AARON GLENN

The injury-depleted Detroit Lions fell to the Seattle Seahawks 48-45 in the highest-scoring game of the young season.

A day later, the Detroit Lions head coach said he already decided to shake up both the personnel and scheme. “I know we’re going to need to move some personnel around,” Campbell said. Now the Lions plan to simplify the game plan and play calls, while going with players they can trust to execute assignments. Then this guy is trying to cover for him, and then the next player, they don’t trust that their teammate’s going to be there and it’s just this vicious cycle right now. “So we’ve got to pull things way, way back, and just get our confidence back and getting some trust among teammates.

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell felt his offense needed to have a clean day. Jared Goff passed for 378 yards and four touchdowns, but Detroit struggled against Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks in a wild 48-45 loss on Sunday. Smith accounted for 369 yards and three touchdowns, and Rashaad Penny rushed for 151 yards and two TDs.

DETROIT -- The Lions are losing 24-15 against the Seattle Seahawks, one of the worst teams in the league. Without some adjustments in the second half, especially on defense, it’s going to get so much worse before this one is over. The Lions allowed two long touchdown drives to open the game, even though Seattle brought a bottom-five offense to Ford Field. One of the worst offenses in the league is averaging 9.1 yards per play -- nearly a first down every time they snap the football. Without those special-teams plays, the Lions would already be goners.

The second-year coordinator says his defense is better than the numbers suggest, but now they must learn how to finish. “The one thing that I will say, which is I think the easy way out is to say, man, we have miscommunication issues. Clinging to a 24-21 lead in the final minute, cornerback Mike Hughes tried to hand off a receiver to safety JuJu Hughes. He didn’t explicitly say JuJu Hughes was the one who erred, although all signs point to that being the case. I will continue to say, man, that’s a two-way street between coaches and players, and we’ve got to continue to understand that.

ALLEN PARK -- Kenneth Walker III has been slow out of the gates working back from hernia surgery. Now, Walker returns to the state where he played his final college football season, with a Week 4 game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who, much like Walker, was also drafted by Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll back in the day. He’s going to be an exciting football player for us.”“There’s nothing that Ken can’t do,” Carroll said per the Seattle Times. So he’s going to be a guy that’s going to be hard to tackle in space.

ALLEN PARK -- Julian Okwara made his season debut last week. And now the third-year versatile defender could see an increased role with injuries hitting the Detroit Lions ahead of Week 3′s date with the Minnesota Vikings. Aaron Glenn, the second-year Lions defensive coordinator, pointed to Austin Bryant and Julian Okwara as players to watch with Cominsky out. Okwara notched two tackles, including one quarterback hit and a whopping five pressures across his first 33 defensive snaps of the season. I’m glad that’s the plan.”Glenn praised Okwara’s speed off the edge, saying he’s looking to using him in those situations as much as possible.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions said they wanted more girth for their defensive line at the start of training camp. Buggs and Jones have helped fill the role of what retired d-lineman John Penisini handled in recent years; clogging lanes and eating blockers. But rookie defensive end Aidan Hutchinson had three sacks, and Charles Harris added a strip-sack safety last week, though. Related: Detroit Lions still encouraged by run defense despite knowing the statsRelated: Lions coach Dan Campbell sees potential need for more girth on defensive lineLions defensive line coach Todd Wash said Buggs is in a great place mentally. I think he’s one of the best backs in the league,” Wash said.

DETROIT -- Aidan Hutchinson didn’t have a sack in the first game of the season. The second overall pick is the first rookie in Lions history with a three-sack game. By then, Detroit was averaging 7.7 yards per play, had scored five times and racked up 244 yards of total offense. Especially considering Detroit is without three-fifths of its offensive line, which is supposed to be the strength of the team. The Lions said they were better than what they showed in the season-opening loss to the Eagles.

And a sixth-round pick named Malcolm Rodriguez just hip-tossed Kelce to the ground in his NFL debut. But then he showed up in Allen Park, and almost immediately started outplaying some of his veteran teammates on defense. “Watch Rodriguez,” Sheppard bellowed at the linebackers during a fiery film session that was caught by the “Hard Knocks” cameras. Those guys are going to get him, he’s going to get them. What he’s got to do is continue to understand it’s not going to be perfect, things are going to happen.

