1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,599 Speaker 1: Arizona straight to the line. There's the snap to Murray. 2 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:05,640 Speaker 1: Murray looks left pumps once looking looking a lot of time. 3 00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:08,080 Speaker 1: Now we've gros and it didn't sective by a line 4 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:11,680 Speaker 1: picked up the left sideline, picks up a block at 5 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:15,440 Speaker 1: the dirty twenty five. Twenty Amoni ten five and he 6 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:18,680 Speaker 1: spun out a pound right there, I say you, twenty four, 7 00:00:19,160 --> 00:00:28,200 Speaker 1: I see you. Welcome back to the Twentyman in the 8 00:00:28,280 --> 00:00:31,400 Speaker 1: Huddle podcast. I am your host, Tim Twentyman, the senior 9 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:34,120 Speaker 1: writer for Detroit Lions dot Com, and I am joined 10 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:37,760 Speaker 1: today by Brian Duger, who is the safety's coach for 11 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 1: the Detroit Lions. You joined the team last year as 12 00:00:40,080 --> 00:00:43,239 Speaker 1: a defensive assistant. Before that, you were with the Baltimore 13 00:00:43,320 --> 00:00:45,519 Speaker 1: Ravens for three years and you held the title of 14 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:48,919 Speaker 1: defensive analysts. And I gotta start there, Brian. All right, 15 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:52,879 Speaker 1: so you're you know it's week sixteen. You guys are 16 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:56,560 Speaker 1: facing the Steelers on Sunday. What does John Harbaugh dump 17 00:00:56,640 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 1: on your desk on a Monday as a defensive analyst? 18 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:01,360 Speaker 1: Just be give me a little bit about that role 19 00:01:01,440 --> 00:01:04,040 Speaker 1: and kind of what that job entails. Absolutely shooting on 20 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:06,080 Speaker 1: on Monday, all right, so Monday, so then I guess 21 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:08,640 Speaker 1: we're just going over the game before. So much of 22 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:12,600 Speaker 1: that job for me was really just helping our defense. 23 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:15,480 Speaker 1: Cording to the guy Wink Martindale, it really just anyway 24 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:17,280 Speaker 1: I could. I was kind of his right hand manned. 25 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:20,760 Speaker 1: So that intel adult or entailed a whole bunch of things. So, 26 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:23,960 Speaker 1: you know, Monday, he would be immediately game review, going over, 27 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 1: doing a lot of stuff to Wink, you know, grading 28 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:27,760 Speaker 1: the guys, having you know, but also a self scout 29 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 1: from us, Okay, what do we do what was successful 30 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:32,200 Speaker 1: for us? So from that previous game okay, and then 31 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:34,320 Speaker 1: as soon as we basically finished that, then it was 32 00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 1: immediately start spinning to the next opponent. Okay. So now 33 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:39,920 Speaker 1: getting ahead, breaking down, you know, I had certain areas 34 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:42,960 Speaker 1: responsible for two minute things like that would help with 35 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:45,119 Speaker 1: you know, some different things, and so I had all 36 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:46,840 Speaker 1: my different areas of the game plan that I would 37 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:48,760 Speaker 1: kind of have to present and they give reports to 38 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:50,400 Speaker 1: Wink and have those ready to go, and the past 39 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:53,000 Speaker 1: those onto coach Hardball as well. That was early in 40 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:54,480 Speaker 1: the week, and then as we get going later in 41 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 1: the week, now it's a lot of you know, spending 42 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 1: time together at Wink and I spent a lot of 43 00:01:57,560 --> 00:01:59,559 Speaker 1: time together putting the call sheet for the next opponent 44 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 1: to I was consistently doing that, and then I was 45 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:04,240 Speaker 1: also in a help where with the defensive backs there, 46 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 1: so whatever you know, came up with with that room 47 00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:09,000 Speaker 1: with a coach. Chris Hewitt was the defensive backs coach, 48 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 1: and things would come up there, and you know, after that, 49 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:14,359 Speaker 1: it was any other thing that showed up. I just 50 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:16,840 Speaker 1: view that as like you in a little it sounds 51 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:19,320 Speaker 1: to be like a ton of film, right, So, like 52 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:22,160 Speaker 1: you had this little corner office that's like dark in 53 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:25,360 Speaker 1: the you know, in the little secluded place in the building, 54 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:28,840 Speaker 1: that's the defensive analyst office, like right there. So how 55 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:31,600 Speaker 1: much do you enjoy now you have the title now 56 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:34,240 Speaker 1: of working with the Detroit line safety So so how 57 00:02:34,360 --> 00:02:36,960 Speaker 1: much do you like that role of working with players? Now? 58 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:38,799 Speaker 1: I'm sure you did that as a defensive analyst as well, 59 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:41,120 Speaker 1: but it's more about you know, you've got your own room. Now, 60 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:42,880 Speaker 1: you've got that kind of thing. How much do you 61 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,320 Speaker 1: enjoy that aspect of it? Now? This role for me 62 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 1: is a ton of fun. This is the most fun 63 00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:50,280 Speaker 1: I've ever had coaching football. This is awesome. In addition 64 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:52,440 Speaker 1: to so that all role, there was a lot of 65 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:54,400 Speaker 1: like you're talking about the film and some things like that, 66 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 1: some really deep dives on self scaled and you know, 67 00:02:57,320 --> 00:02:59,160 Speaker 1: some some numbers involved with that as well. But this 68 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:01,639 Speaker 1: is an opportunity to kind of really just be able 69 00:03:01,639 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 1: to focus on the defensive backgroup and really you spafeties specifically, 70 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:07,520 Speaker 1: and really all I get to do is spend time 71 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:09,160 Speaker 1: with them, think how can I make them better? And 72 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:11,400 Speaker 1: put tapes together for them, and you know, guys come 73 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 1: in and meet with me when watch practice all the time. 74 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 1: So it's just it's so much more daily interaction with 75 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 1: guys and it's really talking. It's the football side of 76 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:21,839 Speaker 1: it specifically, right, yeah, right, exactly. So, but how does 77 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 1: that job as a defensive analyst defensive assistant? How has 78 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:27,560 Speaker 1: that helped you? Do you think in your role now 79 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:30,000 Speaker 1: as the new line safeties coach. Oh, help me a 80 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 1: ton of ways. The first and foremost is just the 81 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:34,640 Speaker 1: constant exposure to all Right, the more and more tape 82 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:36,760 Speaker 1: you watch. Okay, so you watch the much tape, you 83 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 1: really get familiar with rap concepts around the league and 84 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,440 Speaker 1: things like that protections run game and that really easily 85 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 1: lets you kind of communicate to the guys what can 86 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:46,040 Speaker 1: be expected here, kind of gives you all some tips 87 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 1: for okay, what's coming from us formationally, you know, and 88 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 1: then also gives you the opportunity to just you know, 89 00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 1: my time never was able to spend a lot of 90 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:53,839 Speaker 1: time with defensive Backstrom and just learn a whole bunch 91 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 1: of football there. You know, things I'll be able to 92 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 1: echo to the guys here. Now, you were an intern 93 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:00,880 Speaker 1: in Cleveland, I think twenty sixteen, somewhere right around this one, 94 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:04,080 Speaker 1: did you promis pass with a Yeah? Sog was on staff, 95 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 1: he think. So you got a little bit of a 96 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 1: history with Ag. What was that conversation like last year 97 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 1: when he's like, hey, Brian, I want to bring you 98 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:14,000 Speaker 1: one for me. And knowing Ag and what kind of 99 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 1: guy he was, and Ag was just awesome even in 100 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:17,599 Speaker 1: my short time, you know, we just overlap for one 101 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 1: year in Cleveland. But I had a ton of respect 102 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:22,440 Speaker 1: for him, you know, obviously just like the kind of 103 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:24,560 Speaker 1: person he wasn't and knew the kind of football coach 104 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 1: that he was. I knew he'd be successful as defensive coordination. 105 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:28,640 Speaker 1: So as soon as he and I talked. I was 106 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:30,800 Speaker 1: very excited about the opportunity to come here and work 107 00:04:30,880 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 1: under his leaders. So you've got a bachelor's and an NBA. 108 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:35,360 Speaker 1: I saw, what's your bachelor's in? I got a bet. 109 00:04:35,440 --> 00:04:38,280 Speaker 1: I am a dual major in economics and sports management, 110 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:41,160 Speaker 1: economics and sports manage with the NBA in with Yeah, 111 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 1: I got a master's business yep, and just with just 112 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:46,760 Speaker 1: a general business focus. And it was always football for you. Yeah. 113 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:49,560 Speaker 1: I don't really use those right now, but it's fun 114 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:53,840 Speaker 1: to have. I guess, um, you come you come over 115 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:57,520 Speaker 1: from a defense where you spent three seasons in Baltimore. Um, 116 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:00,479 Speaker 1: obviously you know tops in terms of few at points, 117 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:04,840 Speaker 1: fewest net yards. Why why you were there? Fourth enforced fumbles, 118 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:07,760 Speaker 1: fifth in past defense. I think that eight Pro bowlers 119 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 1: in your time there when you came over here, and 120 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:13,920 Speaker 1: what they're trying to institute and what age's building there. 121 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:17,480 Speaker 1: When you look at someone established like Baltimore and then 122 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:20,200 Speaker 1: you come over to something trying to get to that point, 123 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:23,280 Speaker 1: what's the biggest difference? Do you think? Why was that 124 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 1: defense so good in Baltimore? Was it just a matter 125 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:28,800 Speaker 1: of players, scheme? Is it mentality? What is it about 126 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:30,680 Speaker 1: what do you guys need to do to kind of 127 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:33,360 Speaker 1: build that kind of consistency that you got used to 128 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 1: when you were in Baltimore. As you listed multiple things 129 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:39,040 Speaker 1: that I think it's really all the above. There's a 130 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:41,520 Speaker 1: long version of that answer. So, first and foremost, we 131 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:43,960 Speaker 1: had great players, right, great players make it a great 132 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:47,120 Speaker 1: defensive coach, so and so part of us building a 133 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 1: great defense here. Obviously you can see what we've done 134 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:50,840 Speaker 1: over the past couple of years and the things that 135 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 1: started Brad right right away, right, but also then our 136 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:56,440 Speaker 1: ability to develop those guys. Okay, so guys like even 137 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:58,880 Speaker 1: just you know, Jerry Jacobs and aj Parker. I'm just 138 00:05:58,920 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 1: thinking undrafted guys actually the contribute a lot for us, right, Like, 139 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:05,479 Speaker 1: so Brad gets as great players, we develop great players. 140 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:08,160 Speaker 1: So first and foremost as the players, Okay, I think 141 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:09,760 Speaker 1: kind of after that, the things you get into just 142 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:12,440 Speaker 1: having great scheme, you know, obviously that's something we have 143 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:14,160 Speaker 1: here with ag that I fail are really confident. And 144 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:15,720 Speaker 1: then and then just kind of one thing that was 145 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:17,960 Speaker 1: kind of stick out to me there was they expected 146 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:20,120 Speaker 1: to be great on defense, right, and so just kind 147 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:22,200 Speaker 1: of instilling that belief in the guys and part of 148 00:06:22,240 --> 00:06:26,800 Speaker 1: that confidence comes from it really really, I would say 149 00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 1: exceeding the your goals, right, Okay, So guys coming out, 150 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:32,720 Speaker 1: if if you generate success, then you expect to continue 151 00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 1: to have success. Its confidence comes from demonstrating success. And 152 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:38,120 Speaker 1: so as the guys had success, I think got really 153 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:40,440 Speaker 1: confident and they expected to play great defense. Yeah. So 154 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:42,600 Speaker 1: I think as we grow here tho, those guys have 155 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 1: the expectation to play great defense. And then there's a 156 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:48,159 Speaker 1: certain standard you held yourself to in practice based on that. Okay, 157 00:06:48,240 --> 00:06:49,880 Speaker 1: there's certain standing you hold yourself too. In the game. 158 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:52,760 Speaker 1: It's not okay for little mistakes to happen. There's not 159 00:06:52,839 --> 00:06:54,800 Speaker 1: okay for me not to run to the ball, because 160 00:06:54,839 --> 00:06:56,560 Speaker 1: the great defense is run to the ball. That's what 161 00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:58,440 Speaker 1: we do here, right like, And it's just the guys 162 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:00,600 Speaker 1: having that. So you're working with the eighties, which means 163 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:03,560 Speaker 1: you're obviously working pretty closely with Aubrey present pleasant you know, 164 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:06,280 Speaker 1: kind of a you know, high rising kind of coach. 165 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:09,440 Speaker 1: Young coach in this league interviewed for some defensive coordinator jobs. 166 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:12,200 Speaker 1: Just what's it been like working with Aubrey and just 167 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 1: the energy it seems like he brings you almost feel 168 00:07:14,320 --> 00:07:17,520 Speaker 1: like you have to match that. Sometimes don't, so you're 169 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:20,520 Speaker 1: absolutely right, So sometimes it goes so it goes both ways. 170 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 1: So sometimes AG or AP just go is so high 171 00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 1: that I'm almost like, all right, let me be the 172 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:31,040 Speaker 1: calm ones. But also just you know, so he and 173 00:07:31,080 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 1: I I think are really great balance together. It's been 174 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:36,280 Speaker 1: awesome for me working for him. With him, really, I've 175 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 1: learned a lot of football from him, And that was 176 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 1: even part of the conversation we talked about earlier with 177 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:42,760 Speaker 1: me talking to AG about coming here. I was really 178 00:07:42,800 --> 00:07:44,960 Speaker 1: excited knowing that Ap was here and just knowing his 179 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:46,920 Speaker 1: reputation around the league and knowing that I was somebody 180 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 1: else can be able to learn from. So it's been awesome. 181 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 1: I mean, he's great. Every day he and I in 182 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 1: they're just really enjoyed. I've learned a ton of football, 183 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 1: and then just you know, he and I've really grown, 184 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 1: I feel like together in the second time, it's been awesome. 185 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 1: One guy that's that's rad brought over in free agency, 186 00:08:01,880 --> 00:08:04,680 Speaker 1: Deshaun Elliott, a guy who obviously you know you know 187 00:08:04,960 --> 00:08:08,400 Speaker 1: from your time in Baltimore, but just what kind of 188 00:08:08,440 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 1: addition can can he be to the Lions. I mean, 189 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:13,960 Speaker 1: obviously he dealt with injuries last year, only played six games, 190 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 1: but I think it was twenty twenty. I mean he 191 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:21,200 Speaker 1: played sixteen games and you know, eighty tackles, some sacks, 192 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:23,560 Speaker 1: some tackles for loss, got his hands on footballs, forced 193 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 1: a couple of fumbles. Just what kind of player are 194 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:29,280 Speaker 1: the Lions gaining if Deshaun Elliot can stay healthy. Deshan 195 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:32,679 Speaker 1: is a great player. I was very excited with him 196 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:35,080 Speaker 1: being available, just knowing first and foremost like what kind 197 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:36,840 Speaker 1: of person he was and what kind of football players. 198 00:08:36,920 --> 00:08:39,480 Speaker 1: This guy really likes football. This is a good person. 199 00:08:39,679 --> 00:08:42,319 Speaker 1: He likes this wrong when he loves football. He is 200 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:45,120 Speaker 1: all about football. So I knew that we were gonna 201 00:08:45,160 --> 00:08:47,199 Speaker 1: get a tough player, you know, just going back to 202 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:49,200 Speaker 1: some of the things that coach Campbell always talks about, 203 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:51,280 Speaker 1: like grit being a huge part of us. Like I 204 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 1: knew right away there was no question he was going 205 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 1: to fit our culture and even for help perpetuate our 206 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:57,520 Speaker 1: culture amongst the team. So that was really really important. 207 00:08:57,679 --> 00:08:59,000 Speaker 1: And that I've seen him, I know he's a really 208 00:08:59,080 --> 00:09:01,280 Speaker 1: rangey safety. I know he's a hard hitter. I know 209 00:09:01,360 --> 00:09:02,679 Speaker 1: he's got a really good ball skill. So I just 210 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 1: love his pros. How do you like that pair with 211 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:08,600 Speaker 1: Tracy too? Obviously Tracy resigned this offseason. You know, Brad 212 00:09:08,679 --> 00:09:10,199 Speaker 1: and Dan have both said he's kind of one of 213 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:14,040 Speaker 1: those core pieces to this football team. Um, when you 214 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 1: watched Tracy last year and you've watched the cutups and 215 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:19,120 Speaker 1: everything else, what does Trace need to do to maybe 216 00:09:19,160 --> 00:09:22,480 Speaker 1: take that next that be that top echelon type safety 217 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:24,640 Speaker 1: in this league? Is it's just as simple as ball production. 218 00:09:24,920 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 1: Do you think he's already that guy? Maybe I'm speaking, 219 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:29,920 Speaker 1: I'll let you answer. I started laughing. And the reason 220 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:31,559 Speaker 1: I started laughing is because the number one thing we 221 00:09:32,040 --> 00:09:33,920 Speaker 1: kind of joke at Tracy about it just catch THEMN 222 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:36,240 Speaker 1: once a thirtio. Right, So he had he probably dropped 223 00:09:36,240 --> 00:09:38,079 Speaker 1: a few picks last year that like what you know 224 00:09:38,120 --> 00:09:40,079 Speaker 1: what guys would have started to talk about him and 225 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 1: kind of that upper echelond category of safeties. He was 226 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:44,480 Speaker 1: able to catch those. It really is a small production 227 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:46,199 Speaker 1: at some point, right, I mean the guy but here 228 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:48,920 Speaker 1: he dropped a few last year, right, But like so 229 00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:50,880 Speaker 1: I don't even want like, but he's getting a really 230 00:09:50,920 --> 00:09:54,000 Speaker 1: good position. Um, he he'll catch those this year I'm 231 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:56,800 Speaker 1: confident guys will kind of see he's already, in my opinion, 232 00:09:56,840 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 1: in the upper echelond safeties, and I think the overs 233 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:00,480 Speaker 1: in the league didn't perceive him that way lest because 234 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:02,400 Speaker 1: of his pick production. You know, that's that's a big 235 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:04,400 Speaker 1: part of the way guys are judged. But I mean, 236 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 1: the things that he's shown last year was just tremendous leadership, 237 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 1: tremendous communicator, he has great range, he's very instinctive. The 238 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:13,679 Speaker 1: things that we're kind of growing on this year, just 239 00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:15,960 Speaker 1: continuing to try to take it even to the next 240 00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:18,599 Speaker 1: level with that football awareness will continue. He's kind of 241 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:20,719 Speaker 1: grown as a tackler, and then the ball production is 242 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:22,559 Speaker 1: gonna you know, the pick productions are gonna come with that, 243 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:24,719 Speaker 1: and he's he will be recognized man this year, I think. 244 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:26,920 Speaker 1: So it sounds like from your description of both guys, 245 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:29,080 Speaker 1: it seems like a pretty nice tandem, Like those skill 246 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:32,000 Speaker 1: sets seemed to fit pretty well together, and we saw 247 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 1: it like it's helmets and shorts, right. I mean, we 248 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:35,840 Speaker 1: gotta wait till the paths come off before you guys 249 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:40,400 Speaker 1: can see anything, but what you've cleaned so far, pretty 250 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:44,400 Speaker 1: nice pair there at that safety position. Nice complimenting skill sets. Yeah, 251 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 1: I think you can see it a practice that. Like 252 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:49,360 Speaker 1: those guys two great guys that love football, like they 253 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:51,640 Speaker 1: get along great. Like those two already have a really 254 00:10:51,679 --> 00:10:55,439 Speaker 1: good dynamic together, great communicators and really good skill sets, 255 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 1: and both of them are really kind of versal players 256 00:10:57,320 --> 00:10:59,520 Speaker 1: can do a number of things, and so we'll kind 257 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 1: of really let us be multiple. And I think both 258 00:11:01,559 --> 00:11:03,640 Speaker 1: of them kind of recognized by having the other guy 259 00:11:03,679 --> 00:11:05,800 Speaker 1: it opens up part of their game. It kind of 260 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:09,120 Speaker 1: lets them, lets them be more multiple, and they're really 261 00:11:09,200 --> 00:11:11,480 Speaker 1: good like disguising together, and they're really on the same page. 262 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:13,120 Speaker 1: It's been really fun to watch so far. So they 263 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:15,079 Speaker 1: made some changes to the front seven. They're gonna be 264 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:17,240 Speaker 1: more of attacking style. After being kind of that three 265 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:19,640 Speaker 1: four read and react, it's more kind of getting on 266 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:22,439 Speaker 1: the heels of the offensive lineman attacking. Same thing kind 267 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:25,880 Speaker 1: of with the linebackers. I had Calvin Sheppard on the 268 00:11:25,920 --> 00:11:28,079 Speaker 1: pod last week. We talked about that. But how does 269 00:11:28,120 --> 00:11:30,640 Speaker 1: that affect you guys now on the back end some 270 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:34,360 Speaker 1: of those changes on defense? Oh yeah, well, first off, 271 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:37,559 Speaker 1: you know, a little bit to change you kind of reference, 272 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:39,440 Speaker 1: there were a little bit more attacking. You up front, right, 273 00:11:39,480 --> 00:11:41,480 Speaker 1: So first of all I'm hoping is that we get 274 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:43,120 Speaker 1: a bunch of more sex and then the balls outfit, 275 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:47,040 Speaker 1: get the ball a little beast and then kind of 276 