JACK FOX

Now that the Detroit Lions have wrapped up the 2022 season, MLive is handing out reviews for each of the team’s position groups. Detroit climbed into the top 10 of Rick Gosselin’s special-teams rankings in 2021, then inched up further to sixth this past season. Kalif Raymond led the way by turning into one of the league’s most dangerous punt returners, averaging 13.2 yards per attempt. Without Raymond’s big return, the Lions probably would have lost that game and their shot at the postseason. It never cost the Lions anything, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Detroit bring in competition for Daly next season.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions announced they are signing kicker Michael Badgley from the practice squad, plus elevating practice-squad receivers Maurice Alexander and Stanley Berryhill for their game on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Badgley was elevated from the practice squad for each of the last two games, and has helped stabilize the club’s shaky kicker situation. An undrafted rookie out of Arizona, Berryhill camped with the Atlanta Falcons before getting cut heading into the regular season. He also had a stint on Arizona’s practice squad before ultimately landing in Detroit this month. Detroit also announced it has signed defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor to the practice squad.

ALLEN PARK -- Jack Fox was out of school, and out of work too. He was out of work for more than two months until Kansas City lost its starting punter to an injury and signed Fox to the practice squad. But the Lions loved the tape, and signed Fox to their practice squad in December of that season. They brought him back to compete with Arryn Siposs for the starting job in 2020, and while Siposs was really good, Fox was simply better. “I remember being in middle school, it was just a dream to punt with the Rams punter Johnny Hekker and their kicker Greg Zuerlein.

Ezekiel Elliott ran for two 1-yard touchdowns and Dak Prescott threw for a score in his return from injury while the Dallas Cowboys leaned on their defense again in a 24-6 victory over the Detroit Lions.

Geno Smith threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score in the first half, and the Seattle Seahawks held off the Detroit Lions for a 48-45 win.

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.

They’re a fashionable pick to be among the league’s most-improved teams heading into training camp. Randy Bullock, Matthew Wright, Zane Gonzalez, Ryan Santoso, Austin Seibert, Aldrick Rosas and Riley Patterson all had shots at the job. Rosas was released during the offseason program, with Seibert and Patterson set for a kicker battle over the next month. Patterson was with the Minnesota Vikings last offseason and had a stint on New England’s practice squad before landing in Detroit. Roster projection: P Jack Fox, LS Scott Daly, K Austin Seibert

The record-setting punter was among 13 exclusive-rights free agents who were tendered by the Lions on Wednesday afternoon. If any of the players practice well enough to make the team, cool, Detroit is better off for it. And if any of them isn’t good enough to make the team, the Lions can move on without financial penalty. Offensive lineman Ryan McCollum and defensive back Jalen Elliott were the only exclusive-rights free agents Detroit did not tender. Wright was pressed into starting duty as an undrafted rookie because of all the injuries at tight end, and caught two touchdown passes.

Tom Kennedy, a receiver, threw the longest touchdown pass by any wideout in the NFL since 1992. Amon-Ra St. Brown, also a receiver, lined up at quarterback for a direct snap. But St. Brown hasn’t quit his day job either, catching another touchdown pass -- because of course he did -- to help the Lions build a surprising 17-13 halftime lead while emptying out their playbook on Sunday against Green Bay at Ford Field. And his breakout rookie rewarded him with a huge touchdown catch, giving Detroit a 14-7 lead late in the half. There has never been a more productive rookie receiver in the history of this franchise.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are no longer undefeated in the “Dungeon of Doom” era, but that’s OK because we’re back with record-setting punter Jack Fox joining the podcast. Fox made the Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro honoree last season, his first in the league as a full-time punter. Fox also has an impressive story, sleeping on his friend’s floor to Matt Prater’s basement in the months leading into his record-setting season in Detroit. Fox talks about his rise from air mattresses to Matt Prater’s basement to the Pro Bowl. Related recent episodes:Dungeon of Doom podcast: Graham Glasgow talks leaving Detroit, working out with Michigan’s Aidan HutchinsonDungeon of Doom podcast: Dan Miller, voice of the Detroit Lions, looks ahead and talks favorite callsLetter from the Editor: Why start a Lions podcast now?

