During this NFL hiring cycle, something happened that is a little unknown to Detroit Lions fans. Although they recorded only three wins in their 2021 season, they interviewed many coaches for promotions. The latter is a defensive back coach and was born in Flint, Aubrey Pleasant.
Pleasant received much praise in the league for what he achieved last year. The secondary for the Lions was thin in the beginning, full of youth and inexperience. Then the injuries came and left a thin room even more boring.
However, it was easy to see tangible growth on an almost weekly basis, both from individual players and from the unit as a whole. And while the result doesn’t always reflect progress, many in the league have noticed, including new Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. When O’Connell was asked about Pleasant, he did not refrain, as the two became acquainted with each other after training together at the Los Angeles Rams headquarters.
“I think he will be the future head coach in this league,” O’Connell said during his media presence in Indianapolis on Wednesday. “I think the next step in the process for him is to coordinate the defense. Aubrey is so impressive to me, he always has been. I’ve known him for several years, even before we were in LA together. I know Coach McVeigh respects him a lot. Their relationship is really strong. “
Pleasant and O’Connell actually faced each other this year when the Lions traveled to place Rams this year. O’Connell admitted that while the Rams won the game, it’s nice that the Lions’ defenders fought well.
“It was a tough group to play,” O’Connell said. “They really managed to infuse several different defenses in the NFL. Shoot, they were a difficult group to play and you sensed Aubrey’s presence there. It was good for me to be able to talk to him during this process and I have no doubt that he will continue to rise, sooner or later in this league. I really believe in that. ”
Lions coach Dan Campbell was clear about his desire to build this coaching staff in the right way from the start. Many coaches talk a lot about the professional development of their staff, but from what we’ve seen so far, Campbell certainly seems to be on the right track.
For now, it looks like this Lions coaching staff is safe from hiring someone for promotion. Next year I’m not so sure it is. And make no mistake, if that happens, it means that Dan Campbell’s vision for this headquarters and this team is on the way.
And now to the rest of today’s notes:
- If you’re looking for extra fluff to fill that gap out of season, here’s a podcast with Lions midfielder Derrick Barnes, where he talks at length about his NFL Honors Night experience.
- In the unknown news of the return, former RB Lions Zach Zenner is in Indianapolis for the plant.
I ran into former Lions RB Zack Zenner here in Indie. He is now a certified NFL agent and is also working on a way to be a certified nutritionist. An agent who can work alongside your contract and your healthy eating habits and nutritional supplements. Multitasking right there.
– Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) March 2, 2022
- News about the Sun God this week:
- Athletic’s Dine Brugler has updated his pre-training standings on the Combine field and is worth the time if you have a $: subscription: