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Matthew Stafford through the years: Time as Detroit Lions and Georgia quarterback
A look at Matthew Stafford through the years as the Detroit Lions quarterback.
Tyler J. Davis, Wochit
The Detroit Lions should have all of the most important pieces on their offensive line back in 2021, including offensive line coach Hank Fraley.
Fraley will return as part of new head coach Dan Campbell’s staff after exploring options in recent weeks with the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers.
A former NFL lineman who played with the Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams during his career, Fraley oversaw one of the best, most improved units on the Lions in 2020.
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Center Frank Ragnow was picked for his first Pro Bowl, left tackle Taylor Decker had his most consistent season as a pro, and the Lions got good play out of Tyrell Crosby at right tackle and rookie guard Jonah Jackson.
Ragnow, Decker, Crosby and Jackson should form the nucleus of the Lions’ offensive front in 2021, with guard/tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai under contract as well.
The Lions could have an otherwise green offense as quarterback Matthew Stafford has requested a trade that the organization likely will fulfill. Top receivers Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones also will be unrestricted free agents in March, and part of the appeal for both players returning to Detroit was playing with Stafford.
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On Saturday, the Lions reached agreement with former Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn as offensive coordinator. Lynn, who went 33-31 in four seasons with the Chargers, is a former NFL running back who has one season of play calling experience, with the Buffalo Bills in 2016.
The Bills led the NFL in rushing that season, finished 30th in passing and ranked 10th in scoring with LeSean McCoy at running back and Tyrod Taylor at quarterback most of the season.
Taylor, who followed Lynn to the Chargers, will be an unrestricted free agent in March and is a candidate to replace Stafford as Lions’ starting quarterback.
Along with Lynn and Fraley, the Lions have hired Aaron Glenn as defensive coordinator, plan to add Mike Clark as strength and conditioning coach and are expected to bring Philadelphia Eagles special teams coordinator Dave Fipp aboard in the same position.
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The Eagles initially denied an interview request for Fipp, but are allowing him to pursue other options now that they have a new coach in place.
NFL Network reported that another Eagles assistant, running backs coach and assistant head coach Duce Staley, has interest from the Lions.
Fipp was assistant special teams coach with the Miami Dolphins when Campbell was the team’s tight ends coach. Lynn coached running backs for the Dallas Cowboys during Campbell’s final season in Dallas as a player.
Lions wide receivers coach Robert Prince is a leading candidate to take the same position with the Minnesota Vikings.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
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