Scanning the Savanna searches the web for Detroit Lions news and notes each morning and brings it to your fingertips in one easy location.
In season of change, Lions’ O-line may be strength from last year
Carlos Monarrez — Detroit Free Press
"Don’t look now, but it’s quite possible the Detroit Lions’ often-maligned offensive line isn’t only good — it’s the best in the NFC North.Last season, the Lions allowed only 23 sacks, which was second in the NFL only to the Denver Broncos’ 20 sacks. The Lions also allowed only 68 quarterback hits, which ranked eighth in the NFL and higher than any other division foe."
With the First Pick
Calvin Johnson Hosts Scholarship Athlete Extravaganza
Stuart Zaas — DetroitLions.com
"Calvin Johnson and the rest of the NFL players are taking a break from their on-the-field activities this time of year.But that doesn’t mean they aren’t still putting in work off the field.Johnson’s foundation hosted its sixth annual Catching Dreams Athlete Scholarship Extravaganza on Saturday at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center."
Top 20 Games of 2013: Cowboys at Lions
NFL.com
"Our eighth top game of 2013 was worth every moment, and had more twists and turns than you would expect from even the zaniest of football games. It was a contest that seemingly had a Cowboys victory written all over it … until they remembered they were, in fact, the Cowboys."
Team Preview: Detroit Lions
Greg Gabriel – National Football Post
"The Lions have been a hot and cold team since I have been involved in NFL football. They seem to have the players to make a run at a division championship but, for one reason or another, just don’t get it done.Following 2013, the Lions made a head coaching change, firing Jim Schwartz and bringing in well-respected Jim Caldwell, who led the Colts to a Super Bowl a few years ago. Caldwell is an even-keeled guy who does a great job with quarterbacks, and that should help Matt Stafford who, like the Lions, is up and down. The Lions are not short on quality players. It’s a matter of getting everybody on the same page and playing well together. If that happens, they can make a run at the playoffs and beyond."
Lions rookie Kyle Van Noy a chip off his workaholic father
Josh Katzenstein – The Detroit News
"When Kyle Van Noy was growing up, his parents didn’t just let him sit around before his football games.“I would do chores before any game I would play on Saturdays,” he said. “So if we had an 8 o’clock, I would do chores in the morning before, from mowing the lawn to laundry to vacuum to anything.”By the time he arrived at BYU in 2009, Van Noy already knew the importance of living a structured life outside of football."