After the Lions were hit with multiple suspensions in April for player gambling violations and the announcement that the NFL was still investigating for further violations, Detroit has decided to take matters into its own hands, according to Kyle Meinke of MLive. The Lions are working to provide their players with a self-imposed supplemental education into the league’s policies on gambling.
The team’s violations led to the release of the players involved, except for former first-round pick Jameson Williams, who received a six-game suspension for making bets on non-NFL games while at the Lions’ facility. With so much damage done, head coach Dan Campbell gave some words on the team’s decision to implement further instruction.
“It’s much more an emphasis from us, as opposed to just leaving it to the league,” Campbell said. “Like, we need to make sure that we really hit this ourselves and make a point of it. We did, but obviously not enough. The proof’s in the pudding. So, for us, let’s take it out of their hands. They will have what they do every year, but now we need to put our own emphasis on it. And I think that is the best way to do it, is to highlight it.”
Here are a few other rumors coming out of the Motor City:
- Kerby Joseph had an impressive rookie season while starting in place of injured safety Tracy Walker, who tore his Achilles tendon three games into last year. With the expected return of a healthy Walker and the addition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who started 12 games at safety for the Eagles last year, how exactly does the depth chart stack up? According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Walker and Gardner-Johnson are the expected starters at safety, but Joseph will likely join the two as a starter in sub packages. He should receive plenty of playing time after leading the team in interceptions last year.
- The Lions caused a bit of commotion after drafting Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round after acquiring David Montgomery from Chicago, leading to the trade of former second-round pick D’Andre Swift. Not only is Gibbs expected to push Montgomery for a lead back role, but Detroit may even use the rookie as a kick returner, according to Birkett. Gibbs is familiar with the role, returning kickoffs in all three of his college seasons with Georgia Tech and the Crimson Tide. He was an especially strong returner for the Yellowjackets, when he averaged 25.6 yards per return and even took one back for a touchdown.
