Three highest-graded Lions in 2020 season

 

By Will Burchfield

 

19 hours ago (January 6, 2021)

 

It's hard to find positives for a team coming off its third straight last place finish in a season in which it fired its general manager and head coach. The next general manager and next head coach have their work cut out for them.

But it wasn't all bad for the Lions in 2020.

Romeo Okwara had a breakout year, finishing 10th in the NFL in sacks. Taylor Decker and Frank Ragnow played at a Pro Bowl level on the offensive line. T.J. Hockenson took the second-year step the Lions were hoping for. D'Andre Swift was a difference-maker when healthy. Matthew Stafford did Matthew Stafford things.

Oh, and Jack Fox! Jack Fox punted the hell out of the ball.

And that's about it.

The advanced stats generally agree. Stafford and Decker were Detroit's two best players on offense, according to Pro Football Focus. Stafford ranked 12th among quarterbacks and Decker ranked 12th among offensive tackles.

Decker lived up to the $60 million extension he signed before the start of the season. He played every single snap on offense and kept Stafford clean almost every single time.

"Personally, I think I had really good year," Decker said Monday. "I think I was one of the best tackles in football. I wasn’t going to say that during the season, but the season’s over now and hopefully that’s something I can build on and improve upon."

While Stafford started slow, he finished with a flourish. His passer rating in 11 games under Matt Patricia: 92.7. In five games under Darrell Bevell: 106.2. He wasn't quite as good as he was last season prior to his back injury, but he posted 26 touchdowns versus 10 picks.

Stafford's 99.8 rating over the past two seasons in Bevell's offense is the best two-year stretch of his career. And now the big unknown: will Stafford be back?

On defense, Detroit's best player according to PFF was Trey Flowers. He was also the team's highest-graded player overall for the second straight season and the ninth highest-graded edge defender in the NFL.

Unfortunately for the Lions, Flowers played just seven games due to a fractured forearm he suffered in the team's Week 8 loss to the Colts. He finished with two sacks, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He said Monday he expects to be a "full-go" for the start of the offseason program.

"As far as personally, it's just motivation to come back next year better, stronger, faster, healthier and be able to finish the season so I can help my team out," Flowers said.

Who are the best candidates to replace Adam Gase?

 

Mark Schofield 

January 2, 2021 6:04 pm

 

Well, it was bound to happen. Despite their strong finish to the season, which included upsets of the Los Angeles Rams and the Cleveland Browns, the New York Jets are expected to part ways with Adam Gase. Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero broke the news Saturday afternoon before the season finale:

 

The next head coach is going to inherit a roster that needs help on both sides of the football and faces a decision at quarterback. Do the Jets try and rebuild Sam Darnold in the wake of Gase’s tenure or do they take their pick of quarterback two on their board? Either way, an offensive-minded head coach with a record of quarterback development would be wise.

Or, perhaps a defensive wizard with ringing endorsements from his current players?

Whichever road the Jets choose, here are the best candidates for the job.

Pep Hamilton, quarterbacks coach, Los Angeles Chargers

(Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports)

 

Sure, Brian Daboll might have the best “quarterback development” type of resume right now in the NFL thanks to the success of Josh Allen, but if I’m in charge of a team looking to bring along a young QB, Pep Hamilton is perhaps my second phone call.

Hamilton and Shane Steichen have done a tremendous job as the quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator in Los Angeles, bringing along Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert. The former Oregon Ducks passer looks light years ahead of where he was coming out of the Pac-12. From how he handles pressure in the pocket, how he attacks leverage in the secondary, and how he forces defenses to change what they do against the Chargers, Herbert is the real deal.

Now there might be an opportunity for both Hamilton and Steichen to get head coaching looks, perhaps even in Los Angeles depending on how the organization handles Anthony Lynn. But Hamilton has seen time as a head coach, as he served in that capacity with Washington’s XFL franchise before the league folded last spring. That combination of quarterback development and experience makes him an extremely strong candidate in my mind.

T.J. Hockenson Was Lions' Team MVP in 2020

 

DANIEL KELLY

JAN 2, 2021

 

It is never easy for a player that plays on a losing team to get recognized. 

However, that is just what tight end T.J. Hockenson has managed to do, and it is for that and other reasons that he is my vote for the Lions' Most Valuable Player (MVP) of 2020. 

It is Hockenson's first Pro Bowl nod, and it was enough to get him noticed by his former Iowa teammate and current 49ers tight end George Kittle, who, according to Fox Sports, told Hockenson, "Hey man, congratulations, and welcome to the Pro Bowl. The last time a Detroit tight end earned a Pro Bowl selection, you've got to go back 21 years to David Sloan."

