DFN Mailbag, Part I: Future of Lions' newcomers, stopping Allen and ranking pizzas
Allen Park — It’s been a few weeks since I checked the mailbox. Given the number of high-quality questions, I’m breaking this mailbag into two parts, with a second wave Saturday morning.
Q: Do you think Christian Mahogany has established himself as the top interior o-line backup? If so, do you think the plan would be for him to take Kevin Zeitler's spot next year? — Dhani Bowtie
Justin: My opinion isn’t necessary with the first part of your question. The proof is in the team’s approach. For the past few weeks, they’ve gone into games with Mahogany as the choice, ahead of Kayode Awosika. There’s no gamesmanship at play here. The team clearly feels Mahogany gives them the best chance to win if they need an in-game replacement.
Regarding the plans for 2025, it’s too early to say. We’ll obviously have a better grasp on how they feel about Mahogany’s starting potential based on how they approach free agency and the draft. If there’s lingering uncertainty, they’ll have some strong competition for the job. They won’t risk weakening one of the key strengths of the roster on a gamble.
Q: Do you believe the huge increase in season-ticket prices will make season-ticket holders sell their tickets, leading to a large surge of visiting fans? — Matthew Sharp
Justin: No, I don’t see it playing out that way. If a fan is going to travel to a road game, they’re going to find a way into the building. What we know is there’s a waiting list for season tickets north of 20,000, and if the Lions continue to play at a high level, there will continue to be strong local interest through the secondary market.
While we might see an increase in the number of resale options available as season-ticket holders sell off a portion of their packages to offset the increases, I don't anticipate a drastic shift in the ratio of home fans vs. road fans buying them up.
Q: How does somebody get press credentials? Is there a cost for that? — Nate
Justin: Generally speaking, to be credentialled to cover a professional sporting event, you need to be employed or assigned by an accredited outlet. Applications are handled by the home team or league, depending on the event. There are no costs associated with credentialing.
Q: Which of the new guys has played himself into potential future plans? — Zac Herr
Justin: It’s difficult to say any of them have guaranteed anything beyond this season. The sample size is too small and there are too many moving parts.
What they’re working toward establishing in these windows of opportunity is work ethic, coachability and capability of executing assignments. A guy like Ezekiel Turner, for example, has elevated his stock. Still, he’s there's redundancy against longer-term roster pieces, such as Jalen Reeves-Maybin or Malcolm Rodriguez.
Alternatively, someone like Jonah Williams might have a better shot based on roster dynamics, with Marcus Davenport and John Cominsky on expiring deals.
Most of those assessments will be made in February and March.
Q: It feels like Aaron Glenn will move on. Do we go after Mike Vrabel or Robert Saleh or stay internal? — Rich Frank
If the Lions lose Ben Johnson, what are the chances his replacement is already on staff? — Dean Pippio
Justin: When trying to project these things, the challenge increases without historical examples to reference. We know, not just with Dan Campbell, but NFL head coaches in general, guys like to fill out their staffs with people they’ve worked with before.
And when Campbell’s gone outside his network, he’s been more inclined to pull the plug quickly. Anthony Lynn didn’t make it through his first season as offensive coordinator. Position coaches Mark DeLeone, John Scott and Aubrey Pleasant similarly didn’t get the benefit of the doubt when their units weren’t meeting expectations.
Given the critical importance of the coordinators, my inclination is Campbell would prefer to fill those roles with coaches he knows. That’s why Kelvin Sheppard has been the guy I’ve pointed to for two years as my favorite to replace Glenn. I’d also lean toward an internal promotion for offensive coordinator, with Scottie Montgomery having a slight edge on Tanner Engstrand.
Obviously, we can’t know who might be available on the open market. And if there's mutual interest from a proven option such as Saleh, it would be foolish to outright dismiss it. But, remember, Campbell’s football philosophies are going to be reflected in whoever might be brought in. Physicality, toughness, aggressiveness and an emphasis on the run will be key attributes.
