HEART BREAK NEWS: Jahmyr Gibbs officially announce his Resignation and Departure From Detroit lions today due to………READ MORE.
The Detroit Lions believe that Alim McNeill could still have room to grow heading into the 2024 season.
Make no mistake, the coaching staff is dedicated to finding ways for each player to grow every season. However, McNeill possesses traits and athleticism uncommon for his position along the defensive line.
Those characteristics, along with new additions that can help free up the talented tackle, have led the Lions to believe that it could be an exciting year for the N.C. State product.
One newcomer who can help McNeill succeed is nose tackle DJ Reader. Without a true nose tackle on roster last year, McNeill was forced to assume that role despite being undersized.
However, with Reader in the mix, the fourth-year defender can be freed up along the line and play in positions that better fit his skill set. With both of their abilities combined, it could be an exciting combination for Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
“In my head, it just looks like destruction,” McNeill said of playing next to Reader. “There’s no other way I can see it. Every time I close my eyes and visualize it, I just see destruction.”
After two strong days of work, head coach Dan Campbell set his sights on challenging the offensive unit on the final day of practice for the veterans before training camp.
Each of the situational drills began with the offense trailing, and tested the capability of the unit to get out of deficits.
“We’re really gonna just get them loose, and then we’re gonna simulate trying to get two scores under two minutes-type deal,” Campbell said before practice. “Three timeouts, we’ve done that every year. Bigs are not gonna go full speed, but the skill (position players) will. If you’re looking out there and this guy’s loafing, we’re telling them to back off.
