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USA Today
13 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Lions legend Calvin Johnson listed in ESPN's All Quarter Century Team
Lions legend Calvin Johnson listed in ESPN's All Quarter Century Team ESPN released its All Quarter Century Team for 2000-2025 on Wednesday, including just one name from Detroit Lions history. Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson is the second receiver listed in ESPN's 53-man roster for the 21st century, behind Randy Moss and ahead of Julio Jones, Terrell Owens, Marvin Harrison, and Justin Jefferson. ESPN analysts Andrew Schatz and Seth Walder put the list together, acknowledging Johnson's short but dominant run in the NFL. "Johnson leaped over defenders en route to two 1,600-plus-yard seasons and the all-time single-season receiving yards record (1,964) in 2012," Walder said. "He ranks fourth since 2000 in yards per game behind only three current players with far fewer games played (Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua and Ja'Marr Chase)." Walder also pointed out Megatron's individual success despite the talent around him, particularly before the arrival of Matthew Stafford. "During Detroit's infamous 0-16 season in 2008, Johnson managed 1,331 yards with Dan Orlovsky, Daunte Culpepper and Jon Kitna at quarterback." No other Lions made this particular list by ESPN, though it's not entirely surprising given how the first 20 years of this century went.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fourth-and-Go: NFL Teams Are More Aggressive Than Ever on Fourth Down
Fourth-and-Go: NFL Teams Are More Aggressive Than Ever on Fourth Down originally appeared on Athlon Sports. [Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 NFL Preview Magazine. Order your copy today online or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.] Advertisement Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has developed such a reputation for keeping his offense on the field in fourth-down situations that even his wife has fed into the narrative. Campbell, who famously drinks a lot of coffee, went viral last season when he saved one of his cups of coffee from spilling. That immediately got someone on social media to inquire: Is there anything that Dan Campbell can't do? To which Holly Campbell replied: 'Yes. Punt.' Since 2021, his first season with Detroit, Campbell's Lions have gone for it on 151 fourth downs, the most in the NFL during that span. The Lions have had a better than 50% conversion rate in each season, topping out at 67% in 2024. Advertisement Campbell's Lions went for it 33 times in 2024, fourth in the league behind the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears and New York Giants. Of course, those three teams were a combined 11-40 last year — they were going for it out of desperation. For the Lions, who went 15-2 in 2024, it was more about aggression. Lions head coach Dan Campbell is bullish on going for it on fourth down ... but he's not Han-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 'I do think it helps,' Campbell said at the end of last season. 'And I do think our guys, for the most part, look at it as it's just the next down as opposed to, 'This is do or die, this is the last chance, if we don't get this…' That's not how they look at it. They look at it as, 'Well, this is the next down. That was third down, this was fourth down. What's the difference?'' Campbell's players have come to expect it, and that's a good thing. Advertisement 'They've figured out a little bit of who I am over time now,' he said. 'This didn't just pop up, so I think they have a pretty good grasp of when we're going to do it, when we're not. Some games we go in saying that we're going to be more aggressive than others. Sometimes it just flows that way.' Although Campbell might be the poster child for going for it on fourth down, he hasn't cornered the market. This has become a league-wide trend. Coincidentally or not, the four years that Campbell has been with Detroit represent a four-year stretch with the most fourth-down attempts across the league. There were 766 fourth-down attempts last season — an average of 24 per team. More notably, the success rate was 56.8%, an all-time high. Of course, one reason for the fourth-down trend is the success of the 'Tush Push.' The Philadelphia Eagles, originators of the Tush Push, went for it on fourth down 27 times last season with a success rate of 70.4%. Advertisement Going for it becomes more appealing when the offense reaches what NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci calls the 'big red zone' — not inside the 20-yard line, but inside the 50, looking at a very long field-goal attempt. 'Let's say it's fourth-and-6,' says Mariucci, who had to make such decisions during his nine years as an NFL head coach with the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions. 'Our chances are like 12% to make the field goal, right? And if we punt it, what's the best thing we can do? Yeah, we can land it on the 5-yard line. But you can also put it in there for a touchback. And then the net gain is what, a net punt of 20? 'So let's just go for it, because we have a 50-50 chance of making this thing. And so the big red zone — from, say, the 30-, 35-yard line out to midfield — that's an area where there's a huge uptick in going for it on fourth down. Because if you don't make it, it's not drastic.' Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Teams are also looking more and more at the analytics, trying to figure out what their chances of success are based on the exact down-and-distance. Mariucci says he can appreciate what the analytics say — but that it still comes down to a gut feeling. Advertisement 'You've got to remember, they're analytics based on past statistics and past success rates,' he says. 'So what's the conversion rate on fourth-and-5? You know, that's one thing. But coaches have to take into account a lot of other things on the day of the game, in the moment. What's the weather like? Who's playing for you? Do you have a left guard that is injured? You know what I mean? To take a third-party stat, so-called analytics, and say, 'I'm going to believe it because the success rate on this situation is 68% and gives us a better chance to win,' that's great. But coaches still need a gut feel to try to make a common-sense decision.' Years before 'analytics' was the key buzzword and before Campbell became the league's fourth-down fanatic, another coach built a reputation for gambling on fourth down. During his nine years as head coach of the Carolina Panthers (2011-19), Ron Rivera became lovingly known as 'Riverboat Ron' (although he initially preferred 'Calculated Risk-Taker Ron'). It was a nickname Rivera eventually came to embrace. And he proudly notes that it's a philosophy he learned not from analytics but from a Hall of Fame coach. 'My answer to the fourth down (decisions) came from conversations with John Madden,' says Rivera, who also coached the Washington Commanders from 2020-23 and earlier this year became general manager of his alma mater, Cal. Advertisement Rivera was more conservative when he first became a head coach. If the Panthers were up by three and facing a fourth down in field-goal range, Rivera was more apt to settle for the field goal, knowing he could still lose if the opponent scored a touchdown. 'Madden said, 'You know, the thing about kicking field goals versus going for it on fourth down is, you can close the game out,'' says Rivera. 'If you don't convert, and you're up by three ... the opponent still has to get into field-goal range to score to tie it. And their mentality is not necessarily score a touchdown, it's just be safe, be smart, get into field-goal position.' Were Rivera's bold moves based on analytics? 'No, no, all based on your gut, your feel,' he says, recalling Madden's advice. 'He said to me, 'Ron, you've played enough football, you've coached enough football to know better. To know when the right time is.' He said there's an instinct that you can't … pick up off of numbers.' Rivera does say that analytics provide a good excuse for going with your gut. Since the analytics are telling coaches to go for it more often, they can lean on the analytics if things don't break the right way. Jayden Daniels and the Commanders had the best fourth-down success rate in 2024..© Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images 'So if you don't convert, well, it was in the numbers!' he says, laughing. 'It was in the numbers. The numbers said you're supposed to go. Advertisement 'But see, what the numbers never tell you is what happens if you don't succeed. You know what I'm saying? They said, well, it's a 94% chance that it's going to increase your opportunities to win. Okay. What is it if you don't convert? You know what I'm saying? Are we giving all the information to the people that are doing it?' By all accounts, teams are giving their coaches all the information they need. Most if not all teams have analytics departments fueling these decisions. 'We see coaches becoming much more aggressive on fourth down year over year, and it has no signs of slowing down,' former Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff told the Washington Post last season. Dimitroff runs football analytics company SumerSports, which provides data-driven analysis to pro and college teams. 'The increase in passing frequency, the increase in play-action usage, the fourth-down aggression and the choices to go for two-point conversions can all be tied back to the analytics movement.' Another reason fourth-down attempts have been on the rise has to do with the new dynamic kickoff rule that was imposed last season — and a new tweak to that rule for 2025 likely will put even more emphasis on this trend. The average starting position after a kickoff used to be around the 25-yard line. Last season, with the dynamic kickoff, it was around the 30. Newly implemented for 2025, a touchback on kickoffs will be placed at the 35-yard line. In other words, teams will be starting their drives maybe two first downs shy of field-goal range. Advertisement So never mind about the 'big red zone' — let's say you're inside the opponent's 10-yard line. Let's say it's fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line. Not as easy as a QB sneak, but … 'If I kick a field goal, okay,' says Fox Sports analyst Greg Olsen. 