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 1: deeper diving one of that. More scheme wise, I would 277 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:51,520 Speaker 1: say the biggest thing is probably run fit wise. There's 278 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 1: gonna have to be times that the tempo of the 279 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:55,800 Speaker 1: safeties in the run fit or probably have to speed 280 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:58,400 Speaker 1: up a little bit relative to last year at times 281 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:02,079 Speaker 1: almost because of the penetration and just kind of the 282 00:12:02,280 --> 00:12:03,920 Speaker 1: fits are going to be a little bit different. Some 283 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:05,599 Speaker 1: of those things will happen a little bit faster for 284 00:12:05,640 --> 00:12:07,520 Speaker 1: those guys when they're coming down into the box. That 285 00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:09,520 Speaker 1: probably the tempo which we did that is probably a 286 00:12:09,559 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 1: little more increase. Is it still a split safety look? Yes, Okay, 287 00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:16,400 Speaker 1: that's who we are on defense, gotcha. And when you 288 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:18,360 Speaker 1: talk about guys coming down in the box, is it 289 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:20,400 Speaker 1: nice to have a guy like Deshan and Tracy S's 290 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:22,360 Speaker 1: like both guys can play that role, So you can 291 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:24,520 Speaker 1: be a little bit versatile with how you use those 292 00:12:24,559 --> 00:12:26,160 Speaker 1: guys in the back end because it looks like the 293 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:28,400 Speaker 1: skill set from what you describe for the run fits 294 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:30,880 Speaker 1: that those both of those guys can play that role. 295 00:12:31,160 --> 00:12:33,240 Speaker 1: Seems like it gives you guys some versatility back there. 296 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:35,199 Speaker 1: I think absolutely. That's one of the things, just like 297 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:36,920 Speaker 1: you kind of reference right there, and the same thing 298 00:12:36,960 --> 00:12:39,080 Speaker 1: we kind of talk about all those guys being interchangeable. 299 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:41,360 Speaker 1: Some teams are really structured if you look at it, 300 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:44,480 Speaker 1: they have like designated box safety and a designated safety right, 301 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 1: and you can kind of get a tell, Okay, where's 302 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:47,839 Speaker 1: the box safety. Oh, that's where he's coming, and you 303 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:49,920 Speaker 1: can scheme against that a little bit offensively a little 304 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:51,160 Speaker 1: bit better. I think it's a good indicare for the 305 00:12:51,240 --> 00:12:53,160 Speaker 1: quarterbacks a lot of times, Oh, this guy's coming down, right, 306 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:55,480 Speaker 1: so they don't don't run it to this guy's coming down. 307 00:12:55,679 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 1: With us being really interchangeable, they don't really know that 308 00:12:57,840 --> 00:12:59,439 Speaker 1: at all, and we can kind of plug, you know, 309 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:01,559 Speaker 1: plug odes to different spots, and I think it just 310 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:04,200 Speaker 1: lets us be a little bit more attack oriented as 311 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:06,559 Speaker 1: a defense. A little bit of the news and in 312 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:09,679 Speaker 1: the first week of OTA's was a Fatu Melifon, who 313 00:13:09,960 --> 00:13:12,679 Speaker 1: Detroit's third round draft pick last year. Um, you know, 314 00:13:12,760 --> 00:13:14,960 Speaker 1: dealt with injury. It's really a rough rookie season for him. 315 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:16,480 Speaker 1: But showed some signs at the end of the season 316 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:18,480 Speaker 1: that he's playing really well at corner. You guys have 317 00:13:18,559 --> 00:13:21,400 Speaker 1: moved him. He's he played both safety and corner at 318 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:24,840 Speaker 1: the first open OTA practice. What was it about him 319 00:13:25,040 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 1: his skill set that you guys liked at safety and 320 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:30,480 Speaker 1: maybe just speak to how he's transitioning into playing kind 321 00:13:30,520 --> 00:13:32,760 Speaker 1: of a dual role for you guys. Absolutely, um, I 322 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:35,599 Speaker 1: guess the first thing with If is that If is 323 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 1: such a unique athlete. He's really a great chess piece, right, 324 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:44,800 Speaker 1: so he can cover body types that not everybody can. Right, 325 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:47,000 Speaker 1: it's six three, two ten if you if you don't 326 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:49,280 Speaker 1: know out there, you know so he's he's a big guy. 327 00:13:49,520 --> 00:13:54,000 Speaker 1: So if based on his size by week, it might 328 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 1: be a different personal line up at different spots that 329 00:13:56,080 --> 00:13:58,319 Speaker 1: we need himself. It might be a really big outside receiver, 330 00:13:58,520 --> 00:14:00,959 Speaker 1: it might be a tight end, it might be but 331 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:03,719 Speaker 1: his best matchup ever, we could be a lot of 332 00:14:03,760 --> 00:14:07,400 Speaker 1: different places. For that reason, give him the more different 333 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 1: places that he can line up for us. It's just 334 00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:11,640 Speaker 1: he's just a general dB. So don't think if it's 335 00:14:11,679 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 1: a corner, don't think it's a safety. He's a dB 336 00:14:14,040 --> 00:14:16,360 Speaker 1: and he's a really good matchup guy, and so for 337 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:18,160 Speaker 1: us to kind of be able to easily plug in 338 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:20,720 Speaker 1: place him where we need him. He just needs to 339 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:23,080 Speaker 1: know more on the back end. And he's so smart 340 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:25,040 Speaker 1: and he grasped it. Also, well that's not a problem 341 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 1: at all. So we said, go ahead, let's put this 342 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 1: on his plate and then I'll just kind of let 343 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:29,840 Speaker 1: us kind of put him in the best positions as 344 00:14:29,880 --> 00:14:32,360 Speaker 1: a defensive coach. How nices have a piece like this 345 00:14:32,440 --> 00:14:34,480 Speaker 1: because this is a matchup league, right, I mean you're 346 00:14:34,520 --> 00:14:36,520 Speaker 1: always trying to find those and some of these tight 347 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:39,040 Speaker 