The Detroit Lions Podcast

Detroit Lions Podcast
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  1. 1d ago

    Daily DLP: How Bad was the Lions D in 2025? - Detroit Lions Podcast

    The Detroit Lions defense in 2025 was not bad, it was untimely. They ranked 22nd in scoring defense but finished 17th in yards allowed per game and ninth on third downs, and Pro Football Focus graded them as a top-five defense overall. The real issue was explosive plays and situational lapses at key moments. Was the Detroit Lions defense actually bad in 2025? No. The unit performed better than its reputation. As Jeff Risdon noted, the Lions were 22nd in points allowed, 17th in yards per game at 332.8, and middle of the pack at 5.4 yards per play. Crucially, they allowed a 36.9 percent third-down conversion rate, which ranked ninth, while the offense converted 38.8 percent, 19th. That disconnect fuels the perception. The defense was on the field in tough spots and failed at the worst times, which is different from being bad snap-to-snap. Which numbers explain the gap between strong grades and points allowed? Excellent. PFF’s cumulative defensive grade for Detroit was 81.8, fifth overall, with a 78.5 run defense grade that ranked fourth. Tackling graded at 74.9, second behind the Green Bay Packers. The pass rush ranked fifth, and pressure rate ranked fourth, with help from Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Coverage graded 74.1, tenth. Raw team data backs several strengths: Detroit allowed the sixth-lowest completion rate at 61.6 percent, averaged 7.3 yards per pass allowed which ranked 23rd, and posted an 8.11 percent sack rate, eighth. Special teams graded sixth. The defense simply surrendered too many explosive plays and got burned by short fields when the offense failed on third and fourth downs. Those two factors drove points more than down-to-down quality. What must change in 2026 to turn solid metrics into stops? Cut the explosives and win the pivotal snaps. That means finishing drives with takeaways or stops on third and manageable, and protecting field position instead of gifting short fields. As Jeff Risdon theorized, using more zone coverage and replacing some base 4-3 snaps with extra defensive backs or an additional lineman instead of a linebacker can specifically help in coverage. He also noted using the punter a little more in marginal situations to avoid feeding opponents favorable field position. Turnovers and situational management Risdon’s Houston analogy underscores it: clean up turnover differential and third-down execution and a defense that already grades well turns those metrics into points prevented. Do the Lions have the personnel to fix it? Yes. Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson closed strong after a slump and remains the headliner up front. Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell delivered impact against the run, and the interior pairing of Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Tyleik Williams should be a strong one-two punch. Depth has improved in the secondary, though, as Jeff Risdon cautioned, safety Brian Branch and safety Kerby Joseph entering the start of the year is not optimal. Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone’s role can flex within sub-packages to prioritize coverage matchups. Bottom line, as Risdon put it, the defense was unfortunate and untimely in 2025, and those are correctable issues. He’s over the 10.5 win total. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #lionsdefense #nflstatistics #pff #pffranking #pffgrades #aidanhutchinson #jackcampbell #alimmcneill #tyleikwilliams #brianbranch #kirbyjoseph #alexanzalone #profootballfocus #losangelesrams #seattleseahawks #greenbaypackers #passrush Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. 2d ago

    Daily DLP: Defending Penei Sewell's Greatness Detroit Lions Podcast

    Penei Sewell is an elite NFL offensive tackle, not the 10th-best, as ESPN pundit Mike Clay ranked him. He finished third in pass protection efficiency at 98.2 with only two sacks, six hits, 11 hurries, and 19 total pressures allowed, plus a 95.1 overall and 96.7 run blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. Is ESPN underrating Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell? Yes. Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell ranks among the NFL’s best, not 10th. As Jeff Risdon noted, Pro Football Focus graded Sewell at 95.1 overall with a 96.7 run blocking grade, and he allowed just two sacks, six quarterback hits, 11 hurries, and 19 total pressures in 2025. Those results track with a 98.2 pass protection efficiency, which placed him third among qualifying tackles. ESPN’s ranking leans on a proprietary pass block win rate and on the note that Sewell is moving sides. Risdon acknowledged that switching from right tackle to left tackle is a fair consideration, but he emphasized Sewell has played left tackle in the NFL and handled it well. Every visible performance marker says he belongs at the top tier. Does pass block win rate measure what matters in protection? No. What matters is not losing, and Sewell rarely loses. As Jeff Risdon said, the ESPN metric is subjective and measures “wins,” while pass protection success is about preventing losses. Sewell’s 98.2 efficiency shows he prevents losses as well as almost anyone, backed by only 19 total pressures conceded across a 50 percent of 1,294 snaps qualifier pool. Context also matters. Protection can change based on a tight end’s alignment, the guard inside, or compensating for interior issues. Risdon pointed out that Detroit often had to shade inside last year because the center struggled, and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is not mobile under quick pressure. That reality affects how any tackle is scored snap to snap. How should fans view the Detroit Lions offensive line at 19th? As conservative. The unit projects better than 19th even with moving parts. Risdon accepted ESPN’s 19th as a defensible output for a formula, noting the Lions have starters at three new positions, but he stated Detroit will outperform that slot. Continuity takes time, but the cornerstone is overwhelming. Sewell’s dominance stabilizes the front, and Detroit Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley can lean on elite edge play while integrating the new starters. That foundation raises the floor and the ceiling for the group. What do the comps say about other top NFL tackles? They reinforce Sewell’s standing. In pass protection efficiency, Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garrett Bolles ranked first and New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas second, with Sewell third at 98.2. Pro Football Focus also showed Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs at 92.7 overall, while Sewell’s pass protection grade of 80.3 matched San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams and topped San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Colton McKivitz. Risdon added that Sewell’s pressure totals were equivalent with Chicago Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright, and he flagged Detroit Lions offensive tackle Larry Borom appearing in the top 10 for pass rush efficiency as an encouraging pickup. The eye test and the data converge on the same conclusion: Sewell is elite, and Detroit’s line trends up from a formulaic 19th. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #peneisewell #espntackleranking #profootballfocus #darnellwright #pff #olrankings #lionsoffensiveline Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. 5d ago

    Daily DLP: Russ Brown joins for some Lions Q&A Detroit Lions Podcast

    The Daily DLP welcomes Bish and Brown co-host Russ Brown to the latest episode. The show focuses on some of the recent Lions developments, including the team's dismissal of cornerback Terrion Arnold. Brown argued that Detroit can evaluate and win with the corners on hand while focusing entirely on football. Are the Detroit Lions better without Terrion Arnold? Yes. The roster and locker room benefit from removing a high-profile distraction and empowering the rest of the room. Detroit Lions cornerback DJ Reed, Ennis Rakestraw and Keith Abney give the staff multiple perimeter options. Brown framed it plainly, the team has enough depth to stay afloat and can use the season to see exactly what it has in Rakestraw and Abney while Reed takes the CB1 role. He also noted the waiver reality and that the issue is no longer inside the building. Jeff Risdon added he expects a massive suspension and reminded listeners no team claimed Arnold. Training camp opens July 25, so the team’s clean slate at corner arrives at the right time. Who wins the Lions offensive line battles at right tackle and left guard? Right tackle is settled, left guard is a true competition. Detroit Lions right tackle Blake Miller starts immediately. At left guard, Detroit Lions guard Krish Mahogany and Detroit Lions guard Miller Frasier headline the race with Detroit Lions guard Ben Bartch in the mix. Brown called Miller plug and play and said he has no doubt Miller will be the starting right tackle. He labeled left guard the bigger question, with the cream rising between Mahogany and Frasier. The hosts praised the front office for taking two interior swings and set the expectation that this group is better than a year ago. How explosive is Detroit’s passing attack in 2026? It is elite, and it will be featured. Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is a set-and-forget chain-mover, and Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams adds vertical thunder. Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta’s health is trending up, and Detroit Lions running back Jameer Gibbs remains a centerpiece. Brown told friends to draft St. Brown without hesitation because he wins every down and distance. He described Williams as a modern home-run threat who can get to roughly 60 catches and 1,000 yards with schemed touches. With Drew Petzing and Mike Kafka providing fresh eyes, as Jeff Risdon put it, the offense should clean the meat off the bone that was left last year. Did Detroit do enough in the middle of the defense, and what about specialists? Yes on the trenches, and no issue on specialists. Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ali McNeil pairs with Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ty II Williams to anchor inside, while Detroit Lions defensive tackle Skyler Gil Howard brings first-step juice as a late-round addition. Brown outlined how Reader’s exit was expected short term and emphasized Williams’ faster play and McNeil’s reset year. Risdon, after seeing Gil Howard up close, said his physical presence impressed and that pads will tell the rest. What about the specialists? There is no mistake in having no camp challengers. Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox and Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates are established, and Detroit Lions long snapper Hatton is working under former long snapper and current staffer Don Muhlbach. Brown said the Lions would add competition if needed. Risdon called Fox unreal at minicamp, a reminder that this NFL unit is set. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #djreed #ennisrakestraw #keithabney #terrionarnold #legaldistraction #cb1role #righttackleblakemiller #leftguardcompetition #krishmahogany #millerfrasier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. 6d ago

    Daily DLP: Colby Sorsdal's Lions chances of sticking in 2026 Detroit Lions Podcast

    Colby Sorsdal makes the Detroit Lions 53-man roster as a reserve guard in Jeff Risdon’s current projection. His roster case centers on a cleaner guard fit, size and strength, and a depth chart that now places other tackles ahead of him. Spring reps and versatility keep him in the fight. Is Colby Sorsdal on track to make the 53-man roster? Yes, Jeff Risdon currently has Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal on the final 53, in pencil, as a reserve interior option. As Jeff Risdon noted, Sorsdal drew meaningful spring reps and remains in the core group competing for backup jobs. Risdon emphasized that Sorsdal missed last season after a preseason injury against Atlanta led to an injured reserve stint. The perception that he was gone lingered because of the waiver process, but he reverted and remained with Detroit. With renewed health and visible work in the spring, he reenters a crowded battle for reserve offensive line roles. What role best fits Colby Sorsdal in Detroit? Guard, not tackle. Sorsdal’s body type, power and grip strength translate inside, and the tackle depth ahead of him reduces the need to keep him outside. As a rookie in 2023, Sorsdal played 94 snaps at left guard out of 253 total regular season snaps, the only regular season action of his career to date. Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell’s staff has seen him at both guard spots, and his pass-protection challenges on the edge, specifically against quick inside counters that tested his foot reset and weight transfer, point to a cleaner projection at guard. The ask now is to channel his upper-body strength, anchor and hand usage in tighter spaces while sharpening the footwork that stalled him at right tackle. How crowded is the Lions’ reserve offensive line competition? Very crowded, and it shapes Sorsdal’s lane. Detroit Lions tackle Larry Borom upgrades the OT3 spot, Detroit Lions offensive tackle Blake Miller was drafted to play early, and Detroit Lions tackle Devin Cochran brings length. That stack narrows Sorsdal’s tackle path and pushes him to guard. Inside, Detroit Lions interior offensive lineman Juice Scruggs is part of the mix, Detroit Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier is being sorted among positions, and Detroit Lions center Seth McLaughlin is competing for depth. At left guard, Detroit Lions guard Christian Mahogany is the presumptive winner per Risdon, with Juice Scruggs his top challenger. Within that framework, Sorsdal’s clearest route is becoming the best reserve right guard who can also cover emergency snaps elsewhere. What did Dan Campbell say about Sorsdal’s opportunity? Dan Campbell underscored open competition and Sorsdal’s chance to earn it. Campbell said the staff’s eyes are open every year, Sorsdal is coming back from injury and doing a good job, and pads will tell more. He added that players get overlooked, then gain confidence, make plays and earn roles, and that Sorsdal has an opportunity. That aligns with Risdon’s view: if the Detroit Lions keep him focused at one spot and he stacks solid padded practices and preseason tape, Sorsdal validates a reserve guard role on the 53. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #colbysorsdal #larryborom #juicescruggs #blakemiller #milesfrazier #devincochran #sethmclaughlin #christianmahogany #dancampbell #jeffrisdon #detroitlionsoffensiveline #rightguardcompetition #trainingcamp #preseasongamevsatlanta #53-manroster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jul 8

    Daily DLP: Dominic Lovett on the Lions Roster Bubble - Detroit Lions Podcast

    Slot-Only Profile in a Crowded Detroit Lions Room The Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on Dominic Lovett, No. 19, and his roster odds as training camp nears. The NFL squeezes slot receivers who lack a clear special teams role, and Lovett sits right in that pinch point. He is listed at 5-10, 185 and profiles as a slot-only receiver. At Georgia, his routes rarely stretched beyond 8 to 10 yards. The usage leaned horizontal. Quick slants. Hitches. Get it out, make the first tackler miss. He has speed, but the vertical element was not a staple of his tape. The top of the Detroit Lions depth chart leaves little room. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa define the top three. The club added Greg Dortch, who is smaller than Lovett and brings elite yards-after-catch production. Dortch owned minicamp. He was open, quickly and often. That is not how Lovett’s spring looked. Special Teams Will Decide It Lovett’s path is special teams. As a rookie, he logged snaps in most games but was a regular on those units only from Weeks 4 to 8, which included the bye. He logged no return action. In camp, he was not near the top of the returner reps. He did not record a special teams tackle. He is not noted for blocking. The evaluation lands near baseline, which means no real positive spikes. The drops remain an issue. In minicamp, Lovett put two easy throws on the ground. One came when he tried to run before the catch. Another was a low ball he did not dig out. That tracked with college scouting reports on his hands. Meanwhile, Tom Kennedy offers physical play, nuanced routes, and trust from Jared Goff. Kennedy blocks, arrives on time in his spots, and catches what is thrown. If the decision is Lovett or Kennedy for the same role, Kennedy holds the edge. Where He Sits Entering Camp Realistically, Lovett is battling for wide receiver five or wide receiver six if the Lions keep six. The competition includes Kennedy, Tarek Black, Malik Cunningham, and a wave of former UFL guys. Jackson Meeks is trending more toward an undersized tight end role than a true wideout. Dortch is locked as WR4. On the current board, Lovett trails Cunningham and Kennedy and likely at least one of the UFL additions, such as Black. The episode framed a clear outcome set. If Lovett pops on special teams as a returner, blocker, or in gunning duties, he can change the conversation in Detroit. If not, he projects outside the 53 and likely clears waivers. In a crowded NFL receiver room, every rep will matter. For Lovett, the Detroit Lions Podcast made it plain: special teams is not a bonus. It is the job interview. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #dominiclovett #gregdortch #amon-rast.brown #jamesonwilliams #isaacteslaa #tomkennedy #tarekblack #malikcunningham #ennisrakestraw #giovannimanu #davefipp #jaredgoff #slotonlyreceiver #widereceiversix #specialteams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Jul 7

    Daily DLP: Ennis Rakestraw's Make or Break Lions Summer - Detroit Lions Podcast

    The risk-reward corner Detroit needs to actually see The Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on Ennis Rakestraw, the 2024 second-round pick who has become the clearest test of risk versus reward in the Lions secondary. The talent fits. The availability has not. He missed all of last season after a shoulder and pec injury in practice. Before that came a torn season in 2021 and a groin issue that cost him games in 2023, plus core muscle surgery that kept him out of the postseason showcase. Three NFL summers in, the team still lacks a full evaluation on the field. Fans connect this uncertainty to wider doubts about the 2024 draft class and Brad Holmes. The show pushed back on the idea that one class is holding the Detroit Lions back from contention. But Rakestraw sits at the heart of that conversation. If he hits, the cornerback room stabilizes without a search outside the building. If he doesn’t, Detroit’s margin thins. What we actually know: traits, usage, speed Rakestraw profiles as a press-man outside corner. Not a zone specialist. Not a slot by trade, even though he has taken some slot reps when healthy. He is smart, competitive, and embraces top assignments. The tape and the combine align on speed. His 4.54 shows. He does not have a chase gear when beaten and will need safety help over the top against burners. Do not expect him to carry Jameson Williams down the field. Short-area reaction and staying connected through routes are his strengths. There is one encouraging physical note. In camp, he looked noticeably sturdier with added muscle. The frame that measured 5-11 and 183 now appears closer to 190. That matters for durability and for finishing tackles, a part of his game the coaches like. 2026 reality: competition and special teams math The outside corner competition is crowded. Khalil Dorsey grabbed first-team reps early in camp. Avonte Maddox factors in. Roger McCreery is in the mix. Rakestraw has to prove he can hold up and win outside snaps, not just flash in drills. Special teams complicate his case. This staff often leans roster decisions toward special teams value, but Rakestraw’s injury history makes heavy teams usage risky if he’s tracking as a defensive contributor. The cleanest outcome is obvious. Rakestraw stays healthy all summer, trusts his body, and puts his press-man fit on tape. That would allow Detroit to replace the lost role that Terrion Arnold once filled without scrambling. The traits match the scheme. The question is health. Show it, then keep showing it. If he does, he makes the team. It is not a lock. It is within reach. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #ennisrakestraw #khalildorsey #avontemaddox #rogermccreary #specialteamsusage #4.54speed #safetyhelpoverthetop #addedmuscleto190 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Jul 6

    Daily DLP: Giovanni Manu's Make-Or-Break Summer in Detroit - Detroit Lions Podcast

