Tag: Graham Glasgow

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’ 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.”