Notes: Brad Holmes’ amazing comeback from injury in college

There are many reasons to admire and appreciate the current general manager of the Detroit Lions, Brad Holmes. You might like the fire and passion he brings to the job. You might like the way he is bringing the Lions organization forward in using modern data analysis in its decision-making. Maybe you like the collaborative atmosphere in Allen Park. Heck, maybe you just yearn to see the team be more economical at the running back position like an editor in chief who shall not be named.

Justin Rogers at the Detroit News has an uplifting story to add to the pile of stuff to like. His fantastic reporting on how a college-aged Holmes successfully battled back from serious injuries sustained in an automobile accident went live on their site yesterday:

Seeing how energetic and vital he is today you would never know it, but there are still some lingering things from the accident: “His injuries were bad, including a ruptured diaphragm. While in the hospital, he suffered a stroke and was in a coma for a week. And when he came to, that right side which still has some residual effects, was paralyzed.”

Reading Justin Rogers’ story, you get the sense that Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell absolutely belong together. It’s a great pairing of front office and coaching staff personalities that align in values as well as enthusiasm and positivity. Definitely head on over and read the full story, you won’t be sorry.

Now, on to the rest of today’s Notes:

• Tim Twentyman from the official team site thinks the competition at receiver is wide open. Dave Birkett at the Detroit Free Press seems to agree, writing that Quintez Cephus and Victor Bolden are two to watch. Chris Burke from The Athletic also likes Bolden and adds that Amon-Ra St. Brown “has been really solid” and Geronimo Allison “is gonna be a thing.”

• Ben Raven at MLive wrote about how quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell’s experience as an NFL quarterback is helping him teach his players.

• The Lions worked out some big restructures this offseason, and it’s a complex subject. OverTheCap’s Jason Fitzgerald just posted a stellar explainer article that should be read by anyone who wants a deeper understanding of NFL contract restructures.

• Quarterback David Blough, by his own admission, is not the best athlete in his household. At the end of the media session clip posted by the Lions after Day 3 of Lions minicamp, we found out Melissa Blough, his wife, has a good chance to make the Colombian national Olympic team to run hurdles events this year in Japan. The Lions quarterback said they will find out for sure on June 29 if she makes it. We’re all pulling for her here on the Pride of Detroit staff.

• Jeff Risdon at Lions Wire noticed something Lions fans are not going to like in Doug Farrar’s article on “worst NFL quarterbacks for every type of throw.”

• Looks like the Lions are expanding their analytics staff: