KALIF RAYMOND

Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams, the 1-2 combination on the outside, combined for three catches and 14 yards all season. But Goff began to get something going downfield once Josh Reynolds was claimed off waivers last November. “Yeah, we got guys who can run, we got guys who can catch, we’re protecting well, and they’re running good routes,” Goff said. The Lions invested heavily in their wide receivers this offseason, and even with Williams still in street clothes, Goff is already finding a groove. I asked Jared Goff about how he handles it, having gone through “Hard Knocks” twice before in Los Angeles.

One day, he’s sacking quarterbacks. Bryant took a swing at offensive tackle Dan Skipper during team drills, setting off the first fight of Lions camp. Because in Round 2 of one-on-one drills, Hutchinson beat Sewell easily to the outside, before battling him to a draw on their second rep. All in all, yet another good day for Hutchinson, and yet more evidence that Detroit got a good one at the top of the draft. David Blough was picked off by Ifeatu Melifonwu during team drills, while Tim Boyle threw a couple passes so bad that I thought he might be throwing them away.

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.

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 Detroit Lions continued to make big investments on defense in the NFL draft and are hoping that they result in immediate rewards to a franchise that has struggled in recent seasons.

ALLEN PARK -- Kalif Raymond was a good player in high school back in Georgia. They’re after practice, even the days that nobody can see, they’re out catching passes with each other. One day, I’m out there, I think I had on this actual shirt and jeans, literally. What?’ Of course, I’m supposed to be resting, but I’m like, no, if they’re catching passes, I’m about to go in there. So I literally in casual clothes out there catching passes with them.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions continue the theme of taking care of their own to start free agency. The Detroit Free Press reports that speedy wide receiver Kalif Raymond has agreed to a new two-year deal to stick around. Welcome to Detroit,” Lions safety Tracy Walker said of Chark. Related headlines:There’s a lot to like about the Detroit Lions signing WR D.J. Chark to 1-year, $10 million contractReport: Detroit Lions re-signing breakout pass rusher Charles Harris to 2-year dealWhat’s being said nationally after Jaguars’ spending, Christian Kirk’s payday highlight start of free agencyLB Alex Anzalone credits culture shift, chance to leave legacy for re-signing with Detroit Lions

This is the first of an eight-part series previewing the Detroit Lions’ interests heading into the 2022 NFL combine, which kicks off next week. But you can’t play the games with just one receiver, and there are question marks everywhere around him. More than anything else on that side of the ball, the Lions need a top-shelf receiver to help stretch the field. So, yeah, expect the Lions to have a keen eye on the top wideouts when the NFL Scouting Combine gets rolling next week. He was voted the best receiver on the American team -- a team that was coached by the Detroit Lions, by the way.

But nothing helped quite like the emergence of Amon-Ra St. Brown. General manager Brad Holmes went into the final day of the draft with St. Brown at the top of his wish list. Through the first half of the season, St. Brown was as-advertised. Dan Campbell also turned that defensive attention against Green Bay, dialing up a series of trick plays that hinged on St. Brown. Throw in a fourth-down touchdown catch, and it was quite the exclamation point on a historic rookie season.

And it all hinged on Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit’s rookie sensation. St. Brown finished his rookie season with 90 catches for 912 yards, both club records for a rookie, and accounted for six touchdowns. But the book on St. Brown is he’s just as good without the football in his hands. Some more Week 18 trickeration 😉#GBvsDET | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/MciiuMEugO — Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 9, 2022Not every day you see a reverse flea-flicker to the blocking tight end, you know? You’re gonna get the best of the best of us, we ain’t holding nothing back, and we’re going to play ball.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions activated Kalif Raymond from the COVID list, getting the team their second starting wide receiver back in as many days heading into the season finale. Raymond missed last week’s blowout loss in Seattle, his first missed game of the season. Detroit added offensive tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker to the COVID reserve list to open the week. The Lions also placed defensive lineman Joel Heath on the COVID reserve list. Related headlines:Dan Campbell feeling encouraged, not discouraged, by QB Tim Boyle’s third start for Detroit LionsPenei Sewell’s monster rookie season derailed by trip to COVID list; Taylor Decker lost tooLions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown knows the 16 teams that took a receiver before him.

