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- Rashean Mathis recently told the Detroit Free Press that the Detroit Lions are planning on having an elite defense again this year. While overcoming the loss of Ndamukong Suh will be tough, Mathis noted that the offseason is all about "trying to fill in those gaps or even places that we were good at, getting better and those things as well."
I suppose one thing working in the Lions' favor is that they had to overcome multiple season-ending injuries last season, and they still had an elite defense despite backups being forced into starting jobs on short notice. In that regard, hopefully their experiences last season will end up serving as good preparation for overcoming the loss of Suh this year.
- Much like Mathis in the secondary, it sounds like Jason Jones is stepping up as a mentor for the defensive line.
- Tahir Whitehead did a good job of summing up his role at linebacker in an interview with the Lions' official site: "That’s something I take pride in, being able to play wherever I’m needed."
- How did the Lions manage to turn things around last year? Their 6-1 record in close games had a lot to do with their success, and that, along with some other statistics, could actually be a sign that they will take a step back in 2015.
- It looks like my mute button will get a lot of use on Big Ten Network games this fall:
SBJ: Matt Millen is leaving ESPN to return to Fox Sports; will be lead football analyst for Big Ten Network. http://t.co/7vycM5sAfE
— John Ourand (@Ourand_SBJ) May 26, 2015