One assisted tackle, three quarterback pressures, and that was it for Aidan Hutchinson in his Detroit Lions debut. His responsibility was to hold the pocket and keep quarterback Jalen Hurts in front of him. Then Hurts immediately squirted out of the pocket to the left -- right where Hutchinson was supposed to be -- and picked up an easy 8 yards. “I kind of crashed a little too fast.”Hutchinson said he was mostly encouraged by his debut performance. Of course he would have liked more production, but there weren’t that many opportunities for him to rush the quarterback either.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have preached to their players that physicality is something they want to be known for around the league. But they’re trying to find the right balance after getting flagged for two unnecessary roughness hits on the quarterback in Week 1. Safety Tracy Walker got called for hitting the sliding quarterback and then for his role in a scuffle after the play. Because we do -- we stress physicality, and we want to be that, but it has to be directed the right way. Especially, you see on film like guys not going or sliding,” Anzalone said.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions open the 2022 regular season at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. Detroit is looking to erase its 44-6 beatdown at the hands to these Eagles last year. Detroit Lions offensive outlook: New scheme, experience everywhere, and Jared Goff in total control | Detroit Lions defensive outlook: Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill lead new-look attacking frontPreviewing new additions, key losses, rookies to watch and potential breakout players ahead of the new campaign. Lions vs. Eagles: Fantasy guide and key matchups for Week 1This post serves as a one-stop fantasy guide while running through matchups to watch, last year’s team stats and the Lions-Eagles series history. Detroit Lions game-by-game predictions: Is a 10-win season really possible?

Hutchinson will start at defensive end on the other side of Charles Harris. DraftKings Sportsbook has Hutchinson as the favorite (+450) to win defensive rookie of the year, so the hype has trickled outside of Allen Park. The Lions also added defensive end Josh Paschal, safety Kerby Joseph, linebacker James Houston and cornerback Chase Lucas in the draft. Hutchinson has the chance to lead this new-look attacking front into the next phase of the rebuild. I’m going to start with this, I get the Malcolm Rodriguez hype and everything,” Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard said.

Linebacker Dennis Gibson was an eighth-round pick that year, then went on to start all 12 games he played in. “He’s going to play, I can tell you that.”Right. “He’s going to play a pretty big role,” Glenn said. Detroit believed he would be a four-core special-teams player this season, but then Rodriguez showed up on campus and started outplaying everyone. This is nothing against you Rodriguez, you’re (expletive) playing your ass off dude, but it’s a rookie.

After five weeks of episodic footage about the Detroit Lions, HBO’s Hard Knocks made its final cuts, and as the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end, well, except for players like Chase Lucas.

After five weeks of episodic footage about the Detroit Lions, HBO’s Hard Knocks made its final cuts, and as the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end, well, except for players like Chase Lucas.

Detroit Lions rookie linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez has become a surprising star on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” — and the sixth-round selection from Oklahoma State has a shot to start in Week 1.

ALLEN PARK -- The growth of the Detroit Lions defensive line was on full display against the Indianapolis Colts last week, and it sounds like the coaching staff has noticed. The second-year Lions defensive coordinator specified some of this growth has been through the group understanding the new scheme and what’s asked of them. And it’s worth noting that the defensive line has been finding its footing against the run while switching to a more attacking scheme. But Todd Wash, the team’s defensive line coach, explained some of what goes into the new defense and the staff’s expectations on the ground despite this tweak to the system. And Isaiah Buggs has provided the defensive line some of the girth head coach Dan Campbell was hoping to get for the trenches.

I always enjoy this dimension of “Hard Knocks.” Dreams are made and broken during a week like this, so the stakes are impossibly high. I really enjoyed the first two episodes of “Hard Knocks.” I think they did a really good job accurately portraying how things work around here. Because I’m going to be me, and I’m going to be different, but I’m going to be me. During “Hard Knocks,” the connection Staley has with his players is obvious. But “Hard Knocks” has a knack for getting to the other side of guys, and they did so with Fraley during a film session with the offensive lineman.

