Detroit, MI
Offensive mastermind Ben Johnson has the Detroit Lions in playoff contention
NEW YORK – Offensive mastermind Ben Johnson is the key weapon behind the late-season playoff push by the 6-7 Detroit Lions, who’ve received 5 out of their final six video games to place themselves again within the hunt for the seventh and last wildcard spot.
Johnson, 36, was elevated to offensive coordinator forward of the 2022 season. He joined the Lions in 2019 because the tight ends coach earlier than taking on play-calling duties again in February.
By the group’s first 4 video games, the Lions averaged 35 factors per recreation, however accidents and poor defensive schemes landed the group with a 1-6 document.
The Lions trustworthy misplaced hope, however head coach Dan Campbell stored the religion in his newly appointed OC, whom he’s accustomed to. He and Johnson had been on the identical teaching employees with the Miami Dolphins within the early to mid 2010s.
One other coach on the Dolphins employees throughout that point was the reigning, defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor.
Taylor was making an attempt to convey Johnson’s offensive wizardry to the Bengals, which he spoke about to the media forward of his Tremendous Bowl matchup in opposition to Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams.
“That’s in all probability why he (Campbell) promoted him as a result of he is aware of he’s obtained probably the greatest younger coaches within the league proper there on his employees,” mentioned Taylor. “Why not promote him and assist name this offense? So, (I’m) actually glad for Ben. I feel that’s a fantastic transfer by Dan. He’s going to proceed to develop with the expertise because it comes alongside like all of us have, however once more I can’t say sufficient constructive issues about Ben Johnson and the position he’s going to have there in Detroit.”
That’s excessive reward for a coach with a scrappy bunch of gamers who take after the Metropolis of Detroit. They’re blue-collar and aren’t afraid to make choices like working a goal-line play with offensive sort out Penei Sewell with the sport on the road.
Campbell joked that he was distracted by the followers when the play was known as whereas on the Pat McAfee present.
“These items occur in the course of the recreation,” mentioned Campbell. “We’re in that scenario, and the followers are doing the wave across the stadium, and so, I’m simply watching, and I hear (offensive coordinator) Ben Johnson, like, ‘Hey coach, do you need to (inaudible)?’ I’m simply so targeted on the wave, and I mentioned, ‘Yeah, that’s nice.’ Then I search for, and we’re throwing it to Penei, and I’m going, ‘What the f— are we doing?’ He’s, like, ‘Coach, you mentioned it was nice.’ But it surely labored out nice.”
Learn: ‘What the f— are we doing?’ Dan Campbell jokes he was distracted by wave earlier than move to Penei Sewell
They’re additionally the identical group that can run a faux punt from their very own 20 yard line, which gained 42 yards and ultimately arrange a landing.
The Lions are probably the most enjoyable group within the NFL, and it begins with Campbell and his hiring/selling of Johnson. He’s changing into a scorching commodity within the league after the large turnaround from beginning 1-6 to now being winners of 5 of six.
With a win Sunday, the Lions will transfer to 7-7 on the season and tie the Seattle Seahawks, who fell to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night time Soccer.
Though it feels like hyperbole, the Lions can do the unthinkable because it has been achieved earlier than. In the event that they in some way make the ultimate playoff spot within the NFC, they’ll be a part of the 1970 Bengals as the one groups to begin 1-6 and make the playoffs.
Learn: Right here’s how the Detroit Lions could make the playoffs in the event that they win out or lose yet one more recreation
Subsequent up can be a visit to MetLife Stadium to face the 7-6 New York Jets, who’ve simply misplaced quarterback Mike White to a rib damage. Can Detroit maintain the great instances rolling, or are they in a impolite awakening?
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CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers lost, 4-2, to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday in their final Grapefruit League game.
Detroit ended with a 12-13 record in Grapefruit League play.
What happened
The big scare happened in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Justyn-Henry Malloy, who was playing left field and is fighting to make this roster, collided with centerfielder Max Clark, the Tigers’ highly touted prospect.
