Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone says 2024 will be the year team wins Lombardi Trophy.
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00:00 John Alex Angelo has come out and said that 2024 is going to be the lion season.
00:05 It is their time to shine and make the Super Bowl.
00:08 What do you make of those comments from the Lions star linebacker?
00:11 Yeah, Vito, really interesting.
00:13 A quality piece penned for the Players Tribune by Alex Ancelone.
00:17 He really opens talking about the support that the Lions roster really has for Dan Campbell.
00:23 Making those decisions to be aggressive on fourth down.
00:26 Really indicating that this is what the Lions identity is.
00:30 And the roster would have been confused if Dan Campbell would not have been so aggressive in the second half against the 49ers.
00:36 Really showing and showcasing support for Detroit's head coach.
00:40 You look at it, Alex Ancelone really penned and allowed an insight into what it's like for a football player
00:47 when a season that has so much promise ends so suddenly.
00:52 He talks about coming home after a devastating loss to the 49ers.
00:56 Really feeling the effects of having fractured ribs.
00:59 Not being able to play with his kids.
01:02 And recognizing that even a couple days later as he's worked through and processing that the Lions are not going to be in the big game.
01:08 His young child comes out and says, "Hey, Daddy, are you guys going to be in the big game?"
01:13 All those feelings had to come rushing back when he had just started the process of coping with a devastating loss.
01:22 Really when you recognize how much these athletes put into a season.
01:27 Getting out there in the postseason.
01:29 20 weeks of NFL football. It really was based on grit and adrenaline.
01:33 And for Alex Ancelone and this roster, even though there's a deep sense of disappointment and a missed opportunity,
01:40 there's also, in the same breath and token, a renewed spirit that 2024 will be the year.
01:47 And you recognize that everyone around town is still recovering and thinking about the missed opportunity.
01:53 But in the end, Vito, it was the first opportunity this young football team had to get to that opportunity to be within one game of getting to the big game.
02:02 So you look at it and you say, "Now, this opportunity."
02:06 Dan Campbell told Alex Ancelone and asked him, "Are you going to watch the game between the Chiefs and the 49ers?"
02:12 And while most players don't want to, Dan Campbell is encouraging each member of the roster,
02:17 "Sit there and watch that game. Watch the contest that you guys should be in and use it as motivation."
02:24 And I think when you look at it, there's a lot of strong belief right now, Vito,
02:29 that the Detroit Lions are a team in waiting to potentially be the next team in the NFC to get to the big game
02:35 and maybe even potentially hoisting the Lombardi Trophy when the conclusion of the 2024 season happens next year.
02:42 Now, it's going to take time. It's going to take effort. It's going to take some retooling.
02:46 But when you have leaders like Alex Ancelone and a young core and an offense that is going to be very potent,
02:53 maybe it's not such a long shot that the Lions could be the kings of the mountain in 2024.
02:59 Well, if you thought the Lions were motivated in 2023, I think they're going to be even more motivated in 2024.
03:04 John, thanks for all the time.