Scottie Montgomery – Page 5

Aside from grass stains, 5 things to watch as Lions face Packers at Lambeau

Lions coach Dan Campbell can’t wait to get to Lambeau Field on Sunday for a big divisional game with the Green Bay Packers (5-2) who have won four straight and his Lions (6-1) who have won five in a row.

“How exciting this is, to be able to play these types of games, these big-time games, environment, division game on the road, at a place that’s – it’s one of those things that God created, it’s where football began a little bit,’’ Campbell said.

“So anyway, we’re looking forward to this. We’ll be in the elements, which is great. This is like one of those – you hope for this. I think we’ll be all-white, so we’ll have the grass stains and everything rolling, man, it’s going to be good old football, the way it’s meant to be played. So, excited, great opponent, but our guys are fired up, man, they’re looking forward to this,’’ the coach added.

Rain is in the forecast for Green Bay which could add a little mud to the grass stains.

“ I think (rain) evens the playing ground across the board, really. It can neutralize rushers, it can neutralize speed, change of direction, but at the end of the day, here’s what you do know, whoever can get their feet in the ground and don’t slip, those are going to be your best players on Sunday in the elements, and we have some of those guys, a lot of them,’’ Campbell said. “So, we’re looking forward to it. Look, they play on that grass, they understand what it is, and it won’t be new to them either and they’ve got plenty of good players. So, I just think it’s great, it’s a throwback to football and it’s good.”

Five things to watch:

ONE: Packers quarterback Jordan Love is officially questionable with a groin injury that limited him in practice this week after injuring it last Sunday. He could be a gametime decision. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said he’s prepared whether Love plays or if Malik Willis gets his third start. “ We don’t know who’s going to play, but we will have a plan for both of those guys. And the offense is not just totally different offense for those guys, we just know what they both bring to the table,’’ Glenn said. “The only thing that you will see is probably more run oriented with Malik than Jordan, and we’ll have a plan for that.” Love is more interception prone — he has nine against 15 touchdowns — and has been picked off at least once in every game. Willis in a limited role has thrown three touchdowns and zero interceptions.

TWO: The Lions have given up an average of 148.5 rushing yards in each of the last two weeks. It doesn’t get easier trying to stop Packers RB Josh Jacobs. “lThere’s a tick-up on how they’re operating as far as the violence and the physical nature of the game because of who they have running the ball,’’ Glenn said. “So, it’s going to be a challenge for us and we have to do everything we can to make sure we stop that because if you let that happen, that’s not good for a defense to allow a team to run the ball and then be able to have the play-action passes that they have with these receivers that they have. So, we have to do a good job in that aspect.” Jacobs has been limited this week with an ankle injury.

THREE: Campbell said the game could come down to one mistake. The turnover battle will be key and the Lions and Packers are the top two NFL teams in takeaways. The Lions have 15 (four of them in the 52-14 win over the Titans), the Packers have 19. Detroit has the advantage in giveaways with only five on the season which is tied for fourth in the NFL. Goff has gone four straight games without an interception. The Packers have a dozen giveaways. Jordan Love has thrown nine interceptions with at least one in each game. Willis, in a limited role, has thrown three touchdowns and zero interceptions.

FOUR: The Lions have averaged an insane 43 points in the last four games. Can the offense be stopped? Bill Belichick doesn’t see that happening. He explained it to Jared Goff on the SiriusXM show “Let’s Go” this week. “Honestly it’s impossible, I think, for a defense to really stop your offense, there are too many weapons. The offensive line’s too good. Blitzing is not the answer. Not blitzing is not the answer. In playing you guys, to me it would just be hang on and try to create as many long drives and as many long situations as possible. But that’s hard because you have so many explosive players and you do such a good job at distributing the ball.” Jared Goff joined Belichick and Jim Gray on their Sirius XM show, “Let’s Go” this week.

FIVE: Resilience must be a part of the Lions’ GRIT equation. It’s a trait they seem to have in abundance. Aidan Hutchinson lost for the season? The defense finds a way to win and moves forward. Jameson Williams suspended again? The team scores seven touchdowns without him. Hutchinson is not the only key guy to be sidelined with injuries, there are plenty and the Lions keep winning. “I haven’t been a part of a team built this tough from top to bottom,’’ said Scottie Montgomery, assistant head coach/running backs.

