Detroit, MI

Detroit Lions coach Hank Fraley on what went wrong on key screen vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Published

2 years ago

September 18, 2024

Detroit Lions coach Hank Fraley on what went wrong on key screen vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Hank Fraley blocked for enough screen passes in his playing career to know “there’s an art to it,” which is why as Detroit Lions offensive line coach now, he can empathize with the error veteran center Frank Ragnow made blocking on a late-game screen in Sunday’s 20-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“When you do a screen game, it’s all sorting on the run,” Fraley said Wednesday. “You have timing to get out there, you have all that and you have to lose your guy first, then you got to find who’s in pursuit. And unfortunately we just kind of went to the same guy and we didn’t peel up for the next guy. So that’s one play of many out there that we could have got the job done.”

The Lions had third-and-9 at the Tampa Bay 12-yard line when Jared Goff threw a screen to Jahmyr Gibbs with 1:08 to play that nearly went for the go-ahead touchdown.

Gibbs caught the ball in the left flat with three blockers and two defenders in front of him. He ran past a diving tackle by one defensive lineman, but was tackled from the inside by linebacker SirVocea Dennis when Ragnow and left guard Graham Glasgow both went to block the same man.

Had one of Ragnow or Glasgow pivoted to block Dennis, Gibbs likely would have reached the end zone as receiver Jameson Williams was blocking the free defender near the goal line.

DAVE BIRKETT’S FILM REVIEW: Why the Lions struggled in red zone in loss to Buccaneers

On screen plays, the first lineman out typically blocks the first defensive player, while the second lineman takes the next defender in his progression.

“You’re sorting things out on the run and sometimes you can put blinders on and not realize your buddy’s next to you,” Fraley said. “And so you would love to sort that out better. Say Graham’s doing the kick out and (Frank’s) climbing, so if he’s out in front, he’ll kick out, Graham’ll climb. So in screen game, there’s a lot of communication on the run and there’s no saying, it’s all sorted out.”

Gibbs gained 1 yard on the screen and the Lions failed to convert on fourth-and-8. Their defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, but the Lions never advanced past the Buccaneers’ 26-yard line on their final possession.

Fraley said the Lions’ usually potent offense was disappointed in its red-zone performance last week, when it converted just one of seven trips inside the 20 into a touchdown. And he said Ragnow, a three-time Pro Bowler, “moved past” his rough day and is ready for this week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.

“I know he would like to have a few plays back here and there,” Fraley said. “It was a heck of a matchup if you watch that whole game between two really good players (Ragnow and Bucs nose tackle Vita Vea). So as an offensive line, when you do have just one bad play you can ruin your whole day. So he’s back on track. It’s fine. He had a couple of hiccups here and there, but we’re good. We’ve kind of moved past it, he’s moved past it. You take that Sunday, you take it Monday, if it’s still lingering, get rid of it and be ready for this week. And that’s what I think we have.”

Dave Birkett is the author of the new book, “Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline.” Preorder it now from Reedy Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

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Detroit, MI

Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron

Published

6 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron

The Pistons have made recent moves to add more shooting, but still don’t have anyone quite as lethal as former Detroit guard Luke Kennard. On Saturday night, Kennard had a brilliant start to his postseason with 27 uber-efficient points for the Lakers in a win against the Rockets. His level of 3-point accuracy is something the Pistons have desperately been seeking all season long to bolster their offense.

Luke Kennard’s shooting makes him a dangerous playoff performer

Kennard was originally drafted to Detroit with the 17th pick of the 2017 Draft. The Pistons have plenty of draft regrets from that general era of team history, but picking Kennard has never been one of them. Despite any other weaknesses he may have, his strength as a shooter has always been enough to offset them.

In terms of pure 3-point percentage, Kennard is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He averages 44% behind the arc for his career, and shot a blistering 48% this season – the best mark in the league. Given his incredible track record, it’s not exactly a shocker to see him shoot 5-of-5 from three en route to 27 points in Game 1.

Not only is Kennard obviously an excellent standstill shooter, but he’s also a master of getting himself open with his movement. On Saturday night, he was able to play off LeBron James perfectly for a few easy looks. After that, he caught enough of a rhythm to create 3-point looks for himself, even in transition.

A player like Kennard is easily capable of turning an entire playoff game when he gets hot. In a close series, that one game where Kennard hits several threes can be all the difference his team needs to advance. If the Lakers do manage to win this series, even without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, Kennard’s shooting will be a major reason why.

The Pistons could use someone like Kennard

Kennard would be a perfect marginal addition for the Pistons that only makes them better without taking anything away from the team. To be fair, the Pistons do have two shooters who have been hot recently in Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter. But having more than one respected shooter on the court at a time is often necessary to maintain a solid offense in today’s NBA.

Given the Pistons’ current lack of shooting, any additional shooters are welcome. And Kennard is understandably one of the most feared shooters in the league, capable of bending defenses just by the threat of him taking a three. Rolling him out on the Pistons would surely open up more lanes for Detroit’s stars to attack the paint and score easier points.

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Detroit, MI

Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94

Published

18 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94

A Detroit woman was arrested in the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision and shooting on Interstate 94, Michigan State Police reported.

Emergency dispatchers were called shortly after midnight Saturday about the altercation. Troopers reported the caller said while they were driving eastbound on I-94, near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, a black Jeep sideswiped them and sped off.

The caller then decided to follow the Jeep.

In response, police said, the driver of the Jeep fired several gunshots in the caller’s direction.

None of the gunshots struck the vehicle.

Troopers were able to use license plate reader camera technology to locate the Jeep while it was on the Lodge Freeway, made a traffic stop. The driver and two passengers were taken into custody without incident.

The passengers were released shortly afterwards; troopers believe that the 19-year-old driver was the shooter. She has been lodged pending further review by the prosecutor’s office.

In addition, a firearm was recovered from the vehicle.

The above video originally aired on Aug. 19, 2025.

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Detroit, MI

Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday

Who is favored in the NBA playoffs odds for Game 1 between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic?

Here’s what you need to know about NBA playoff betting odds for the NBA game between the No. 8 seed Magic and No. 1 seed Pistons, which is being played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

What is the point spread for the Pistons vs Magic game?

What is the moneyline for the Magic vs Pistons game?

What is the over/under (point total) for betting on the first-round NBA playoff matchup?

Watch Magic at Pistons on Peacock

Magic vs Pistons odds: What is point spread?

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Detroit Pistons are an 8.5-point favorite over the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs series.

Pistons vs Magic odds: What is moneyline?

BetMGM Sportsbook lists Detroit as -375 on the moneyline for the first-round NBA playoff game. It has Orlando at +290.

Magic vs Pistons odds: What is over/under?

The point total for the opening game of the NBA playoffs series between the Pistons and Magic is listed at 218.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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