Now that the chances of the postseason are gone, the debate has switched toward the future of the Seattle Seahawks.

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff missed another practice, while the team is now down two of their three starting wide receivers, adding Kalif Raymond to the COVID list. Goff (knee) also missed yesterday’s practice, saying he continues to feel the knee injury he suffered in the team’s upset win against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15. He missed last week’s game while on the COVID list and hasn’t been able to test the knee much since suffering the injury. I still feel it and (am) working through it.”Fullback Jason Cabinda (knee) and cornerback Saivion Smith (illness) also missed Thursday’s practice. Raymond joins fellow starting receiver Josh Reynolds on the COVID list, not to mention starting tight end Brock Wright.

Lions quarterback Tim Boyle and the offense had the ball first-and-goal at the 9-yard line, trailing 20-16 with less than 60 seconds on the clock. Boyle threw an interception over the middle and to the right, intended for a heavily-covered Kalif Raymond in the end zone. Raymond broke from the slot for the middle of the end zone, with Boyle’s eyes locked, but Falcons linebacker Foyesade Oluokon made the interception on the timely read. I think little things like that. Tim Boyle was so much better for Detroit.

It was the kind of ending that Tim Boyle dreamed up many times in his quest to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

The Detroit Lions (2-12-1) brought another game into the final minutes, with quarterback Tim Boyle throwing a late interception in their 20-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons (7-8) in Week 16. Boyle started in place of quarterback Jared Goff, who could not clear COVID protocols after testing positive to start the week. Boyle and the Lions had their fair share of chances to take control of this one, or at least give themselves a better chance. When the Falcons took a 20-13 lead early in the fourth quarter, the Lions went down the field on a 17-play drive lasting 10 minutes, 26 seconds. Detroit took over at Atlanta’s 37-yard line, trailing 20-16 with a little more than two minutes on the clock.

The Denver Broncos honored the late Demaryius Thomas with a 38-10 win over Detroit and tributes including a video montage and a moment of silence.

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

The Detroit Lions (0-8-1) tied the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3-1) 16-16 in a wet, sloppy Week 10 game from Heinz Field. Grade: FRunning backs: With that said, D’Andre Swift was this team’s best shot in Pittsburgh through and through. Hockenson and Wright, with Matt Nelson subbing in, were factors in the Lions running heavy sets and pounding the rock so efficiently, though. Grade: D+Offensive line: Yeah, that was pretty solid, and Penei Sewell sure looked comfortable with his move back to right tackle. Fox dropped a beauty that landed on the 1-yard line, but a questionable call brought it out to the 20-yard line.

Dan Campbell spent much of last week scouting his own winless team.

Dan Campbell spent much of last week scouting his own winless team, searching for the good, bad and ugly the Detroit Lions put on film while opening the season with a string of setbacks.

The winless Detroit Lions are desperately seeking a victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at home.

Raymond is on track to clobber his career-best receiving marks in his first season with the Lions. That’s not too shabby for someone who had 19 receptions for 369 yards and one touchdown through 35 games in four years with four different teams. In Detroit’s 28-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last week, Raymond had another strong showing, catching six of eight targets for 115 yards. Lions quarterback Jared Goff praised Raymond’s work and ability to be someone he trusts despite not knowing much about him before landing in Detroit. Brandin Cooks was the same and Kalif is the same in that way where you know where he’s going to be.

Dan Campbell doesn't like watching film when he's angry.

Dan Campbell doesn’t like watching film when he’s angry.

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and his wide receivers haven’t been able to find much consistent success through the first four weeks of the season. Amon-Ra St. Brown had the best game of his young career, catching eight balls for 70 yards. “We always try to get our wide receivers involved,” Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said. It’s a combination of Raymond (22), Cephus (19), St. Brown (18), running back Jamaal Williams (14) and Trinity Benson (13). (Benson) and KhaDarel and Saint (St. Brown), all of these going as well and get them their touches.

