Notes: QB coach Mark Brunell says he can identify with Jared Goff

Though Jared Goff doesn’t officially become a Detroit Lion until the start of the league year, Detroit’s coaching personnel are already thinking about ways to connect with the incoming quarterback.

Quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell has experienced all types of NFL quarterback situations — he’s been in their shoes. He was drafted by Green Bay in the fifth round to spend two years battling it out to be the backup for a young Brett Favre. He’d then be traded to Jacksonville where he found success over eight seasons, then to the Washington Football Team, the New Orleans Saints, and the New York Jets.

NFL coaches aren’t allowed to discuss trades before they’re official, but Brunell told detroitlions.com senior writer Tim Twentyman that if/when Goff comes to the Motor City, he’ll be able to relate to him.

“I’ve been traded, I’ve been cut, I’ve been benched, I’ve been booed, I’ve been told, ‘you’re just not what we want,’ I’ve been kicked to the curb,” Brunell said. “I’ve gone through just about anything an NFL quarterback can go through. ... So sure, I can identify with Jared Goff, or whoever is our starter, but I can also identify with the kid who’s just new to the building.”

Though this is Brunell’s first season coaching at the NFL level, he believes his own experiences will help build trust with the Detroit quarterbacks and show that he understands what they’re dealing with and how to succeed.

Twentyman’s article includes much more detail and storytelling, read the entire piece here.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• LionsWire’s Erik Schlitt took PFF’s ranking of top 2021 free agents and from Kenny Golladay to Duron Harmon, examined each player’s situation.

• The Detroit News’ Justin Rogers takes a closer look at Matt Prater’s situation — how he wants to be back in Detroit but that’s not necessarily a guarantee.

• Detroitlions.com’s Mike O’Hara offers a profile on how Lions senior defensive assistant Dom Capers is no stranger to working with new coaching staffs.

• In PFF Austin Gayle’s latest mock draft the Lions go with a top linebacker.

• And including yesterday’s Lions-themed Valentine’s Day cards in case you enjoy that type of thing: