Pride Of Detroit - NFL Lions podcast

Chris, Alex Reno and Jeremy continue through an offseason filled with wonder. They discuss a recent article on Pride Of Detroit that posed the question as to whether quarterback Matthew Stafford has improved under head coach Jim Caldwell. They make fun of a pair of shoes, and ask if the offseason can be saved; in particular, what a developmental league could mean for the NFL. They also take a massive phone call from a fan in Wyoming and discuss the storybook adventures of Teddy Bridgewater.

Ryan returns to the PODcast and the guys talk about ongoing OTA action. They also discuss a poll that Pride Of Detroit put together recently that finds readers think the wide receiver corp will be improved this season from 2015 - that's kinda odd given what it's missing. The mailbag talks about soccer and the Bill Belichick coaching tree.

Jeremy and Chris discuss more offseason topics. They open the show discussing the last couple of weeks that saw Lions fans on social media feud with Pro Football Focus and what all can be taken from that. They then dive into the gnawing reality that will have to be faced in about a year's time: the potential for another new Lions coach and what that implies as to the direction of the franchise. Then, Chris rips into the NFL for continuing to obscure and hinder CTE studies. Plus, a mailbag that confront's Jeremy's hatred of Pokemon.

It's a slow offseason which means that Ryan, Alex and Chris shuffle around the world of sports and football. First, they discuss the amazing incident of @trillballins singing Darren Rovell's tweets. Then they comment about Taste of the Lions, former Detroit running back Jahvid Best competing at the Rio Olympics and make an important announcement about the Pride Of Detroit Fantasy Football League. Very quickly it's into a massive mailbag, with important questions about waffles and french toast, kickoffs, Michigan vs. Michigan State and what to think about rumors that the UFC may be up for sale.

Jeremy, Chris and Ryan discuss the latest ongoings with the Mothership: with talent leaving the company and Disney's stock falling, what is the state of ESPN and its vast investment into covering the NFL? They also take aim at several national sports media writers who think the Lions will be terrible on the basis that they lost Calvin Johnson, but also try to find where the criticism gets valid. In the mailbag, insults for Chris and questions about the offensive line after the NFL Draft.

A massive crew across the nation checks in as Chris, Jeremy, Jerry, Kyle, Ryan and Alex all chime in on the 2016 NFL Draft and the Pride Of Detroit invasion in Chicago. The guys break down their favorite moments from the draft and talk about every pick the Detroit Lions made, from Taylor Decker to Jake Rudock to A'Shawn Robinson to Jimmy Landes. They break down each guy, what it means for the Lions moving into 2016 and if the pick can start right now or if they'll need some time, or if they're a project. For the first time, the PODcast also features the calls from Pride Of Detroit readers and Lions fans who left reactions to the draft.

Ryan, Jeremy and Chris prepare a two hour NFL draft spectacular for all Lions fans. It's the final countdown to 2016 NFL Draft and the trio discuss the top possibilities for the Detroit Lions. Offensive tackle, defensive lineman, linebacker? They cover every scenario, plus all the scenarios they really don't want to see. They also talk about later rounds options and Bob Quinn's vision for depth on the Lions roster. After a good hour of that, they take a break and discuss a bizarre article written in the New York Times about Johnny Manziel. Finally, it's back to the draft in the mailbag: reader questions about what the Lions should do and what POD readers expect for the team of Ryan and Alex to do in Chicago.

