Detroit Lions Notes

Notes: Lions punt return unit was 2 times more valuable than any other team

According to one measure, Detroit’s punt return game was far better than any other team.

By Jeremy Reisman@DetroitOnLion Dec 27, 2017, 12:00pm EST

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions rookie punt returner Jamal Agnew may not have made the Pro Bowl, but he certainly established himself as one of the best punt returners in the league. He still leads the league in punt return yards (416) and average (16.0), but this stat from Football Outsiders’ Aaron Schatz is truly telling:

The Lions had twice as much positive value on punt returns than any other team this season. Jacksonville was second.
— Aaron Schatz (@FO_ASchatz) December 26, 2017

The Lions promoted tight end Hakeem Valles from the practice squad on Tuesday, and Kyle Meinke of MLive has an interesting story on how Valles has loved being in Detroit because they helped refine his blocking technique.

Former Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky was at it again on Twitter breaking down the play of Matthew Stafford and Eric Ebron. The man has a future as a broadcaster if he wants it:

A) Can coaches find ways to consistently put players in position to be successful? B) Then, can that player take advantage of their opportunities!?!? @Ebron85 has been coming on for the @Lions the past few weeks bc of A&B are happening! @ttwentyman @DanMillerFox2 @davebirkett pic.twitter.com/j3Rq9DBLDC
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 26, 2017

Again, WHOS THIS BALL BEING THROWN TO?!!?!?!? This would be the image of “anticipation” in the dictionary!!! @Lions @ttwentyman @DanMillerFox2 @nflnetwork @NFL @NFLonFOX #DetroitLions pic.twitter.com/IFaU8m5mN0
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 26, 2017

Justin Rogers of the Detroit News re-watched the Lions-Bengals game so that you didn’t have to. Here are his 10 film observations from the game.

Stafford remains the most efficient quarterback on third down:

3rd Down is where the great Quarterbacks shine.

Here are the top-rated passers on 3rd down this season! (Injuries took out Wentz, McCown, and Rodgers)#OnePride #LARams #Bucs #GoSaints #ChiefsKingdom #InBrotherhood #HTTR #DaBears #GoBills #Skol pic.twitter.com/lfXmcAsXrc
— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) December 26, 2017

Lions Wire’s Ty Schalter makes a good argument as to why the Lions should start Matthew Stafford over Jake Rudock.

Lions offensive tackle Emmett Cleary is now the second active NFL player to declare that he’ll donate his brain for concussion research after his death.