

Sewell said being more vocal starts in the locker room where he spends the most time with his teammates and they get away from football and learn about each other as human beings.

“I think it starts from there and everything after that it follows through,’’ Sewell said.

Other young guys, like wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, have also assumed leadership roles in their position groups.

“It’s kind of unspoken. Everyone has expectations for each other so we just come out here and work and let our hearts speak for ourselves. I’m not trying to force nothing I’m just trying to be me and I want everybody else to be themselves too,’’ Sewell said.

He said they are given the green light by coach Dan Campbell who tells them it’s their team and whoever wants to step up, should do just that.

It’s the circle of life in the NFL, veteran teach rookies who become leaders themselves.

Veteran guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai, 29, who didn’t play last season due to a back injury, thought about retiring but decided he wanted to play and mentor young guys like Sewell.

The young right tackle could not be happier about that decision.

“We joke around all the time but that’s damned near my uncle. For him to say that, appreciate you, love you man,’’ Sewell said. “I can’t wait to hopefully put the helmet and jersey on with him again because when we’re out there together it’s something special.’’

Vaitai should battle for the starting right guard spot with Graham Glasgow who re-signed with Detroit after spending the last three seasons with the Denver Broncos.

“Those are two funny human beings, the vibes are definitely upbeat, it’s very joyful in the room, never negative so that’s a positive,’’ Sewell said. “And it’s all love, we all have fun out there for sure.”

Detroit Lions camp: Kenny Wiggins on O-line competition, facing Mike Daniels

ALLEN PARK — Guard Kenny Wiggins, for one, is happy to have Mike Daniels as a newcomer on the Detroit Lions roster.

The Lions announced on Saturday that they have signed the veteran Pro Bowl defensive end who was released by the Green Bay Packers before camp.

Wiggins, who is battling for a starting role at guard, vividly remembers the first time he faced Daniels.

“My third start ever at Green Bay when I was with the Chargers. He gave me a little fit, we ran 93 plays that game, which is a lot, and a lot of them were passes,’’ Wiggins said. “That was fun. No sacks though.’’

Daniels will add to a formidable defensive line that includes Damon “Snacks” Harrison, A’Shawn Robinson, Trey Flowers, Da’Shawn Hand and Romeo Okwara.

Wiggins said they should have some good battles at camp between the offensive and defensive lines.

“It’s going to make us better, it’s only going to make the whole team better too,’’ Wiggins said. “I would say the games are won up front. Iron sharpens iron. So whoever comes out on top one day, the next day we’re going to get better, we’re going to come out and get better and be better as a total unit.’’

Wiggins started 10 games at right guard for the Lions last season when T.J. Lang was injured. With Frank Ragnow moved to center from left guard and Lang retired both guard spots are up for grabs in camp. Graham Glasgow and and Joe Dahl are also in the mix along with veteran Oday Aboushi.

“We have a lot of guys who have played a lot of football and all of us have great depth and that’s a good thing to have,’’ Wiggins said. “Whoever gets the nod — it’s up in the air right now so who knows — we’re just out here competing trying to get better.’’

Saturday was the third day of camp, but the first day in pads

“Once the pads come on that’s when camp starts for me, just out in pajamas before then,’’ Wiggins said. “This is camp now.”

Detroit Lions’ offensive line plays best game in win over Patriots

Run game exploded; Stafford sacked just once

ALLEN PARK — Without a smart and strong offensive line, the Lions run game was going nowhere this season.

The O-line played its best game early this season in the 26-10 win over the Patriots on Sunday night at Ford Field.

The Lions rushed for 159 yards and rookie Kerryon Johnson became the first Lions player to reach 100 yards in a game since Reggie Bush scampered for 117 yards on Nov. 28, 2013.

“That’s obviously a critical part of every football game, I think (the line) did a great job up front, definitely very difficult against that defense and the multiple looks they’ll give you,’’ coach Matt Patricia said on Monday. “They were spinning the dial pretty good last night with a couple different looks — four-man rushes, five-man looks, six-man looks and I think those guys did a great job up font of recognizing that stuff, getting on the same page, executing their blocks well. There were a couple plays they could have done better, but I thought we had good movement at the line of scrimmage which is most important.’’

(Photo courtesy of Detroit Lions)

Pro Football Focus’ analysis of the line: “(They) performed exceptionally well against New England. Not a single starting lineman graded below a 65 and three of them graded at 70 or better.’’

Ragnow, who allowed seven pressures the previous week to the 49ers, came back with a “dominant performance.” He didn’t allow a single pressure against the Patriots, per Pro Football Focus.

The Lions O-line features two first-round picks — Taylor Decker (2016) and Frank Ragnow, a rookie. Also center Graham Glasgow was a third-round pick in 2016.

Right guard T.J. Lang returned after missing the previous game with a back injury. Lang, who signed as a free agent in 2017, proved he’s still got something in the tank because the line was more effective with him than the previous week with Kenny Wiggins.

Right tackle Rick Wagner, who was also signed as a free agent in 2017, quietly had a good game.

Not only did they open lanes for the running backs, they also gave Matthew Stafford plenty of time in the pocket. It’s possible more time than he’s ever had consistently for four quarters. He was sacked just once.

Immediately after the game, Stafford couldn’t say enough about the line’s play.

Stafford has been sacked on just 2.2 percent of pass attempts (3/138) this season which is the best in the NFL. The league average is 6.6 percent, per Josh Norris of Rotoworld.