Both players stayed on the grass for some time. After medical personnel and manager A.J. Hinch rushed out to the outfield, Malloy walked off the field and Clark stayed in the game.
As the ball rested in the outfield — and no other fielders around — Bryson Stott went slowly around the bases for a two-run inside-the-park homer.
Malloy was replaced by Jahmai Jones, who is also fighting for one of the last spots on the roster; Jones later homered.
Get away
The Tigers kicked off a wild few days.
Early Sunday morning, they bussed west from Lakeland to Clearwater to play the Phillies, then planned to hop on a plane to fly to San Francisco for a couple of exhibition games.
So, this Sunday get-away before the get-away game featured just enough big leaguers to appease MLB rules — you have to bring a certain number of MLB players to an away spring training game — but plenty of playing time was taken up by prospects.
On the mound
Right-hander Reese Olson made his fourth start of Grapefruit League play (and his fifth outing overall when including a simulated game on March 11).
He threw 5⅓ innings, allowing four hits and two runs. He struck out three with two walks.
What has Hinch seen from Olson this spring?
“I’ve just seen him healthy,” Hinch said. “He’s very consistent. His personality is really easy to deal with every day. He has the kind of the workman’s mentality where he just brings the lunchpail to work, and he’s understated, which is what leads him to be a little under-appreciated.”
Olson is coming off a strange season Last year, Olson had a 3.18 ERA in five starts in April, but the Tigers struggled, and he had a 0-4 record. But he posted a 0.64 ERA in five starts in May
“I think his first half last year was better than it was ever talked about,” Hinch said. “And then the first start afterwards he gets hurt.”
But he pitched in the postseason.
“By the time people caught up that he was pretty damn good, he was inactive,” Hinch said. “He’s a continuous learner. He will tweak a lot of things, but I never have to worry about getting him getting too high or too low.”
At the plate
Infielder Kevin McGonigle, another of the Tigers top prospects, started at shortstop. He doesn’t seem fazed by big leaguers.
He hit a homer to right field off Aaron Nola, who received Cy Young votes in three of the last five years.
Spencer Torkelson, who is also fighting to make this club, went 2-for-3, finishing his spring training with a noteworthy .326 average.
On to San Francisco
The Tigers planned to leave for San Francisco immediately after this game.
And they will bring a group of minor leaguers as a taxi squad.
They will play Monday night, bringing back “pitching chaos.” No, kidding.
“We’re doing a bullpen game, everyone’s favorite, on Monday,” Hinch said, smiling. “Nine relievers, my dream scenario.”
And Casey Mize and Jackson Jobe are expected to pitch in Tuesday’s game.
Part of it is to get to the West Coast and adjust to the time change. But it’s more than that.
“I just think it’s good to do something different on your way to to Opening Day, if you can,” Hinch said. “It gives us a couple days to just everything changes. Everything. Everybody’s in a good mood today that you know is traveling. Everybody, there’s just a little more energy.”
Some players, such as relievers Tyler Owens and Chase Lee, are making the trip just so they can experience travel with the big-league club, knowing they might be needed at some point this season.
“So, their first time with us will not be quite as intimidating,” Hinch said.
Three stars
1. McGonigle; 2. Olson; 3. Torkelson.
Next up: Giants
Monday (9:45 p.m., no TV) vs. San Francisco in an exhibition game at Oracle Park.
TRENDING: Jackson Jobe and Casey Mize have made Tigers starting pitching rotation
Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on X @seideljeff.
The New Orleans Pelicans take on the Detroit Pistons this Sunday on League Pass (3 ET).
The New Orleans Pelicans (19-52) aim to avenge a 127-81 home loss to the Detroit Pistons (39-32) earlier this week when they meet on Sunday afternoon (3 ET, League Pass).
Here are five things to know before game action:
- Pelicans create extra opportunities: New Orleans ranks fifth in the NBA in second chance points, averaging 15.7 a night. They posted an 18-17 advantage in that category in their 127-81 loss to Detroit on March 17, but they’ll need to be relentless on that end to keep it close in the rematch.
- Missi in the middle: Rookie Yves Missi has been a bright spot for the Pelicans. The No. 21 overall pick in last year’s draft has been a fixture on NBA’s Kia Rookie Ladder, currently sitting at No. 8, posting averages of 8.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 54.0% from the field. Missi dropped 12 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks in the first meeting with Detroit.
- Detroit battling for position in East: The Pistons have stumbled a bit recently, going 5-5 in their last 10 games. Despite those struggles, Detroit currently holds the Eastern Conference’s 6th seed, but the schedule they face to end the season looks daunting. In their final 11 contests, eight are against teams slated to make the postseason.
- Beasley slides in with the starters: With Tim Hardaway Jr. leaving Friday’s game after just eight minutes due to an ankle injury, Malik Beasley has a chance to slide into the first unit for Detroit. He’s been solid in March, scoring in double figures in 10 of 11 games while averaging 14.0 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists; Beasley is also draining 39.6% of nearly nine 3-point attempts each game.
- Cunningham fueling Pistons: It’s been a breakout year for Cade Cunningham in his fourth season, who’s putting up career-best numbers in almost every statistical category. He’s 12th in the NBA in scoring (25.7 ppg), third in assists (9.2), and tied for third in triple-doubles (9). Over his last 10 games, Cunningham has gone for 28.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.3 steals in nearly 35 minutes a night.
Four-star wide receiver Trent Mosley committed to the USC Trojans and coach Lincoln Riley on March 11 as the Trojans continue to stay hot on the recruiting trail. According to 247Sports’ Greg Biggins’ scouting report of Mosley, Biggins compared the four-star recruit to former Trojan and current Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon Ra St. Brown.
“Frame wise and playing style, reminds a bit of current Detroit Lion wide receiver but plays with a little more twitch at the same stage in their development. Polished route runner, catches everything and always competes at a high level,” wrote Biggins.
Should Mosley live up to the St. Brown comparison, the USC’s offense will be gaining another elite receiver. The Trojans’s receiver room is currently led by Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, and Mosley will look to replace their production upon his arrival on campus.
St. Brown played three seasons at USC before being selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. In his collegiate career, St. Brown played alongside wide receivers Drake London and Michael Pittman Jr. Still, St. Brown totaled 16 touchdowns and 2,270 receiving yards in his three years with the Trojans.
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St. Brown has played four seasons with the Lions, and he has been named to the First Team NFL All-Pro twice. In 2024, the former Trojan registered 115 receptions and 12 touchdowns.
Per On3, Mosley is ranked as the No. 30 wide receiver, the No. 21 prospect from California, and the No. 180 overall recruit. He is a part of USC’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class that features five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin, four-star running back RJ Sermons and four-star defensive lineman Simote Katoanga. Mosley is the second wide receiver to commit to the Trojans in the class of 2026, joining three-star recruit Ja’Myron Baker.
Mosley’s addition to USC’s recruiting class is evidence of the Trojans’ increased efforts in keeping the best prospects from California in the state. USC general manager Chad Bowden has publicly declared this to be his recruiting strategy with the Trojans.
“If you look at it, there have been plenty of players up front that have come from California, that have been incredibly successful, whether it’s at USC or other places. We’ve just got to continue to identify, evaluate, recruit and be on the right ones, and we will,” Bowden said.
On3’s JD PicKell spoke about USC’s emphasis on recruiting the state of California under Bowden and Riley, and PicKell strongly agrees with the strategy as the Trojans look to make some noise in the Big Ten.
“This is what it takes. This is what it takes for USC. If you want to compete at the highest level, it starts at home. If you win Southern California, you have enough talent to go compete for a national championship,” said PicKell
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