ALLEN PARK -- Jeff Okudah seems like he might finally be pulling away from Will Harris for the starting cornerback job opposite Amani Oruwariye. But the Detroit Lions insist that battle remains open heading into the preseason finale, and both players will see the field no matter who is named the starter. “Man, I’m not saying this just to be saying it, but both of those guys have been doing really good things on the field in practice and in games,” defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said before a rare night practice on Tuesday in Allen Park. “This is an ongoing battle, it will be an ongoing battle. Man, I wish I could sit here and tell you, ‘This is the guy who is going to be the starter.’ But I will say this: Both of those guys will have a role within our defense, and we’re going to try to do everything we can to make sure we’re putting those guys in situations where they’re going to be successful.”

Episode one of HBO’s Hard Knocks featuring the Detroit Lions aired Tuesday night, and it taught us a lot about our football team and the direction it’s going in.

The city of Detroit is buzzing about the upcoming Detroit Lions footage on Hard Knocks, as more than 18,000 fans filled Ford Field for Family Fest last Saturday.

ALLEN PARK -- Ifeatu Melifonwu showed some of the ability behind the Detroit Lions’ decision to test their second-year defensive back at safety during Thursday’s training camp practice. “(I) drifted back and then the dig came right behind me and I snagged it.”The Lions initially tested the 2021 third-round cornerback pick at safety to open Organized Team Activities. Dan Campbell said he believed the change for Melifonwu -- and Will Harris from safety to cornerback -- would be a permanent thing at the start of camp. “I don’t think there’s that many corners that can go to safety,” Melifonwu said. “It is an easier transition to go from corner to safety than safety to corner, but I feel like just my size, and athletic ability helps, and physicality.

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn likes what he’s seeing from the early returns of the team’s new safety duo of DeShon Elliott and Tracy Walker. Elliott signed with Detroit during free agency, and Glenn already has to check himself with some of his praise for his new “hammer” of a safety. The one thing that DeShon does a really good job with is being able to challenge the guys in that room,” Glenn said. Glenn said that with that young of a safety room, not to mention the entire secondary, it’s vital to have leaders like Walker and Elliott overseeing the group. Even before I came here on my visit, he was telling me it was basically a safety-run defense,” Elliott said.

ALLEN PARK -- All eyes were on Aidan Hutchinson as training camp got underway this week. That allowed him to learn from watching veterans like Charles Harris, another former first-round pick who bombed out in Miami. On the first day the Lions opened the doors to Organized Team Activities, Hutchinson wrecked the backups for back-to-back-to-back sacks during 2-minute drills. “I’m excited to see him once we get into training camp and he gets into games for us.”Through two days of training camp, there hasn’t been much to see. He’s moving well, he’s making plays, he’s looking like Jeff, you know what I’m saying?

ALLEN PARK -- Charles Harris was one of the true feel-good stories for the Detroit Lions last season. And despite the investment and comfort added to his life, Harris said his mentality hasn’t changed and that he remains in prove-it mode. I’m going to approach every single day, every single practice like it’s my last. Like I said, it’s nothing like major that’s different, but there are some technique things that are different. That’s all part of the game.”Before the team broke for summer, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn pointed to Harris as someone to watch for another breakout.

The Detroit Lions sure love themselves some Alim McNeill, and they’re not the only ones who believe the second-year defensive lineman could become something special. Pro Football Focus has McNeill among 15 second-year breakout candidates “who could become stars” in 2022. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence tops the rankings, with Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore and Jets receiver Elijah Moore rounding out the top three. The defensive tackle popped down the stretch, showing signs of growth on a crumbling roster. “You know, what we thought may have appeared when we drafted, we really liked the player,” Campbell said last month.

ALLEN PARK -- Aidan Hutchinson played his high school ball at Dearborn Divine Child, which is, oh, about 7 miles down the road from Detroit Lions headquarters. “If you’re a really good football player, you’re going to be able to be a great player in any scheme,” he said. “I know in every scheme I’m going to be dominant as a football player.”Hutchinson doesn’t lack for confidence, that’s for sure, and nor should he. I’m just going to continue to learn and grow every single day I’m out here. I’m screwing up, but it’s OK because that’s kind of what it takes to take that next step.”