1: ends that you guys are having to defend now, I 348 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:41,880 Speaker 1: mean are unbelievable. I mean such matchup Watch some of 349 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:44,520 Speaker 1: these slot corners and some of these big wide receivers 350 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:46,800 Speaker 1: out wide. How nice is it to have a guy 351 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:49,680 Speaker 1: with size six three to ten, can runs four four, 352 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:53,040 Speaker 1: can can cover, and can play some of these different 353 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 1: body types. Just how much of advantages as defensive coach 354 00:14:56,120 --> 00:14:57,600 Speaker 1: to have a guy like that that you can match up. 355 00:14:57,680 --> 00:15:00,240 Speaker 1: It's great. I've heard the phrase before, Like you were 356 00:15:00,400 --> 00:15:02,320 Speaker 1: with the receiver word. You're trying to build a basketball team, right, 357 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:03,960 Speaker 1: you got some little guards and some big forwards, and 358 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:05,760 Speaker 1: you're trying to make some analogy. Yeah, I guess what 359 00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:07,520 Speaker 1: we're trying to do the same thing is the eason Now, Okay, 360 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:09,320 Speaker 1: so you know we've got if out there you can cover. 361 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:11,200 Speaker 1: He's kind of let's call him a forward for us. 362 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 1: He can kind of cover those some of those guys. Yeah, 363 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:14,480 Speaker 1: you know, I mean we had a guy like Mike 364 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:16,160 Speaker 1: Hughes who's got a bunch of quickness, right, he can 365 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:18,600 Speaker 1: cover some of the smaller guys. So shoot, the same 366 00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 1: way the Celtics are trying to find their matchup for 367 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:21,880 Speaker 1: the Warriors right here, right, we're trying to do the 368 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:23,440 Speaker 1: same thing here on the back end. One guy I 369 00:15:23,480 --> 00:15:26,240 Speaker 1: want to talk about Kirby Joseph draft picked this year. 370 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:28,760 Speaker 1: What was it about him? Uh, you know, had a 371 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:32,520 Speaker 1: long distinguished career at Illinois. What was it about him 372 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:35,560 Speaker 1: that jumped out to you on tape? And how does 373 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:38,000 Speaker 1: he maybe fit into the mix as well. The first 374 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:39,720 Speaker 1: thing that jumped out to me on tape about Kirby 375 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:43,840 Speaker 1: was his ball skills, No question. You got former productive, yes, yes, 376 00:15:44,280 --> 00:15:47,920 Speaker 1: super productive in college um and really instinctual. So he 377 00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 1: was able to put himself in the right position and 378 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:52,600 Speaker 1: then has very good ball skills, can track it really 379 00:15:52,640 --> 00:15:55,680 Speaker 1: well when he gets it, like just really good athlete. 380 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:57,520 Speaker 1: He shows up on I watched him and Tracy deals 381 00:15:57,560 --> 00:15:59,320 Speaker 1: backflips out there in practice. Yeah, I was like, oh 382 00:15:59,320 --> 00:16:02,760 Speaker 1: my gosh, this so right away that's what jumped off 383 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:04,520 Speaker 1: and taped to be just really good ball skills and 384 00:16:04,560 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 1: shows his athleticism, his body control, his ability to track 385 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:09,920 Speaker 1: the ball. But that that was what jumped off. That's 386 00:16:09,920 --> 00:16:12,240 Speaker 1: what we're like that we want that, and that's kind 387 00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:14,120 Speaker 1: of what made us go get him. And since he's 388 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:18,120 Speaker 1: been here, he's been awesome, extremely And you know, as 389 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:20,280 Speaker 1: far as we talked about Trace and DeShawn Earler, how 390 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:23,480 Speaker 1: much those guys love football and really study it, Kurbs 391 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:25,120 Speaker 1: is getting right there with him, right and it's awesome 392 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:26,520 Speaker 1: to have those guys ahead of him so he can 393 00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:28,560 Speaker 1: kind of see what what good good vets look like. 394 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 1: But Kurb's getting right there with him. He's just the 395 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:32,600 Speaker 1: younger overs off it. So he's just right there, just 396 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 1: giving anything that they've got to offer him as well. 397 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:36,760 Speaker 1: You like young guys that attach themselves to vets like 398 00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 1: that too, You should you have to write if you're 399 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:40,960 Speaker 1: a smart young player and there's a good bet ahead 400 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:43,240 Speaker 1: of you. Yeah, this guy's had success in the league 401 00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:45,160 Speaker 1: and you're not trying to learn everything you can from him. 402 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:47,080 Speaker 1: But like you're crazy, Like why would you leave that 403 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:49,480 Speaker 1: out there? So how hard are you guys on film study? 404 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:54,080 Speaker 1: Because being a former guy whose job was film, film, film, 405 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 1: I mean, are you hard on these guys to watch 406 00:16:58,080 --> 00:17:00,120 Speaker 1: the film to be prepared or do you not have 407 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:02,240 Speaker 1: to be at this level? And maybe the guys in 408 00:17:02,320 --> 00:17:04,040 Speaker 1: your room, did they do they love that aspect of it? 409 00:17:05,160 --> 00:17:07,480 Speaker 1: Love that. Yeah, the guys in our room, it's easy. 410 00:17:07,640 --> 00:17:10,239 Speaker 1: They love it and they're they want as much as 411 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:12,600 Speaker 1: they can, so they'll they'll come all the time and 412 00:17:12,720 --> 00:17:15,400 Speaker 1: try it. For me, it's very easy. It's not I'm 413 00:17:15,440 --> 00:17:17,879 Speaker 1: not obviously, I'll spend a whole bunch of time with 414 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:19,960 Speaker 1: them and you know, give them everything I've got, but 415 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:21,800 Speaker 1: I don't. I'm not poking a prod in them to 416 00:17:21,840 --> 00:17:23,920 Speaker 1: do it. But you know, and we're able because they're 417 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:25,720 Speaker 1: so smart. I would say, we're