'Then I kick off, they might start at the 35, or more. It's not as favorable to me. Even if I fail on fourth down, they are on the … 4-yard line. The odds actually tell me I'm more likely to score next even though I don't possess the ball.' Clearly, it makes more sense for a team with a strong offense to go for it than it does for a team with a poor offense. Not surprisingly, the most successful fourth-down teams last season were predominantly playoff teams. The Washington Commanders had the best success rate at 87% (converting 20-of-23 attempts), followed by the Buffalo Bills (72.7%), Kansas City Chiefs (70.6%), Philadelphia Eagles (70.4%) and Denver Broncos (68.2%). In all, 10 of the top 11 teams in fourth-down success rate were playoff teams. Of the eight teams that converted less than 50% of their fourth-down attempts, six had losing records. Of course, one of the greatest coaches in NFL history is credited with perhaps the most widely criticized fourth-down decision ever made. It was a classic Sunday night game in 2009 between Tom Brady's New England Patriots and Peyton Manning's Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots, clinging to a six-point lead with just over two minutes left to play, faced fourth-and-2 from their own 28-yard line. Bill Belichick opted to go for it. Advertisement Brady's fourth-down pass was only good for one yard, and the Colts took over at the 29. Four plays later, Manning found Reggie Wayne for the winning score. 'I thought it was our best chance to win,' Belichick said the next day. 'I thought we needed to make that one play and then we could basically run out the clock. We weren't able to make it.' Belichick's defense might have taken that decision personally, but not everyone disagreed with the move. Manning had been unstoppable throughout the fourth quarter of that game, so the situation called for extreme measures. Campbell's fourth-down decisions are usually meant to put the opposition on its heels. His reputation is actually something Detroit's opponents need to prepare for. 'I do think there is some of that, where teams know coming in that they may need to be more aggressive because of the fact that we're going to be,' Campbell says. 'I also know that there are plenty of coaches that are telling their guys, 'Look, he's going to mess this up. That head coach over there is going to make a decision that's going to cost their team, and we'll just stay true to what we do.' And you can't argue with that either. There's no right or wrong to it, in my opinion, I just know my right.' Advertisement Yet another reason for the uptick in fourth-down attempts is, quite simply, the acceptance of the idea. 'The incredulousness with which some fourth-down go-for-it decisions are received by announcers, a lot of that has gone away,' says Ben Baldwin, creator of the 'Fourth Down Decision Bot,' a program that analyzes all fourth-down attempts. 'For the most part, Troy Aikman and Cris Collinsworth and Greg Olsen, all of those guys understand what teams are doing in going for it. You're not as likely to hear criticism for going for it on fourth down as you would 10 years ago.' Regardless of the reason, more fourth-down attempts are good for football. Perhaps the only people who don't want to see it are punters. Lions punter Jack Fox had a career-low 45 punts last season. See — Campbell can punt. He just doesn't like to. Advertisement NFL team previews AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks Related: Athlon Sports 2025 NFL Preview Magazine Now Available Related: Athlon Sports 2025 Fantasy Football Preview Magazine Now Available This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lions Cornerback Hyped Up by Kerby Joseph Ahead of 2025 Season
Lions Cornerback Hyped Up by Kerby Joseph Ahead of 2025 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Detroit Lions NFL First-Team All-Pro Safety Kerby Joseph is known as one of the most instinctive and gifted secondary players in the league, a ballhawking safety who knows how to play within the confines of a defense, and freelance when needed. Advertisement On Thursday, Joseph took to his social media account to share candid thoughts on a player he believes could make a big splash in 2025-26 after he was selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft. Joseph's post got 35,000 page views as fans attempted to converse with the Lions star over his latest hot take. Ennis Rakestraw watches practice on May 30 in Allen Park, Michigan. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images "Year 2 Ennis Rakestraw is gonna go crazy," 'The Detroit Times' wrote on X Thursday, which prompted an enthusiastic response from Joseph. "Facts bro in dat 9 mf," Joseph said, referring to the former Missouri Tigers star's new uniform number. "He's gonna be a demon," the Times wrote back with a '100' emoji. Advertisement "THE BEST SECONDARY IN THE NFL," another page wrote with a cartoon of three Lions players. "LFG," another fan wrote with a '9LIONS' license plate. "Yo bro stretch those damn needed him last year," another fan added about Rakestraw. A 5-foot-11, 188 pound cornerback, Rakestraw played in eight games for coach Dan Campbell's team, compiling four tackles. He is known for his pestering, physical coverage style, length and athleticism and could provide a solid to good or better option alongside Robertson, Joseph, Brian Branch and other top defenders in the Lions' backfield this season. Related: Fourth-and-Go: NFL Teams Are More Aggressive Than Ever on Fourth Down This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Puka Nacua's rapid ascent an inspiration to Polynesian athletes and Hawaiian fans