The Detroit Lions (0-4) lost 24-14 to the Chicago Bears (2-2) at Soldier Field in Week 4 action. Grade: D+Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams stiff arms Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Chicago. Grade: DDefensive line: David Montgomery and Chicago’s dreadful offensive line ran all over the Lions. One week after getting sacked nine times last week, Justin Fields had all day in the pocket. The last one is a little more questionable, with the Lions having an opportunity to make it a one-score game.

But when he took the podium last Sunday, just minutes after the Detroit Lions were beaten in extraordinary fashion, the quarterback clearly had something to say. Rookie quarterback Justin Fields completed just six passes in that game, took nine sacks and net just 1 yard passing in his first NFL start. It was a big one too, separating Justin Fields from the football late in the fourth quarter. A couple plays later, Harris took another bad path to the football and was beaten by Fields for a third-down pickup on the ground. Then they got together again for another score in the fourth quarter, a 25-yard rip up the right seam.

Hockenson was limited to two catches on only two targets for 10 yards in the team’s 19-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week. It was the third-year Lions tight end’s least productive outing since Week 4 of last season, when he was held to two catches for nine yards, still managing to catch a touchdown that game, though. We’ve got to be more creative in the way that we try to get him the ball,” Campbell said. Hockenson saw a season-high 26 blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus, ranking in the middle of the pack in run blocking. “I don’t think, we haven’t seen at least so far this season, that they’re going to double him every play.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.comRunning backs: Once again, there isn’t much blame to go around for the running backs. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.comOffensive line: Some blame for Jared Goff’s rough first half undoubtedly falls on the offensive line. Goff had been sacked twice while the running game couldn’t get in a groove while facing third down after third down. The running game continued to enjoy some solid lanes through the trenches, though, with Swift and Williams each scoring touchdowns with 40-plus yards rushing. There was consistent pressure and outside of some miscommunication on Jackson’s 31-yard dash, the Lions kept Baltimore’s unrelenting running game in check.

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Detroit Lions’ short-handed receiver corps has finally gotten a break, with Kalif Raymond getting the green light to play on Monday night against the Packers. Then Tyrell Williams (brain) was ruled out in Green Bay, which made Raymond even more important for the prime-time showdown at Lambeau Field. But then Raymond suffered a thigh injury late in the practice week, missed some reps and was listed as questionable to play against the Packers. The rest of Detroit’s inactives: Edge rusher Austin Bryant, running back Jermar Jefferson, cornerback Corey Ballentine and defensive tackle Kevin Strong (brain). Julian Okwara is also active, getting the call over Bryant as the last man off the bench at edge rusher.

Then they lost Tyrell Williams to a brain injury in the opener and have ruled him out to play on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers. Then on the final day of practice for that game, fellow starter Kalif Raymond came down with an injury of his own. He’s dealing with a thigh issue and is questionable to play in Green Bay, dealing yet another blow to one of the league’s worst receiver corps. The Lions also listed running back D’Andre Swift as questionable, although he is expected to play. “No concern.”Williams was listed as full-go for the game in Green Bay despite a chest injury that limited him at practice on Thursday and Friday.

Dre Greenlaw returned an interception for a touchdown to help the San Francisco 49ers score 17 points over two-plus minutes late in the first half and they held on for a 41-33 win over the Detroit Lions.

ALLEN PARK -- T.J. Hockenson looks really good. The offensive line is supposed to be really good, although Penei Sewell is struggling a bit with the transition to right tackle. D’Andre Swift could be really good if he can get/stay healthy. Questions, on questions, on questions ...... unless you’re Jared Goff, the man tasked with orchestrating this thing and knows it better than any other. “And honestly, don’t really know what it would be.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions didn’t invest much in their receiver position this offseason. Now they’ve cut one of the few notable pieces they did add, parting with Breshad Perriman on Monday morning according to ESPN. The Lions expected Perriman to start this season, and guaranteed almost all of his $2.5 million salary. Perriman caught just one of his five targets in the preseason overall. With Perriman out, Kalif Raymond -- who opened camp as the backup in the slot -- appears to have won the other outside job.

“I think we’re really good,” receivers coach Antwaan Randle El said after a light practice on Wednesday morning. “Throughout training camp and even OTAs, the improvement has been great,” Randle El said. His position coach that year: None other than Antwaan Randle El. “That (prior relationship) helps out, because obviously he knows how I teach,” Randle El said earlier this offseason. “You see the things that they can do in the red zone,” Randle El said.