really able to have 418 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:28,760 Speaker 1: kind of in depth conversations and anticipate things that we 419 00:17:28,960 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: see and they kind of understand the big picture and 420 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 1: put it all together. Is the is the terminology the 421 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 1: language the changes that they've made on defense. Is do 422 00:17:37,640 --> 00:17:40,080 Speaker 1: those affect you guys a lot too? Or are things 423 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:42,760 Speaker 1: pretty much the same in your room? I guess, how 424 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:45,719 Speaker 1: has the transition been to some of the new pieces 425 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 1: on defense. It's not new languages that other than just 426 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:51,880 Speaker 1: maybe some different scheme type stuff. Or is the adjustment 427 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:55,000 Speaker 1: real big this offseason? I would say the biggest way 428 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:57,320 Speaker 1: is just kind of how we attack up front. That 429 00:17:57,400 --> 00:17:59,119 Speaker 1: was one of the things we talked about, Right. We 430 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:01,720 Speaker 1: did change some of the verbiage. We're always trying to 431 00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:03,719 Speaker 1: make it easier, right, We're always every year. It's our 432 00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:06,919 Speaker 1: job as coaches to put a really great but easily 433 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:10,159 Speaker 1: learnable and digestible package together, and so ever year, you know, 434 00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:12,680 Speaker 1: I'm sure it'll change every year. But okay, so from 435 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:15,359 Speaker 1: last year being our first year, I think probably the 436 00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:17,840 Speaker 1: biggest jump in, the biggest change in langue will be 437 00:18:17,920 --> 00:18:19,600 Speaker 1: from that first year or that second year. Yeah, so 438 00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:21,879 Speaker 1: it did change. I wouldn't call it dramatic. It was 439 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:24,280 Speaker 1: more just trying to streamline some things and make it 440 00:18:24,359 --> 00:18:26,440 Speaker 1: easier for the guys to learn. All right, Brian, big picture, 441 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:30,840 Speaker 1: the Lions defense is better in twenty twenty two. If 442 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:34,560 Speaker 1: what what's that big piece do you think, like, how 443 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:36,680 Speaker 1: do you guys take that big step? Because look, the 444 00:18:36,760 --> 00:18:38,680 Speaker 1: numbers are with the numbers, and look, you guys played 445 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 1: a lot of young guys, and you guys improved defensively 446 00:18:41,359 --> 00:18:43,080 Speaker 1: from the beginning of last year to the end of 447 00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:47,760 Speaker 1: last year. But what in your mind kind of speeds 448 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:50,199 Speaker 1: up that that that process for you? You guys are 449 00:18:50,200 --> 00:18:52,879 Speaker 1: a better defense if you can do what better than 450 00:18:52,960 --> 00:18:55,600 Speaker 1: you did last year? Yeah, so my first off, you said, 451 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:57,520 Speaker 1: the Lions defense is better if you could take the 452 00:18:57,560 --> 00:18:59,880 Speaker 1: if out, the Lions defense is better in twenty two two? 453 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:03,199 Speaker 1: How I felt immediately, Yeah, let's go back to the players, right, 454 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:05,560 Speaker 1: because we talked about earlier. It's all about the players, Okay, 455 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:07,879 Speaker 1: So the first way it's going to be better we 456 00:19:07,960 --> 00:19:09,879 Speaker 1: continue to grow and add to the roster. Brad has 457 00:19:09,920 --> 00:19:11,520 Speaker 1: done a great job, you know, adding to the roster 458 00:19:11,560 --> 00:19:13,400 Speaker 1: over the last two years. Just guys through the draft, 459 00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:15,280 Speaker 1: and then you bring in a good free agent guys. 460 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:17,159 Speaker 1: You know, some of the guys we alluded to earlier 461 00:19:17,560 --> 00:19:19,240 Speaker 1: to Sean just come in our mind as one of 462 00:19:19,280 --> 00:19:21,920 Speaker 1: the safeties. And so I think, all right, so the 463 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:24,960 Speaker 1: development of those guys continuing to grow and you know, 464 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:26,760 Speaker 1: all these guys are we got a really young roster, 465 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:29,639 Speaker 1: right like, so just the development of those players alone 466 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:33,159 Speaker 1: is going to make us better on defense. I think additionally, 467 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:35,240 Speaker 1: from the coaching side of it, things that we've done 468 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:37,040 Speaker 1: to make it better in the same way that we 469 00:19:37,160 --> 00:19:39,959 Speaker 1: just talked about, Okay, every year we're trying to make 470 00:19:39,960 --> 00:19:42,240 Speaker 1: a better show. After year one, we kind of took 471 00:19:42,240 --> 00:19:44,359 Speaker 1: a really deep diving, a really hard look at ourselves. Okay, 472 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:46,400 Speaker 1: what did and did not work for us, and let's 473 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:49,280 Speaker 1: try to streamline this package will truly focus on what works. 474 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:51,439 Speaker 1: Let's have enough compliments off of that to make us 475 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:55,520 Speaker 1: still be able to attacking and aggressive style defense. I 476 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:58,720 Speaker 1: would say that's it. Better players and the scheme kind 477 00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:01,040 Speaker 1: of package together with it changes on defense. Do you 478 00:20:01,119 --> 00:20:03,760 Speaker 1: think the ability to affect the quarterback is obviously huge 479 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:05,520 Speaker 1: and it doesn't have to be sacks all the time, 480 00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:07,800 Speaker 1: as you know, getting a guy off his spot, hurrying 481 00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:09,760 Speaker 1: his clock so that you guys on the back end 482 00:20:09,840 --> 00:20:11,920 Speaker 1: gets you get your hands on football, send make plays. 