    Roster reality for a third-year project The Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on Giovanni Manu and a blunt truth. Year three is now or never. A third-round investment to move up for a fourth-round pick will not protect a spot. Brad Holmes said it would be irresponsible to assume a past developmental pick will be the guy. He also said there is no conviction Manu is ready to be a major contributor. The message is clear. Earn it. A fresh 53-man projection left Manu off. The competition is real at tackle and inside. Larry Borom is a bar to clear. So is Colby Sorsdal. Devin Cochran brings size and college polish. There is a very real chance Manu is tackle five by the end of the first preseason game. Special teams jobs are settled elsewhere. There is no easy back door. Technique, fit, and the guard conversation The tape tells why. Manu plays too tall. His back is upright. His arms are late and not fully extended. He loses leverage and trust in his strike. Long arms become a liability when the first punch is late. Those issues have shown in camp reps and preseason snaps against NFL speed. Detroit’s offense leans on timing and rhythm. Jared Goff needs clear lanes over the middle. Tall interior linemen can clog those sight lines. That makes a move to guard complicated for a 6-foot-8 blocker. Dan Campbell opened the guard talk late in minicamp, but no pads means no verdict. The staff can measure balance, assignment, and second-level pickups in shorts. Real answers arrive in pads. Path forward, or exit plan There is still a plan. Manu has worked with LaCharles Bentley and the OLP crew to speed up his get-off and strike. Hank Fraley and Detroit’s development group have invested time. The hope is to turn rare tools into usable reps. The leash, though, is getting short. Training camp intensity and scrutiny will rise. If it stalls, options exist. A conditional seventh could be in play for a team thin behind good starters. San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Cleveland fit the profile mentioned. A niche role as an extra tight end or on field-goal block is possible, but others have shown more with the ball and in space this spring. The physical traits still grab you. Planet theory always does. Now the football has to match. The Detroit Lions need proof, not potential, when camp opens and the NFL speed returns. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #giovannimanu #bradholmes #detroitlionstrainingcamp #53-manrosterprojection #offensivetackledepth #guardexperiment #leverageandpadlevel #longarmsstriketiming #larryborom #colbysorsdal #devincochran #danskipper #hankfraley #lacharlesbentleyolp #tradeforconditionalseventh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Jul 3

    Daily DLP: Talking With Honolulu Blues Author Joel Walkowski - Detroit Lions Podcast

    Honolulu Blues: How a Losing Football Team Created a Winning Man The Detroit Lions Podcast hit pause on the recent noise and leaned into what makes Detroit different. Jeff Risdon sat down with author and lifelong Lions fan Joel Walkowski to unpack Joel's upcoming book, Honolulu Blues: How a Losing Football Team Created a Winning Man. The book is a Lions history that doubles as a memoir about fathers, fandom, and getting sober. The book lands on July 14 and mixes hard truth with humor. It is rooted in Sundays, shared rooms, and the way a football team can hold a family together. Walkowski grew up with the Lions as common ground with his father, who had special needs. Barry Sanders became a compass. Games turned into lessons on humility and resilience. He remembers the Utley game. He remembers Reggie Brown. He remembers a Pro Bowl guard killed by a truck while doing yard work. Even in those darkest moments, Barry made the game joyful. Later, during his own fight for sobriety, Matthew Stafford’s toughness lit a path forward. The book tour runs through Detroit Book Fest, bookstore stops on the 24th, 25th, and 29th, a statewide library swing from September 17 to October 4, and a Detroit sports roast on October 4. Glory, Pain, and Change in Detroit Wachowski traces how 1950s Detroit helped shape the modern NFL. The Lions ran early two-minute drills. They played under the lights. The city and the franchise moved in sync. Then came decades where everything that could go wrong did. After Barry’s rookie year came Andre Ware. A splash move for Pat Swilling cost draft picks that became stars elsewhere. The tragedies around the offensive line were real and human. Ownership loomed over it all. William Clay Ford’s long tenure fostered inertia. Russ Thomas became a symbol of staying too long. The uniform patch sparked fan fatigue. Modernization finally arrived under Sheila Ford Hamp. Process, infrastructure, and standards caught up. Simple things like player support, food, and recovery resources improved. The Lions began acting like a billion-dollar enterprise. That cultural pivot echoes the book’s core theme: look in the mirror, change, and build better habits. Why 2026 Inspires 13-4 Talk This roster can beat anyone. The offensive line is a strength. Amon-Ra fits as the possession target. Jamo brings a home run threat. The backfield evokes Barry-level excitement. Put it together and 13-4 does not sound outlandish. Twelve and five is in range too. The NFC North picture helps. Stability in Allen Park looks stronger than rivals. Chicago faces the pain of replacing a Pro Bowl center. The lesson of going from hunter to hunted still matters. Even last year, with injuries and breaks going the wrong way against Kansas City, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, Detroit stayed on the cusp. Wachowski attended the NFC Championship at his father’s urging. He left with perspective, not despair. Community. Memories. A team that changed how people carry setbacks. This Detroit Lions Podcast episode delivered catharsis and clarity. The Lions’ story is not only about trophies. It is about how a city learns to get up, again and again, together. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #honolulublues #barrysanders #jaredgoff #amon-rast.brown #jamesonwilliams #mikeutley #reggiebrown #waynefonts #williamclayford #sheilafordhamp #russthomas #patswilling #andreware #two-minutedrill #nfcchampionship #pittsburghsteelers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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