Lions mailbag: Are they better than last season, who starts at cornerback, who's a good quote? (2024)

Detroit Lions football will soon be upon us again as training camp begins one week from today at the team’s Allen Park headquarters.

Exciting times ahead for a franchise hoping to hoist the Lombardi. But before it all kicks off, a mailbag to hold you over.

Thanks to everyone who submitted a question. Lots of great topics. I tried to answer as many as possible in this space, but if there’s something on your mind still, I can try to answer more in the comments. Some questions were lightly edited for clarity and length.

Let’s discuss.

In your opinion, is this current Lions roster better on paper than last year’s version prior to training camp? What might be the noticeable differences? — Ed H.

Undoubtedly, yes. It’s better. At this time last year, you had promising young talent that had yet to truly break out, replacement-level talent at important positions, injury questions, etc. You could see the vision but it was going to take some quick development — and even then, it wasn’t going to be perfect.

A year later? Jahmyr Gibbs is a Pro Bowler. Aidan Hutchinson is, too, and finished second in the league in pressures. Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta are All-Pros. Brian Branch was one of the game’s best nickels as a rookie. Alim McNeill took a leap, and could take another with DJ Reader taking over for Benito Jones. That’s a massive upgrade. Coaches are speaking highly of Jack Campbell in ways they didn’t last year. Alex Anzalone turned in a career year. Ifeatu Melifonwu was a game-changer down the stretch. Carlton Davis III fits their man-heavy preferences in corners. Terrion Arnold could be Aaron Glenn’s Marshon Lattimore in Detroit — the young outside corner you can build around that he had yet to find.

It’s to a point where the biggest questions are maybe WR3 (essentially a fourth option in the passing game behind St. Brown, LaPorta and Jameson Williams), backup safety, backup tackle, kicker and an edge to support Hutchinson. Folks, that’s a GREAT place to be. This roster is very healthy. Up there with some of the best in the league.

What separates Amon-Ra from other receivers you’ve covered? What do you assess his talent level as? Does he look like a future Hall of Famer? — Dante U.

A timely question here, with the release of “Receiver” on Netflix last week. Simply put, St. Brown is the most driven athlete I’ve ever seen. Let’s start there. Think Michael Jordan’s mentality in a wide receiver’s body. That’s St. Brown.

You already knew some things were going to be highlighted in the show. The 16 receivers drafted ahead of him, his father’s background, etc., but the docuseries really captured how his mind works. Everything is a slight. I remember the week he was named a first-team All-Pro — undoubtedly one of the highest individual honors in the sport, perhaps the highest honor outside of an MVP or DPOY award — and he still felt disrespected by his Pro Bowl snub. A few of us in the media even tried to explain to him that an All-Pro nod is the bigger deal. It wasn’t quite landing at the time. I’m sure it has now.

So even today, with $77 million guaranteed coming his way, that drive is still there. He’s already thinking about people saying he doesn’t deserve it. That, to me, is what separates him. Not saying other receivers don’t work hard, but as a guy who’s never been the biggest or the fastest, you need an elite trait to make it at the level he’s made it. For him, it’s his mind. And if he continues on his current trajectory, you’ll see him in Canton.

The whole enchilada is the goal, but so much goes into winning the Super Bowl beyond coaching and the roster. Given this, Colton, don’t you believe the fans would be happy with a repeat performance like last year, i.e.no Super Bowl but a top-4 team? — John S.

That’s probably a better question for you all, but I’ll try to answer from my perspective. The Lions’ rise has been so incredibly linear — from 3-13-1 to 9-8 to 12-5. It’s easy to say you’re going to get better every year, and harder to do. The Lions have done it. The only thing left to accomplish is to win it all.

However, it’s extremely hard to win in this league. Lions fans know this better than anyone. You can have a true star like Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson, compete every year and still fall short. I mean, the Lions had Matthew Stafford for years and weren’t a consistent playoff team. Now they’re in what appears to be a golden age of Lions football in the modern era, and there’s no guarantee they win it all. Football takes as much as it gives.

Say the Lions go 12-5 again, win another division title and fall short in the NFC Championship game. It would be a disappointment, I’m not arguing against that. But remaining in the hunt and keeping your window open is where you want to be. It means you’re on the right track and don’t have to drastically change. You can keep adding pieces via the draft, with a front office that has a proven eye for talent. It props you up as a destination for a ring-chasing veteran willing to sign for a discount in free agency. And if it all comes together, those seasons where they fell short simply become part of the story told 25 years from now if they eventually win one with this group.

I’m not telling anyone how to feel. But try to appreciate the ride for what it is — the highs and the lows.

If Goff were to go down early with a season-ending injury, does the season go down with him? Do the Lions have enough in Herndon to win it all? Is Holmes risking the season by not getting a seasoned backup quarterback? — Frank M.

If your starter goes down for the season, you’re probably done for. The job of a backup should be to keep the team afloat for a short stretch — be it a half, a game, maybe four or five games max. Teddy Bridgewater was able to keep the 2019 Saints afloat and quarterbacked them to a 5-0 when Drew Brees missed time with an injury. Cooper Rush went 6-3 for the Cowboys when Dak Prescott went down in 2022. Anything beyond that and things get dicey.

I don’t want to say it can’t happen. Brock Purdy began the 2022 season as QB3, and the 49ers might’ve won it all had he been healthy in the NFC Championship game. Nick Foles beat Tom Brady in a Super Bowl as QB2. Even typing that sentence out felt like a fever dream. It’s rare but technically possible.