Boyle finished just 15 of 23 passing for 77 yards, just one week after Goff passed for just 54 yards in regulation against Pittsburgh. But after a pass to running back Godwin Igwebuike lost 4 yards on second down, the Lions were facing a third-and-14. If you’re wondering how Boyle could pass for just 77 yards, one week after Goff passed for 54 in regulation, well, that’s it. -- I’ve covered every Lions game since 2013, which means I’ve seen some dumb stuff in my day. He’s averaged 49.0 gross yards and 43.9 net yards per attempt, both of which are NFL records through 100 attempts.

Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions are desperate for a victory, growing tired of being the NFL’s only winless team.

There were a lot of positives for Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell to take out of Sunday’s 28-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

There were a lot of positives for Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell to take out of Sunday's 28-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Matthew Stafford passed for 334 yards and three touchdowns against his former team, and Jalen Ramsey made an end zone interception on his 27th birthday with five minutes left in the Los Angeles Rams’ 28-19 victory over Jared Goff and the winless Detroit Lions.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The Detroit Lions are riding the longest losing streak in the NFL. This was a mismatch of epic proportions, with the Lions a more than two-touchdown underdog for their game on Sunday against Matthew Stafford. Then again, nobody -- nobody -- could have predicted Dan Campbell’s strategy to neutralize Stafford: Just keep him off the field all together. After running back D’Andre Swift opened the game with a 63-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown, the Lions used an onside kick and a fake punt to tack on an Austin Seibert field goal. But Fox simply threw away from him, Detroit held onto the football again, and Seibert tacked on the field goal.

The Lions set their initial 53-man roster earlier this week without a kicker on the list, venturing into uncharted waters ahead of the season. They cut Matthew Wright after one preseason game, leaving Bullock and recent addition Zane Gonzalez locked in a battle through the rest of camp. They have since claimed kicker Austin Seibert off waivers via the Cincinnati Bengals, adding Gonzalez back to the practice squad. Bullock and Wright were rough in the team’s first showing in front of fans at their Ford Field scrimmage. He’s done it, he’s been consistent, he’s had experience, and so again, you don’t make decisions about, ‘OK, this guy won,’” Holmes said.

Related: Detroit Lions roster analysis: Who’s in, who’s out and what’s next for the 53-man squadRelated: Detroit Lions rolling with young cornerback room featuring 3 undrafted free agentsThe NFL will again allow teams to keep 16 players on their practice squads, with four protected spots each week. This post will run through 15 names that could make sense for the rebuilding Lions:K Michael BadgleyLet’s get those kickers out of the way, shall we? After cutting Randy Bullock, Zane Gonzalez and even Matthew Wright through the past month, the Lions head into the season without a kicker. K Joey SlyeFormer Lions practice squad kicker Ryan Santoso supplanted Joey Slye after two seasons in Carolina. If Moss makes it through waivers, he’s worth a spot on the practice squad to see if there’s something worth investing time into here.

Frank Ragnow leads the way with an 88 overall rating for the iconic game’s ‘22 edition, with third-year tight end T.J. Hockenson not far behind the center. Hockenson and Ragnow were two of Detroit’s three Pro Bowlers last season. Jack Fox was the other, with the punter coming in as the team’s fourth highest-rated player at 80 overall. Penei Sewell, the team’s first-round pick back in April, is rated as a 75 overall right tackle. Moore: 62 overallAlex Brown: 61 overallGodwin Igwebuike: 61 overallAlijah Holder: 58 overallJerry Jacobs: 58 overallSpecial teamsJack Fox: 80 overallRandy Bullock: 71 overallMatthew Wright: 69 overall

At the same time, I think I’m prepared more situationally for the season. “I think I’m pretty hard on myself anyway, so I think I’m pretty nitpicky with myself anyway. But, yeah yeah, I think I’ve done a good job of focusing on smaller things and really not being afraid to make a mistake out here in practice. “Prater is such a great guy that if you ask him, he’ll say, ‘Yeah, the holding wasn’t a problem,’” Fox said. I’ve kind of changed like my position holding -- I’m more on the side now.