483 00:20:12,920 --> 00:20:14,960 Speaker 1: With the scheme changes and some of the players that 484 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:16,560 Speaker 1: they've added, some of the guys are getting back. You know, 485 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:18,840 Speaker 1: Romeo is obviously a big piece there, and adding aiden 486 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:21,359 Speaker 1: do you think that aspect of it and being able 487 00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:23,400 Speaker 1: to pressure the quarterback of me, your thirty sacks were 488 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:25,480 Speaker 1: third fewest in the NFL last year, I think the 489 00:20:25,640 --> 00:20:29,440 Speaker 1: second worst pass rush win rate. When that aspect of 490 00:20:29,520 --> 00:20:32,040 Speaker 1: the defense is better, doesn't everything just kind of fall 491 00:20:32,119 --> 00:20:34,040 Speaker 1: in place behind it as well? And was that one 492 00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:36,680 Speaker 1: of the big things you guys targeted as Hey, we've 493 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:38,359 Speaker 1: got to be able to affect the quarterback a little 494 00:20:38,359 --> 00:20:41,199 Speaker 1: bit better because it will help every single aspect on defense. 495 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:44,360 Speaker 1: The no question, that's true, right, Obviously the front gets 496 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:46,040 Speaker 1: better and we're able to I would say maybe you 497 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:48,119 Speaker 1: finish some of those says, because even I know some 498 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:49,440 Speaker 1: of the stats you just cited, but if you watch 499 00:20:49,440 --> 00:20:50,720 Speaker 1: to take last year, I do think there were times 500 00:20:50,720 --> 00:20:52,280 Speaker 1: that our guys were good at getting them off the 501 00:20:52,359 --> 00:20:55,000 Speaker 1: spot and kind of affecting the quarterback and speeding up 502 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:56,879 Speaker 1: his clock. But maybe don't have the sack production to 503 00:20:56,920 --> 00:20:58,520 Speaker 1: match that, maybe the numbers to back that up. But 504 00:20:58,560 --> 00:21:00,639 Speaker 1: I do feel good about we're able to do in 505 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:02,040 Speaker 1: the some of the players we will have to affect 506 00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:04,720 Speaker 1: it obviously, even continue to grow on that'll be good 507 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 1: and that'll help us on the back end because the 508 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:09,159 Speaker 1: ball be out quicker. But as a safeties coach, year, 509 00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:11,120 Speaker 1: on the back end, we'll shoot. We got a cover 510 00:21:11,320 --> 00:21:13,359 Speaker 1: longer than the sacks will come. So yeah, you know 511 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:14,720 Speaker 1: what I mean. I think it is a given take 512 00:21:14,760 --> 00:21:16,719 Speaker 1: on both sides of it. Just from talking with you now, 513 00:21:16,760 --> 00:21:19,679 Speaker 1: you seem excited about this year and what this defense 514 00:21:19,760 --> 00:21:21,720 Speaker 1: can be. When I talked to Calvin last week, it 515 00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:25,880 Speaker 1: was the same thing. Just there is a genuine excitement. 516 00:21:26,680 --> 00:21:28,840 Speaker 1: You've got I think one player over twenty nine years 517 00:21:28,880 --> 00:21:31,919 Speaker 1: old on this entire roster. You've got young players, how 518 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:34,719 Speaker 1: the defense performed the second half of last year verse 519 00:21:35,160 --> 00:21:37,160 Speaker 1: the first half of last year, and then these players 520 00:21:37,240 --> 00:21:38,840 Speaker 1: who are going to take big leaves. We talk about 521 00:21:39,160 --> 00:21:41,280 Speaker 1: the biggest jump in development usually with the players from 522 00:21:41,359 --> 00:21:43,719 Speaker 1: year one to year two. So all those things combined, 523 00:21:43,800 --> 00:21:45,879 Speaker 1: you seem generally excited about kind of the direction that 524 00:21:45,960 --> 00:21:48,680 Speaker 1: this defense is heading and the improvements that Lions fans 525 00:21:48,720 --> 00:21:51,160 Speaker 1: can probably expect. Yeah, no question about that. I feel 526 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:52,760 Speaker 1: very good about the direction of the defense. I feel 527 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:54,800 Speaker 1: very good about the direction of the team as a whole, 528 00:21:54,840 --> 00:21:58,240 Speaker 1: but speaking very specifically the defense, I'm very excited even 529 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:01,879 Speaker 1: you know, just that the dialed in menu. They're just 530 00:22:02,040 --> 00:22:04,200 Speaker 1: more very excited about direction the secondary and us being 531 00:22:04,200 --> 00:22:05,359 Speaker 1: able to you know what I mean, I don't. I 532 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:06,840 Speaker 1: think we've got a lot of good players that maybe 533 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:08,800 Speaker 1: don't get the reckonness around in the league that they should, 534 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:10,200 Speaker 1: and this would be the year for those guys to 535 00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:12,560 Speaker 1: kind of perfect jump as well. So yeah, definitely, you 536 00:22:12,680 --> 00:22:15,280 Speaker 1: like where the safety room is at. The versatility you got. 537 00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:16,920 Speaker 1: We talked about some of the individual guys, but it 538 00:22:16,920 --> 00:22:18,520 Speaker 1: seems like a pretty good mix of skill sets and 539 00:22:18,680 --> 00:22:21,240 Speaker 1: the depth that was one of the positions with linebacker, 540 00:22:21,320 --> 00:22:24,080 Speaker 1: maybe a few question marks heading into the offseason, but 541 00:22:24,240 --> 00:22:26,600 Speaker 1: you feel pretty good about the depth and kind of 542 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:28,119 Speaker 1: what you guys have in that safety room right now. 543 00:22:28,240 --> 00:22:29,760 Speaker 1: I'm very excited about the safety group. But you know, 544 00:22:29,800 --> 00:22:32,600 Speaker 1: obviously talked about Tracy and DeShawn Okay, those guys being 545 00:22:32,640 --> 00:22:34,840 Speaker 1: great communicators and good veterans at this point. We talked 546 00:22:34,840 --> 00:22:37,640 Speaker 1: about Kirby being a really good young prospect guy who's 547 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:40,080 Speaker 1: up and coming. We talked about if is the matchup piece, right, 548 00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:41,800 Speaker 1: but you know what I mean, that'd be you know, 549 00:22:42,119 --> 00:22:45,760 Speaker 1: we would be doing negligence and not see CJ, who's 550 00:22:45,760 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 1: been a great special teams player for US and as 551 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:50,240 Speaker 1: a really you know, loves football, goes there a tough guy. 552 00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:52,879 Speaker 1: There is another good matchup piece speed and plays a 553 00:22:52,880 --> 00:22:54,720 Speaker 1: bunch of dime reps for US, and it's really versatile. 554 00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:56,879 Speaker 1: You know. We've got other guys come on, Brady Brees 555 00:22:56,960 --> 00:22:58,720 Speaker 1: doing a great job and they're Savian Smith's doing a 556 00:22:58,760 --> 00:23:00,440 Speaker 1: great job as well. So I don't want to discount 557 00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:02,119 Speaker 1: those guys, know for sure. So it should be a 558 00:23:02,119 --> 00:23:04,959 Speaker 1: fun training camp for Lions fans to watch and kind 559 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:08,200 Speaker 1: of see how it plays out. Awesome, Well, Brian, thank 560 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:10,680 Speaker 1: you so much for Jordan May appreciate it. That's another 561 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:13,000 Speaker 1: episode of twentyment in the huddle. Appreciate you guys,