ALLEN PARK -- Add linebacker Alex Anzalone’s name to the list of defenders celebrating the switch to a more attacking defensive scheme for the Detroit Lions. “I think last year we were more in a wait and pat our cleats type linebacker play. It makes it easier for us to make tackles and (tackles for loss) and things of that nature. Pro Football Focus graded Anzalone as the eighth-worst linebacker with enough snaps to qualify last season. And despite those on-field struggles, it’s hard to dispute Anzalone’s standing as a leader inside the linebacker room and on Detroit’s youthful defense.

But that hasn’t stopped those players from showing up for the start of mandatory minicamp, and almost every other Detroit Lions player too. Defensive tackle John Penisini has been excused from the start of minicamp on Tuesday. Otherwise everyone else is in town and accounted for as Detroit prepares to go through three days of practice and meetings. “The only one (missing) would be probably Penisini, and I’m going to see him tonight,” head coach Dan Campbell said before practice on Tuesday. The Lions have already practiced six times during OTAs, a valuable period for a team that is installing schematic changes on both sides of the ball.

Our Dungeon of Doom podcast hosts offer their thoughts on prized rookie Aidan Hutchinson, the return of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and the arrival of new receiver DJ Chark. Kyle and Ben also dive into some of the defensive scheme changes heading into Year 2 of this regime. The Lions are expected to deploy more four-person defensive fronts in a more attacking scheme. Subscribe to the Dungeon of Doom wherever you get your podcasts -- Acast, Spotify, Apple, Google -- Follow Benjamin Raven and Kyle Meinke on Twitter. “But the thought of losing him, I just had this feeling of like, I was going to be walking around without any pants on.

A year later, Dan Campbell believes in Aaron Glenn so much that the thought of losing his defensive lieutenant sent his mind wandering into strange places. And he’s always going to look out for you, but he’s going to tell your ass when you’re wrong? “AG is always going to tell you when you’re wrong, but he’s going to love you. “It allows us to play downhill and not really think about it. I’m going to stand by that, and continue to say it, because I really believe that in my heart.

2 overall pick. “There’s no doubt in my mind that this player is going to be a really, really good player for us,” defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said before practice. “I’m excited to see him once we get into training camp and he gets into games for us.”Hutchinson was selected with the second overall pick after a record-setting career down I-94. 1 overall player on Detroit’s board, and once Jacksonville took Georgia’s Travon Walker with the first overall pick instead, the Lions rushed Hutchinson’s name to Roger Goodell so fast that they were scolded by the league. It’s natural for him.”A day later, Hutchinson wrapped up the first round of OTAs by simply overwhelming the second-team offensive line.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions arguably checked a lot of boxes with their offseason. However, one of those outside concerns to draw the most attention has been at linebacker. Just don’t tell head coach Dan Campbell or defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn that.

Now, the second-year cornerback is dipping his toes into safety work for the Detroit Lions to open Organized Team Activities. Melifonwu was used as a matchup piece against Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts down the stretch, with Aaron Glenn singing his praises. It’s honestly two different things. I’m getting used to it.”Detroit’s defense is switching to a more attacking scheme for this upcoming season. Melifonwu said the Lions and other teams asked him about playing safety in the NFL during his draft interviews.

ALLEN PARK -- Aaron Glenn is one of the hottest head coaching candidates in the league. That includes opening every press conference with an opening statement. On Thursday, as the Lions opened up their first Organized Team Activity of the 2022 season, Glenn’s opening statement had nothing to do with football. But man, that’s just somethin’ on my mind.”The nation has plunged back into grief from another mass shooting, this one at a school in Uvalde, Texas. You hear the things that have come out, these kids were in a room barricaded for over an hour.

