Freethinker
Hall of Famer
The Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes regime, has improved the Lions dramatically in both demographics and wins. A 9-8 season followed by 12-5 (14-6 including playoffs) year which included a division title and a near Super Bowl appearance. Let's see how the roster and starters breakdown.
Total White Athletes on Roster (Starters in bold)
20 Whites total, with 9 starters. Grade: C
QB - Jared Goff
TE - Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Parker Hesse
T - Taylor Decker, Dan Skipper, Colby Sorsdal
G - Graham Glasgow, Kevin Zeitler
C - Frank Ragnow, Michael Niese
DL - Aidan Hutchinson
WLB - Alex Anzalone, Ben Niemann, Trevor Nowaske
MLB - Jack Campbell
SLB - Malcolm Rodriguez
K - Jake Bates
P - Jack Fox
LS - Hogan Hatten
IR - Connor Glavin (OL), John Cominsky (DE), Michael Badgley (K)
PS - Jake Fromm (QB), Tom Kennedy (WR), Shane Zylstra (TE), Pat O'Connor (DE), Greg Joseph (K)
A nice improvement from an already solid squad, gaining in both overall roster and starters. If DE John Cominsky was not hurt, they likely would have had a 10th starter (or at least pseudo-starter). The offense is lead by former #1 overall pick Jared Goff, who has really become the franchise star QB in Detroit after an initial shaky start and an unceremonious exit from LA. That trade really worked out for the Rams and Lions, with Goff being the catalyst for Detroit's rise from annual cellar-dwellers to Super Bowl contenders. At only 29 years old and coming off of a 4,500 yard / 30 TD season, I think its safe to say that Jared is in his prime. One of his primary targets is Iowa alum, TE Sam LaPorta. Drafted early in the 2nd round, Sam did not disappoint with nearly 900 yards and 10 scores. They say that tight ends take some time to adjust to the NFL but Sam definitely broke that mold. The offensive line is greatly improved and now 4/5ths White! Looking at a few sites that rank offensive lines, the Lions seem the consensus at #1. PFF ranked Frank Ragnow the top center last year and tackle Taylor Decker very highly too. Both guards, Glasgow and Zietler, are certainly above average as well. Backup TE Brock Wright is a very solid player, with a little starting experience when Hockenson was traded.
On defense, the team is one of the Whitest, considering the narrow parameters set up by the Caste NFL. DE Aiden Hutchinson is already elite at his position. You see how dominate he is when you watch him, beating offensive lineman with ridiculously high win rates. The grading companies agree giving him extremely high marks. He also is a case of an elite athlete WITH a non-stop motor (not in the disparaging way Caste announcers demean our guys). Alex Anzalone has overcome early career injuries and become a very good linebacker. A tackling machine and playmaker, Alex is coming off of a career year. Jack Campbell was a prized rookie who struggle a bit, like a young player is prone to do. Look for him to take big steps in year 2 and eventually become elite. Malcom Rodriquez is a solid backup who rotates in a good deal and even played some fullback last year. Ben Niemann, while not as good as his brother, provides good depth. Nowaske was signed after cut day and seems like a local (Saginaw Valley State) young player with some upside. The aforementioned John Cominsky torn his MCL but the GM has stated he expects him back towards the end of the season "when they need him most".
The practice squad has an interesting QB in Jake Fromm. We'd all love to see him over black backup Hooker, but he has to languish here instead. WR Tom Kennedy has been jerked around so many times by the Lions that I'm surprised he hasn't quit yet. From what I can gather, he's been waived by the Lions 8 times (at least) since initially catching on with them in 2019. His highwater mark was 8 catches in 2022. With only 4 WRs on the active roster, maybe Tom will be one of those PS game day callups (that appears to be the case in week 1).
So that's the 2024 Lions, a team pushing towards a half White roster while improving in the win column. Let's hope for another NFC North title.
Total White Athletes on Roster (Starters in bold)
20 Whites total, with 9 starters. Grade: C
QB - Jared Goff
TE - Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Parker Hesse
T - Taylor Decker, Dan Skipper, Colby Sorsdal
G - Graham Glasgow, Kevin Zeitler
C - Frank Ragnow, Michael Niese
DL - Aidan Hutchinson
WLB - Alex Anzalone, Ben Niemann, Trevor Nowaske
MLB - Jack Campbell
SLB - Malcolm Rodriguez
K - Jake Bates
P - Jack Fox
LS - Hogan Hatten
IR - Connor Glavin (OL), John Cominsky (DE), Michael Badgley (K)
PS - Jake Fromm (QB), Tom Kennedy (WR), Shane Zylstra (TE), Pat O'Connor (DE), Greg Joseph (K)
A nice improvement from an already solid squad, gaining in both overall roster and starters. If DE John Cominsky was not hurt, they likely would have had a 10th starter (or at least pseudo-starter). The offense is lead by former #1 overall pick Jared Goff, who has really become the franchise star QB in Detroit after an initial shaky start and an unceremonious exit from LA. That trade really worked out for the Rams and Lions, with Goff being the catalyst for Detroit's rise from annual cellar-dwellers to Super Bowl contenders. At only 29 years old and coming off of a 4,500 yard / 30 TD season, I think its safe to say that Jared is in his prime. One of his primary targets is Iowa alum, TE Sam LaPorta. Drafted early in the 2nd round, Sam did not disappoint with nearly 900 yards and 10 scores. They say that tight ends take some time to adjust to the NFL but Sam definitely broke that mold. The offensive line is greatly improved and now 4/5ths White! Looking at a few sites that rank offensive lines, the Lions seem the consensus at #1. PFF ranked Frank Ragnow the top center last year and tackle Taylor Decker very highly too. Both guards, Glasgow and Zietler, are certainly above average as well. Backup TE Brock Wright is a very solid player, with a little starting experience when Hockenson was traded.
On defense, the team is one of the Whitest, considering the narrow parameters set up by the Caste NFL. DE Aiden Hutchinson is already elite at his position. You see how dominate he is when you watch him, beating offensive lineman with ridiculously high win rates. The grading companies agree giving him extremely high marks. He also is a case of an elite athlete WITH a non-stop motor (not in the disparaging way Caste announcers demean our guys). Alex Anzalone has overcome early career injuries and become a very good linebacker. A tackling machine and playmaker, Alex is coming off of a career year. Jack Campbell was a prized rookie who struggle a bit, like a young player is prone to do. Look for him to take big steps in year 2 and eventually become elite. Malcom Rodriquez is a solid backup who rotates in a good deal and even played some fullback last year. Ben Niemann, while not as good as his brother, provides good depth. Nowaske was signed after cut day and seems like a local (Saginaw Valley State) young player with some upside. The aforementioned John Cominsky torn his MCL but the GM has stated he expects him back towards the end of the season "when they need him most".
The practice squad has an interesting QB in Jake Fromm. We'd all love to see him over black backup Hooker, but he has to languish here instead. WR Tom Kennedy has been jerked around so many times by the Lions that I'm surprised he hasn't quit yet. From what I can gather, he's been waived by the Lions 8 times (at least) since initially catching on with them in 2019. His highwater mark was 8 catches in 2022. With only 4 WRs on the active roster, maybe Tom will be one of those PS game day callups (that appears to be the case in week 1).
So that's the 2024 Lions, a team pushing towards a half White roster while improving in the win column. Let's hope for another NFC North title.
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