Roger McCreary is already finding out what life looks like in Detroit, and it starts with Kelvin Sheppard.
The new Lions cornerback opened up about his defensive coordinator’s style, describing a mix of blunt criticism and belief in his players. In an interview with Brad Galli of "The Brad Galli Show," McCreary said, "He going to argue.
He going to cuss you out. He do all that, but he just want to see you be great."
He added, "That's what I see on the backend, so it's just all about me bring coachable. Just going out there and just play."
That approach seems to be paying off. Through two preseason games, McCreary has been the third highest-graded cornerback on Pro Football Focus with a 90.3 mark, according to Pride of Detroit's Al Karsten. He has split time between nickel and outside, and his work has stood out even as his training camp overall has been uneven.
The preseason production also keeps the nickel job very much up for grabs. Rookie Keith Abney II is in the mix, and Christian Izien is as well, though an undisclosed injury could keep Izien out heading into Week 1.
McCreary still has one more chance to make a loud statement before the games count. If he turns in another strong showing against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, the nickel spot could be his to lose.
He also had to get used to the way Detroit practices. McCreary told Galli that he "had to adjust to the coaching style and the practice," adding that the Lions "practice hard."
That isn’t exactly a new story for players arriving in Detroit. Last year, safety Avonte Maddox had a similar reaction, with Amon-Ra St.
Brown recalling on the "St. Brown Podcast" that Maddox, fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Philadelphia Eagles, was surprised by how physical Lions practices were and by the fact that the Eagles did not go full tackle the way Detroit does.
The Lions have also made some subtle changes in how they practice this year. They did not hold a joint practice with another team, a decision that has looked sensible given the fights and injuries popping up around the league.
For McCreary, the adjustment has been twofold: tough practices and tough love. So far, though, the results have been strong, and if he keeps this up into the regular season, he could become a long-term answer at one of the cornerback spots.
In Other News...
Former Texans Trade Ripple Just Created A New Lions Backfield Concern
The Lions have spent the offseason trying to keep their ground game sturdy behind Jahmyr Gibbs, and the latest move gave them a little more insurance on paper. Detroit sent David Montgomery to Houston for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and two draft picks, then brought in Isiah Pacheco on a one-year deal as a possible backup behind Gibbs, a pairing that was supposed to help stabilize the backfield heading into the new season.
Now Pachecos availability is in question after he dealt with both a sprained MCL and a back injury, leaving his status for the opener uncertain. For a team that leaned on the idea of depth after moving Montgomery, that makes the backup spot look a lot less settled than it did when the deal was first made. [Read more 🡒]
Lions May Finally Have The Edge Partner Aidan Hutchinson Needed
The Lions spent the second round of the NFL Draft looking for a partner for Aidan Hutchinson, and Derrick Moore has already given them reasons to feel better about the plan. Even with a minor groin strain costing him some training camp time, the rookie has flashed enough in the preseason to make the pick look like a legitimate move to beef up Detroits edge rush.
Moore is expected to step right into the rotation opposite Hutchinson, which is exactly the sort of help the Lions have been chasing. For a defense built around pressure up front, finding another young rusher who can hold his own early would go a long way, and Moores preseason showing has at least put that possibility firmly on the table. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Enter Final Roster Fight As Dan Campbell Changes Camp Approach
Dan Campbell has taken a different tack with training camp this summer, adjusting the practice schedule and skipping joint sessions for now, even as he left the door open for that setup to return down the road. For a Lions team that has spent recent summers using those controlled competitive environments as a measuring stick, the change shifts more of the evaluation load onto the work taking place in Allen Park and the final preseason tune-up.
With roster decisions looming, Saturdays preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts now carries extra weight for players on the fringe of the initial 53-man roster. It is the last live chance to make a case before the cuts, and the game will be shown on NFL Network and local affiliates, giving a wider audience one more look at the depth chart battles Detroit is trying to sort out. [Read more 🡒]