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is on the short list of hottest Black assistant coaches in the NFL. Detroit is sending Glenn and assistant general manager Ray Agnew to participate in the league’s inaugural coach and front office accelerator program next week in Atlanta. “It’s an outstanding deal because it allows the owners and people that have decision-making responsibilities to get a chance to meet just people of diverse backgrounds throughout this whole deal,” Glenn told the Lions’ official team website. That job eventually went to Robert Saleh instead, and Glenn turned down several offers to take over a Lions defense that had just allowed the second-most points in NFL history. Glenn wound up drawing head-coaching interviews from Denver and New Orleans after his first season in Detroit.

ALLEN PARK -- Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn wandered into the press room the other night with a big, fat smile on his face. And could you blame him? It had only been a few minutes since the Lions selected perhaps the best defensive player in the entire draft. They certainly think so, along with most folks not running the Jacksonville Jaguars. Glenn was thrilled with the Aidan Hutchinson pick.

If he hits his ceiling with the New York Giants, maybe he becomes a better player than Aidan Hutchinson someday. But the Lions believe Hutchinson is the better player right now. “Man, it’s a true fit,” Glenn said. “We haven’t even talked about the character of the player,” Glenn said. They just loved the fit better for their defensive scheme, where Hutchinson can play inside and out and is far better against the run.

New Detroit Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson’s apparent wish came true in the 2022 NFL draft. Hutchinson, the former Michigan star and Heisman runner-up, told reporters that hearing his name at Pick 2 to Detroit was what he wanted all along. It was the Lions all the way,” Hutchinson said via Zoom. “The whole draft process, I wanted them to pick me, and I’m so grateful that I went No. But, you know, I’m so grateful for sure.”Related: 2022 NFL draft: Detroit Lions select Alabama WR Jameson Williams after trade with VikingsRelated: Draft analyst: Detroit Lions land ‘most NFL ready’ DE in Aidan HutchinsonHutchinson, who went to high school less than 10 miles from Detroit’s practice facility, previously said he grew up cheering for the New England Patriots.

ALLEN PARK -- Cornerback Mike Hughes was a first-round bust in Minnesota, and there’s no changing that now. But Hughes did stay healthy for the Chiefs last season, and turned in the best season of his career. And when it came time to choose which team gave him the best opportunity to make that jump, he chose the Detroit Lions. “I think it was the perfect opportunity for me to come in and try to compete for a spot,” Hughes said. Minnesota traded Hughes to Kansas City after the season, packaging him with a seventh-round pick while receiving just a sixth-round pick in return.

What do you want to do?”The Detroit Lions safety could have let the process play out. “You know what, think Detroit’s where I’m going to be back at,” Walker told his agent. “Yeah,” Walker said, “we’re going back to Detroit. That’s top-20 money at the position -- and in a show of how much the Lions believe in Walker, they guaranteed $17 million of the deal. The Lions went 3-3 down the stretch last year, and were 3-1 in the last four games started by quarterback Jared Goff.

Detroit Lions defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant continues to draw interest from around the league. The NFL Network reports the New Orleans Saints interviewed the Flint native for their vacant defensive coordinator position. It’s worth remembering Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn interviewed for the position before Allen was hired. He previously interviewed for the defensive coordinator position with the Minnesota Vikings. ESPN reports Seahawks senior defensive assistant Ed Donatell has emerged as the favorite for the coordinator job in Minnesota, though.

Two people familiar with the decision say the New Orleans Saints have promoted defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to head coach.

The Detroit Lions are down at the Senior Bowl, coaching one of the rosters at the draft showcase. From quarterback prospects to the search for an offensive coordinator. The Lions have been interviewing candidates this week, including tight ends coach and de facto passing game coordinator Ben Johnson. We’ll also breakdown Senior Bowl practices, offering a couple of risers and fallers from the week of action. -- Any other standouts from Senior Bowl practices?

Belichick meant to text Brian Daboll (who is white) congratulations for landing New York’s head coaching job, but accidentally sent the message to Brian Flores -- even though Flores’ interview for the position wasn’t for another few days. He wants to be an NFL head coach, and three interviews in two years suggests he’s already one of the hottest minority candidates in the league. Like Glenn, Staley is a Black man with ambitions of becoming a head coach. This week, that includes serving as a head coach. “It’s awesome, first of all, to be able to come down here and be the head coach for the week,” Staley said.

The Detroit Lions defensive coordinator is expected to draw an interview to replace Sean Payton as the head coach in New Orleans, according to NFL Network. When the Jets hired Robert Saleh instead last offseason, Glenn decided to follow Dan Campbell to Detroit and become the Lions’ defensive coordinator. “AG’s is kind of like that uncle that — you know how there’s that uncle that always watches your back when you’re young? And he’s always going to look out for you, but he’s going to tell your ass when you’re wrong? “AG is always going to tell you when you’re wrong, but he’s going to love you.

Denver general manager George Paton is in town today to interview Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for that club’s head-coaching vacancy. Denver is also expected to speak with Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, Packers quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy, Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod May, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan and Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathon Gannon according to 9news in Denver. And he’s always going to look out for you, but he’s going to tell your ass when you’re wrong? “AG is always going to tell you when you’re wrong, but he’s going to love you. I love playing for Dan.

ALLEN PARK -- The future of Trey Flowers is one of the most pressing issues facing general manager Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions heading into the offseason. On top of that, Lions general manager Brad Holmes gave the veteran defender some props for being “the ultimate glue guy” despite shying away from discussing his future with the team. “Yeah, you know Trey, you’re talking about the ultimate glue guy, ultimate leader,” Holmes said Tuesday. Okwara notched two sacks in the season finale against the Packers while starting for the first time of his career. Related headlines:Live updates recap: Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes holds year-end press conference after first seasonDetroit Lions coaching staff selected for the 2022 Senior BowlRomeo Okwara moving more at this stage of Achilles recovery, motivated to get back for Detroit Lions2022 NFL draft: Top 18 picks set, Detroit Lions hold No.

The Denver Broncos have filed a request to interview Glenn for their head-coaching vacancy, according to NFL Network. This is the second head-coaching interview Glenn has drawn in as many years, also speaking with the New York Jets last year. The Lions finished the regular season 28th against the run, 24th against the pass and 29th in overall defense. And he’s always going to look out for you, but he’s going to tell your ass when you’re wrong? “AG is always going to tell you when you’re wrong, but he’s going to love you.

ALLEN PARK -- Aaron Glenn has interviewed for a head-coaching job before. “Very simple answer: I want to be the best coordinator the Lions ever had,” Glenn said. And I want to be the best that ever came through Detroit. Then Detroit opened the season, and started losing so many of the guys Glenn was expected to count on. So even if he doesn’t land something this offseason -- as expected -- Aaron Glenn is certainly trending toward that conversation in the future.

The Detroit Lions (2-12-1) have two games left on the slate, with their last road trip of the year next, drawing the Seattle Seahawks (5-10) in Week 17 action. Both teams have been eliminated from the postseason, with this being Seattle’s first season with double-digit losses under coach Pete Carroll. Detroit Lions elevate 5 practice squad players ahead of Seahawks gameJosh Reynolds was not activated on Saturday as expected. Still, the Lions announced the elevation of five practice squad player, with three of those serving as COVID replacements. Sometimes, I think you forget until you’re where we’re at in Week 17 and when you see an athlete like Swift that’s fresh, it’s a sight for sore eyes.

ATLANTA -- Amani Oruwariye’s breakout season is over. The Detroit Lions announced on Saturday afternoon they’ve moving the third-year cornerback to injured reserve. Green in the win against Arizona, perhaps the defensive play of the season for Detroit. Even Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn isn’t shying from those lofty possibilities. Linebacker Tavante Beckett, tight end Shane Zylstra and linebacker Curtis Bolton have all been elevated to play against the Falcons.

St. Brown pretended like he was going to block, before leaking behind the Cardinals’ zone along the left boundary. -- Ron AllieA: Amon-Ra St. Brown and Golden Tate are built similarly and play the same position. “I just want to keep working on yards after the catch,” St. Brown said just last week. So that’s something that I just want to keep working on.”On the other hand, St. Brown is definitely more physical than Tate. St. Brown also might be the better route runner, or certainly will be once he has more experience.