LIONS INJURY UPDATE: DL Josh Paschal (illness), LB Malcolm Rodriguz (ankle) and DT Brodric Martin (knee) are out; DL Mekhi Wingo (ankle) and RB Sione Vaki (knee) are doubtful. Note: WR Jameson Williams is suspended for this game.

PACKERS INJURY UPDATE: S Evan Williams (hamstring) is out; C/G Josh Myers (wrist) is doubtful; QB Jordan Love (groin), RB Josh Jacobs (ankle) and CB Jaire Alexander (knee) are questionable.

PREDICTION: Lions 45, Packers 35

Alim McNeill latest Lion to earn extension, vows to continue working hard

Hutchinson update, new nickname for RBs, Branch honored

ALLEN PARK — Just when the Lions needed some good news after Aidan Hutchinson’s broken leg, they got it when defensive tackle Alim McNeill was signed to an extension through the 2028 season.

“I’m fired up for Mac, he earned that. He’s a pivotal piece here for us, he’s one of our pillars here,’’ coach Dan Campbell said on Wednesday. “We’re fired up for him. He’s playing at a high level and he’s going to have to continue.”

His new deal is worth $97 million with $55 million guaranteed, per ESPN.

McNeill had arguably his best game of the season with two sacks, seven pressures and four tackles in the 47-9 win at Dallas on Sunday.

“I wouldn’t say anything specific was clicking. No. 1, I was just getting off the ball. My main goal for that game was to get off the ball and everything else would solve itself,’’ McNeill said Wednesday. “So I would really say my get-off was clicking, I was able to get off, read plays and diagnose things quickly.’’

He feels the need to play that way every game especially with the long-term absence of Hutchinson.

“I feel I can do that, that’s what I do as a player when I’m locked in and honing on my keys. I do expect that from myself,’’ McNeill said. “That’s how we all feel, we’re going to have to step up in different areas and pick up slack in different areas that 97 had. Everybody 97 does a lot for us.’’

McNeill said he’s been focused on football so didn’t know the deal was close until his agents called and told him a few days ago. He hasn’t had time to celebrate and seems level-headed about the newfound riches. When asked how the deal would change his life, at first he just laughed.

“A lot. A full 360. As far as me, myself, it’s not going to change who I am, the person I am. I’m still going to come in here everyday and work like I did beforehand,’’ McNeill said.

Campbell said he kind of hates getting deals done in the season but he understands the timing.

“I mean it’s good but you’re trying to focus on football – they are, we are. Sometimes you start working on these and it takes a minute and bleeds into the season,’’ Campbell said. “It’s something we wanted to do. We wanted Mac around here long-term. I go back he’s one of the original, the original ‘21 (draft) class. He’s part of that core with (Amon-Ra) St. Brown and (Penei) Sewell and those guys.

“I’m glad we got that done, he earned it. Everybody loves Mac. It’s good to have Buttercup back,’’ said Campbell who came up with that nickname a few years ago.

McNeill was a third-round (72nd overall) draft pick by the LIons out of North Carolina State in 2021.

Scottie Montgomery, Lions running backs/assistant head coach, is from North Carolina too and remembers watching McNeill in high school play football and baseball.

“Sounds funny, fantastic baseball player. Fantastic. But a great football player as well. Really raised the right way if you talk to him you understand who he is, what type of person he is,’’ Montgomery said on Wednesday. “This is one of those stories if you do things the right way over and over again and you play at the Detroit Lions, you can see the people we’ve signed since January or February. This is the kind of place that takes care of its own.’’

Since April, the Lions have extended Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Jared Goff, Taylor Decker and David Montgomery.

NOTES:

— Edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson is back in Michigan following surgery on Sunday in Texas to repair his broken tibia and fibula. “I talked to him yesterday and look he’s doing good. He’s trying to process everything, it’s still pretty new so exactly what is this, where do I go, which you would expect he’s laying in a hospital room with his leg up,’’ Campbell said.

“He’s back – he doesn’t want to be a stranger, he talked about being back a little bit when it made sense, he knows he’s welcome here any time. We’d love to see him, the whole team would love to see him, he’s a huge part of what we are and we hate it for him.’’

His recovery is expected to be four to six months.