Q: Does Colby Sorsdal have a future with the team? Is he an option at guard or tackle? — Craig Mirek
Justin: Sure, but not necessarily as a starter. He’s still being cross-trained at both positions, but he’s landed near the back of the depth chart, behind Skipper, Mahogany, and, last we knew, Awosika.
The Lions put more emphasis on Sorsdal playing tackle this offseason and it didn’t go particularly well. It was clear, watching practice daily during camp, Skipper was going to be the guy.
Everything resets next offseason. Sorsdal will be provided another opportunity to move up the depth chart and potentially earn the swing tackle job.
Q: Where does Detroit-style pizza rank amongst styles of pizza? I was born and raised in Michigan but have lived in Connecticut for over a decade now. Most pizza out here is New Haven or New York Style. So where would you put Detroit-style compared to New York-style, New Haven-style, Chicago deep dish, California-style, and hand-tossed (since Michigan is home to Little Caesar's, Domino's, and Hungry Howie's)? — Andrew Keck
Justin: I’ve never had pizza that was described as New Haven style, but coal-fired brick oven pizza is at the top of my personal list. And look, I love Detroit style. Love it. But as I’ve gotten older, my body rejects food abuse, so any time I eat more than a single slice of Detroit style, I feel weighed down.
It’s a shame because there are so many good options near my house, including Como’s, Elephant and Co., Green Lantern and Loui's. I may have had Elephant and Co. this week.
If I was making a ranking of styles:
Coal-fire brick oven (Neapolitan?)
Detroit style
New York style
Non-chain hand-tossed
Chicago style
Frozen
Wonder Bread, leftover Chef Boyardee and melted string cheese
Lunchables
St. Louis style
Q: What is the best way to contain Josh Allen? — JFL
Justin: Be disciplined and tight with your rush lanes and use a lot of underneath zone coverage as a backstop. I’d be reluctant to play a ton of straight zone given Allen’s experience and arm strength, but having a safety playing robber and/or a middle-field linebacker closer to the line of scrimmage to further discourage scrambles would be high on my priority list on obvious passing downs.
A little extra prayer probably wouldn’t hurt.
Q: Even though he is locked up for next year already, has Jake Bates played his way into a long-term deal this offseason? — Chris Dressler
Justin: No need to rush it. The Lions have his rights for two years beyond this one, given he’ll be an exclusive-rights free agent in 2026.
This is a situation where you let it play out. If he remains reliable, you can work toward a multi-year deal in 2027, when he’d be a restricted free agent.
Q: What game are you most concerned about from the remaining games? Which one is a must-win? — JFL
Justin: None of them are must-wins. The Lions can lose any of the four remaining and are practically guaranteed to earn the top seed in the NFC, based on how the tie-breakers are shaping up.
In terms of concern, it’s clearly this one against Buffalo. That’s as dangerous of an offense as there is in the NFL, paired with an opportunistic defense.
Q: Do you think Melifonwu will be a Lion next season? — Wes
Justin: I do not. We can agree he’s an immensely talented and versatile defensive back, but I don’t think the Lions can afford to pay for potential when he hasn’t been able to reliably stay on the field during his four seasons in Detroit. It will be cheaper to look for a Swiss Army knife with special teams ability in the draft to serve as a backup to Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph.
Q: Everyone seems to pronounce Onwuzurike as On Zoo Ree Kay, but it feels like a syllable is missing. It looks like On Woo Zoo Ree Kay. Is the former how Levi has said it should be pronounced? — MotorCityJeff
Justin: Well, how about I just go ask him? Spoiler: We’re both wrong, but you nailed the extra syllable.
Here is upstate NY, we have ‘upside down’ pizza which is a crust baked w cheese, then toppings and sauce on top. No more burnt mouth! It’s brilliant.
Also, I love Saleh, but can’t see MCDC passing up the opportunity for an internal candidate. But also it’s possible we don’t lose coordinators either.
Tomatoes Apizza does New Haven style. Try the crab pizza!