Brodric Martin may be the key for the Detroit Lions defense

In an effort to improve the defense the Detroit Lions drafted three defensive players this year, LB-Jack Campbell, DB- Brian Branch and DT- Brodric Martin. It is unusual to expect a rookie defensive tackle to make a big impact however with Martin that view should change. Drafted in the third round pick 96 overall Martin is having a very good training camp and he is not even on the receiving end of his talent.

Ranked 31st in scoring defense and 29th in yards allowed the team gave up 240 rushing yards to the Carolina Panthers in just one half. To say the unit needs improvement is an understatement on a large scale.

BLOOMINGTON, IN – SEPTEMBER 17: Western Kentucky DT Brodric Martin (99) during a college football game between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Indiana Hoosiers on September 17, 2022 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Brodric Martin from the University of Western Kentucky had just three sacks that does not tell the whole story. The 6′ 4″, Martin has good size for DT who is basically can not be moved one on one. A lot of upper body strength allows Martin to shed would be blockers.

One trait that was noted pre-draft has not been a factor in Lions training camp. Martin was said to be slow off the ball thus far he has been anything but slow off the ball.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 23: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after being tackled by Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

So why would a rookie third round draft pick be the key for the Detroit Lions? With defensive pass rushers like Aidan Hutchinson and Romeo Okwara and others Martin’s play and forcing teams to double team him will open up more pass rush chances to the Detroit edge rushers. As seen in practice when Martin was left one on one and sacked the quarterback, then he was double teamed and Hutchinson had two sacks.

To say the Detroit Lions defense will improve is logical given they can not be much worse. Yet the unit looks much improved in camp so far and it is centered around a rookie.

The Detroit Lions are close to being a contending football team and Brodric Martin is about to be a problem. Martin is one player to watch for the Lions as he seems to be what the team has been missing.

As the Detroit Lions training camp is starting soon, here is what I’m looking for

The Detroit Lions 2022 training camp is fast approaching (July 30.) With a roster full of young players training camp will be under the microscope of the public eye. Once again, I need to stress this is a rebuild, so do not think for one moment the Lions are going to go from 3 wins to the playoffs. Also, much like last season wins/losses do not matter, at least to the degree fans believe they do. So what could or would constitute as a successful season? That’s a loaded question, let’s take a look.

I am going to drive home the fact that the Detroit Lions need to stay healthy first and foremost. Last season the team had a rash of injuries that crippled units from being more consistent. The injuries ended seasons for several players. Usually a team can survive a player who is out 1-3 weeks, but the whole season was a bit much.

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) defends against Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, October 17, 2021. (Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Penei Sewell, who can play both tackle spots is a beast. He is one of the players I expect to take a massive step forward after a stellar rookie season. The Detroit Lions ran the ball for an average of 5.1 yards between the right tackle and right guard last season.

D’Andre Swift, the young running back needs to stay healthy. Swift is one of the best running backs in the NFL when he is on the field. A good run game is a blessing to any quarterback. The Lions have a top 5 ranked offensive line, and when all are healthy can give Swift the room he needs to roam free.

Derrick Barnes, he played better as the season moved along. The Lions linebackers to me are the biggest question mark heading into training camp. This is a group the simply put, needs to improve across the board. Rookie Malcom Rodriguez is a player I am going to focus on. He received a lot of praise from teammates and coaches during rookie camp.

The Lions wide receiver room is in much better shape heading into camp this year than it was a year ago. This group looks like they can be solid. Last season fourth round draft pick Amon-Ra St. Brown took the league by storm. Brown a slot receiver was forced to play WR1 due to injury and did a very good job. Now with DJ Chark and first round draft pick Jameson Williams (at some point, he is recovering from injury.) The receivers look solid.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 21: D’Andre Swift #32 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball against the Cleveland Browns in the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The focus on the 2022 season for the Detroit Lions is and should be player development. This is a young team with a bright future, but that future is not yet and that’s okay.

What are you looking for as the Detroit Lions start training camp? Feel free to leave a comment and let me know.

Detroit Red Wings rookie, Moritz Seider’s impact is being felt

Sometimes a rookie comes along and is so good he lifts his team to a new level. It does not happen often, but when it does it is news worthy. For the Detroit Red Wings rookie defensemen Moritz (Mo) Seider is that rookie. Seider’s play has overshadowed fellow rookie teammate Lucas Raymond who is having his own fantastic rookie season.

TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 30: Moritz Seider #53 of the Detroit Red Wings looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on October 30, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)

When Red Wings General Manager, Steve Yzerman strolled to the podium in 2019 and announced Moritz Seider as the teams first round draft pick (6th overall) it left the NHL experts calling the draft scrambling. No one saw Seider to Detroit coming.

Flash forward a few seasons and Seider is enjoying a nearly unbelievable rookie season. To illustrate just one small aspect that shines the light on how good Mo Seider has been February 9th’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers was exclamation point to how good Seider is and has been.

The February 9th game caught the eye of the NHL world, fans and media alike. To be clear all fans be it Red Wings or other teams and all media. You see in that game Mo Seider killed an entire two minute penalty by himself. Yes, you read that correctly.

Before the season even kicked off, the Red Wings had every intention of allowing Seider a roster spot. Since day one Mo Seider has gotten better and better. While still at the tender age of 20, and looking like a star in the making, Seider may be on his way to cementing a spot on the Red Wings blue line for years to come.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 27: Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (53) reads the play during the Detroit Red Wings vs. Washington Capitals National Hockey League game on October 27, 2021 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

What is scary is the Detroit coach’s, teammates and national media believe Moritz Seider can get even better. This is what Yzerman and the Red Wings scouting department saw in the young defensemen when they drafted him. While it shocked many at the time, it looks golden now.

This is Steve Yzerman, a GM who fearlessly goes off the beaten track and finds absolute gems. What seems like a head scratcher at the time turns up roses for Yzerman both in his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning and now with the Detroit Red Wings.