Tag: Taylor Decker

Lions rookies make standout plays in workouts against Giants

RB Jahmyr Gibbs displays his bursts of speed

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions’ two joint practices with the N.Y. Giants this week provide quality reps against an actual opponent. While valuable for veterans, the work may be more beneficial for the rookies and younger players.

Many of the Lions’ young players stood out on the first day of work on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs impressed with a pair of touchdowns — the first to the right, the second to the left.

“You guys have all seen, he’s got big bursts. He can get to the second level and make the guy miss and get to the third level and maybe hit a home run,’’ left tackle Taylor Decker said. “It’s nice to have a yin and yang at the running position, not to say David (Montgomery) can’t change speed at the second level. 

Decker said based on what he’s seen Gibbs will be used  in the pass game and screens. 

“He’s definitely got a unique skill set. He’s going to be a good player,’’ Decker said.

Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta continued with a solid day on Wednesday with a touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone in team drills.

Rookie WR Dylan Drummond, the undrafted free agent from Eastern Michigan, continued to make the case that he belongs on the roster. 

“It was good to see (everyone) and I think ultimately that’s what you want — you want to see growth,’’ coach Dan Campbell said prior to Wednesday’s practice. “There again you’re not looking for these massive jumps, you just want to know with a different level of competition and everything goes up and they continue to grow and take another step up. I felt that with some of our young guys which is encouraging.’’

He reeled off five rookies that made an impression on him Tuesday. The list started with LaPorta and included Gibbs, Drummond, defensive back Brian Branch and cornerback Starling Thomas. Of the five, Thomas is also an undrafted free agent.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys, I feel like are growing,’’ Campbell said.

The Lions face the Giants in the preseason opener at 7 p.m. on Friday at Ford Field. Next week the Jacksonville Jaguars will be at the LIons’ facility for joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday.

NOTES: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer attended Wednesday’s practice. She was wearing a Lions’ shirt. … The Lions signed RB Devine Ozigbo and waived WR Avery Davis. … WR Denzel Mims returned to practice.

Lions right tackle Penei Sewell continues to impress Dan Campbell

Third-year starter says he wants it all

ALLEN PARK — Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell has left zero doubt about how he feels about right tackle Penei Sewell.

“Look, I can’t say enough great things about Sewell I mean he’s – there’s a reason why he was the first pick we had two years ago because we wanted to build around a guy like him. He’s our foundation,’’ Campbell said on Friday. 

OK, those are big words. But he wasn’t done.

“He’s one of those pillars that we talk about. But I mean he is something else. He’s a man on a mission. I feel like we’re a team on a mission, but he is a man on a mission and you talk about being wired right, a guy that comes in every day, puts in the work and he’s got so much ability, but he’s got the right attitude too and I think that’s what makes him dangerous if you’re the opponent, so he’s right where he needs to be,’’ Campbell said. 

 On the first day in pads Friday, Sewell continued his stellar play. 

When told about Campbell’s complimentary words, he said: “I set high goals for me, I have high expectations for myself. He knows that, the team knows that and I just try to work at that each and every day,’’ Sewell said. “Everyone knows the everyday battles of coming out here putting the pads on, putting the helmet on, but you’ve got to put that behind you because there’s a bigger purpose than myself which is the team.’’

It’s sometimes said in the NFL the biggest “ability” is availability. Sewell is good there too. He hasn’t missed a start in his first two seasons with the Lions playing 16 games in 2021 and 17 games in 2022. Last season he even caught a touchdown pass.

Sewell was one of four Lions on offense to be named to the Pro Bowl last season and is considered one of the top right tackles in the NFL.

He’s been on an upward trajectory since he was drafted in the first round (seventh overall) in 2021 out of Oregon.

“The moment I got that call to come into this building. I knew that I got to bring myself into this building knowing I’m something different. And believe that God blessed me with different gifts than anybody else,’’ Sewell said.

It wasn’t easy at first, like any rookie he had to make the adjustment to the NFL.

“There were definitely training wheels without a doubt. … For the most part when it comes to the team aspect I feel like I fit in with the group of guys here. There was some training wheels with techniquewise and everyday consistency,’’ Sewell said.

At training camp this year expectations are high for the Lions who finished last season 9-8 and out of the playoffs.

“I want it all man, nothing less. I don’t want to give you guys specifics, that’s between me and the man in the mirror,’’ Sewell said. “I want it all. Individual teamwise, familywise — I want it all.’’

And that’s just one more reason Campbell loves having Sewell on the roster.

“If he loses, it bothers him bad, and that’s what you want. You want a guy who believes that there’s no way he should lose any rep, no matter who he’s playing and – so he’s shown up, he’s in shape, he’s lean, he’s mean and I’m glad he’s ours,’’ Campbell said.

Lions draft OL Colby Sorsdal in fifth round

ALLEN PARK — With the 152nd overall pick, the Lions drafted Colby Sorsdal who was a five-year starter at William & Mary. It was the Lions’ first of two selections on Saturday, the final day of the draft.

Sorsdal, who is 6-foot-6 and 301 pounds, was a team captain with 46 starts at right tackle. He became a starter as a true freshman for the Tribe.

“I can’t really explain the feelings right now, I think I have hives a little bit for how excited I am,’’Sorsdal said during a Zoom interview from his family home in Dallas.

Look for him to possibly move to the interior line due to his lack of length (short arms). He said he just wants to make an impact wherever he is on the field.

He joins one of the best offensive lines in the NFL with guys like Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Penei Sewell and Jonah Jackson.

“I think one of my strengths is that I learn and I love to learn. Coming into a room and learning from all of those guys, it’s a dream come true,’’ Sorsdal said. “I’m just excited to get to work.’’

He first talked to the Lions at the Shrine game and a local scout was at his pro day. He said he’s also talked to Hank Fraley, the Lions offensive line coach.

Sorsdal wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, but has size, experience, moves very well and most of all he has toughness, according to Brian Baldinger of the NFL Network.

He was a  third-team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection for his play in 10 starts in 2021. Then he was a first-team FCS All-American and All-CAA notice as a 13-game starter in his final season.