Detroit Lions Offseason Rumors w/ SI Writer John Maakaron!

Detroit Lions Offseason Rumors w/ SI Writer John Maakaron!

uh let’s welcome in the man the myth the legend I mean the doc it is Wednesday and therefore friend joined the program and we’re gonna break down not only training camp but some of the stuff we’ve been talking about the last couple of days that hopefully we can get the doc’s answer on hey I played a little quick nine holes with Doc you know Doc’s solid very underrated golfer I will say that very very fundamental very fundamentally soundless please welcome in the man the M the legend Mr John Mack John welcome to the program how you doing my man yes sir fellas it’s great great man is a good time uh enjoyed uh playing golf with I freed it was great but my favorite part of the week was nearly giving Boer a heart attack at the rocket mortgage classic I never seen a guy more scared in my life to walk next to professional golfers it was great he didn’t he didn’t understand that you could actually walk behind the golfers and I sent you guys a great picture you guys can see it if they post on here it was great Boer sitting there in the spot on the second hole and CBS caught him you went National so it was great man it was fun because uh the rocket mortgage very gracious letting local um local media out there to cover it it’s really fun and it was fun to talk golf with Boer and to see how how that All Shook out and actually Boer got to see the winner I saw the DSP curse lived Don in that I saw every shot of the final group and you saw the winning group so it’s was fun to text back and forth and uh it was a good time man it was the rocky mortgage really in the end is underrated I think it’s a great event locally for people locally to check out the best golfers in the world do their thing I doc I I appreciate you you were gracious you helped me out a ton walking on Sunday and it I think it worked out like you were like Boer you’re with me today and and Doc kept saying this we were walking together and the doc kept looking at me going hey you’re with the doc they’re not gonna say anything to me I was like all right all right and after the second hole I think it worked out after the second hole I said hey I want to go follow I’m gonna go follow like I wanted to go follow Cam Davis and their group and we ended up working it to where they were about to go to overtime we were we were covering it together we’re texting each other back and forth like hey Cam Davis birdie this this happened this happened and we were helping each other kind of cover the whole thing with those last two groups and the event is crazy like shout out to all the people who let us even go and and beat credential there it was crazy to do that I hope next year they get like a hundred like I hope the whole best golfers in the PGA end up at some point coming to Detroit because it’s such a good event it was a great time though shout out to Doc man it is and like I said man now it’s summertime and get get out there I think Michigan has such a plethora of great golf courses man it’s such a great time to get out there especially in the summer months a little hot last couple days but still get out there and have a good time man it’s great enjoying enjoying some time off before training camp rolls around but it’s been interesting to see free agency with the pistons and the Red Wings and kind of seeing how these teams are taking shape similarly to the Lions and kind of their free agency mode not taking big swings but really focusing on developing their young Talent so it’s been it’s been interesting and intriguing to see how everything’s going and all these rankings and and kind of the talk about the Lions has been real interesting as well to kind of get a sense of how the national media is viewing the Detroit Lions uh well doc I I’ll start off with this and I’m sorry I’m going to be a little ignorant here but uh Jeff risden uh reported that the lions are not interested in receivers uh agents or telling agents that they’re not interested in wide receivers sounds very familiar to something that we talked about John you know a couple weeks ago it’s weird how that works but I’ll I’ll throw it to you John what are your thoughts on that report that I told you so um no not to you well not even to you Boer just in general like I I’ve been I’m cool Brad Holmes is cool so I’m cool all right you what would you make of it John and uh it seems like it’s on brand right absolutely I don’t know if you guys uh got a chance if you have HBO Max the Giants uh Hard Knocks off seon was off the chains to see Joe Shane talk about saquan Barkley talk about kind of the philosophy of how they’re looking at roster construction uh we’re going to have an opinion piece tomorrow at all lions just looking at man if Brad Holmes was featured on that he’d be a bigger star than he already is locally I think nationally when you kind of look at just how bright he is and the way in which he constructs a roster I don’t think that it’s really all that much breaking news to indicate that in free agency now they’re kind of pausing and not going to look at wide receivers heading into training camp they do have a couple of individuals at four and five that are competing and I think that they have also in k Davis and Williams they have some wide receiver talent that they want to see so I think that it’s pretty clear you didn’t really need a lot of sources to kind of understand that at the wide receiver spot when Dan Campbell has talked about it he’s kind of indicated that look they’re they’re all set there for now barring any injuries and I think that the position that they would maybe look at would be along the defensive line or at safety but I think it’s fair I think it’s it’s good to hear that agents will come out and say hey that you know maybe a