It wasn't immediately clear how the Lions intended to deploy the versatile Izien. For OTAs, at least, the young vet has stepped into Joseph's free safety spot.
Don't read too much into him playing Free Safety right now. I don't think the Lions know how they expect this to shake out yet and wanted to take a look some combinations.
Clark and Izien would be pretty interchangeable at Safety, I would put Maddox in the same, any of the 3 can play anywhere from Free to Strong and even Nickel.
Joseph could do the same and we also know they view Branch the same way, they might even want to keep him out of harm's way, That could be this year but maybe long-term also if Joseph is done, Branch is too valuable and the injury risk is high with him because of the way he plays, maybe keep him away from some of those collisions in the box.
Justin, your lions collective podcast is the best lions podcast around(despite the awkward ad inserts) and I enjoyed your last episode but I take a more positive view on the team today. I find it odd many national team rankings have the lions out of the top 10 despite being one or two unlucky plays from being in the super bowl two years ago and:
1. last year we were 1 game (again one or two plays) from finishing 2nd in the north and making the playoffs
2. had the 4th hardest schedule last year
3. top 5 offense
4. the #1 most injured team on defense.
logically, it seems to me with an improved offensive line and a healthy (hopefully soon to be) defense, we are still a top 5 team and do not need to do anything different and reinvent the wheel like many say.
also, hope when the season starts, you do the podcast 2x/week (more ad $$$!)
Don't read too much into him playing Free Safety right now. I don't think the Lions know how they expect this to shake out yet and wanted to take a look some combinations.
Clark and Izien would be pretty interchangeable at Safety, I would put Maddox in the same, any of the 3 can play anywhere from Free to Strong and even Nickel.
Joseph could do the same and we also know they view Branch the same way, they might even want to keep him out of harm's way, That could be this year but maybe long-term also if Joseph is done, Branch is too valuable and the injury risk is high with him because of the way he plays, maybe keep him away from some of those collisions in the box.
Justin, your lions collective podcast is the best lions podcast around(despite the awkward ad inserts) and I enjoyed your last episode but I take a more positive view on the team today. I find it odd many national team rankings have the lions out of the top 10 despite being one or two unlucky plays from being in the super bowl two years ago and:
1. last year we were 1 game (again one or two plays) from finishing 2nd in the north and making the playoffs
2. had the 4th hardest schedule last year
3. top 5 offense
4. the #1 most injured team on defense.
logically, it seems to me with an improved offensive line and a healthy (hopefully soon to be) defense, we are still a top 5 team and do not need to do anything different and reinvent the wheel like many say.
also, hope when the season starts, you do the podcast 2x/week (more ad $$$!)
Other than mentions of Dog and Pony and a gambling site I have never seen an ad.
i listen on spotify and the ads are inserted frequently almost mid sentencw
Makes sense. I watch on youtube. But if I did listen I would listen on Youtube music which is ad free with a streaming music sub.
Can't ever have too many good DBs.
Ain't that the truth.
Need him to be great. He could elevate this defense by making safety an asset versus a
Liability. Top 10…top 5 defense.
This provides great context on the complexity of the Kerby situation (medical, team chemistry, etc).
Thanks for the clear, quick introduction to Izien. Good to know him a little bit better!