Detroit, MI

Detroit Lions a ‘special team’ with a ‘special staff’ says Dan Campbell. He is savoring every moment.

Published

1 year ago

November 16, 2024

Detroit Lions a ‘special team’ with a ‘special staff’ says Dan Campbell. He is savoring every moment.

One of the more indelible images during the New England Patriots’ Death Star reign centered on a hug. The immutable and unsparing coach broke into a smile as he wrapped his arms around his offensive and defensive coordinators – Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel.

Coach Bill Belichick had just won his third Super Bowl when cameras caught the emotional embrace, emotional, in large part, because the three coaches knew they were never likely to coach together again.

They were right. They didn’t.

Life in the NFL can be a slog for teams on the rebuild. And then suddenly, it isn’t. Because the rise from the abyss speeds up exponentially at the end.

Savor the rise then, eh?

Dan Campbell is sure trying. Mostly because few things in sports are as thrilling as a team finding its way out of the wilderness. But also, because chemistry is an actual thing and not always a certain thing. He’s got it with his two coordinators, Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson.

So, when you’ve got it … well, it’s best to revel in it for as long as you can. Campbell is most ardently reveling.

He knows it and said so again Friday, that Glenn and Johnson will be head coaches soon. He also knows that if this season ends in a Super Bowl and on a confetti-drenched stage, then no season will ever quite compare, for obvious reasons.

Even if it doesn’t end with a parade, and the Detroit Lions lose before the Super Bowl, that doesn’t minimize what is happening now. Campbell understands this, too:

The 8-1 record. The expectation of winning. The comeback victories and the walk-off victories and the relatively dominant victories.

The Lions are a happening in the football world and they are taking over stadiums near you. Everyone wants to be a part of it.

“Yeah, man,” said Campbell, “I savor every bit of this because you’re not guaranteed – we’re not guaranteed any more wins, as far as that’s concerned.

“You’ve got to earn every one of them and you don’t know what’s going to happen the next day or the next game in front of you. But I know this, this is a special team and it’s a special staff.”

Endings come in a hurry when the going is good. Especially in the NFL, where everyone else wants to steal a piece – or more – of what propelled a team in the first place. And if the rest of the league can’t take your players, then coaches are the next best thing.

Campbell remembers that image of Belichick and his coordinators. Of all that joy and pride and love, but also the undercurrent of melancholy, because they knew that was it.

“It’s a great image and that was a special team,” said Campbell, “that really started it all.”

The New England dynasty, of course, and if Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have intentions on winning big here, they’ll have to survive moments like that one. Belichick won three more Super Bowls after Crennel and Weis left. Turns out Belichick and Tom Brady were the key, not that anyone didn’t know that at the time.

Still, it’s not easy losing coordinators. Ask Philadelphia, where the coordinators bolted after the Eagles made the 2023 Super Bowl and the Eagles struggled the next season.

Coincidence?

Probably not, but that’s getting ahead of the story, and beyond the point of the story, which is always the same in a season like this one: Drink it in.

Sip it, if you can. Smell it and taste it and do your best to feel this moment, and these Sundays – and Mondays and Thursdays – and remember that games like Sundays against the Texans, for example, don’t come around often.

Or ever.

In fact, no team since the 70s had won coming from two touchdowns down having thrown five interceptions. As Campbell said late Sunday night – or early Monday morning – that says something. Says a lot, actually.

About the grit and character of the team, obviously. But also, about the unseen and unknowable forces at work that make a win like that possible.

Magic? Karma? Fate?

Hey, something is happening when two field goals brush the inside paint on the uprights.

Whatever the reason, it is reason to embrace every moment of this ride, one that’s more than 60 years in the making, that took a lifetime to get here and could be gone in a flash.

So, yeah, Campbell and Glenn and Johnson are savoring every meeting, and every practice, and every day, and every game. And they are savoring the time with each other.

“Because those guys are going to be head coaches eventually, whether it’s now, whether it’s later,” Campbell said.

