Levi Onwuzurike – Page 2

Five things to watch as Lions open season hosting Stafford, Rams

Intriguing matchups provide an extra bump to the NFL’s opening weekend. None more so than when the Detroit Lions host Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night football. The schedule makers were not fooling around by pairing up these teams.

The Lions ended the Rams playoff hopes when they beat them 24-23 in a wild card victory in January at Ford Field. It was loud, it was raucous and the Lions were just getting in playoff gear.

Sunday night’s game will feature teams that have tweaked their rosters and learned from last season.

“This to me is a better team than what we faced last year just looking at their personnel coming in. I feel like this is a better offensive line, I feel like this is a better D-line. I understand they lost (former Rams DL Aaron) Donald, but what I think they gain is youth and collectively, that front is – I’ve said it before, they’re young, they’re hungry, they’re high motor. They’re going to push us,’’ Lions coach Dan Campbell said.

“The backs, on top of Stafford being who he is and mastering this offense and the ability to really – I mean he’s kind of got everything at his disposal to do what he needs to. So, I just feel like it’s a – they’ve developed,’’ Campbell said.

However he knows what he’s got at his disposal too.

“I think they’re going to be a better team, but I feel like we’re better too. So, I feel like you’re getting two teams that are better. Now, this is game one, this is Week 1, but I feel like both of us have improved and we’re getting ready to head off here Sunday night,’’ Campbell said.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH:

1. Right out of the gate the Lions new-look secondary again will be challenged with Matthew Stafford throwing to the dynamic receiving duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacoa.

“They do the dirty work, they’re very much a part of the run game with the way that they block and insert and take on backers and safeties and everything, but then they play tough. They play tough in the pass game. They play fast. I think they’re physical, I think they attack the football, I think they’re hard to get down, run after catch, so the element of their game, it translates to this League,’’ Campbell said.

Lions rookie CB Terrion Arnold is ready to go. “He does not lack confidence, OK?’’ Campbell added. The secondary includes CB Carlton Davis III, DB Brian Branch and S Kerby Joseph along with CB Amik Robertson and rookie CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

2. Quarterback Jared Goff said he is not sure if he’ll ever experience the way the fans embraced him last year with the Jar-ed Goff chant. Here’s a hint, if the Lions continue their winning ways and take it a step farther to the Super Bowl, the chants may get even louder. “Just the organic feeling of that and how it all came together and that support obviously means the world to me and made me feel pretty good and obviously I’m happy to be here and continue to be their quarterback,’’ Goff said.

The quarterback had a stellar training camp and now can help get the Lions over the hump.

“A steady, reliable guy behind center who is going to do what we ask him to do. We take care of him, he’ll take care of the football. He’s going to move it, he’ll be efficient, he’ll be our captain,’’ Campbell said.

“So, we got that and through the years, these last three years, he’s just continued to grow and gotten better and gotten better, and honestly, I think he just wants more, and he continues to challenge himself and the more he does that, the more we load him up. The more we ask him to do, the more we put on his plate because he can handle it and he wants it. So, where he’s able to go, our offense is able to go. So, we ask him to do a lot, and we’re going to ask him to do a little bit more than he did last year because he can handle it. He’s proven that. He’s playing at a high level, and he also knows he doesn’t have to do this all on his own,” the coach added.

3. One major difference in facing the Rams this season is that DL Aaron Donald is retired.

“You needed to know where he was at, at all times, really on all downs. So, it was a constantly – you were shifting and motioning just for him, and you’re damn near doing it every play,’’ Campbell said. “Then, you’re trying to find a way to chip on one side and it’s really not for the tackle, it’s so the tackle can help the guard for him on Donald. But yes, it’s nice not to have to necessarily worry about him, but they’ve got – the guys they have over there are young and hungry, high motor, they have an influx of youth that’s pretty damn talented and there again, I think these guys go now. They got plenty up front, believe me. They’ve got plenty.”

4. Three of the Lions best young players — WR Jameson Williams, TE Sam LaPorta and RB Jahmyr Gibbs — have helped revolutionize the offense. Like the rest of the team, they are hungry and should have big contributions this season starting on Sunday night.

“All of them have grown. First of all, it starts with having guys that understand what you expect out of them and then what their role is in this offense and what we’re asking them to do,’’ Campbell said. “I think more importantly, any player that you have, it’s one thing to say, ‘This is what we need you to do, want you to do on this because this is your – this will be your throw. We think they’re going to play this coverage, you are No. 1 in the progression.’ That’s kind of easy, right? Because it’s, ‘Man, I’m getting this ball, so I’m attentive.’ But it’s the others where, you’re number three in the progression, you have to get to inside of the numbers, you have to get all the 15 yards. If you’re too fast on this, it’s those things, ‘Where do you really fit into the concept? What is your piece of the puzzle?’ And understand that.’’