Jeremy, Ryan and Chris discuss the latest happenings in the NFL. With one week away from the 2016 NFL Draft, there can't possibly be more madness...can there? Oh god. - Philadelphia trades for the #2 overall pick from Cleveland, fresh on the heels of LA trading for #1. We try to make sense of what Philly cost themselves to make a move and why everyone's losing their minds all of the sudden. - Josh Norman was unceremoniously cut by the Carolina Panthers, his franchise tag rescinded as contract talks broke down. Now the mad rush is on to sign 2015's standout corner. - Lions tight end Eric Ebron went on Detroit sports radio and addressed his critics. The guys discuss Ebron's attitude and how his role could change with the Lions in 2016. - Mailbag includes predictions for the worst NFL teams in 2016, burgers, and a dedication to recently passed wrestling star Chyna (We made this literally hours before the news broke about Prince's passing. RIP there too)

The NFL schedules were announced on Thursday, which means they're still fresh when the PODcast crew - now featuring long-time editor Kyle Yost - gets the one for the Lions. They break it down to start the PODcast, along with discussing Dora the Explorer's vaping habits and another Jeremy jersey curs. Meanwhile the Los Angeles Rams traded up to the first overall draft pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and they discuss how the Titans fleeced the Rams, why teams still desperately need quarterbacks and what it all means for the Detroit Lions. Finally in the mailbag they discuss local draft prospects, quarterbacks, and ranking the best playoffs in sports.

Jeremy, Ryan and Chris discuss the various happenings around the Detroit sporting world, including the start of the Tigers season and the playoff chases for the Detroit Red Wings. They also discuss the newly released Lions preseason schedule. But the big topic of the day is about the rising ticket costs - the third year in a row now - for the Lions and the backlash from fans who believe the price should reflect the quality of the product on the field. The trio break that debate down. In the mailbag this week they tackle Wrestlemania weekend in review, the best TV shows for the NFL offseason and various NFL draft notes.

Mike Payton from Side Lion Report joins Ryan, Alex and Chris on the PODcast. They talk a little Lions and NFL, including the latest national media prognostications and the sudden in interest in Robert Nkemdiche and why those "character issues" may not be issues for much longer. The Lions are hardly at the forefront of thoughts though, as everyone subjected themselves to Batman vs. Superman over the weekend, and Ryan is more discombobulated than the rest. They explore what made the movie so puzzling and fascinating. Finally, the mailbag this week has questions about the latest Lions signing in Geoff Schwartz and plenty of questions about Wrestlemania.

Alex, Chris, Jeremy and Ryan turn their gaze towards the 2016 NFL Draft. With free agency almost in the books, should fans reconsider the idea of taking a linebacker in the first round? What other options are available? They move on to discuss the latest from the NFL owner meetings in Boca Raton, including rule changes and Jerry Jones saying something silly, tying it back in with Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy, who has been going after the NFL for its continued issues confronting CTE in football. The weekly mailbag discusses MLS in Detroit, Zach Zenner and celebrity deaths. 

Ryan Mathews and Chris Lemieux crash the non-leather couch and talk about all the latest with the NFL and the Detroit Lions. Free agency is in full effect and the Lions are waiting for the decision for Russell Okung, while Stephen Tulloch surprisingly remains on the roster despite reports that he'd be cut. They also discuss the possibility that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could be losing his disciplinary power, rendering him completely useless to the future of the league and begging the question as to what the owners do with the comissioner position. Finally, a pressing mailbag question about what to do about a fan's son marrying into a Packers family.

Chris, Ryan, Alex and Jerry gather together and give their sad farewells to Calvin Johnson, who announced Tuesday he would retire from football and the Detroit Lions. It's a full cycle of grief. We don't know how many cycles there are but there's a lot of sadness, acceptance, anger, grief and all kinds of madness. They also take reader questions from those who are also similarly bereaved. In hopes of lifting their spirits, they also dissect a T-Pain burrito take and his cover of the Miami Dolphins fight song.

Ryan and Chris talk about the newfound power of the PODcast and Pride Of Detroit; namely, the new drinking game created by a PODcast listener and two pizza brands vying for POD's attention on Twitter! They also discuss the latest rumor with superstar Calvin Johnson and his retirement decision and whether there's any truth in conspiracy theories about this all being some kind of power play. After that they dig through reader questions regarding shower songs and Connor Cook.