player that they represented talked to the Lions and they just said we’re not in the market right now but I think the Lions have always been kind of clear and honest when the media has asked him about kind of um Dan Campbell said uh I think one of the last media sessions that he had he was asked okay prior to training camp what are you looking for and he said basically shuring up some competition in depth and they did sign uh the linebacker Neiman there soon thereafter for some competition in depth there at the linebacker spot Maybe maybe they do that uh for the offensive line and at the safety spot if there’s a spot available for the Detroit Lions but there’s not going to be big splashes these are just moves that you would probably look to just have you know you don’t want to be disrespectful but just individuals that will be given an opportunity to potentially earn a spot on the practice squad you don’t expect big moves at this point in time uh with this roster at this point the way it’s been constructed yeah doc I I want to ask you this too on the defensive side of the ball mentioned there um one of the position groups that potentially you could see a tra in the trade market or kind of moves being made of free agents uh the defensive line and we had a discussion uh before the show um and even we talked about it to open the show was the Matthew judon situation I don’t know if you’ve seen it just yet but he’s been tweeting out all day um that it’s essentially he’s probably out of New England and and G to be looking for a different place to go uh where where do you stand on that like kind of two parts to this question I guess is is one do you see it like viable for the Detroit Lions to actually pursue him um this offseason before training camp or during training camp and um if he becomes available to make that trade and do you think that’s something that he ends up leaving or do you think he just kind of sticks it out until his contract’s up yeah that Situation’s been wild what was interesting to read about was galani Tavi kind of finding his Niche with the Patriots it always was very intriguing and I look back one of my first media questions was to Matt Patricia on galani Tavi’s first day and he kind of gave the standard answer it’s like hey it’s his first day he’s got a long way to go but he just never really showcased a lot here in Detroit and it was intriguing when he got the extension for judon at 31 years old I think that maybe you know it’s something always to look at but I don’t think that at this point when you have Jack Campbell and Derk Barnes who need to take a step forward this year I think they really do like agude I thought that he acclimated very well in terms of what we got a chance to see I thought he got to the football showed speed I think that he’s a player that the Detroit line really like and it’s really intriguing when you look at it the the early pre-training camp roster predictions we did one uh the Free Press did one and the linebacker spot is real intriguing in regards to do you keep four or five does a gud get in the mix you probably presume that it’s going to be Alex anzelone um Malcolm Rodriguez Derek Barnes Jack Campbell gud in the mix also competing with Jaylen Reeves mabin so you look at you know four or five linebackers on the roster does anybody else sneak in I don’t think they need another veteran um but at this point in time you look at a player of that caliber he’s very talented but just each with each passing year you do slow down a little bit especially at that linebacker spot I liked his game I thought that he was a bright spot on a team that has been struggling the last couple years but uh I just think that you know for him I I think that he’s more in line with uh opportunities for you know playing time maybe somewhere else because I think the playing time in Detroit might not be there for someone 31 years old in his position right now Doc judan would come right in see you later dport scoot over instantly yeah walk in he he he’s better than anybody they got you’re you’re you’re booting Davenport before we even get a chance to see him I wonder if they if he if he take if he take the opportunity to do it you know I it’s interesting when you look at you know how Brad Holmes operates I think that they do their research they do their they do their due diligence and true I do think that if that name would have been starting to Circle a little earlier maybe you could believe it but I think they do like it’s interesting you know it’s not like how it is in terms of fantasy booking where we we we kind of just say hey uh do this it’s not like Med and you push a button I think the Lions do their do diligence they do a lot of research and um I think that I I just find it difficult you know with how the way the Lions talk about free agency like look if they did it it’ be great I think that more competition at different spots is is is is is is great and I know people are concerned about Davenport and what he’s going to bring to the table but I kind of like what Davenport can do uh if he does stay healthy and then also with James Houston as well so just like with the Red Wings and those that are saying hey why AR you bring in more big names and like the Tigers say you don’t want to give away time for the young guys and I think that James Houston is somebody that is somebody that they also like as well so I don’t want to take time away from Barnes or James Houston and taking time from the look 31 years old uh the Lions have kind of trended younger in regards to you know the way in which the the roster has been built so I know everyone loves Tobias Harris at 31 years old and $25 million but my God you know I like I like the way the r is constructed right now I don’t think you need to be searching for uh trades for plus 30 linebackers even though