The Detroit Lions made some tweaks to their coaching staff this offseason, and one new addition is former Lions cornerback Dre Bly, who will focus on teaching the cornerbacks in the defensive backs room.
Bly spent 12 years in the NFL and was a two-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion (XXIV with the Rams). Bly always played with a swagger and confidence, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn expects him to bring that swagger to the Lions defensive backs room as an assistant coach.
"The next guy I knew I wanted to bring in was somebody that can really show and let these corners know, 'This is how a corner operates,'" Glenn said last week at the NFL Scouting Combine about the addition of Bly. "And I'll tell you what, he has it. He's fun, he's energetic, he has this aura and swagger about him that I know for a fact is going to seep into all our guys. I think it's a really good mix when you have a guy like (defensive backs coach Brian) Duker and you have Dre, so I'm looking forward to seeing how those guys operate."
Duker enters his third season on staff after being elevated from safeties coach to defensive backs coach when the team relieved Aubrey Pleasant of that role midseason last year. Detroit's secondary played much better the second half of the season as the team finished 8-2 and nearly made the playoffs.
Glenn said he's looking forward to seeing how Duker and Bly are able to mesh together and get the most out of the players in that room.
"Man, I'll tell you, that (DB) room, I'm looking forward to seeing how (Bly) and Duker operate in that room because you have two different personalities. Two totally different personalities," Glenn said. "Duker is way more cerebral, and I've been with Duker since our time in Cleveland, so I know him really, really well."
Bly has been the defensive backs coach at his alma mater North Carolina the last four seasons. Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Bly is going to really focus on technique with the cornerbacks, something Campbell said was Bly's specialty when he was a player which allowed him to play as long as he did at the level he did.
View photos of the defensive backs at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
Oregon State defensive back Alex Austin runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boise State defensive back Tyreque Jones runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida defensive back Trey Dean runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Miami defensive back Tyrique Stevenson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Miami defensive back Tyrique Stevenson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boise State defensive back Tyreque Jones runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida defensive back Trey Dean prepares to run the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, March 3, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo Erin Hooley)
Iowa defensive back Riley Moss runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 3, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo Erin Hooley)
Illinois defensive back Sydney Brown prepares to run the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, March 3, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo Erin Hooley)
Minnesota defensive back Terell Smith runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota defensive back Terell Smith runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa defensive back Riley Moss runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida defensive back Rashad Torrence II runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Illinois defensive back Sydney Brown runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LSU defensive back Mekhi Garner runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 3, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo Erin Hooley)
Florida defensive back Rashad Torrence II runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ball State defensive back Nic Jones runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern California defensive back Mekhi Blackmon runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 3, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo Erin Hooley)
LSU defensive back Mekhi Garner runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
USC defensive back Mekhi Blackmon runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ball State defensive back Nic Jones runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Coastal Carolina defensive back Lance Boykin runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Coastal Carolina defensive back Lance Boykin runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Stanford defensive back Kyu Blu Kelly prepares to run the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, March 3, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo Erin Hooley)
Louisville defensive back Kei'Trel Clark runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Stanford defensive back Kyu Blu Kelly runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 3, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo Erin Hooley)
Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa defensive back Kaevon Merriweather runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Louisville defensive back Kei'Trel Clark runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa defensive back Kaevon Merriweather runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Minnesota defensive back Jordan Howden runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota defensive back Jordan Howden runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Penn State defensive back Joey Porter runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, March 3, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo Erin Hooley)
Penn State defensive back Joey Porter runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M defensive back Jaylon Jones runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Penn State defensive back Ji'Ayir Brown runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Penn State defensive back Ji'Ayir Brown runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M defensive back Jaylon Jones runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida State defensive back Jammie Robinson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma State defensive back Jason Taylor II runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LSU defensive back Jay Ward runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma State defensive back Jason Taylor II runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
LSU defensive back Jay Ward runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida State defensive back Jammie Robinson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Maryland defensive back Ja'Korian Bennett runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mississippi State defensive back Emmanuel Forbes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi State defensive back Emmanuel Forbes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Houston defensive back Gervarrius Owens runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Maryland defensive back Ja'Korian Bennett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Houston defensive back Gervarrius Owens runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan defensive back DJ Turner II runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama defensive back Demarcco Hellams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama defensive back Demarcco Hellams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan defensive back DJ Turner II runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
South Alabama defensive back Darrell Luter Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Alabama defensive back Darrell Luter Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Carolina defensive back Darius Rush runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
South Carolina defensive back Darius Rush runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
California defensive back Daniel Scott runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue defensive back Cory Trice Jr. runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
California defensive back Daniel Scott runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Purdue defensive back Cory Trice Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Utah defensive back Clark Phillips runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Utah defensive back Clark Phillips runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia defensive back Christopher Smith II runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia defensive back Christopher Smith II runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon defensive back Christian Gonzalez runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon defensive back Christian Gonzalez runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Penn St. linebacker Cam Brown runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Kentucky defensive back Carrington Valentine runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Virginia Tech defensive back Chamarri Conner runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Virginia Tech defensive back Chamarri Conner runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Northwestern defensive back Cameron Mitchell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Carolina defensive back Cam Smith runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Northwestern defensive back Cameron Mitchell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama defensive back Brian Branch runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama defensive back Brian Branch runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Pittsburgh defensive back Brandon Hill runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Pittsburgh defensive back Brandon Hill runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame defensive back Brandon Joseph runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas A&M defensive back Antonio Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame defensive back Brandon Joseph runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati defensive back Arquon Bush runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa State defensive back Anthony Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa State defensive back Anthony Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon State defensive back Alex Austin runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M defensive back Antonio Johnson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Cincinnati defensive back Arquon Bush runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Lions finished last season ranked 30th against the pass and 25th in opponent passer rating. Their 12 interceptions ranked 20th and their 62 passes defended ranked 25th.
The team returns Jeff Okudah and Jerry Jacobs, two young, ascending players in this league that should benefit from working with Bly. But there's also expected to be some new faces in that cornerback room, and it will be interesting to see how Bly is able to get the most out of them.