Many of LaPorta’s catches last season came when he was the No. 2 or 3 in the progression.

“Now he had plenty where we got to where he was No. 1, but he had a ton of those and it’s because of attention to detail and understanding what we wanted and when we needed him when Goff had to get all the way through it, there he is,’’ Campbell said. “He’s open, he’s available. I think all those guys understanding that and growing in that have gotten better. It’s always going to be attention to detail and look, they’re attentive guys, they want it. We mentioned Jamo earlier about – he wants it. He’s receptive, he’s open to it, he takes the coaching, he tries to improve on it, and I would say all those guys are that way.”

5. The Lions definitely will have a homefield advantage for the nationally televised game. “It’s our job to continue to excite our fan base. I’ve said it before, they’re going to do their part, they’re going to do their part. As long as we handle our business, it’ll be a – this place for us, this city, that stadium, it will be home field advantage,’’ Campbell said. “It will, and not every team can say that in this League at their own place.”

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH: After all five had standout training camps, much is expected from WR Jameson Williams, DL Levi Onwuzurike, CB Terrion Arnold and EDGE Marcus Davenport. Undrafted rookie WR Isaiah Williams may not see much playing time, but keep an eye out for No. 83.

INJURY UPDATE: Lions — S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) is doubtful, DL D.J. Reader (quadricep) is questionable and S Loren Strickland (thumb) is out.

FEARLESS PREDICTION: Lions 27, Rams 21.

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.)

Lions: Alim McNeill’s 4-week absence opens door for others to step up

Onwuzurike, Buggs, Martin and Bohanna could see more action

ALLEN PARK — Lions coach Dan Campbell admits that losing defensive tackle Alim McNeill for four weeks is going to be tough, but the train moves on.

McNeill was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury on Tuesday. He is expected to return to the active roster in time for the playoffs.

The Lions have depth at the position, but not the experience or talent that McNeill brings to the field. He’s second to Aidan Hutchinson (5.5) in sacks with five and tied with Alex Anzalone with nine quarterback hits. Hutchinson has 16.

Levi Onwuzurike, Isaiah Buggs, rookie Brodric Martin and Quinton Bohanna are candidates to see more playing time.

“It’s a great opportunity for those guys, that’s all you can ask for. If you’re one of them you’re excited,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday. “(Mac) has been a reliable, steady, productive player for us, he’s really come into his own this year. He’s grown every year but this year he was big, he was a force for us. The guys have a lot of respect for him.’’

Campbell said it hurts but it’s the nature of the game to lose key players.

Onwuzurike has played in six games, but has been inactive for six including Sunday at New Orleans. Still Campbell said they are not disappointed in him. He missed the 2022 season with a back injury that required surgery, after playing all 16 games as a rookie in 2021.

“It’s been reps, some of these come down to the position itself between the bigs in the middle to OLB to hybrid. (John) Cominsky is kind of a hybrid. Romeo (Okwara) is a little bit in that nature. So we can’t overload in one position or another,’’ Campbell said.

“(Levi has) been the odd guy out, but he works his rear off and it’s really time on task. The more reps he gets the better he’s going to be. And he continues to grow. We’re not disappointed with him. We’re excited that he’s healthy and able to work and he is growing, he is getting better,’’ Campbell said.

Buggs, who has played in six games this season, is another who could step up. Campbell said he needs to be reliable, dependable, do his job and be consistent. He’s been inactive for three straight contests.

Quinton Bohanna has started the last two games and could see his snap counts increase.

Martin, a third-round draft pick, has played in just one game so far.

Veteran Ndamukong Suh remains unsigned, but it doesn’t appear he’s headed back to Detroit.

“Listen Brad (Holmes) has looked at all of it. We haven’t overlooked anybody. We’ve looked at everybody,’’ Campbell said. “At this moment we made the decision we felt was best for us.’’

The Lions signed 36-year-old nose tackle Tyson Alualu to the practice squad on Tuesday, but the coach said it will take a few weeks to see if he can contribute.

UP NEXT: Lions (9-3) at Bears (4-8), 1 p.m. on Sunday on Fox. The Lions beat the Bears, 31-26, in their first meeting, but Detroit had to make a huge fourth-quarter comeback to grab the W.