“I don’t think he was expecting to get the ball, then he rolled out and I kinda just baited it. They came out and played really hard and played well.”Cardinals QB Kyler Murray on his feelings after this one: “Different, obviously, in a game where you feel like you come in and win. He’s really starting to learn. He played today at left guard. So hopefully we can continue to do that because I don’t think as a line, we’ve played our best game.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions aren’t expecting much good news from the COVID reserve list, with the defensive backfield missing multiple pieces heading into the weekend. Under the new protocols, vaccinated players will test weekly, with those unvaccinated tested daily, with the NFLPA requesting daily testing. Safety Tracy Walker and cornerbacks Bobby Price, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Mark Gilbert, Corey Ballentine and Nickell Robey-Coleman, and running back Jamaal Williams remain on the COVID list. It’s a unique situation for the secondary since Robey-Coleman and Ballentine were elevated to the main roster last week as COVID replacements. This forced the Lions to claim two defensive backs in cornerback Saivion Smith and safety Brady Breeze.

Dan Campbell knows he can’t afford to be picky.

Dan Campbell is taking over a team that isn’t supposed to win much this year and is leading a franchise as synonymous with losing as any in the NFL over the last several decades.

A new era of Detroit Lions football kicks off Friday at Ford Field. There’s another new GM and head coach, and Matthew Stafford won’t be starting at quarterback.

Defensively, the Detroit Lions have nowhere to go but up as head coach Dan Campbell prepares for his first season.

Is it finally happening? Could this long, dark era of Detroit sports misery be nearing its end?

In this image provided by the Detroit Lions, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell speaks during a news conference via video on his first day at the NFL football team's practice facility, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP). DETROIT – The Detroit Lions 2021 coaching staff has a completely new look after the team cleaned house after another losing season last year. Many on the list have already been announced, including head coach Dan Campbell, coordinators Anthony Lynn and Aaron Glenn, and position coaches Duce Staley (also assistant head coach), Dave Fipp and Mark Brunell. The Lions have hired several former players as coaches, in line with Campbell’s push to bring in personnel that can connect and engage with players. Related: NFL Draft 2021: Predictions for Lions after Stafford tradeSign up for the Laced Up Lions Newsletter!

(AP Photo)The NFL expanded the Rooney Rule to give more minority candidates opportunities to become a head coach and reward teams who develop them. The Houston Texans hired David Culley this week, making the 65-year-old longtime assistant the league’s third Black head coach hired. Culley and Saleh join Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Miami’s Brian Flores and Washington’s Ron Rivera as the league’s only minority head coaches. “We didn’t make as much progress on the head coaching side as we would have liked,” Rooney said. AdPerhaps an increase in minority executives will lead to more minority head coaches.

DETROIT – From new coordinators to front office hires to Matthew Stafford trade rumors that shook the whole league, the Detroit Lions had one of the busiest weekends in franchise history. Matthew StaffordThe most significant news of the weekend broke Saturday evening, when multiple experts revealed the Lions and Stafford are expected to part ways this offseason. The decision appears to be mutual as the Lions move forward under a new regime and Stafford enters his mid-30s. Stafford has started 165 games for the Lions since he was drafted with the No. Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford watches from the sidelines during warmups before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 13: New Orleans Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn calls to players against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 13, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)ALLEN PARK, Mich. – The Detroit Lions hired Aaron Glenn to be their defensive coordinator. Glenn joins new coach Dan Campbell's staff after spending the past five seasons as the secondary coach for the New Orleans Saints. Before his tenure in New Orleans, Glenn was an assistant defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns. Glenn was a three-time Pro Bowler as a player and played in 205 games in 15 years for the Jets, Texans, Cowboys, Jaguars and Saints.

FILE - San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is shown during an NFL football game against Arizona Cardinals, in Santa Clara, Calif., in this Sept. 13, 2020, file photo. The search for a new coach continues for the New York Jets after they completed an in-person interview with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, without apparently reaching a deal. The Jets reached an agreement in principle with the popular and energetic San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Thursday night to hire him as their head coach. The 20th coach in franchise history, Saleh beat out Smith, Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Carolina offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Indianapolis defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, New Orleans defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn, former Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis, and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. He’s also the fifth former defensive coordinator to get the job among New York’s last six hires, with Gase the only exception.