Schoeman trying to add value to 'Viking ship'
Players laying down a marker and encouraging others in their position to raise their game is exactly what Lions had coach Andy Farrell will be hoping for on this tour.
It was certainly true of loose-head prop Ellis Genge with his standout performance against Argentina in Dublin, and Pierre Schoeman off the bench too.
Advertisement
''Genge had an amazing game," said Schoeman.
"He's an amazing bloke - but we're competitive with everything. 'We're competitive in the gym. Even jokes and banter... who can stay in the ice bath the longest? Andrew Porter as well.
"That can really rub off; you're sharpening your swords or your axes together. You have to be the best version of yourself and add value to the Viking ship going to its destination.''
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
11 hours ago
- USA Today
The Lions receivers excelled at not dropping the ball in 2024
Among the many things the Detroit Lions thrived at during the 2024 NFL season, catching the ball really stood out. The Lions receivers were fantastic at not dropping balls from quarterback Jared Goff. The Lions finished second in drop rate in 2024, trailing only the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Pro Football Reference tabulated 12 dropped passes on 551 targeted pass attempts, producing a drop rate of 2.2 percent. By way of comparison, Jerry Jeudy and Amari Cooper — teammates on the Cleveland Browns for the first half of the season — each topped Detroit's total of 12 on their own. Amon-Ra St. Brown is known for his sure-handedness, and that was true in 2024. St. Brown finished second in the NFL with 115 catches on 141 targets, with four drops credited to No. 14. That drop rate of 2.8 is actually higher than the Lions' team average, but it still puts the All-Pro with the third-lowest drop rate among wideouts in the top 20 in receptions. The team's drop rate improved considerably. Detroit netted a drop rate of 6.1 percent in 2023, with 35 drops on the season. St. Brown lowered his personal drop rate from 2023, when he posted a 4.9 rate with eight drops on 164 targets. The Lions team drop rate in 2023 was the fifth-worst in the league. Lions passing game targets by drops and drop rate: Special mention goes to RB David Montgomery, who did not have a dropped pass among his 38 passing targets. Wideout Kalif Raymond also went drop-free on his 22 targets.
USA Today
11 hours ago
- USA Today
Bears' Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson dubbed NFL's best guard duo
The Chicago Bears made a concerted effort to improve their offensive line this offseason after quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times during his rookie season. The Bears completely overhauled the interior, which started with the trades for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney and former Pro Bowl guard Jonah Jackson. They signed center Drew Dalman in free agency while drafting Ozzy Trapilo, who's a contender to start at left tackle as a rookie. But it's the duo of Thuney and Jackson that's garnering high praise from those around the league, where Pro Football Focus dubbed the pair the NFL's best guard duo entering the 2025 season. While there's no denying Thuney is one of the league's best, PFF believes Jackson could find his stride, as he's reunited with Ben Johnson in Chicago, and make this 1-2 punch the most formidable. "The NFL seems to lack an elite guard duo right now, but the Bears' offseason acquisitions on the interior profile as the league's best," writes Buday. "Jackson played only 267 snaps with the Rams in 2024 and was benched despite having signed a big contract last offseason. In previous years, he ranked among the top 30 guards in PFF overall grade multiple times under then-Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is now the Chicago Bears' head coach. Slightly above-average play from Jackson could be enough to make this duo the best in the NFL. "Joe Thuney is arguably the best pass-blocking guard in the NFL. Before moving to left tackle in 2024, he was playing some of the best football of his career. Between Week 5 and Week 12, he allowed only one pressure on 316 pass plays and earned a 95.6 PFF pass-blocking grade, which led all guards by a significant margin." Thuney is a two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler and four-time Super Bowl winner and one of the best guards in the entire NFL. Thuney's an elite pass blocker and has been the best pass-blocking guard, per Pro Football Focus, since 2021 with a 90.2 grade. Jackson, a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, is a versatile offensive lineman who has played all three positions along the interior and brings experience alongside right tackle Darnell Wright. If the Bears offensive line shows improvement this season, the sky's the limit for this offense with Williams under center and Johnson calling the shots on offense. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Watch: Lions legend Barry Sanders lights it up at the Meijer LPGA Classic pro-am
The women's professional golf tour recently made a stop in Michigan and a Lions legend enthusiastically took part in the celebrity pro-am portion of the festivities. Barry Sanders was one of the primary draws for the LPGA Meijer Classic in June, which takes place in the Grand Rapids area. Sanders played in the pro-am and clearly enjoyed himself. He even showed off some impressive golf skills. Advertisement The Lions posted some footage of Sanders in action on the links. The Hall of Fame running back made some highlights with his golf game. The fans loved seeing Barry Sanders on the course. This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Barry Sanders lights it up at the Meijer LPGA Classic pro-am