come on for one year for one year he could he could do some things but I think they’re okay with what they got at their spots right now hey it it’s like uh the Rams getting old good old Von Miller just come on over here for a year you know come come on over here for a year help us get this bowl Mike what do you got doc these boys kind of talk if it was two years ago i’ jump all over it this year I don’t know Fair doc the boys talked about it at the beginning of the show I think PFF had uh the Li’s defensive line ranked fourth is that too high too low in your opinion or is that just perfect it’s pretty high doc that is I was like whoa that’s a a nice nice ranking there I know the PFF has been um you know throwing out their rankings here and there I love the fact that they ranked the offensive line number one um the defensive line look when you got Aiden Hutchinson that gives you credibility right away and I think that when you see a guy that’s potentially poised for 15 to 20 sacks in in another um you know solid season with all the pressures and everything that’s a good starting point and then you add DJ reader which PFF loved they love the veterans uh they love the addition of a player that probably is gonna open things up for Al mcneel I think the ranking is pretty fair um they do have a lot to prove they do have to stay healthy but you look at also I think a player that is going to be talked about quite a bit and we you guys have talked about it we’ve written about him is Ali mcneel I think that he’s going to be poised for what I think is going to be a real Stellar season real special a force I think he’s going to continue to be a run stuffer and then now with DJ reer taking some attention maybe you’ll also have some opportunities for some some some great pass rush and I think he’s gonna have a great season and this defensive line yeah the question marks are going to be you know does Josh pasel take the next step forward that’d be great you know John Kaminsky is going to battle maybe uh could be somebody that is battling for a job but is also an individual that has experience and then you just like you guys have said Davenport is going to be the key I think if he can stay healthy now you you mix a match with him and James Houston and the and the young talented Makai Wingo now you have an opportunity to do some things and mix a match and have guys that can play uh at multiple different spots and that’s what the Lions love so Aaron Glenn’s got to be happy and then again I think the wild card is the new defensive line coach Terrell Williams is going to get broadrick Martin in better shape he’s gonna get him some opportunities there as well so you got some young developmental guys as well so that just is a perfect ranking I think right now heading into training camp yeah and and Doc another thing I want to ask you and great job by the way I just want to you know what we got to give doc some love like we always do but you got Jake Bates great interview by the way I thought you know doc very professional had his Polo on I mean doc yeah Si’s best man and it was a great we broke it down here on the show and no polo tonight doc no polo for for the doc but doc I got ask you uh one how was how was the interview for you and just getting a a chance to talk to him I loved his perspective on a lot of things I know we talk about a lot that there was an adjustment kicking in the NFL we all understand that um but the way he was talking about how at the end of the day he’s just it’s just it’s something that he does for a living and he just lives in the moment um and he just understands listen I just go up there and kick you know although the crowd’s there and he’s it’s going to be different than 9,000 10,000 people I understand that um but what do you think of uh Jake Bates his mentality and uh your confidence and kind of yeah you know see you later Michael Badgley where you at with the it was fun going back and forth trying to schedule the interview um look um I’m somebody that I think is kind of in the mold of being a direct interviewer and I I did Listen to I did peek in a little to the breakdown and uh I I it made me laugh one of your commenters said ah I can see why doc wears a cap because he’s going ball and yes yes I can’t I’m not allow I’m not allowed on those videos to wear hats it’s professional and look this is you know to be honest right now this is vacation mode for which is always wild to me is that the beat writers kind of like disappear off the face of the Earth like they never had like there’s no more NFL like they they still do their pieces and stuff like that but they don’t interact as much I never I understand it you know we need some time away but I didn’t need that much I’m always online at Detroit podcast so I wanted to in a way establish you know the lone wolves podcast I’ve always done Lions podcast but I said to myself okay we got this new named podcast that’s for SI specifically it’s called the lone wolves to take up uh take a you know from Brad Holmes and and saying hey you know I’m kind of somebody that’s more direct and right to the point and asking these big bold questions so I said okay I like the name I’m one of the lone wolves in the media just doing his thing in my way so I said okay how you start to distinguish yourself well you kind of need you know to get a a a guess that people want to pay attention to and boy I was like I thought the the response would be great but obviously when others write about it and you guys talk about it the response has been overwhelmingly positive and it’s a fastest growing podcast I’ve had and it’s great to see the the response and and look that the point was simple it was okay let’s learn about somebody that’s new to the roster and had this experience that’s just really kind of different than what we’ve all been used to a