Latest news with #KelvinSheppard
Fox News
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Za'Darius Smith: 'Hopefully,' I'm back with the Detroit Lions
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith remains a free agent, but, in the end, he wants to be back with the team that he went to the playoffs with last season, that being the Detroit Lions — who cut him in March. "Hopefully, I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great," Smith told USA TODAY Sports. "When I'm there, I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things. Hopefully, I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit." Smith split the 2024 season with the Cleveland Browns and Lions, who acquired him at the NFL trade deadline after suffering a myriad of defensive injuries, including to star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, a 2023 Pro Bowler. In all, Smith finished the 2024 regular season with a combined nine sacks and 35 combined tackles. Smith ranked 21st among edge defenders in pass-rush grade (76.5), 33rd in overall grade (74.7) and 85th in run-defense grade (62.8) according to Pro Football Focus. Now, should Smith return to Detroit, there are some changes on the coaching side, as the Lions lost defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn — who became the new head coach of the New York Jets — and promoted former linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to the position. They also have a new defensive line coach in Kacy Rodgers, among many other coaching changes. The 32-year-old Smith, who expressed that he's focused on "getting a ring now and winning a championship," thinks he and Hutchinson could be a special duo off the edge. "I'm still a veteran. He's [Hutchinson] still a young guy. I can help him with a lot of things. He's already great, but as a player, there are some tools that I know that I can help him with," Smith said. "And there are some things as a young guy that he can help me with." Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler, spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens (2015-18), followed by a three-year stint with the Green Bay Packers (2019-21), one season with the Minnesota Vikings (2022) and a season-plus with the Browns before being acquired by the Lions during the 2024 season. Elsewhere, Detroit re-signed defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike, defensive end Marcus Davenport and linebacker Ezekiel Turner to one-year deals apiece, while adding defensive tackle Roy Lopez and selecting Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams with the No. 28 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Last season, the Lions went 15-2 and claimed the No. 1 seed in the NFC before losing to the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round. Detroit's defense surrendered 244.0 passing yards (30th in the NFL), 98.4 rushing yards (fifth), 342.4 total yards (20th) and 20.1 points (seventh) per game. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Reuters
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson: 'I'm fully cleared'
May 22 - Detroit Lions star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson uttered three little words fans were waiting for Thursday when discussing his recovery from the fractured tibia and fibula that ended his 2024 season. "I'm fully cleared," Hutchinson said. OK, Hutchinson said more than that as he plans to get up to speed during the Lions' offseason activities. "I'm rolling with the boys now and it feels like I'm back to being myself again," he said. "I'm really looking forward to the season. I think this is the most excited I've been for OTAs in my life. This is the biggest hiatus I've had without playing ball so I'm pumped." Hutchinson, 24, has recorded 28.5 sacks in 39 games (all starts) since being selected by Detroit with the second overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. He had 7.5 sacks in five games last season before he hurt his leg in a collision with teammate Alim McNeill in the third quarter of a 47-9 road victory against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 13. Now, Hutchinson will have a familiar face as his new defensive coordinator. Kelvin Sheppard was elevated from his post as linebackers coach to replace Aaron Glenn, who is now head coach of the New York Jets. "The way he attacks things ... you have to know everything that is going on," Hutchinson said of Sheppard. "That's what I love about him, and I think that's going to have our defense very, very prepared this year." When Glenn took over as Detroit's defensive coordinator in 2021, Sheppard came on board and has spent the last four seasons learning under the former three-time Pro Bowl defensive back and 15-year NFL veteran. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Bear's Den, May 16, 2025
WE WANT YOU! Would you like to show your Chicago Bears spirit to the world? I'm starting a feature where Windy City Gridiron readers can share pictures of themselves and their families and friends in Bears attire. Simply email a picture to me at the following address: denmasterken at aol dot com. The pictures need to be clear, and full resolution (i.e. full size from your phone if that's how you take them). Include any description information you like along with the photo! Advertisement THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL DENMASTER KEN'S VIDEO GRAB BAG BEARRRSSSS & STUFF NFL confirms Eagles-Commanders, Packers-Bears will be played on Saturday, December 20 - NBC Sports - The NFL says there is no glitch. Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard: Seeing Aidan Hutchinson in drills let me know he's back - NBC Sports - There are no full-fledged practice sessions during the offseason, but the Lions have done enough on-field work to convince defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard of one important fact. Memorial service honors Steve McMichael three weeks after death - Chicago Sun-Times - McMichael was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. Advertisement Aaron Rodgers' uncertain future was a factor in the NFL's 2025 schedule – Chicago Tribune - Pittsburgh Steelers executives aren't the only ones eagerly awaiting a decision from Aaron Rodgers. The NFL schedule makers were following the saga very closely. Author shares insight on Williams' desire to avoid Bears - 670 - On with Rahimi & Harris, author Seth Wickersham shared insight on his reporting on the lengths that Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and his father went to prevent Chicago from selecting Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Through his father, Caleb Williams explored playing for the UFL for a year and joining NFL as a free agent - NBC Sports - Beyond attempting to devise a strategy for avoiding the Bears in the draft, quarterback Caleb Williams explored a strategy for avoiding the draft altogether. Ben Johnson: Caleb Williams is proud to be a Bear - NBC Sports - A new book detailed Williams's desire to play for someone other than the Bears. Advertisement Chargers take a shot at Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson, Fail Mary in video - Chicago Sun-Times - The Chargers are the kings of the schedule reveal video. NFL owners could allow players to participate in flag football at the Olympics - Chicago Sun-Times - If the resolution is approved by team owners, the league would be allowed to negotiate with the NFL Players Association, Olympic officials and national governing bodies on the specifics of letting NFL players participate. Caleb Williams and family didn't want him to join Bears before draft, new book says - Chicago Sun-Times - According to Seth Wickersham's upcoming book, 'American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback,' Williams' father, Carl, called Chicago 'the place where quarterbacks go to die' in the months preceding the 2024 NFL Draft. 5 games that can make or break the Bears' 2025 season - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears' opposing strength of schedule, .571, is tied for the second-toughest in the NFL. Advertisement Chicago Bears favored in 7 of 17 games on 2025 schedule - The full NFL schedule is out, and so are very early betting odds. The Chicago Bears were installed as the favorite in 7 of 17 games. Caleb Williams wanted to avoid getting drafted by Bears, new book says - The Athletic - "Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die," Williams' father, Carl, said in the book. NFL schedule 2025 winners and losers: 49ers finally catch a break; are Giants doomed? - The Athletic - We're all winners with that elite Week 1 prime-time slate. But the Browns and Saints are schedule-release losers with no prime-time games. Five Most Compelling Games on Chicago Bears 2025 NFL Schedule - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears schedule is out. On paper, it certainly looks like a difficult schedule. With so many marquee games on the schedule, which ones make the list as the top five games on the Bears'... Advertisement Roquan Smith on opening with Bills: Revenge is best served cold - NBC Sports - Linebacker Roquan Smith was pleased to see what the NFL had up their sleeve for the Ravens in Week One. NFL, Chiefs embrace K.C. overload - NBC Sports - So much for Chiefs fatigue; they'll be the most visible team in 2025. NFLPA: We fully support our player members participating in the Olympics - NBC Sports - Earlier on Thursday, the league announced that owners will consider a resolution for active players to participate in the 2028 Olympics at next week's spring meeting. Packers QBs coach Sean Mannion has a plan on how to get most out of Jordan Love - NBC Sports - Jordan Love is entering his sixth NFL season, and he's getting his third quarterbacks coach. Advertisement Caleb Williams wanted to spurn the Bears, join the Vikings - NBC Sports - New Seth Wickersham book has stunning details of QB's pre-draft strategy. Caleb Williams and family didn't want him to join Bears before draft, new book says - Chicago Sun-Times - According to Seth Wickersham's upcoming book, 'American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback,' Williams' father, Carl, called Chicago 'the place where quarterbacks go to die' in the months preceding the 2024 NFL Draft. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON Bear Bones: Diving into the Chicago Bears' 2025 Schedule - Windy City Gridiron - Join our Bear Bones LIVE at 5:30 (CT) on the 2nd City Gridiron YouTube channel as the fellas dive into the 2025 schedule! Advertisement New book says Caleb Williams didn't want the Chicago Bears to draft him - Windy City Gridiron - An ESPN reporter's book, coming this fall, alleges Carl and Caleb Williams looked into avoid being drafted by the Chicago Bears. Five Most Compelling Games on Chicago Bears 2025 NFL Schedule - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears schedule is out. On paper, it certainly looks like a difficult schedule. With so many marquee games on the schedule, which ones make the list as the top five games on the Bears'... NFL odds 2025: Bears open as a 1.5 favorite vs Vikings on Monday Night - Windy City Gridiron - Now that we have an actual NFL schedule to overanalyze, we also have a whole set of week one game lines to think about way too early, but that's all part of the fun! It's a good snapshot to see... Chicago Bears Open Thread Question of the Day: Which Bears player will breakout in 2025? - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears are teeming with young talent - who do you think is going to take a big step forward this season? Advertisement SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE PAGE 2nd City Gridiron is our video home! So hit the link and help us grow that brand! THE RULES Windy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following are not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender-based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc. 2nd City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bears Banter hosted by Bill Zimmerman, Bear & Balanced from Jeff Berckes and Lester A. Wiltfong Jr., Bears Over Beers featuring a rotating host line-up of Ryan Droste, Khari Thompson, Jacob Infante, and Bryan Orenchuk, Making Monsters with Taylor Doll, Bear Bones from Dr. Mason West, and an occasional T Formation Conversation from Lester; Steven's Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert is another fun one. Advertisement Powered by RedCircle Click on our names to follow us on Twitter: Jeff Berckes; Dr. Patti Curl; Ryan Droste; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Dan Durkin; Taylor Doll; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Dr. Ken Mitchell; Danny Meehan; Bryan Orenchuk; Jack R Salo; Khari Thompson; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; T.J. Starman; Khari Thompson; Dr. Mason West; Bill Zimmerman; 2nd City Gridiron; Like WCG on Facebook; Like 2nd City Gridiron on Facebook. A few of us are also over at Bluesky. More from
NBC Sports
18-02-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Aidan Hutchinson posts running video as he continues to recover from broken leg
Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said this week that he wants the unit to be built around the defensive line and a key part of those plans will be a healthy Aidan Hutchinson. The defensive end broke his tibia and fibula in October and his rehab has progressed to the point that Hutchinson is able to run on the field. Hutchinson posted video of himself going through a workout on Instagram Monday. Hutchinson talked about making it back for the Super Bowl in December, but the Lions' loss to the Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs meant there was no chance to put that to the test. If he can make a full recovery before the start of the 2025 campaign, it will be a big plus for the Lions' chances of making a deeper postseason run next time around.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Lions Podcast: Senior Bowl kickoff show
The Detroit Lions Podcast is live on radio row at the Senior Bowl in Mobile all week. We kicked off the week with a live show on Monday morning. This episode starts off discussing the recent Lins coaching moves. Kelvin Sheppard has earned the promotion to defensive coordinator, and new DL coach Kacy Rodgers figures to have a big role as the run game coordinator as well. On the offensive side, the Lions still haven't hired a replacement for Ben Johnson yet, but former Lions assistant John Morton appears to be the choice. What does Morton offer? We go over his history and background. Then, it's on to the prospects we're watching during the week. There are several strong candidates for Detroit's draft picks here, from the first round down to the seventh. 2025 Senior Bowl: Five prospects I'm most excited about watching This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions Podcast: Senior Bowl kickoff show