Raymond has been in the mix for the starting slot job, competing with fourth-round rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown for looks. With a handful of Lions receivers dealing with injuries, Raymond has worked on the outside more, getting chances with the first-team offense to boot. He’s also among the team’s top options to become the new primary return specialist, battling Tom Kennedy, Victor Bolden and St. Brown in that phase. Every day he’s nonstop. Everybody is big, everybody is fast, everybody can catch, everybody can tackle and everybody can hit,” Raymond said.

Sewell didn’t play last year though, opting to sit out due to concerns about the pandemic season. So there will be mistakes, like the time he let an end-of-the-bench defensive tackle named Bruce Hector blow past him for a tackle for loss on Wednesday. That guy is a good player, he’s experienced too, and he’s put Sewell through the ringer. He’s going to force this guy to get better fast.”Taylor Decker knows that learning curve well. Tyrell Crosby (who didn’t practice on Wednesday) and Matt Nelson have done some good things on that second unit, but that’s about where the bench ends.

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp still has his eyes on five players on the quest to replace Jamal Agnew as the team’s return specialist. Agnew’s departure means the Lions will have a new return specialist for the first time in four seasons. “Right now, you’re looking for consistency,” Fipp said. Then you’re looking for a guy, once he gets it in his hands, he makes something happen. “There you’re kind of looking for execution, just team execution, making sure guys know what they’re doing, and then you’re looking for kinda timing, spacing, stuff like that.

You’d be hard-pressed to find another organization that has undergone more change than your Detroit Lions. On Wednesday, those very new-look Lions will open training camp in Allen Park. But when a guy with 20 catches is the most experienced returner, it says a lot about the question marks at the position. The Lions also added Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth round of the draft, and believe they got a steal there. Roster projection: Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Quintez Cephus, Victor Bolden, Kalif Raymond

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are searching for a new primary return specialist for the first time in four years after Jamal Agnew departed for Jacksonville in free agency. The franchise also welcomes new special teams coordinator Dave Fipp, who spent the previous eight seasons holding the same position in Philadelphia. The Lions opened Organized Team Activities at their practice facility this past week, giving Fipp the chance to see some of his options for the return job in person. Obviously, we’re working a lot of those guys right now,” Fipp said. He returned 19 punts for 107 yards, an average of 5.3, taking two kicks for 43 yards across three seasons at USC.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have found a contender to replace All-Pro return man Jamal Agnew, inking the speedy Kalif Raymond to a one-year deal according to his agent. He averaged 18.3 yards per kick return, while chipping in a career-high nine catches for 181 yards on offense. In other words, he’s like a less productive version of Jamal Agnew, the All-Pro return man who just cashed in with a three-year, $21 million contract in Jacksonville. Agnew averaged 12.7 yards per punt return last year, 28.0 yards per kick return, brought back one return for a touchdown, added 13 catches for 89 yards and also ran the ball six times for 33 yards. There is still a lot of time before the Lions have to pick a new return man, but Raymond looks like an early favorite.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrates after the Ravens beat the Tennessee Titans in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Lamar Jackson finally has his first postseason victory — and on the road, no less. Combine that with Baltimore smothering 2,000-yard rusher Derrick Henry, and the Ravens look playoff tough. After the turnover, the Ravens came onto the field and started waving good-bye to the Titans — drawing a taunting penalty they didn't mind at all. “We won the division, hosted a home playoff game,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. The Ravens held Tennessee to minus-7 yards in the second quarter, the third fewest in any quarter of a playoff game since the 2000 season.

Malcolm Butler intercepted two passes, the second he returned 68 yards, and both set up short touchdowns for Tennessee. “They were ready to go and at the same time we beat ourselves,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. Allen's pass went off Andre Roberts' hands right to Butler, and he returned the interception 29 yards to the Bills 16. Tennessee led 21-10 at halftime after Tannehill ran in from 10 yards seconds before the half. Safety Micah Hyde denied the Bills got caught looking ahead to the defending Super Bowl champs.