Notes: Frank Ragnow on how this Lions team is built different

For any players who have been on the Detroit Lions roster beyond this past season or two, things were a little rough.

Not only was winning limited, but the culture was that of a losing team. In comes general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell, along with new ownership in Sheila Hamp, and things have nearly taken a 180. But center Frank Ragnow remembers those dark days.

“The years we’ve had in the past, it’s been tough. It’s been frustrating,” he told FOX 2’s Dan Miller. “

Now, however, expectations have been raised. Now the spotlight’s on Detroit as the team gets attention from national media and they sell out season tickets at Ford Field. That’s a new hurdle for the veteran.

“Just to have that standard and being able to work — because it’s new for me, right? For us to be able to keep our heads down and focus day in and day out with that standard has just been a cool different challenge for me,” Ragnow said. “It’s been cool how this team really kind of hasn’t wavered — taking it day by day and just kept that freakin’ grit mentality the whole time.”

Ragnow also talks about the running game’s success and becoming a new father. You can watch the full interview here.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner listed James Houston as one of his favorites for second-year players poised for a breakout season. ($)

• How fun! Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde drops by Lions practice.

• A unique opportunity to get some love from two teams who appreciated the same player — the one and only Marvin Jones.

• Once thinking he was destined for Jacksonville, Aidan Hutchinson explains how everything worked out exactly as it was supposed to. 97.1 The Ticket’s Will Burchfield has more.

• Also, there was a Bears joke teed up perfectly for me this morning. Please support me. Also FTP.