kick that played for uh a UFL team that had success at Fort field and when one of your first kicks is a 64 y I wanted to learn more about uh Jake Bates and I thought that he listen um and I’ve told you guys he was a great guest and the the best guests are the ones that come in that want to be there and that elaborate and answer the questions directly and they know how to look I asked them a point blank kind of question that you know you kind of assume he might skirt around where I said hey was that second year part of the reason why you came and he said look there’s a lot of factors and I do think that clearly getting the two-year deal and an opportunity maybe uh maybe kind of knowing what what what the situation is being here kicking at fordfield that you know his agent said look this is an opportunity you have to go out there and handle business so I thought that if you go check it out it’s available everywhere you just type in Jake Bates you can find it uh you can find it at all lions um by visiting si.com NFL Lions is right there in the podcast page um I do think he’s got a legitimate chance he’s got the biggest intangible he’s got a big leg and the guy can kick 60 yard field goals and the number one thing for him is going to be when he’s put out there in preseason games and in the the practice reps he’s got to be consistent look you can have the biggest leg in the world but if in um if in a situation in which you’re called upon to kick field goals you’re inconsistent as he kind of was a little bit towards the end of the year missing some 40 yarders uh you got to be somebody that’s going to have to beat out Michael Badgley so to me as we speak even though I interviewed him right now badgley’s in in command he’s the incumbent but Jake Bates has a legitimate chance to beat him out look Riley Patterson beat out Badgley last year so why can’t that happen he’s gonna be given the opportunity so when when it’s time it’s GNA be time to deliver the goods and make your field goals and it’s real simple when the time comes and you’re competing I mean they’re going to compete and the and you guys have been out there you can see how they do it they line them up at different spots 30 45 55 60 and they put them out there in different uh timed uh time drills and hey go at it start kicking and and they monitor each and we’ll be out there each day reporting on clearly one of the biggest battles out there so is if Jake Bates wants the job he’s clearly got to go out there and take it from Michael Badgley and I do think with with his leg and his confidence and if he’s doing the work now this offseason which we all know he is then I think the competition is going to be really great and fun to watch especially in the preseason games and during all the training camp practices he’s coming for his job we are a pro job are a pro Jak I ask but I’ll ask you guys this because you know it’s a new era of NFL football with the new kickoff rule would you keep two kickers would you potentially say hey okay if he does well maybe you you you say you got one kicker for the distance 55 to 65 that’s Jake bat’s job and everything else is Michael badgley’s job do you think any opportunities there to be outside the box and keep both or do you say okay if one then one goes on the practice squad uh you look at it and you say it’s not out of the realm of possibility to keep two kickers but at the same token uh I’m curious to see how how the Lions view this especially if it’s close like what do you do if it’s close that’s the biggest thing Jak bait got to do is make this a super tough challenge you know I don’t think they would keep two but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities L are unique go Jake I was gonna say real quick you’re talking Kade M Nera maybe JJ McCarthy we’re talking about that you know we’re talking about a higher ceiling here if it’s close if it’s close Jake is the talent and and badley Big K big leg Yeah you take the talent um doc I want to ask you we had the question yesterday and we talked about it on our show um about the Detroit Lions second and I as I posted a question to the guys in the chat um if they thought the Detroit Lions secondary could be a top 10 unit and PFF rate them 11th um and then I I I mentioned that I think by the end of the season with the pieces that they put together that they’ll be in the top 10 by the end of the season uh top seven potentially like they can make that jump do you think and I know there’s like some younger pieces on this defense or the secondary do you think the secondary ends up being the best unit um on this defensive side of the ball and do they like take a step to be a top seven secondary in the NFL yeah that’s the biggest key I think defensive line you have a little bit more sure answers there in regards to Aiden Hutchinson and DJ reer and Lee mcneel you have more proven in terms of we’ve seen it for a little bit longer the secondaries got to get out there right away and start to prove it man it’s going to be interesting Carlton Davis has been a guy that hasn’t been a true number one but has that Talent so he’s going to be given that job I think he’s going to earn it I think he’s the veteran that wants to also prove based on his contract that hey I could be potentially if not here in Detroit somewhere else somebody that can be a lock down corner or do a lot of different things listen tyon Arnold is somebody that I think is GNA have more of an immediate impact look he’s gonna have his rookie moments he’s gonna struggle at times look he’s gonna get picked on by the NFC North quarterbacks they’s such great talent at wide receiver It’s just tough to limit everything that goes on and I asked um one of the safety coaches I said look man the NFC North has got some stack wide receivers it’s going to be a challenge and he said yeah look