WATCH: Matt Patricia gets Lions game ball in rowdy locker room celebration vs. Patriots It’s been a long seven months since the Detroit
Lions hired Matt Patricia to be their new head coach. Patricia has had to deal
with a scandal
Youth Ziggy Ansah Jersey , an underwhelming free agency period, baseless rumors of losing the team, an uninspiring preseason followed up by two of the
ugliest regular season games we’ve see this team play in years.But after
Sunday’s night shocking victory over his former team—the seven-point favorite
New England Patriots,—Patricia got the moment he’s been waiting for: His first
career win as an NFL head coach. This would be an emotional moment for any new
head coach, but this one, after already going through so many hardships, had to
feel special. However, Patricia downplayed the moment in his post-game presser.
“I’m just happy for the guys. I think they’re the ones that deserve it,”
Patricia said Sunday night. “They’re the ones that have been working really hard
and I’m glad they got an opportunity to enjoy this.”But it’s clear the feeling
was mutual. The Detroit Lions caught video of the locker room celebration after
the game, and the players clearly felt Patricia deserved the win as well. Check
out this awesome moment after the game: First there’s the awkward
high-five/handshake with Rod Wood, because... Rod Wood. Then there’s the
emotional hug with fellow former Patriot and now Lions general manager Bob
Quinn. Then the party is on with his team. T.J. Lang, Jamal Agnew
Color Rush Graham Glasgow Jersey , LeGarrette Blount and Ricky Jean Francois among many others just pile on top of Patricia like they were
celebrating a division title. “Is this fun?” Patricia asked his team after the
mob died down. “This is exactly what we needed, right? I’m so proud of you guys,
I love ya. I believe in you, but we got to keep stacking these togethers, cause
we gotta roll now.”Then Matthew Stafford presented Patricia with the game ball
and another big hug. “I’m so proud of you, man,” Stafford can be heard saying in
Patricia’s ear. Then coach breaks it down.“I love standing in front of you every
single day now, and I appreciate it, and I count my blessings to be in this
locker room right now. Keep working, keep digging, man. We got a long way to go,
but we’re going to keep pushing.”So much for losing the team.3 biggest surprises
from the Lions’ 2018 53-man roster Nearly two hours after the
deadline
Youth Marvin Jones Jr Jersey , the Detroit Lions finally announced the final cuts in order to get their roster down to the 53 men required by the
league. If you haven’t seen the list of players on the Lions 2018 roster, be
sure to check it out here.Here are the three biggest surprises from the Lions’
initial roster.SIX wide receivers?Throughout this entire preseason, we debated
whether the Lions should keep four or five wide receivers. I was in the four
wide receiver camp, along with our own Hamza Baccouche, but I’ll admit Brandon
Powell played well enough this preseason to be on an NFL roster.However, I don’t
think I saw anyone suggest the Lions keep six receivers on the roster, and for
that sixth receiver to be Bradley Marquez. Marquez was a guy that Detroit used a
lot on special teams this preseason, but he made almost no impact whatsoever as
a receiver. In three games, he had just one reception for a 3-yard touchdown.
However, we probably should have known something was up when he sat out the
entire preseason finale.10 offensive linemen, 7 defensive linemenThis offseason
we boasted that the Lions’ offensive line depth had improved, but Detroit spent
the entire preseason trying to prove us wrong. The offensive line struggled
mightily in pass protection and only occasionally opened up rushing lanes for
the Lions’ new-and-improved backfield. As a result
Color Rush Devon Kennard Jersey , many believed a lot of the Lions reserve offensive linemen were on the chopping block this weekend. Instead, the
Lions kept nearly everyone. Kenny Wiggins? In. Leo Koloamatangi? In. Joe Dahl?
In. Greg Robinson? No. Hey, how did you get here, Greg? Go away.The only guy it
seems the Lions didn’t keep was Corey Robinson, who they traded away to the
Carolina Panthers for a conditional 2020 pick. On the other side of the ball, we
figured the Lions would keep all the help they could get. Instead, the Lions
cleaned house. Alex Barrett, Jeremiah Valoaga and Jeremiah Ledbetter were all
semi-surprising cuts, and left Detroit with just seven total defensive linemen:
Ezekiel Ansah, Anthony Zettel, Da’Shawn Hand, A’Shawn Robinson
http://www.authenticsdetroitlions.com/cheap-ricky-wagner-jersey , Ricky Jean Francois and Sylvester Williams. Of course, guys like Devon Kennard
and Eli Harold will act as defensive ends quite often in this defense, but it’s
still surprising to see such low numbers on the defensive line.Cutting DeShawn
SheadShead was being heralded as one of the Lions’ most underrated signings this
offseason, and he didn’t even end up making the cut. Shead was undoubtedly hurt
by an injury that caused him to miss some time in the middle of the preseason,
but he returned in time to showcase everything he has in the preseason
finale.Shead entered training camp as the team’s starting No. 2 cornerback.
Though he eventually would cede that role to Nevin Lawson, you’d think Shead
would’ve had a chance to win it back after Lawson’s nightmarish third preseason
game against the Buccaneers. Instead, the Lions decided to cut Shead, leaving
Teez Tabor as the only pure outside cornerback to come in should Lawson continue
to struggle.