It’s only a matter of time. And in the meantime?

Campbell will keep telling himself this: “I’m fortunate, I’m blessed, I’m thankful that I have the coordinators − counting (Lions Special Teams Coordinator Dave) Fipp as well − (and) all three of those guys are superstars. And yeah … I know (that) hey, when it’s over, it’s over. But we’re going to make the most of it until that time comes.”

Everyone else who loves this team probably should, too. For what makes this feel so special is that it comes after so much heartache.

And that usually only comes once in a lifetime as well.

Contact Shawn Windsor: swindsor@freepress.com. Follow him @shawnwindsor.

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Detroit, MI

Lions fan says DK Metcalf swung at him after he used star’s full name

Published

7 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Lions fan says DK Metcalf swung at him after he used star’s full name

Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver DK Metcalf took a swing at a Detroit Lions fan at the game at Ford Field on Sunday, Dec. 21.

In the second quarter, CBS cameras caught Metcalf getting into an altercation with a Lions fan holding some Steelers attire while hanging over the ledge.

It’s not clear what led up to the incident, but Metcalf eventually threw a punch in the direction of the Lions fan. It wasn’t a direct hit, but there was some contact.

The Free Press tracked down the fan in the stands, who said he was “a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.”

“My words don’t matter because it was on camera,” they added.

When initially asked what his name was, the fan said, “My name is ‘Biggest Detroit Lions Fan Ever that got attacked by DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf.’”

After getting further pressed, the fan said his name was Ryan Kennedy and that he’s from Pinckney, Michigan.

“What, my full name isn’t is DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf,” Kennedy said. “He doesn’t like his government name. I called him that and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt. I’m a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.”

The fan was not thrown out of the game, per the Lions. Lions officials talked to him about the incident.

The NFL said in a statement it cannot intervene for an ejection of Metcalf.

“There was no flag on the field, so New York cannot weigh in with regard to a potential disqualification,” the NFL said in the statement.

CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson was watching the area when the incident happened.

“He came over because the fan in the stands was holding a ‘4’ Pittsburgh jersey, he went over and the fan said something to him,” Wolfson said on the broadcast. “Obviously, Metcalf did not like what he said and you saw the swipe there. No Steelers came over to him and mentioned anything, we’ll see if the league takes action, guys.”

After the Lions scored a touchdown in the second quarter, CBS rules official Gene Steratore said referees can’t do anything to remove Metcalf from the game or penalize him.

It’ll be “delivered to compliance,” which could potentially suspend or fine him in the future.

Free Press Lions reporter Dave Birkett contributed to this reporting.

Andrew Birkle is an assistant sports editor for the Free Press. Contact him via email at abirkle@freepress.com.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Tigers drop young hitter to make room for bullpen signing

Published

20 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Detroit Tigers drop young hitter to make room for bullpen signing

DETROIT — When the Detroit Tigers formally added right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan to the roster on Saturday, it prompted a tough decision: Who would get dropped in the corresponding move?

Less than halfway through the winter, the Tigers are running out of easy cuts.

The Tigers elected to designate for assignment Justyn-Henry Malloy, a popular young designated hitter who was consistently excellent in Triple-A and had bursts of success in the big leagues.

Although the Tigers can keep Malloy in their system if he clears waivers, it’s far more likely that he’s claimed or traded in the coming days.

Finnegan’s contract is a two-year deal worth a guaranteed $19 million.

He’ll earn $8.75 million in 2026 and $8 million in 2027. There’s a mutual option for 2028 worth $10 million that can be bought out for $2.25 million.

Finnegan was acquired by the Tigers from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline and rattled off 14 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings, striking out 19 and walking just three. After a brief stint on the injured list, he was less effective upon his return in late September, striking out only three of 30 batters he faced in the postseason.

Finnegan, 34, was born in Detroit but grew up in Texas. He had spent his entire big-league career with the Nationals before the trade in July.

Drafted by the Oakland Athletics out of Texas State in 2013, Finnegan never reached the majors in that organization. He signed with Washington as a minor-league free agent before the 2020 season and posted a 3.66 ERA over 329 innings with 108 career saves with the Nats.

Malloy, who turns 26 in February, hit .322 with a .955 OPS in 329 plate appearances with Toledo in 2025, but never got on track during sporadic big-league opportunities.

Most notably, he hit only one home run in 127 MLB plate appearances in 2025, compared to eight in 230 in 2024.

His lack of power, lack of a defensive position, and the emergence of Jahmai Jones as a right-handed platoon bat all combined to make Malloy expendable.

Malloy’s outfield defense has always been a question mark, so the Tigers gave him extra work at first base in spring training. But the resurgence of Spencer Torkelson closed off any opportunity at that position, and Malloy remained largely a DH and pinch-hitter in 2025.

Malloy was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the Joe Jimenez trade after the 2022 season. The New York native was a sixth-round draft pick out of Georgia Tech in 2021.

TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (40)

Left-handed pitchers (6): Tyler Holton, Bailey Horn, Brant Hurter, Jake Miller, Tarik Skubal, Drew Sommers.

Right-handed pitchers (15): Drew Anderson, Beau Brieske, Kyle Finnegan, Jack Flaherty, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Brenan Hanifee, Kenley Jansen, Jackson Jobe, Ty Madden, Troy Melton, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, Reese Olson, Dylan Smith, Will Vest.

Catchers (4): Dillon Dingler, Thayron Liranzo, Jake Rogers, Eduardo Valencia.

Infielders (9): Javier Báez, Trei Cruz, Jace Jung, Colt Keith, Hao-Yu Lee, Zach McKinstry, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson, Gleyber Torres.

Outfielders (6): Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Jahmai Jones, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Pérez, Matt Vierling.

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Detroit, MI

Lions place Kerby Joseph on IR, make 2 OL moves for Steelers game

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Lions place Kerby Joseph on IR, make 2 OL moves for Steelers game

The Detroit Lions have finally placed safety Kerby Joseph on injured reserve, effectively ending the All-Pro defender’s season.

Joseph has been dealing with a knee injury for essentially the entire season, but there was some brief hope he’d be able to return to the field. After suffering a setback during a recent practice, Joseph has been sidelined, and Detroit finally decided to end his season after he had missed the past eight games. Technically, Joseph would be eligible to return to the field if Detroit advances to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, but that seems unlikely. Joseph’s season ends with 18 tackles in six games and three interceptions.

Additionally, the Lions have made several offensive moves to address current injuries. Notably, they have activated guard Christian Mahogany, who has been on injured reserve for six weeks after suffering a leg fracture against the Vikings. It’s quite possible he’ll return to his starting position at left guard, although coach Dan Campbell offered some caution on Friday.

“Yesterday, I thought he looked pretty good. Wasn’t perfect, but I thought he looked pretty good,” Campbell said. “And some of it’s going to be, I know he’s a little sore today, and how he feels in today’s practice. That’s what a lot of it’s going to come down to.”

The Lions have also elevated offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun from the practice squad. That could be a bad sign for the availability of starting center Graham Glasgow. He’s been dealing with a knee injury that caused him to miss two practices this week and landed him with a questionable designation. The Lions now have several options at center, including Eguakun, Trystan Colon (who is dealing with a wrist injury of his own), and Michael Niese. Campbell said the team has been exploring all options in practice this week.

“We’ve obviously worked Colon because he’s been there. I know he’s got the wrist, but he was out there working with it yesterday,” Campbell said. “Just trying to get Graham off his feet. But I mean, we’ve worked Niese, we’ve worked Kingsley. We’ve kind of just hit all around, and we’re rolling the guards, too. So, it’s really been a little bit of a revolving door trying to get a number of guys ready because there’s a lot of flex going into this game right now.”

Lastly, the Lions also elevated tight end Giovanni Ricci from the practice squad for the second straight week as the Lions continue to be short-handed at tight end in the wake of injuries to Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.

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