That said, I think we need to hold off on the seasoned backup talk until the preseason. For the first two years of this regime, fans and media alike were wondering when the Lions would address the backup QB spot. Then they went out and drafted one with upside. In all likelihood, it’s a lost season if Goff is out for the year, so you might as well use that time to see what Hooker can do. I’d much rather bet on him figuring it out than sign a journeyman.

If he’s good, maybe you make a run. If he’s solid, maybe you increase his trade value. If he stinks, well, you might get a decent draft pick in a lost season.

Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, but coordinator succession is going to be a thing for one or both positions sooner than later. This coaching staff also seems like one to be open and plan for promotion from within. Any thoughts on likely internal candidates? — Ian A.

Offensively, there are a couple of internal candidates that could make sense. Scottie Montgomery has been a head coach and play-caller at the collegiate level and has coached WRs and RBs in the NFL. He’s also received interview requests from other teams to join as an offensive coordinator, so the league clearly has him in mind. I think it’s only a matter of time before he gets a shot, so why not one with the Lions? This will be his second season with the team and his second season working with Ben Johnson. That could make for an easy transition. And for similar reasons, I’d also throw Tanner Engstrand’s name in there. He was promoted to TEs coach when Johnson got a bump to OC, and was taken off TEs to work with Johnson and focus on the offensive passing game last season. He also interviewed for OC gigs with the Buccaneers and Patriots this offseason.

As for the defense, it’s a bit tougher to say. As far as internal candidates go, LBs coach Kelvin Sheppard could be one to watch. He played the sport at the highest level and has the leadership qualities to command a room. I picked his brain this summer about how the secondary and defensive line impacts his room and came away impressed with his insights. Could also see him following Glenn if he lands a gig elsewhere. Terrell Williams would be another. He’s never been a DC, but Campbell respects him a ton and he’s widely regarded as the best in the league at what he does. But I also think Campbell would have a good list of external options. Maybe even Saints HC Dennis Allen if he can’t get it going in New Orleans.

Do you think Terrion Arnold or Ennis Rakestraw could earn a starting CB spot to kick off the season or is it Amik Robertson’s spot to lose? — Chris M.

It was hard to get a feel for the secondary in the spring with Branch out. He’s the key to everything, and it’ll be fascinating to see where he lines up. Part of me wonders if the Branch-to-safety talk has been a bit overblown. Campbell mentioned it at the owners meetings but didn’t say if that would be a permanent thing or just more packages with him there. Regardless, that’s where this convo starts.

If Branch is the nickel, there would be competition on the outside between Arnold and Robertson (maybe even Emmanuel Moseley if healthy) across from Davis. If Branch is at safety (likely next to Kerby Joseph), I think you’d see Robertson at nickel and Arnold on the outside. I see Rakestraw as more of a reserve nickel, at least to start the season.

James Houston had a breakout end of his rookie season, but unfortunately got injured and was out all last year. How’s he doing? — Nmclaypool

Brad Holmes went out of his way to mention Houston at the owners meetings in March as a guy we shouldn’t forget about. Certainly not forgetting about him — he’s a high win-rate player with speed off the edge who finishes well. There’s value in that. But I’m curious to see if the Lions will let him loose like they did in the second half of 2022 or continue to experiment with him at Sam linebacker. He never quite looked comfortable in that role, but I do understand wanting to cross-train him. He’s great as a situational pass-rusher, but he’s limited against the run given his size. Additionally, he freelanced a bit as a rookie. He’ll need to play within the system and find the sweet spot between rushing and responsibilities.

To me, Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal will be your main options at edge, but that speed off the edge is a special tool and the Lions will find ways to deploy it.

Who do you see winning the kicker battle? Bates is surely the favorite as the coaching staff didn’t trust Badgley in big spots last season. — Cian H.

Bates is going to have to earn his job, if we’re being honest. He can’t go out there and go 2-for-5 every day and have it handed to him because he can hit from 60. If it’s at all close, though, I tend to think they go with Bates. I think he’d have immediate interest elsewhere if the Lions cut him, whereas Badgley was cut last year and the Lions were able to stash him on the practice squad until they felt he was a better option than Riley Patterson. Going for it will forever be part of Campbell’s DNA and his players support it, but if Bates’ range translates to the NFL, I really do think it would allow him to feel comfortable taking the points a little more often.

When moving through the locker room postgame, which players are easier to get a few quotes? Are there certain players that generally don’t want to talk, and those that are always looking for the mics? Just a bit of a peek into the locker room interview process with the players or coaches. — Matthew Y.

Honestly, I think we’re spoiled here in Detroit. It’s a pretty good group of dudes who understand we have a job to do, win or lose. St. Brown is one of the best in terms of access and availability, and I think the beat will collectively tell you we don’t take him for granted. Same with Anzalone and Taylor Decker — both are great postgame, every single time. I personally love chopping it up with McNeill. Derrick Barnes is sneaky good. Some players — when they aren’t playing well for a stretch — will be a bit more difficult to grab, which is certainly understandable. If someone put a mic in my face after I gave up 150 yards I wouldn’t be the most pleasant person to talk to either. And then some guys take losing personally. I think Sewell is one of them, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. That dude is a killer who wants to win every game. I’ve been able to grab him after a loss but you can tell it’s still fresh for him. I respect that a ton.

What food has Dan Campbell spent his offseason perfecting? — Mike S.

Enchiladas, Mike. The answer is enchiladas.

(Top photo of Jahmyr Gibbs: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

Colton Pouncy is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Detroit Lions. He previously covered Michigan State football and basketball for the company, and covered sports for The Tennessean in Nashville prior to joining The Athletic. Follow Colton on Twitter @colton_pouncy