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Lions assistant GM looking for 'growth' out of rookie DL Ahmed Hassanein

Lions assistant GM looking for 'growth' out of rookie DL Ahmed Hassanein

USA Today10-05-2025

Lions assistant GM looking for 'growth' out of rookie DL Ahmed Hassanein
Detroit Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew held a news conference on Friday to kick off rookie minicamp and discuss some of the young players the team brought in this season.
"This is one of the most exciting days for me, man," Agnew said. "Just seeing the joy on those kids' faces."
One of the more popular storylines coming into this minicamp is that of 6th-round defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein. The first-ever Egyptian to be drafted, Hassanein is the only edge rusher the Lions drafted at a position of significant need.
Agnew shared his modest expectations for Hassanein ahead of Friday's camp.
'I just think some growth," Agnew said.
"It will be some growing pains on this level because you've got pretty good football players on this level."
Hassanein is projected to land toward the bottom of the EDGE depth chart entering the 2025 season, but given how the Lions' season went last year, there's still a chance he could end up seeing the field in a key moment by season's end.
"I just see him as he gets taught more tools in his toolbelt as far as a pass rusher – using his hands better, learning when to rush with leverage, learning when you have the sweet spot and turn the corner, so just learning some nuances of the game," Agnew said.
Lions rookie minicamp is scheduled to continue through Sunday.

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Rourke, Beverette and Riders' line earn first CFL weekly honour roll awards
Rourke, Beverette and Riders' line earn first CFL weekly honour roll awards

Hamilton Spectator

time37 minutes ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Rourke, Beverette and Riders' line earn first CFL weekly honour roll awards

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43 thoughts on the Detroit Lions' offensive players
43 thoughts on the Detroit Lions' offensive players

New York Times

time2 hours ago

  • New York Times

43 thoughts on the Detroit Lions' offensive players

DETROIT — One thought for every offensive player on the Detroit Lions roster. QB Jared Goff: QB1 is motivated now more than ever to win a Super Bowl. QBs coach Mark Brunell said it's the only thing that drives the veteran signal-caller, having accomplished a number of individual feats in his career — including a top-5 MVP finish last season. While it's easy to tie Goff's success to big-name playcallers like Sean McVay and Ben Johnson, maybe it's time to give Goff his flowers. Goff, 30, is at an age where quarterbacks have seen everything this league has to offer. That he's playing the best football of his life as he's aged is no coincidence. He continues to produce at a high level, and another year of this play under John Morton should quiet critics who believe his success is coordinator-driven. Advertisement QB Hendon Hooker: It's Year 3 for Hooker, and it's time for him to establish himself as Detroit's clear-cut No. 2 quarterback. 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Rugby league star Sir Billy Boston's knighthood ‘a little bit late', says son
Rugby league star Sir Billy Boston's knighthood ‘a little bit late', says son

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Rugby league star Sir Billy Boston's knighthood ‘a little bit late', says son

'Trailblazing' rugby league star Sir Billy Boston's honour came 'a little bit late', his son said, as his father became a knight in a first for the sport. Sir Billy, who scored 478 tries in 488 matches for Wigan after making the switch from rugby union in 1953, was knighted by the King in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The 90-year-old, who was born in Wales, revealed in 2016 that he was living with vascular dementia. Speaking after his father was knighted, Sir Billy's son Stephen said: 'It's a really great honour. I think it has come a little bit late. It could have come a little bit earlier.' Sir Billy's knighthood was awarded before the latest round of honours has been publicly announced amid concerns for his health. It comes after a campaign by local councillors, MPs and leading figures in the sport to get him honoured – and Sir Billy's family were supported by Josh Simons, the MP for Wakerfield, near Wigan, at the event. 'It should have been a lot, a lot sooner,' Sir Billy's son told the PA news agency. '130 years before a rugby league player got knighted. 'We're all really appreciative and very appreciative of all the support we've got from Wigan the rugby league club, the local MP and all the fans.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was a 'historic wrong' that no rugby league player had been knighted before. He said: 'Billy Boston is a true trailblazer whose contributed hugely to rugby league. It is a historic wrong that a sport which is the backbone of so many communities has waited so long to receive this honour. 'Boston is a legend of the game who overcame prejudice to represent Great Britain and opened the door to a more diverse game. 'He's left a truly enduring legacy and the first knighthood in rugby league could not go to a more deserving player.' It is understood the Prime Minister has written to Sir Billy to congratulate him on the honour. In 1954, he made history as the first non-white player to be selected for a Great Britain rugby league Lions tour, scoring 36 tries in 18 appearances around Australia and New Zealand, including a then-record four in one match against the Kiwis. He made two more Lions tours in 1958 and 1962 and ended with 24 tries in 31 Test appearances for Great Britain. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons and former president of the Rugby Football League, said: 'Billy is a rugby league legend and his name is synonymous with the sport, having played for Wigan, as well as representing Great Britain. 'Billy was one of the 'codebreakers' from the Cardiff Bay area, who took the brave decision to switch from rugby union to rugby league – and faced hostility and prejudice as a result. However, his courage not only inspired future rugby greats to switch codes but it also encouraged generations of youngsters to take up the sport. 'Billy's strong running style, pace and agility were feared and admired by supporters and opponents alike and he remains Wigan's top try scorer to this day. 'He was a pioneer in the 1950s when he switched codes and is a pioneer to this day by ensuring rugby league gets the recognition it deserves. His story shows there should be no barriers to achieving your potential and that is what makes the knighthood so fitting.'

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