the all over the place all over the league these wide receivers are coming in from college and and they’re developing and they’re able to really do some things just based on how the league is set up so it’s just really tough but I’m just I think it’s going to be a fascinating challenge I love I love the offseason workout videos of Terry and Arnold you see him all over the place his footwork is out of this world I just think that he’s got fundamentally sound techniques I think he’s ready to go and he wants to be a Hall of Famer the wild card is going to be Andis rraw if he can stay healthy he’s a physical I think defensive back that can play nickel he’s learning the different responsibilities I think he’s you know your first year is always tough because the lions are gonna try to play him at multiple spots outside at nickel and at different positions so he’ll have his opportunities but there’ll be a learning curve there the big thing for him is if he’s going to stay healthy I like Ami Robertson at the nickel spot along with Brian Branch I think the secondary has more question marks is more wait and see I think the unit that you can count on is the safeties you put Brian Branch with iffy or Brian Branch with Kirby I think that safety spot is pretty locked down they’re gonna Force some turnovers they’re going to be around the ball clogging up the middle making things a lot easier so the secondary has question marks I think the ranking at 11th that PFF gave was pretty fair and they’ll have an opportunity with development to get into that top 10 and be productive but it’s going to be they’re going to be tasked with more interceptions more breakups and at least at this point we’re all more comfortable smiling a little bit more because it’s much better than uh than Jerry Jacobs and cam Sutton I think the lion secondary good job kudos to Brad Holmes for revamping it and getting a lot more talent but uh that position that position is super tough to succeed just based on these offenses and it’s going to be a challenge but it’s one in which if they are able to meet it oh man look out if the defense becomes a strength I think that these games can be won even more comfortable where you know last year there was a lot of grinded out games maybe the Lions can be one of those teams that hey if if all if they get rolling maybe they can beat teams by seven to seven to 14 points every single week do do you think Doc and another question I already had and it fits perfect into kind of what you just said there but Brian branch that you saw the video like he obviously had that small injury and he was rehabing so he wasn’t at OTAs in mini camp do you think this is like a a pro bowl jump for him this year because it seems like everyone’s kind of counting on him to do that and he showed so much like he showed a ton last year in in spurts and then he obviously had some injuries do you think this is a year to where it’s like he ends up being one of the best players on on this defense and one of the best safeties in the entire NFL I’m hoping I’m banking on it yeah listen it’s crazy because let me show your share my mindset um last year I approached Brian Branch the most I think out of any player that was in the locker room and it’s a double-edged sword because I love the fact he was coached by Nick Sabin I’m fond of Nick Sabin I when he was at the draft I stood there and seeing him on the set with McAfee I almost was like whoa I see the aura of Nick Sav I almost tried to rush the stage and be like I’m your biggest fan Nick thank you for what you did for all these Alabama guys because Detroit is now alab the Detroit Crimson Tide so you look at it on the one side I love that he was coached hard by Nick Sabin on the other side Nick Savin does not like his players talking to the media so it was a grind to get information like he was super uptight and super serious I tried to you know do as much as I could to get some information out of him but he was like boom like he was Ultra business and it took a like the more times I kept approaching him the the better it got so this year year two I hope that he can understand that hey look you’re somebody that people strongly care about and he got the seal of approval when Chris Spielman said wait a minute slow down everybody the talk of Gibbs the talk of uh Jameson Williams Wait a Minute pump the brakes maybe eventually the best pick that Brad Holmes could have made could be Brian branch that was what Chris fielman said and why did he say that I could see it right away why he would say that all business the man wants to study the man understands the game he made an impact will play his first time out there in Prime Time against the Chiefs and the man is look if you’re going to be tasked with it’s it’s no easy feet to just go from nickel cornerback to safety and everybody’s like yeah we believe he can do it and nickel cornerback is not easy I mean you got to be you know somebody that read plays quickly sure tackler you got to be a linebacker and a cornerback to play nickel and he Embraces it so I think Brian Branch you should Levy even higher expectations Pro Bowl is more of a you know popularity kind of thing I I I prefer I think he could be an all pro I think Brian Branch can be somebody that could be you know if he’s healthy and does some things he can also be in the conversation for defensive player of the year I think that this is a player that you can count on to do the work he does his homework he’s somebody that cares deeply about his craft and he came out and said that he felt like he left a lot on the table his rookie year when you have somebody that kind of has the intangibles and the mindset to be great I think Brian branch is is exciting he’s not talked about even enough we should be praising Brian Branch a lot more for the season that he had and what he can do I think he you know man he could be one of the Premier defensive backs in the NFL in in a few short years and uh we’re seeing the fruits of it now imagine in a couple years from now when he’s in his prime man I think that Brian Branch you can’t speak highly enough about him and uh hope hopefully you know he he he loosens up a little bit when we get a chance to talk to him all right doc this is a non liance question you went golfing with our boy Jeff here I just need to need to know how the overall experience and if was starting an article or he was bring an article on Jeff’s performance what is that article say ohc thec give the context doc yeah yeah yeah you didn’t you didn’t prep your boys this is good so here’s what happened Jeff you know last week we started talking about you know let’s Golf together let DSP and crunch time get together and I said hell yeah let’s do it and uh Jeff sent me a message of his swing and I said oh okay so I had thought that he was practicing at CJ barrym Morris on that same day I said oh you’re out there uh I said okay it looks good I think let’s uh let’s see about this swing and get it get it rolling and I said you know what it was it’s Tuesday and I said you know what I’m not doing much I want to start this vacation because um uh it’s it’s the slow time of year I’m taking a lot more time off not grinding as much writing so I said I said you know what let me see if Jeff’s in the area and let’s go out and let’s play some golf and I said you know what nine holes for me at this point suits me so much better the couple hours and uh Jeff got out there and look I competed doc I competed yeah let’s let’s just let’s just say this I whooped his ass out there on the on the scorecard but but I’ll say this he was it was more of a practice session for Jeff he was tinkering he was trying to see which club suit his game better whereas I’m already established with with fitted clubs and have used them for a year so I was pretty comfortable you know for me my game is simple I can’t drive at all I can hit it 250 but it’s I can’t tell you how where it’s going so my iron play is a lot better chipping is up and down putting is you know average but I can get around a course reasonably Jeff was all over the place Jeff was spraying people Jeff was hitting old ladies like there was a there was one time I had to yell four at the loudest I could because Jeff almost took out four older ladies with one swing it was so bad he was 40 yards off the te every you know 40 yards left off of every drive but we were working on it we were trying to you know you know get it out there and and work on it but listen Jeff’s a gamer he rebounded he took counsel he he he finished strong and look the best part of golf and that’s what keeps us going and that’s why I love playing with Jeff you know you you can tell right away if you can you know have a good round with someone Jeff was into it he listened he I said Hey try this try that and then uh dude Jeff lined up an eight or nine iron with 100 yards took it within 20 feet and just launched a beautiful eight iron finishing hole was absolutely stunning and he finished strong like a champ so I could definitely play a lot of golf with um with ir Fred but you know for the ladies there man look out because he was that that was scary I thought he was going to take somebody out with all of the uh all the way were drives that were going on but it was professional we had a good time uh Sycamore Hills is always nice and they put us on the right spot where we could kind of you know get you could practice youve seen my drive uh Jeff taped me secretly I didn’t know I turned around and there’s Jeff Tak taking photos of me and I’m like you know what all right now it’s crunch who Jeff yeah he he he he he was trying to you know get some content so I said okay guys I said I’m going to hit the best drive that was the best Drive I think I hit which was like a 40 yard fade but that ended up going to the right so yeah and uh you know I can’t wait to get out with the dock I cannot wait it’ll be a good time you know Jesse what’s funny is that I am a shorter guy and my nephew’s like uh are those pants or shorts that you wear when you’re you know I like those longer cargo pants I like them like that I don’t know why you know I’m not a fan of the uh above the knee shorts I’m gonna I do have them on now but I I am more into the uh cargo pants and things like that but I had a good time and uh listen it it definitely was the best uh best way to spend the Tuesday was a couple hours golfing and got my mind off of a lot of nonsense and uh look if that’s where Jeff is starting you know he’s got a ways to go but at the same token if he does put in the work and just a couple minor changes I think his swing will come into form and you know specifically probably using clubs that he’s comfortable with and not going experimenting with the doc trying to figure out what clubs suit him yeah well you know what you know what doc I you know what I appreciate you not throwing me under the bus I almost uh by the way those old ladies I almost took off the crunch D pole I was wearing just avoid the lawsuit purposes I almost just tried covering the logo who I am uh so yeah I had a blast I had a blast with you doc we gotta do it again uh but I gotta I gotta ask you because we we talked about this too Mark sare stink he he has his own podcast and he was talking about the Lion’s roster and he was like oh the Lion’s roster stacked and he mentioned Dan Campbell and I believe it was his co-host or a guest I don’t know exactly who it was but they asked he asked Mark about Dan Campbell’s aggressiveness and he said he doesn’t think he’ll change you know he thinks that’s who he is and um you know I think he He also mentioned that it gives the players a kind of a different mindset on third down given they know they’re going to go for it on fourth down what you think of his take on Dan and even if they do get a kicker I mean we can all assume that it’s he’s always gonna be Dan even with higher expectations to try and win a Super Bowl yeah I think that’s you know very listen the blessing is this offseason is hearing the compliments of the the rest of the NFL world when you see how much praise the Lions have gotten in regards to the way in which they’ve kind of steadily built and the NFL lends itself to a two threee rebuild and it’s been fun I think Detroit sports fans look collectively just take a step back I just recorded a podcast a couple hours ago and just saying you know I think the fans have a little bit of fatigue with all the rebuilds with the Tigers wings and the Pistons and it’s very slow it’s like the trajectories like this like it it’s it’s it’s it’s fan fatigue I mean literally they they’re making lateral moves with the Red Wings losing a an interesting player gaining a player and you look at the rest of the teams and you realize Man Dan Campbell is among the best coaches in town and maybe listen pretty much arguably the best based on his knowledge and experience and what he’s got going on and the the amount of respect that he’s garnered nationally has been amazing and you get you know sler saying man that roster are stacked and it really is when you see it from top to bottom there’s so many potential pro bowlers uh you you look at young players that are still very much in the early part of their careers you can name them off at least you know six seven players that have Supreme Talent so with Dan Campbell I think that look he realizes that being aggressive is the path way to win and when you have all those offensive weapons why not I mean I think that you see now when you you I mean the great part is this year is going to be to analyze who gets the target I mean clearly amanra should always be the first choice but then you have leaport who many people Travis Kel’s praising you know I think gonna emerge to be a top two three uh tight end could arguably be the best tight end right now in the National Football League so why not be aggressive go for it and the thing that he said which was really really key that got me to look and do some more film watching and research was he said that the reason Dan Campbell likes to be aggressive on fourth down is it kind of makes third down pressure a little bit easier like you don’t exactly have to you know execute exactly right like if you get it if it’s third and seven and you get five yards there’s no you know there’s no Supreme pressure knowing that hey on fourth down we can pound the ball with David Montgomery we can do things so that actually helps the Lions mix and match in terms of play calling on third down and it really is true the lions were able to succeed on third down quite a bit they moved the football they moved the chains and you recognize that man with everything they got going on so many positive things that this football team Dan Campbell should be aggressive it’s the pathway to win now with that said I think he will be aggressive but there’s gonna be times I think that the interesting discussion and debates could occur this year if Bates is the kicker and you got a kicker that consistently can hit 65 yarders would Dan Campbell have gone for it as much if he believed he had a kicker with that strong a leg if he had uh you know a kicker that was all World last year would he have done the same thing it’s yet to be determined and we’ll see but I do think it’s going to be a high frequency he’s going to be among the most uh one of the most you know they’re going to go for it a heck of a lot as compared to the rest of the National Football League but I think that you know I think the best way to put it is I do think there has to be some level of adaptation when the playoffs roll around and points are at a prum in the regular season it’s a little different than the postseason the postseason every Point matters literally every Point matters because momentum can swing just like that just like you saw and I think if the Lions had maybe if you gave uh if you gave Dan Campbell some truth serum and some bourbon uh and said hey would you have maybe kicked a field goal he probably said yeah probably one of them I would have tried it and uh because you saw that your kicker had made one he was in Rhythm he might have had a chance to get some more points so we’ll see and it’ll be interesting because those will be probably the big decisions that will decipher how we view Dan Campbell moving forward right now he’s a toast of the Town everybody loves him and he got the team to the NFC championship game but the expectation now is to take it a step further and one aspect of what I think the Lions can also get better at is if their head coach manages the game look it’s not a weakness but he has to also evolve as a head coach and get better and do more like I don’t lower the expectations for Dan Campbell and say congratulations you got the Lions to the NFC title game I think that Dan Campbell with the right players the Right Mix the right coaching the right growth himself can be a coach that can win multiple Super Bowls here in Detroit he’s got that potential he’s got the knowledge it’s just in those split-second moments when you got to decide take the points or not you got to be right and you got to have it where you can’t have your football team collapse the way you get one okay it’s your first time and many people will say okay it’s the young team and they collapsed can’t do it again now the expectation is you understand what you’re doing handle business and deliver what you’re supposed to do that’s the that’s what you’re getting paid for and the expectations is not to be satisfied with just where he’s at he’s