Notes: Detroit Lions’ biggest goal for 2019: Find an identity

The Detroit Lions need to drastically improve in 2019 if they hope to meet the lofty goals many have set for them in the Matt Patricia era. 2018 was a disappointing season that saw them finish in last place, but a rebuilt coaching staff and another year under the head coach could produce the results the Lions desire.

Sports Illustrated’s Mitchell Gladstone listed what he believes to be simple goal for every single team that finished last place in 2018, and that includes Detroit.

For the Lions, Gladstone said that they need to find their identity. He added that:

In 2018, the Lions defense finished 17th, plus QB Matt Stafford turned in one of the worst seasons of his 10-year career. It’s very unclear in what direction Detroit is headed, so just getting back to .500 would be a positive—especially given how competitive their division will be this season.

• Mondoweiss’ Mansur Shaheen (hmmm) profiled Lions guard Oday Aboushi, who is the first ever Palestinian-American to play in the NFL.

• Episode 2 of the Lions’ self-made training camp documentary “Inside the Den” dropped this week. Check it out:

• Lions team reporter Tori Petry gave us a preview of all of the great food and beverages fans will have a chance to try out at the teams preseason opener at Ford Field tonight against the New England Patriots. For more information on the Lions’ food options—including where to find them and how much everything costs—you can check out our coverage of the new Ford Field items.

• The Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon listed six players that he thinks need to have a big game in the Lions preseason opener on Thursday.

• Lions defensive lineman John Atkins and Patriots running back Sony Michel may meet on the field tonight, but as the Lions official PR account pointed out, they used to wear the same uniform in college.