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00:00It's a Lions edition of the blitz thingy on the brink of the season. Let's go. All right, here we go
00:06The Detroit Lions have added some new pieces on the defensive line guys
00:10Who are you more excited about DJ reader Levi on Zarique or Marcus Davenport?
00:15It's Levi and he's obviously not a new piece, but he's kind of a new piece and it's yeah, he's a new piece
00:20It's a wild
00:22Development in this offseason you talk about unexpected
00:26If he is as good as the hype
00:28It is it will be an unexpected boost to a position group that needs it and they went out and addressed it with a veteran
00:36But if I had asked you at the end of last season, we'll Levi and Zarique have any impact on the 2024 season
00:42We would nobody would have said yes
00:44Nobody would have believed that and yet here we are then protecting him in the preseason
00:50That when he I was so excited for the first preseason game to see if the hype was real and he didn't play and I'm
00:55Oh, he must not be healthy then we find out no
00:59He's proven himself and they're saving him for the season. He was a dancing bear at Washington
01:04I was always a fan of the draft pick and and look this isn't about being right
01:08It's just about what an unexpected wonderful potential development for the Lions
01:13well
01:13there were a lot of bloggers out there in the offseason that said he was gonna be a
01:18cut in training camp or even beforehand that he wasn't gonna make this team and then
01:23Obviously the opposite has happened with with the hype machine about there from the head coach
01:27but I'm gonna go with Marcus Davenport and and I say this because
01:32It's it's more personal with me I I looked at Marcus Davenport
01:36Years ago when he when he was at the combine this defensive end out of Texas, San Antonio
01:42and he kind of
01:43Jumped off the TV for me like he really stood out in the combine and I remember that name
01:48I like that's a guy like the Lions to draft at some point and it didn't happen and then they were able to get him
01:53In in free agency, and he hasn't had the NFL career that I envisioned, but he's been hurt
01:57I think if healthy Marcus Davenport
02:00We're really good and he's in a really good situation here with the Lions because of Aiden Hutchinson on the other side
02:05It's not dissimilar from what he had with Minnesota last year with the Neil Hunter, but I think if he can stay healthy
02:13Davenport has that opportunity for production and it's massive it with an opportunity outside of Hutch
02:19Yeah, I I did phrase the question Doug what new piece because to me Levi Anzarica is a new piece
02:24I know technically his name has been on the roster the last couple years
02:27But we've never seen him out there consistently enough and with the production we expected when the Lions took him
02:33So for me Levi, I'm the most excited to see what he is boom or bust to see him out there consistently
02:38Getting a shot to prove himself is a big, you know for me
02:42At least I'll know at the end of the day and as far as the coaching staff and his teammates are concerned
02:46They think this is guy this is this is a boom this is not a bus
02:50In fact, they think they've got something really good here a rotation with reader and a Lee McNeil in between, you know
02:56On the tackles right there. It looks like this could be much improved even from the last year where they had a top-run defense
03:03All right guys which second-year player makes the biggest jump this season Brian branch Jack Campbell Jameer Gibbs or Sam Laporta
03:10You know, I I swear to God I started
03:13Writing down some thoughts and and I went to three names right away
03:16And I had to keep changing go to the next one go to the next one go to the next one
03:20The only name I didn't put down there was Laporta because I just I don't expect a big jump for him
03:24the other three guys you can make cases for
03:27Stronger cases I think I'm gonna go with Brian branch though
03:30The secondary is gonna look a lot better this year and he's gonna be a stabilizing force covering all types of ground
03:36He can play anywhere in that secondary and we know he's a playmaker
03:41Another one of these guys it please God stay healthy because I think he is he's an all-pro in the making
03:46I just love Brian branch and I can't wait to see what he does this year
03:51Jack Campbell is gonna wreck stuff this year
03:54He is gonna wreck stuff this this
03:57offseason he's had
03:59You know he eats
04:01Drinks sleeps football Jack Campbell takes that big step forward this year, you know Gator if I was gonna make a red solo cup guarantee
04:11Pick Jackie up for me. It's between Jack Campbell and Jameer Gibbs in the end. I'm gonna go with
04:17You have room for me Doug
