Tag: Halapoulivaati Vaitai

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.”

Lions Hank Fraley leans on experience dealing with rash of injuries

ALLEN PARK — Hank Fraley had a good story to tell about his offensive line group.

The Lions offensive line coach said when they came off the field after the first possession in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles, his focus was on right guard Logan Stenberg who was a first-time NFL starter, filling in for the injured Halipoulivaati Vaitai.

In that first series, Stenberg was whistled for back-to-back false starts.

His offensive line teammates had his back. 

“Logan jumped off twice, you can’t imagine how pissed off I was. We have to stay even keeled. We can’t go up, we can’t go down. If we do that as an O-line you’re going to fold. We get emotional and all that,’’ Fraley said on Wednesday.

“You’ve got to love the O-line when they’re coming off. I’m just eyeing Logan — and we scored so it was a little different — we were up 7-0. The vets running by me said, ‘Let him go.’ That’s what you have to love about the group. ‘That’s our guy, let him go.’ OK, (so I) just told him don’t let it happen again and he didn’t (for) the rest of the game. I would say they’re very close as a unit,’’ said the coach who was an NFL center for 11 seasons.

“It’s all about comfort. Once I settled down and got comfortable I played a really good game. I was excited to see that on film,’’ Stenberg said.

Fraley needs this group to remain close because while they’re preparing for just their second game, they’ve been dealing with injury woes.

Starting right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai underwent back surgery this week and it’s uncertain how many games he will miss. Fraley has texted with him since the surgery and said he’s in great spirits and told him he’ll be ready to go.

“I can’t wait for him. He’s great for the room too. He’s the big teddy bear in the room,’’ Fraley said. “Big V is the loose, childish kind of guy that we love in our room. Every O-line room needs one and that’s him. … It’s a big loss.’’

While center Frank Ragnow played every snap on Sunday he has been dealing with a sore groin. He sat out practice on Wednesday. It’s uncertain if he’ll be ready to go on Sunday against the Washington Commanders.

“(Frank) makes you proud, that’s what you want all your guys to do – across the team. Who knows what his percentage was, how healthy he was. He battled, he had a mistake here and there but he plays physical, he’s a leader, he wasn’t going to come out of the game,’’ Fraley said. “It was fun to see him battle through it. You want that in the middle, his leadership, his mind, his focus, his control.’’

Three other offensive linemen appeared on Wednesday’s practice report. Left tackle Taylor Decker (calf) and guard Tommy Kraemer (back) did not practice. Left guard Jonah Jackson (finger) had limited practice.

From Fraley’s comments, Stenberg will start again at right guard on Sunday against the Commanders. Fraley’s been there which gives him a better understanding of Stenberg’s situation.

In fact, in his first NFL start with the Eagles in 2001, Fraley fumbled the ball on the exchange to quarterback Donovan McNabb.

“Let’s see what he does from here. I take myself to my first start, there’s a lot I had to clean up,’’ Fraley said. “So he’ll clean it up and we’ll see it from there. I’m excited for him, he gets to write another chapter in his book, chapter 2, week 2.’’

(Commanders (1-0) at Lions (0-1) at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field. Game will air on FOX with Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma on the call and Shannon Spake on the sidelines.)