By George B. Eichorn
The Lions open their 92nd National Football League season this Sunday, September 12, hosting the San Francisco 49ers at Ford Field, starting their 20th season there. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. on FOX Sports & WXYT-FM 97.1.
There is a new team at the helm: owner Sheila Ford Hamp, special assistant Chris Spielman, general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell. (President/CEO Rod Wood returns.) Fans hope the changes help as the Lions most recently made the NFL playoffs in 2016 when they went 9-7 under head coach Jim Caldwell.
Campbell, one-time Lions tight end, took over January 20. He surrounded himself with experienced NFL players as coaches including defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn and assistants Mark Brunell, Dom Capers, Duce Staley and Antwaan Randle El.
Also in January, Holmes pulled off a blockbuster trade that sent franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for QB Jared Goff and three draft picks. This will mark the Lions’ first season since 2008 without Stafford at the helm.
In addition to Stafford also gone from 2020 are QB Chase Daniel, K Matt Prater, WRs Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and Jamal Agnew, TEs Josh Hill and Jesse James, OL Joe Dahl, DT Danny Shelton, RBs Adrian Peterson and Kerron Johnson, LS Don Muhlbach, LB Miles Killebrew, CBs Justin Coleman, Desmond Trufant and Mike Ford and LB Jahlani Tavai, among others.
Along with Goff, 2021 additions include QBs David Blough and Tim Boyle, RB Jamaal Williams, WRs Trinity Benson (just obtained from Denver), Tyrell Williams, Kalif Raymond and KhaDarel Hodge, LS Scott Daly, LB Anthony Pittman of Wayne State University (Detroit), DT Michael Brockers, SS Godwin Igwebuike, LB Alex Anzalone and kickers Austin Seibert and Zane Gonzalez.
Nine rookies made the club for the 2021 opener: top draft pick T Penei Sewell, LB Derrick Barnes, CB Jerry Jacobs, RN Jermar Jefferson, NT Alim McNeill, CB Ifeatu Melinfonwu, DE Levin Onwuzurike, CB AJ Parker and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The Detroit Lions Season Launch Week presented by Rocket Mortgage began Labor Day and continues through Sunday with many events scheduled. A Football Education Clinic for area youths and featuring Lions legends kicked off the week.
This Sunday the Lions and Rocket Mortgage, in partnership with Bedrock and Rocket Community Fund, will take over the Monroe Street Midway in the heart of downtown. It features the Rollout Detroit Roller Rink – which will offer free skating from 4:00-7:00 p.m. – and the Rocket Mortgage Sports Zone – where fans will be able to enjoy playing basketball and other Lions themed tailgate games. The takeover will include appearances from Lions legends, Detroit Lions Cheerleaders, Roary and DJ Ray – the Lions official DJ – as well as face painting and tailgate games. Free skating, snack vouchers and Monroe Street Midway merchandise will be given on a first come, first served basis, with limited rink capacity and supplies.
Dan Miller and Lomas Brown return as play-by-play and color analyst, respective, on WXYT and the Lions Radio Network. FOX-2 with Miller and team have the Lions pregame show one hour before the FOX National TV NFL pregame set. At 10 a.m. this Sunday.
Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com.