— Isaiah Thomas, a defensive lineman who will wear No. 35, was signed off the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad. “This move felt right for us, we liked him, we’re glad he’s here. He brings more competition,’’ Campbell said. “We get somebody else to look at, he’s part of the mix and the more competition you bring in the better you find out and those guys go after it a little bit. It doesn’t mean we’re done, it means that’s where we’re at.’’

— Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have landed on a nickname — Sonic and Knuckles after video game characters. “If you watch, David is a huge fan of cartoons, Disney channels and Sonic and Knuckles, the speed and brashness of Knuckles,’’ Montgomery said. “Of course I know about it because I have children. Sonic and Knuckles, it works well. I’m going to run with it.’’

— Lions safety Brian Branch was named NFC defensive player of the week for his effort in the 47-9 win at Dallas where he had two interceptions and a forced fumble. e

— Lost in the news of Hutchinson’s serious injury, was that defensive tackle Kyle Peko suffered a torn pec at Dallas and is out for the season. “Peko has been one of those kind of silent producers for us, does all of the dirty work,’’ Campbell said. “And he’s the one who frees up Alex (Anzalone) and Jack (Campbell) and Rodrigo (Malcolm Rodriguez) and those guys to make the plays they make. … We hate it for him. We’re going to miss him too.’’

UP NEXT: Lions (4-1) at Viking (5-0), 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, in the first divisional game for Detroit. The Vikings are 1-0 in NFC North after edging the Packers, 31-29, in Week 4.

Lions Jared Goff confident about resolving red zone issues, bouncing back with a win

ALLEN PARK — If the Lions are going to hop back on the winning track, they have to get the red zone issues fixed and do it before Sunday’s game at Arizona.

The Lions were 1 of 7 inside the 20-yard line in Sunday’s loss to the Buccaneers. No need to look further to figure out why they lost.

So far in two games they are 3 of 11 in the red zone.

Still quarterback Jared Goff is confident they will bounce back.

“That’s kind of what we’re built for, is responding, and we’ve got another really good team we’re playing again this week with Arizona,’’ Goff said Wednesday. “On the road, it’ll be a tough environment, it’ll be a tough game to win, but we’ll be geared up and ready.”

Coach Dan Campbell said it’s not on one player, it was an offensive issue.

“It’s a team effort out there. We didn’t finish the drives, we take pride in our red zone offense and, as an offense, we just didn’t get the job done,’’ offensive line coach Hank Fraley said on Wednesday. “That’s definitely a point of focus this week and really every week, it’s an offseason focus.’’

Goff said if they could pinpoint an issue they would’ve been able to fix it during the game.

“It was just they played well on defense, we didn’t play well enough on offense and got down there seven times, which I think was the most we’ve gotten down there since (offensive coordinator) Ben (Johnson)’s been calling plays, but ultimately we didn’t capitalize on it and they did a good job on defense,’’ Goff said.

Definitely credit the Bucs’ defense, but six failed attempts inside the 20 is just too much. From the 20 to the 20 the Lions’ offense moved the ball with 463 yards of total offense (compared to Tampa’s 216 yards) and Jared Goff threw for 324 yards. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs (84 yards) and David Montgomery combined for 119 rushing yards.

“It felt like there was some consistency and movement of the football, then when we got to the red zone and for one reason or another – it could’ve been one person or one thing not going the right way. There were a couple of runs I’d like to have back,’’ Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery said. “There were little things we see that collectively you can’t have happen. That’s what we’re focused on now moving forward.’’

While he said there are a few things they know they can do better, it wouldn’t offer specifics.

Fraley could be speaking for the whole offense when he said, “It’s disappointing because when we go down there we expect we’re getting 7. That’s our mindset and worst case scenario 3.’’

INJURY UPDATE: DL Marcus Davenport (groin), who didn’t play Sunday, was back at practice on Wednesday. … Missing from practice during the portion open to the media were: LB Alex Anzalone (concussion), S Ifeaut Melifonwu (ankle), CB Terrion Arnold (finger), CB Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring), LG Graham Glasgow (knee). S Kerby Joseph (back) and WR Isaiah Williams (abdomen) were limited in practice..

UP NEXT: Lions (1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-1), 4:25 p.m. on Sunday. Airs on FOX and 97.1 The Ticket.