04:19I'm gonna go with Jack Campbell because Jameer Gibbs although I have he's got a really high seat a ceiling and you guys know I
04:24Expect a lot from him this year
04:25But there are a lot of mouths to feed on the offensive side of the ball
04:29So he might not reach all those lofty goals that I think he can reach
04:33Just because JMO and everybody else is gonna get the ball as well as far as Jack Campbell's concerned
04:38My man's gonna be out there pretty much every time
04:40You know the defense is out there and he's gonna be able to wreck stuff like Doug says I think one extra
04:45You know that year last year of learning for Jack Campbell would be huge. The NFL game is a lot different
04:50He gets his body is mine right a year into it and Saloni there next to him teaching him leading the way
04:54I mean Jack Campbell has a really big lead from year one to year two
04:59All right, what is your biggest concern heading into the season opener I
05:04Still worry about the secondary and it's not because I don't have faith. It's just we haven't seen him
05:09It's like we have the least amount of data to make a decision on on how much improved that they are
05:14I mean Carlton Davis
05:17Looks like he's going to be solid but you can find examples of him struggling last year including against the Lions a meek Robertson
05:24Again feels like one of those underrated signings. He's like the veteran and it's rake straw
05:29You know, he's a he's a veteran that is shouldn't be discounted could help this team
05:35Rookies struggle and the wide receivers they face
05:38I mean, maybe everybody's schedule looks like this
05:40but it just feels like they are they are facing the best in the in the league and so I
05:47Think they'll be improved but we have the least amount to go on with this group. Well for me, it's it's always a health concern
05:55I'm gonna be specific about it. It's it's with the offensive line. I
06:00Everything that the Lions do offensively starts with those guys up front and maybe more specifically with Frank rag now
06:05We know it's gonna be
06:07tough sledding for Frank throughout his career because he's always dealing with with the the foot injury and
06:13It's not gonna change. He's not gonna practice much
06:15He's gonna show up on Sundays and he's gonna be a stud because that's what Frank rag now is
06:19but I do get concerned about his health and
06:23He's not alone. There are other guys that offensive line been banged up in their careers and banged up in this offseason
06:28So that to me is the biggest concern because there's a big drop-off when they go from the starters
06:34to the second-team guys
06:35some of these guys can step in and do an admirable job, but
06:38You start to get concerned if they can mount if those injuries mount up and they may I'm a little worried about that
06:44Mine is the opposite defensive end of Hutchinson
06:48Marcus Davenport, he's had you know, some good years when he's healthy, but he hasn't been healthy the last couple years James Houston
06:55One amazing back half of the season and since then I mean a lot of people thought he might have been playing for a
07:00Job this year in the preseason
07:02Pascal hasn't really lived up to his expectations of a second round pick. It's just consistent pressure from the other side opposite Hutchin
07:08That's my biggest concern. Is someone gonna step up or is this gonna be kind of like hey
07:12It's all coming from one side and they're got the blitz from the other side or whatever
07:16But that seemed to be a theme last year. I hope that doesn't carry over for this year
07:21All right, it's going to be there's going to be some
07:24Is there I'm sorry. Let me start over three two one. Is there going to be some love for Matthew Stafford come Sunday night?
07:30There will be some love for Matthew Stafford, but the boo birds are gonna be louder
07:34I'm just telling you this crowd does not care for Matthew Stafford in the anymore
07:40There are some that will and they'll be polite and cheer him on. Yay, Matt way to go
07:45But I think you're gonna hear like 75% of that crowd just boo the hell out of him and his kids and his in absentia
07:51By the way, that's going to be exactly what they say. Yay, Matt way to go. I think I'd like that cheer
07:58Uh, no, they're gonna boom and that's just what what the people do
08:02If they if they do a tribute video, I mean I would give it the
08:07Golf and that's it. Yeah, I'm not the story's over for me. He's been back here
08:12He was good for this team. Not great. He never got us to the promised land or even close
08:18And he's great in the community and I appreciate his time here, thank you for your service
08:23But that story's over for me. Yes
08:26So the question is is there gonna be some love for Stafford if they do show a tribute video?
08:31There's going to be love for Stafford. They're not gonna boo during the video
08:33However long that is it's a 15 seconds 60 seconds during that time
08:38The crowd will not boo him before and after that all bets are off
08:42They're gonna go, you know
08:43They're gonna go to town on Stafford if they wanted to ensure that there were cheers instead of booze
08:47Then the only show the only highlight you show is that game against the Browns when he when he gets drilled
08:53Well, they're not gonna do that. I'm gonna show back in the game. I'm no
08:56I'm just saying if you wanted this safeguard against it. That's all you do. I
09:04Should Dan Campbell still be Dan Gamble on fourth downs, you know with fake punts and all that stuff
09:10Especially with a more improved defense and a better kicker allegedly. Yes, he should I think you stay true to what you are
09:16I think that's one of the reasons why the culture is what it is. I know everybody doesn't love it
09:20He takes some risks that people deem unnecessary
09:23But I think this team believes in him and it's one of the things that's turned this thing around is Dan Campbell's
09:30Demeanor the way he coaches and the players have completely bought in
09:34I think it shows faith in everybody but your kicker really your offense and your defense
09:38But you know, you don't cater to the kicker so I yes, I think he should keep doing what he did a year ago
09:43Yeah, I agree. You don't change who you are you be you however
09:48He's still gonna be considered Dan Gale no matter what decision he makes if he's on the other team's 45-yard line and it's fourth and
09:54Four does he go for it?
09:56And that's a gamble or does he try to kick a 62-yard field goal because that's a gamble either way
10:02He's still Dan Gamble and I love it. I
10:05Think Dan Campbell Dan Campbell, whatever you want to call him stays exactly the same
10:09That's part of the read that gives that lines the edge of they've had the last year or two is that teams are are on edge?
10:15Themselves because they don't know what Dan's gonna call and do even if he allegedly lines up for a punt
10:20You don't know if it's gonna be a fake point if you allegedly line up to go for it a fourth down
10:23I mean everyone does this but the hard counts always in play, right?
10:28You got to stay true to who you are. The players believe in you
10:31This is how you've gotten there stay with that same mentality, you know, they've had ten fake punts under Dan Campbell
10:37Ten, is that a lot compared to others? I yes, it's the most in the NFL
10:45All right last one guys, what's the most underrated move of the Lions offseason
10:50I think it's signing Isaiah Williams as an undrafted free agent
10:54He made the 53 and yet we're still waiting for another wide receiver. This guy is totally under the radar
11:00He's gonna suit up on Sundays and he's going to play a role and he's going to contribute and I think he can
11:06Contribute in a way that Josh Reynolds did where hey, I just need somebody. Where's he open? Oh my god
11:11This guy's open all the time and he's reliable
11:13he's gonna catch the ball and we're gonna be happy that Isaiah Williams is on this team at that they got him as an
11:19Undrafted free agent in the offseason. I think the Lions signed a player
11:22That's one of the best in his position and nobody's talking about it at all. It was signed into a position of strength
11:27Everybody loves the offensive line Kevin Zeitler the CBS Sports ranked the top interior offensive lineman going into this season
11:34He ranks as the fifth best guard way ahead of Jonah Jackson, and we loved Jonah Jackson here
11:40And the line was great and they improved at that position. Do we ever talk about Kevin Zeitler?
11:47Does anybody ever call with excitement about Kevin Zeitler?
11:50They don't and we should I think it is the most underrated signing of this offseason a strength got stronger with that signing
11:56That's a good call Doug
11:58Have you watched the Ravens game last night the interior line for that offensive line not looking good and I get it Chris Jones
12:03All pro that guy's unbelievable, but they looked lost out there many times and Lamar was running for his life a lot
12:10I'm gonna go with this the most recently signed to the practice squad Tim Patrick wide receiver
12:16Here's the reason why I like Isaiah Williams a lot to Gator
12:19He's not Josh Reynolds as far as size and that big-bodied receiver to make contested catches
12:24If you look at Tim Patrick compared to the other size of the receivers on this team, it's night and day
12:28He's the biggest receiver almost I want to say by far
12:31He's six four two hundred ten pounds the next closest guy in height is Jamo and that guy's wiry at best, right?
12:38Tim Patrick brings something to this wide receiving room that no one else does it's a big-bodied receiver
12:42I think we see him suit up more sooner rather than later and he's gonna play a role on this team
12:46And there you go that concludes a Detroit Lions edition of the wide nine Omaha four down around the league blitz thingy
12:53much