Sure, a viable argument can certainly be made for the other two first-time Detroit Pro Bowlers: Center Frank Ragnow and punter Jack Fox. 

However, I am picking Hockenson. 

If all three could be named as the MVP, it would be preferable to me. But, in the end, there can only be one. 

It is the first time since 2014 that three Detroit Lions have been named to the Pro Bowl. Kudos to Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia for that. 

To be selected to the Pro Bowl in any year is an honor, let alone in this year of unprecedented uncertainty and chaos.

All three of these players have gone beyond the call of duty to show they have what it takes to perform at the highest of levels, which bodes well for the future. 

In an earlier article I wrote this season, Hockenson got labeled as "Gronk 2.0," which ruffled some feathers out there. 

However, whether Hockenson gets a Monster drink named after him someday is neither here nor there, because there is no denying he has been a consistent force in Detroit's offense. 

There is just something about him, which is what struck me in my 2019 evaluation of Hockenson.

And that "something" played out on the field once again in 2020. 

In my 2019 evaluation (received a "B" grade), he was impressive, but the question mark was could his ankle hold up for this season.  

The short answer is yes. 

Hockenson indeed has stayed healthy, and has started in 15 games so far, with the Lions' season finale to be played this Sunday against Minnesota. 

This season, Hockenson has recorded 64 receptions (targeted 98 times) for 698 yards, a 10.9 yards-per-catch average and six touchdowns.

In 2019, he was healthy for 13 of 16 games, and finished with 32 receptions (targeted 59 times) for 367 yards, a 11.5 yards-per-reception average and two touchdowns.

Fans may look at this, and say, "What's the big deal?" 

The big deal is that according to Fantasy Football Today, Hockenson's numbers have him sitting as the fifth-best tight end in the game. 

Sure, he doesn't have Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce's numbers (105 receptions, targeted 145 times, 1,416 yards, a 13.5 YPC average and 11 touchdowns). 

But, he does have better numbers than Gronkowski, who is currently ranked seventh, and both he and Hockenson have played in the same number of games. 

I went back for this piece, and watched all 105 plays Hockenson has played in this season.

Raj Mehta, USA TODAY Sports

#88 TE T.J. Hockenson - 6-foot-5, 250 pounds 

GRADE: B+ (Good player, but not elite; good enough to win with, however)

2020 Games Evaluated: 9/13 vs. CHI, 9/20 vs. GB, 9/27 vs. AZ, 10/4 vs. NO, 10/18 vs. JAX, 10/25 vs. ATL, 11/1 vs. IND, 11/8 vs. MIN, 11/15 vs. WSH, 11/22 vs. CAR, 11/26 vs. HOU, 12/6 vs. CHI, 12/13 vs. GB, 12/20 vs. TEN and 12/26 vs. TB. 

Scouting Report 

A productive and consistent tight end with above-average athleticism, who is showing steady improvement statistically in his second season. Gets into his mostly short-to-intermediate routes crisply enough, and he has become someone the quarterback can depend on. Does a good job getting himself open. Plucks the ball with his natural and soft-looking hands. Looks like a natural catcher. Confident catcher. Very good concentration while looking the ball into his waiting hands, despite traffic conditions and coverage. Really focused on the ball. Shows he can take a hit and hold on. Smooth-looking while gliding in and out of routes, but sometimes struggles to stay on his feet after the grab is made. Competitive. Will dive for the ball, as he is not afraid to get his jersey grass-stained. Showed he can make the clutch, game-winning catch, as he did in Week 7 against Atlanta. While nobody will ever accuse him of being elusive, he tries to get to the sticks, and shows the desire to pick up as many yards as he can (or that the defense gives him) after the catch. Makes the most of his opportunities, despite not being able to outrun a defense. Tough and physical enough. 

My one big criticism of him -- and I pointed this out last season -- is that he continues to drop about one pass he should have caught in nearly every game. Needs to work to improve on that. That is what is keeping him out of the elite-grading range.

Works at it as a blocker, and attempts to hold the point. Does an adequate job blocking, but that is not how he will earn his living. Looks and plays like a football player who could play in any era, and he earned a slight increase in his grade this season.

I maintain Hockenson reminds me of a modern-day Mark Bavaro more than anyone else. 

And, while none of us knows what will happen in 2021 anymore than we did this time last year heading into 2020, you can take these five things to the bank about Hockenson:

1.) He gives a strong effort.

2.) He is productive. 

3.) He is relatively dependable. 

4.) He is showing steady improvement. 

5.) He made his first Pro Bowl. 

Ladies and gentlemen, my 2020 Detroit Lions MVP is T.J. Hockenson.