Then he went on to have the greatest season by any punter in Detroit Lions history. The Lions announced on Thursday they’ve tendered Fox, along with fullback Jason Cabinda and offensive tackle Matt Nelson. All three players were exclusive rights free agents. “I just think it’s an honor for our whole punt unit,” Fox said after the season ended. Nelson, a former defensive lineman at the University of Iowa, came off the bench to play 212 offensive snaps last season.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have hired former Eagles special teams coordinator Dave Fipp to the same position. Williams took over for the rest of the season, recently leaving Detroit for the special teams coordinator gig in Atlanta. Related: Detroit Lions fire special teams coordinator Brayden Coombs over going rogue on fake puntDetroit’s special teams were a bright spot this season, leading the league in blocked punts, ranking third in Rick Gosselin’s annual rankings. Miles Killebrew and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, two of the team’s top special teams contributors, are also unrestricted free agents. He was the assistant special teams coach in Miami (2011-2012) and San Francisco (2008-2010) through his first four seasons in the NFL.

ALLEN PARK -- Robert Prince has never been a head coach. Right tackle Tyrell Crosby (ankle) already has been ruled out against Tampa Bay, while left tackle Taylor Decker (groin), center Frank Ragnow (throat) and right guard/tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (brain) are all questionable. Linebacker Jamie Collins (neck), safety Jayron Kearse (hip), cornerback Darryl Roberts (hip) and kicker Matt Prater (back) are all questionable. Both players were listed as limited after being listed as full-go the rest of the week, causing some concern. Prater has never missed a game since joining the Lions in the middle of the 2014 season.

ALLEN PARK -- Jack Fox was living in Matt Prater’s basement earlier this year, and now he’s a Pro Bowler. “I didn’t really have time to think about, like Pro Bowl and all those kind of accolades,” Fox said. The first-year Lions punter was one of three players to make the NFC’s roster via Detroit, joining center Frank Ragnow and tight end T.J. Hockenson. Related: Lions’ T.J. Hockenson, Frank Ragnow, Jack Fox named to Pro BowlFox is the third punter in Lions history to make the Pro Bowl, and first since Jim Arnold did so in 1988. He (Lions interim coach Darrell Bevell) obviously told me about Brayden, and then he went on congratulating me about the Pro Bowl,” Fox said of the call.

But his work in the first round was always pretty good, and now two of those guys have been named Pro Bowlers less than a month after his firing. Tight end T.J. Hockenson and center Frank Ragnow were both named to the NFC team on Monday night, along with punter Jack Fox. Hockenson leads all NFC tight ends with 675 receiving yards, and ranks second in both catches (60) and touchdown catches (six). Ragnow is the first Lions center to make the Pro Bowl since Kevin Glover, who made three straight from 1995-97. Fox is just the third punter in franchise history to be named to a Pro Bowl, and the first since Jim Arnold in 1988.

ALLEN PARK -- Jack Fox led the NFL in yards per punt in the first month of the season. That’s quite the triple crown for the fantastic Mr. Fox, and now he’s being recognized for it as the NFC’s special teams player of the month. Related: The Lions' special teams are absolutely killing itFox is averaging 53.3 yards per punt, which is a league high. Prater was named NFC special teams player of the week for his efforts. A day later, Fox got his due as special teams player of the month.

Yet according to the good people at the NFL, he wasn’t even the best special teams player on his own team on Sunday, with place kicker Matt Prater earning NFC special teams player of the week honors. This special teams unit has been pretty good. Pretty, pretty, pretty good. “I don’t know what happens to me after a game-winner because everybody goes so crazy,” Prater said after the game. That moment has Matt Prater written all over it.”This is Prater’s 11th special teams player of the week award, which ranks 17th all time.

At 51.3 yards, nobody is gaining more yards of field position for his team than this guy. In a tough start to the season for Detroit, Fox stands out as perhaps the team’s best player through two games. At 51.3 net yards per punt, Fox is averaging 2.2 more yards of field position gained than anyone else in the league. All told, Detroit netted 53 yards of field position every time Fox swung his leg at Lambeau Field. “Just getting better with my form and the way I punt," Fox said.

The Matt Patricia-led Detroit Lions lost another double-digit lead and an 11th straight game, putting even more pressure on an embattled coach. Patricia barely kept his job last season, which ended with a nine-game losing streak and finished with just three wins. “I’ve got all the confidence in the world in these guys,” said Patricia, who is 9-24-1 in two-plus seasons. WHAT NEEDS HELPWith just two sacks, Detroit’s pass rush is failing to get to quarterbacks and they’re picking apart the banged-up pass secondary. The Lions drafted Notre Dame standout Julian Okwara in the third round to bolster the pass rush, but he was a healthy scratch at Green Bay.