WAILUKU, Hawaii — From the moment the Rams landed in Maui, Puka Nacua embraced the spotlight and provided sunshine vibes. The star receiver, with several colorful leis draping his shoulders, turned heads upon arrival at a Monday night luau. The next morning, flag football players excitedly buzzed 'It's Puka!' as he entered War Memorial Stadium for a Rams workout and clinic. That afternoon, autograph seekers lined up 100-deep for an exclusive afternoon Puka-centric event at a team pop-up store. On Wednesday, several thousands of fans showed up to see the Rams' public workout, dozens of them wearing Nacua jerseys. Nacua, who is of Hawaiian, Samoan and Portuguese descent, welcomed the attention with open arms. 'These are people who have similar backgrounds to me,' Nacua said this week. 'This is how I was raised — to call everybody Auntie and Uncle, and to be with them and give hugs and kisses, and to eat a lot of food with them. 'This feels like home.' Nacua, 24, is clearly comfortable in his role. He is the latest Polynesian NFL star, joining players such as Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell and Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata. Nacua burst onto the NFL scene in 2023 with a record-setting rookie season. His boundless enthusiasm, physical style and daring athletic catches thrilled fans and showed Polynesian athletes that opportunity and success at a so-called skill position was in their grasp. Linebacker Junior Seau, safety Troy Polamalu and center Kevin Mawae are Polynesian players enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Nacua is respectful of the players who paved the way for his opportunity, citing Marcus Mariota, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Polamalu as just a few of the many that led the way. He aims to show that opportunity exists beyond 'the trenches' for aspiring Polynesian athletes. 'It makes it super exciting,' he said, 'because the skill positions are coming.' The influence of Polynesian pro players dates to the 1940s, when offensive lineman Al Lolotai played for Washington. In the 1950s, offensive lineman Charlie Ane twice made the Pro Bowl and won two NFL championships with the Detroit Lions. Ane returned to Hawaii and tutored a young offensive lineman named Norm Chow. Chow played at Utah and coached as an assistant at Brigham Young, North Carolina State, USC, the NFL's Tennessee Titans, UCLA and Utah before Hawaii in 2011 made him the first Asian American head coach at a major college program. Watching Nacua's ascent has been gratifying for the Hawaiian-born Chow. 'It's a cool deal,' Chow said. 'He's a tough guy.' Toughness was a hallmark for Polynesian players such as Jesse Sapolu, an interior lineman on four San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl-title teams. Sapolu was twice voted to the Pro Bowl during a career that spanned from 1983 to 1997. In those days, Sapolu said a dearth of Polynesian players in the NFL led him to study the schedule each year and identify the teams that included Polynesians. 'I'd look five weeks down the line at the roster,' Sapolu said, 'and put it in the back of my mind, 'I can't wait for that week so I can say hello to that person.'' Sapolu is the co-founder and chairman of the Hawaii-based Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. He has known Nacua since 2019, when Nacua played in the organization's annual high school All-Star game. As an ambassador for the 49ers, Sapolu was on the sideline at Levi's Stadium in 2023 when Nacua broke the NFL record for catches and receiving yards by a rookie. 'This generation is looking at this picture with a broader lens,' Sapolu said. 'We still have the top linemen … but now we've got the Puka Nacuas coming up that Polynesian kids can say 'Hey, you know, not only can I be big and strong, I can also be skinny and fast and go out there and do things that Puka is doing.'' Manti Te'o grew up in Hawaii. In 2009, he was one of the most highly recruited players in the U.S. before going on to star at linebacker for Notre Dame and playing eight NFL seasons. Te'o, an NFL Network analyst, has a home in Utah. He recalls watching Nacua play at BYU, where he displayed tenacity, physicality and fearlessness that harked to Smith-Schuster, the former USC star who has played eight NFL seasons. Nacua's humility and the way he represented his family and community also stood out, Te'o said. Nacua's success might have helped pave the way for former Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan, selected by the Carolina Panthers with the eighth pick in the 2025 draft. 'They're starting to believe that they can be more than just the typical O-lineman,' Te'o said. 'It's nice to see that transition and progression.' Mariota helped lay the groundwork. He grew up in Hawaii, starred at quarterback for Oregon, became the first Polynesian player to win the Heisman Trophy and was selected by the Tennessee Titans with the second pick in the 2015 draft. Mariota, who will begin his second season with the Washington Commanders, pointed to Jack 'The Throwin' Samoan' Thompson, Jason Gesser, Timmy Chang and Darnell Arceneaux as Samoan and Hawaiian-born quarterbacks who paved the way for him. 'I really value some of these guys that played before me, and what they were able to do, and what they went through to allow me to even have the chance to play quarterback,' Mariota said. Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns rookie Dillon Gabriel followed Mariota to play quarterback in college and the NFL. Now, Nacua is showing other Polynesian athletes that they don't have to be 'loopholed' to play as a lineman or linebacker, Mariota said. 'Guys like Puka and guys across the league are really taking this Polynesian generation to the next level,' Mariota said. 