The Detroit Lions announced their 2018 regular season schedule Thursday night. The team opens the year at home against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.
It's the first of two primetime games at Ford Field (Week 3 vs. New England on Sunday Night Football), in addition to the nationally televised annual Thanksgiving Day game. The Lions will be facing off against the division rival Chicago Bears this turkey day.
For more information, and the Lions' full 2018 schedule, click here.
DRAFT PREVIEW
General manager Bob Quinn also held his annual pre-draft press conference Thursday, where he touched on a number of topics, including what he looks for in a first-round pick.
"I'd say it's a couple things, playmaking and dependability would be two things," Quinn said. "You want dependable players in this program. Obviously, if you're taking them in the first round, they should be good players, right? Or I shouldn't be standing up here.
"But I think dependability is something that's really key with durability, ability to learn, competitive nature, does he love football, passion, all the things that we talk about on a daily basis when we talk about players and the guys we want to add to this organization. So, I think if I had to pick a couple words that would be it."
With the draft fast approaching, Mike O'Hara continues his position by position preview series. Catch up on the current installments below:
PATRICIA'S INFLUENCE
The Lions are two weeks into their offseason training program, and the players are starting to get a good idea of what they have in new head coach Matt Patricia.
"He's got great energy and great passion for the game," quarterback Matthew Stafford said of Patricia. "He, like everyone else in this building, just wants to win and that's our goal."
Second-year linebacker Jarrad Davis agrees with Stafford on Patricia's energy, and is excited to work with a defensive-minded head coach.
"Pure excitement, to be honest," Davis said Tuesday when asked about the impression Patricia has made. "Pure excitement. Just the energy that he gives off in the building, walking around – he's a straight forward kind of guy.
"He's loose. He talks to you as a player to be who you are. Stick to your roots. Come out and give your best every day."
MEET THE PROSPECT
Each week on Detroitlions.com, Tim Twentyman will be taking a closer look at three draft prospects that could interest the Lions. Check out this week's below:
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS:
- The Lions announced Tuesday that defensive end Ziggy Ansah signed his franchise tender. The team also added cornerback Raysean Pringle to the roster Wednesday.
- Several new Lions have selected their jersey numbers for the 2018 season.
- Linebacker Jarrad Davis is in favor of the NFL's new helmet rule for player safety, and says he will adjust his game accordingly.
