Are Detroit Lions TAKING a Risk With Drew Petzing After Cards’ struggles? Or was he dealt bad hand?

Detroit Lions shake up their offense with the hiring of Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator. Is Petzing’s run-heavy philosophy the key to maximizing Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and Sam LaPorta next season? Host Matt Dery and guest Craig Grialou examine Petzing’s mixed results in Arizona, where injuries crippled the Cardinals’ O-line and skill positions, and fans questioned his game management and press conference presence. Can Detroit’s healthier roster fuel a scoring surge?

The episode spotlights Petzing’s proficiency in tight end utilization, the implications of the Cardinals-Lions draft trade that netted Gibbs and LaPorta for Detroit, and leadership connections between Ben Johnson and Hank Fraley. Discussion includes the Lions’ offensive line rankings, fourth-down conversion struggles, and what aggressive playcalling might look like under Dan Campbell’s influence. Hear exclusive analysis from Arizona Cardinals insider Grialou and get fan reactions that set the stage for a pivotal new era in Detroit.

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34 comments

  2. I left a comment on yesterday’s video breaking down the Cardinals situation this past season. I stand by what I said regarding Drew Petzing. Lions fans will like this hire a lot more this fall than they currently do here in January.

  3. I've calmed down some, as NFL insiders (on Twitter) gave more insight on him. So they've talked me "off a ledge" and I'm thinking perhaps it was just the Cardinals Org and the lack of talent they had. Trey McBride was the best TE for 2025, so I'm not as upset as I was yesterday; however, we can all agree, if Drew doesn't work out the pitchforks will be out for MCDC….

  6. Show me better than you can tell me funny how Shep gets trashed cause he had injuries but yet everyone making excuses about this guy backwards ass fan base! Not happy with it until I see results slappies will agree with anything!

  7. Brad Holmes is problem he doesnt care about the o line. So we got a coach knowing we are going to be playing with brad holmes players that are could be's?

  10. I SEE A LOT OF COMMENTATORS ARE NOT TOO EXCITED ABOUT DREW – NOT SEXY ENOUGH? AT FIRST IT HAD ME SCRATCHING MY HEAD… THEN THE BIGGER PICTURE CAME INTO VIEW. THINKING OF THE BROADER DYNAMIC OF OF MANAGING THE TEAM, WHILE NOT THOUGHT ABOUT BY THE CRITICS, LEADERSHIP AND COMMAND OF THE

    TEAM RESTS IN THE HANDS OF CAMPBELL. IN THIS KIND OF SYSTEM, THE ASSISTANT COACHES ARE THE TECHNICIANS & BUILDERS WHILE CAMPBELL IS THE ARCITECHT. BIG EGOS DON'T WORK TOO WELL IN THIS KIND OF SYSTEM – CREATES DISSONANCE. I'M BANKING ON DREW BEING A SKILLED TECHNICIAN IN THIS SYSTEM. ONLY

    TIME WILL TELL FOR SURE BUT I BELIEVE DREW IS THE CORRECT FIT. HEY, HOW ABOUT THOSE HURRYING HOOSIERS – MY ALMA MATER. AT 82, I NEVER DREAMED THIS COULD EVER HAPPEN IN MY LIFETIME! NOT SINCE JOHN PONT TOOK THEM TO THE ROSE BOWL IN 1967…!☝👆👍(MY APOLOGIES FOR THE CAPS – SOMEWHAT VISION IMPARED…) KEEP UP THE GOOD REPORTING!

  13. The Cardinals offensive line being ranked so low shouldn’t be used in defense of an OC, it is the fault of the OC. He runs the whole offense not just the weapons. If his O-line sucked that’s on him. Also, he is hairless. Perfectly smooth. If a man can’t grow hair on his arms legs head and ass how can he run an offense.

  16. Fans freaked out when Brad hinted about moving Knuckles if we can't utilize him.
    FANS – "WE GOTTA KEEP MONTY!"
    Lions hire a run first, OC.
    FANS – "WTF"?

  18. If we keep Monty makes sense , if we trade him the OC Makes no sense ….. need 2 top rbs that we have , it would not be good to have to go draft or sign a top RB in free agency …. Also a 2 TE set would limit Teslaa ? … then giving up those picks last year wasn’t worth it ..

  23. I just find the statement that MHJ sucks and that has nothing to do with Petzing remarkable. Was it not Petzing's job to develop him? Maybe no one could've gotten more from him, maybe he just is a bust and got overhyped. But the idea that the top non-QB in the draft was a huge disappointment and that doesn't raise any questions about his coaching is remarkable to me.

  28. So the 4th down percentage for the Arizona Cardinals was 29th in the league and the Lions struggled on converting 4th downs. The Lions also struggled in the 3rd quarter of games as well. So Perzing is supposed to somehow fix this problem?

  29. Matt, the offensive line was 12th. I think that was a little bit of a stretch, but that’s what it’s supposedly is. But only 14 teams make the playoffs. So it’s not very good. You’re gonna have to be in the top 10 generally speaking or have an unbelievable defense.

  32. The more I think about the Petzing hire, the more it makes sense. It fits this offense. I think DC got it right. It won’t be sexy, but it’ll be physical, disciplined, and we’ll move people up front.

  34. So Petzing was a close friend of Ben Johnson. Johnson recently became a head coach but he doesn't tap Petzing as his OC let alone any part of his staff……….. That should tell you something

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