got to take it to the next level and I think he can be he can be the next Andy Reid I legitimately believe it but I hope that it’s not a situation in which it’s like with the I hope it’s not a situation where it’s like with the Eagles where uh uh the coach there Reed took all the Heat and and struggled and then goes to a situation somewhere else and gets the reaps the rewards I hope it’s here I hope it’s here in Detroit because look Dan Campbell has it all he has all the tools he has it all the ability to relate to players ex’s and those knowledge experience got it all I’m hoping he puts it together we’re we’re we’re definitely I’m writing it down right now we’re definitely making a quote graphic and posting it all over social media the doc going yeah even out of context he can be the next Andy Reid with the big D Campell I love that doc I love that people are gonna love it too I’ve got one last question for you here um because I saw you guys post an article and you guys put it up on Twitter um I can’t remember who it was on your website who who wrote it uh but the the article essentially was just like a breakout player for the Detroit Lions in 2024 in this season I just want to ask you who you think if you had to pick one offensive player one defensive player uh to break out this season who would if you had to put your money on it who would you pick for that yeah no doubt um I assigned that to Christian um looking at some of the offensive and defensive breakout players just kind of looking at you know which players can you count on which players can you say hey maybe they can do more clearly on offense the player that everybody wants to break out is James Williams I think that he’s got the tools everybody knows that he can you know play at a high level and is going to be somebody that’s going to earn the number two wide receiver spot I think a player that’s underrated is kif Raymond I think that he’s a player that can do a lot of different things and can be somebody that can be a reliable number three um you look at it and you say jir Gibbs clearly but he’s got expectations so you know that he started to break out last year and he’s somebody that I think is going to be very key on the defensive side always interesting in regards to looking at the defense you know many people wanted to be Jack Campbell and probably that’s the fairest statement to make because you know in looking at the film he did have 95 tackles he was around the football but I think that I can’t say it was a bad rookie season I just don’t think that firstr Talent linebacker was you know he didn’t meet that level of expectation but I just think that the Lions put so much on you that look it’s just really tough to be used that different spots to try and Rush the quarterback to drop back in coverage play different spots so Jack Campbell I think is the player on defense that everybody expects but a player also at the same spot and in a situation in which you can also see an interview we did um another writer spoke to Alex anselone the linebacker spot I think Derek Barnes can do more now with his natural spot rushing the passer I think that for him being somebody that can you know uh be more comfortable and now a little more comfortable in his skin he’s been through it all he made the big critical mistake in front of the whole world and overcame it and now I think that once he gain and at that spot you get you know and I think too when when you’re a linebacker with the Lions and then they go out and they draft another linebacker in the first round that kind of maybe shakes your confidence just a little bit saying wait a minute are is my job unsafe but I think the Lions have showed that hey we rely on Derrik Barnes he’s an integral part of this defense and then I do think that his mentoring his relationship with Alex anone he’s got a big brother who will protect him against the big bad media who talk bad about him and I think that Derek Barn has a chance if he gains that confidence little by little to just put mistakes behind him and get after it I think he can be somebody that can gain confidence from a big interception in a playoff game and and do some things yeah great great stuff today doc we appreciate uh for all lions fans that are looking for a place to not only watch content because we got it here on crunch time but you could watch and digest whatever John and his Creer of writing all lions in the description you can check it out show some support there doc we appreciate you we’ll catch you next Wednesday we can’t wait Legend Doc it’s gonna be a lot of fun doc as we closer to the season so thank you and we’ll see you again next week let’s go the course yes well definitely some golf some sports it’s all good man look at look you I hope you guys guys get a chance to take a little time off too for the fourth have a good Thursday off and enjoy everything going on and uh look this is the best time of year in my opinion I think it’s it’s a time to reflect a time to celebrate the United States drink up and let’s get after it and uh when you look at it you know the ability to see everything going on in Detroit sports it’s amazing you guys are a big part of it I can’t wait to join you guys next week let’s go happy fourth let’s go enjoy your day oh enjoy your weekend a

Jeff Iafrate, Booner, and Michael Gentry are joined by the publisher of SI’s “All Lions” and host of the Detroit sports podcast John Maakaron to discuss updates and rumors for the Detroit Lions.

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The official page of the “Crunch Time” sports show features Jeff Iafrate, Booner, Lukas Klotz, and Michael Gentry discussing all things Detroit Sports. Available on YouTube LIVE 8-10PM Weekdays on YouTube and all podcast platforms! (except Apple)

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