Lions' decision with two young linemen is coming back to haunt Dan Campbell
In the Detroit Lions' Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers, it was clear where the team was lacking some firepower: on their offensive line. It was a concern all offseason, especially after the retirement of Frank Ragnow and the departure of Kevin Zeitler in free agency. What was left for the Lions was reliance on multiple young linemen, and a guard's ability to flip over to center full-time.
So, it's not all that shocking that the line didn't look sharp against the Packers' strong front line, and against a sprinkle of Micah Parsons. What was shocking, when looking back on Detroit's preseason and training camp, is the fact that they barely ever played rookie lineman Tate Ratledge or Christian Mahogany against anyone that wasn't a fellow Lion in camp.
Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters after the Week 1 loss that that decision might've been a bad one on his part.
"With those two guys, yeah, we could've played them a little bit more, but you're not playing against starters. That's why I like the joint practices."
Campbell concedes Lions could've played young linemen more in preseason
While it's true that Ratledge and Mahogany wouldn't have been going up against starters in the preseason, it's the fact that they could've gotten some good use out of game-type preparation and intensity from fellow backups and rookies that makes this decision tough to justify. Especially after seeing how the two guards did in preseason, it's hard to say that they wouldn't have benefitted from live reps.
Joint practices only occurred for two weeks out of the entire offseason for Detroit, as well. That's too small of a time to have gotten proper preparation for either guard - especially Mahogany, who had to step up in a big way following the move of Graham Glasgow over to center.
Now, Detroit is stuck with hoping that Ratledge and Mahogany can improve over the course of the early part of this season. That's a tough pill to swallow knowing that the Lions are soon to square off with two formidable defensive lines featured by the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns.
PFF's grades are a bit shaky at times, but Ratledge and Mahogany wrapped up Week 1 with pass protection grades of 39.2 and 43.9, respectively. For Jared Goff to succeed, the Lions have to hope these truly live reps feed into fast improvement for both guards.
BREAKING NEWS: TreVeyon Henderson’s Unforgettable Generosity at a Local Restaurant
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In an inspiring twist of fate, New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson made a surprising move that left a lasting impact on a young college student working part-time at a local restaurant. The story begins simply enough — Henderson, known for his determination on the football field, quietly dined at the restaurant, impressed by the humility and dedication of the waiter serving him.
Over the next few days, Henderson returned to the same restaurant multiple times, admiring the young man’s consistent politeness and strong work ethic. But when he arrived one day and the waiter was no longer there, his curiosity got the best of him. Henderson asked the restaurant owner about the young man’s absence and learned that the waiter had been forced to drop out of school to care for his mother, who was seriously ill. To make ends meet, the student had been working at the restaurant for the past three months.
Touched by the story, TreVeyon Henderson did something that left everyone in the restaurant in awe. Without hesitation, he offered to pay for the young man’s tuition and medical bills, ensuring he could continue his education while caring for his mother. The gesture stunned the restaurant owner and the customers who were quietly witnessing the moment.
What made Henderson’s actions even more incredible was the way he connected with the young man’s situation. As someone who has worked tirelessly to achieve his own goals, Henderson understood the importance of supporting others, especially when life throws unexpected challenges their way.
The restaurant owner, still in disbelief, shared that this act of kindness was beyond anything they had ever witnessed. Henderson didn’t just offer financial support — he showed the true meaning of empathy, lifting someone up during their toughest time.
This heartwarming story serves as a reminder that the most valuable victories in life aren’t always the ones we see on TV or the field. Sometimes, they come from acts of kindness that touch lives in the most unexpected ways.
TreVeyon Henderson, a true champion both on and off the field, reminded us all that compassion and generosity can make the biggest difference in the lives of those who need it the most.
In a world that often feels divided, it’s acts of kindness like these that inspire hope and bring us closer together.
