Lions News: Oregon OL coach explains how Penei Sewell dictates games

If you are a football fan that likes to follow offensive and defensive line play, chances are you have heard of Brandon Thorn. Whether it’s his Substack “Trench Warfare” or his work at Establish the Run, Thorn is has put in the work to become one of the most respected voices in the community. All of this also helped earn him earn an invite to Duke Manyweather’s “OL Masterminds” summit.

Naturally, Thorn really enjoys breaking down a Detroit Lions player you often read about on Pride of Detroit—first team All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell. Honestly, who wouldn’t?

So when Oregon’s offensive line coach, A’lique Terry (who was a graduate assistant that worked with the OL when Sewell was in college), joined his show, you knew it was only a matter of time until Sewell’s named was mentioned.

“We say all the time, it’s not a hog game anymore,” said Terry of the evolution of offensive linemen. “We want big lions. We want big cats, We want dudes that can run, jump, explode.”

Much like Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has made it a point to get Sewell into space, it was even a point of emphasis for the staff in Eugene as well.

“It got to a point where the OC (offensive coordinator) at the time was making sure we called a screen a quarter to get Penei out into space. You can utilize your biggest athletes in the game plan.”

You can watch the entire clip from Thorn and Terry below:

And now, onto the rest of today’s notes:

• Okay, Chris. We are listening.

• Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff was money inside the redzone during the 2023 season.

• I didn’t even need to read the caption. When I see Jahmyr Gibbs, I retweet.