49 Comments
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JT Ludington's avatar

JR, not sure you’ll see this, but curious what players would say / have said regarding their interactions with Drew. I think that’s a bigger tell as to whether this will work or not than anything else…

TIM CARRY's avatar

So, I think this hire says a lot about how management views team readiness right now. Maybe the needed pieces are just too daunting to get in a single draft and or free agency year? The idea of an OC savior riding into Detroit to save this team from itself and carry us all to the Super Bowl in 2026 is just silly, but that’s what a lot of people are implying here. This guy doesn’t play, he schemes and prepares things on paper. He leads a unit. It’s not brain surgery, it’s football. Let’s give the guy some love for a bit.

Crixcyon's avatar

If the OL gets fixed, who knows? I almost expect the Lions to tread water for another year since they now have several areas that need some newly implemented gusto.

Edward Coyle's avatar

This, and the ensuing intelligent comments, is what I subscribe for.

Lady Clemmie's avatar

There are some potentials to be excited about, but I can’t say I’m excited about this guy. He hasn’t had sustained, proven success as an OC that got any team into the playoffs. I like that he has a connection with Hank Fraley, that calms me down a little. But Lions fans needed a splash with this hire, and we got anything but that. We know our O line is going to need to be retooled, and this guy doesn’t seem like the guy to do it. I hope I am wrong, but I think most fans are panicking due to the less than stellar season, coupled with a fear that our chances are slowly fading away.

Is he even going to know what to do with a QB that’s taller than your average 14 year old? 😂

kwasny.james10@yahoo.com's avatar

As always, time will tell.

R-squared's avatar

Good article gave a good look at the unknown. I have now moved to the give the lions powers to be, “benefit of the doubt,” status!

Michael Marchand's avatar

I watched a ton of Cardinals games these past few years - I have McBride in fantasy.

Saw big commitment to the run - feel like Petzing leans run in neutral situations - and not much creativity in the the run game. Solid play-action infrastructure though.

This isn't an insane hire - the offense will look a like like it has the past few years.

But I'm really disappointed we pulled the trigger before McDaniels was hired. Great coordinators, like McDaniels, Ben Johnson, Shanahan, and McVay, can cobble together really good rushing schemes with spotty offensive lines. And there is a very good chance our offensive line will be subpar next year, especially if Decker retires. Petzing does not have the chops to manufacture schematic advantages in the run game like McDaniels can.

Tom Garno's avatar

I think it says more about where the "great" coordinators are going to go. There are too many good jobs, Pittsburg (they are loyal even if you need a qb), Buffalo, Tennessee for an in demand coach to not become a head coach this year.

H E Pennypacker's avatar

Thank you for introducing us to this coach. Most of us, myself included, initially jumped to some less than sterling conclusions.

Closet Rebel's avatar

Twitter and Reddit hate this pick.

Bill Kowske's avatar

we have to run it better and replacing Frank / Zeitler was obvious this year. that's the lift on this off season. Sam is a great blocking TE too....so it hurts to miss these 3 guys. Main thing seemed to be consistency running the ball. Protection when the run game isn't working was all over the place too. so who ever calls the plays, its about execution. I am sure he will be fine, but we need to get younger on both lines or experienced through reasonable FAs. #onepride #justinrogersistheman

John Lawton's avatar

Not exciting, but so what? Hope he turns into a great hire. Cardinals did pretty well on the O side in the second half, and he definitely maximized Wilson and McBride.

Tim Bowers's avatar

Lions drafting a TE for sure at some point

Tom Garno's avatar

It sure would be nice for Brock Wright to be TE 3.

Edward Coyle's avatar

If you want to run 12- and 13-personnell in your run game, which I notice the trend to be among the stronger teams at this point, you need THREE bruising TE, which we have not at this point. Free agency or the draft, but essential.

Scott I's avatar

When was he interviewed?