'So, it's cool to see him, and I'm excited to see what's next because this is just the beginning.' This fall, Jayden Maiava is expected to start at quarterback for USC, Nico Iamaleava for UCLA. Maiava said Mariota and Tagovailoa 'set the example and set the tone' for him as a quarterback. Nacua's example as a Rams receiver also inspires, he said. 'Just to wake up and hit that standard he sets every single day,' Maiava said. 'It's something to look up to and gives a young kid like me something to strive for, and one day hope we can get there.' The Rams returned to Hawaii for the first time since 2019, when they played a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys on Oahu. In Maui, they opened a pop-up for five days in Wailea that featured merchandise designed by Aaron Kai, an Hawaiian artist who lives in Los Angeles. Sales were brisk, but the main event was Nacua's appearance. Joshua Cabjuan, 21, of Oahu purchased caps, a hoodie and other items. He said he met Nacua at the Polynesian Bowl a few years ago, so he brought a replica of Nacua's Orem (Utah) high school jersey to be signed. 'He was really excited, like, 'Whoa, this is crazy — I haven't seen this in so long,'' Cabjuan said. Kristin Domingo of Maui had always been a Lakers and Dodgers fan. Becoming a Rams and Nacua fan, she said, naturally followed. 'We support anyone who comes from the islands or is of Hawaiian descent,' she said after Nacua signed a jersey. And what does she like about Nacua? 'He's an excellent wide receiver,' she said. 'He kicks ass on the field.' Peyton Koerte, 12, and Kiara Nishimura, 14, from Kauai each emerged with a signed Nacua jersey. Why Nacua? 'We picked him for our draft in fantasy football,' Peyton said. For decades the NFL's Pro Bowl was played in Hawaii. Te'o remembers watching players such as Rams stars Kurt Warner and Isaac Bruce in person. 'To see them play allowed me to dream big,' Te'o said. Nacua hopes the Rams' visit to Maui has a similar effect, and that it uplifts an island that was ravaged by the 2023 wildfire that destroyed much of Lahaina. In remarks at the Rams welcome luau, Maui County Mayor Richard T. Bissen Jr. noted that the team donated more than $260,000 in initial relief and helped spur donations from other pro teams of $450,000 to the American Red Cross. He also recalled attending a football camp in Maui overseen by former Rams quarterback Roman Gabriel in the 1970s. 'Thank you for what you're going to do for our youth in the next couple of days, uplifting them and teaching them,' he said, adding that perhaps the next Puka Nacua might be among the attendees. Nacua was thankful to help play a role in healing. 'To know the support that you want to give to those people who are going through that issue, and to see how it can change and bring the community closer together in that time, I think our team has felt that,' Nacua said. Nacua once looked up to players such as Mariota and Smith-Schuster. Now, young players are looking up to him. 'The discipline to have the consistency to go out there and perform very well, I feel like those are things that are staples in the Polynesian community,' he said. Nacua will return to Los Angeles and begin preparing for training camp and a season of high expectations. The Rams are regarded as potential Super Bowl contenders, with an offense that includes star quarterback Matthew Stafford and new star receiver Davante Adams. But Nacua will not soon forget his time in Maui. And he will have plenty of reminders. 'I'm sure I'm going to have 50 leis by the time I go home,' he said.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Lions WR said Detroit would have beat Commanders if healthy
No one expected the Washington Commanders to compete for a playoff spot in the 2024 season. It was the first season of a "recalibration," as head coach Dan Quinn called it. There was a new general manager, a new coaching staff, a rookie quarterback and over 50% of the roster turned over. Washington shocked everyone, going 12-5 and advancing to the NFC championship game one year after finishing 4-13. Quarterback Jayden Daniels was phenomenal as a rookie, looking like a 10-year veteran and one of the best players in the NFL, leading his team to an unforgettable season. Advertisement One of the more shocking moments came in the NFC Divisional Round, when the Commanders shocked the top-seeded Lions on the road in front of a sold-out Detroit crowd. It wasn't a nailbiter either, as Washington won 45-31. One member of last year's Detroit team said that Washington would not have won that game if the Lions had been healthy. Here's veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson talking to the Woodward Sports Network about that game and last season. Robinson appeared in 12 games last season, catching three passes for 30 yards. He is currently a free agent. On one hand, Robinson is not wrong. That result could have been different if players like Detroit defensive end Aidan Hutchinson were healthy. On the other hand, it's the NFL. No teams are fully healthy in January. Ultimately, the Lions had no answer for Daniels, and Washington's defense forced four Jared Goff turnovers in the upset win. Advertisement Last season was definitely disappointing for the Lions. They had arguably the NFL's top roster, a star-studded coaching staff, home-field advantage and didn't even make it to the NFC championship game. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Ex-Lions WR says Detroit would've beat Commanders if healthy
