DJ READER WILL RAISE DETROIT'S DEFENSE TO NEW HEIGHTS  

Can't wait to see Alim and DJ next to each other, and also what Hutch can do when not leading the league in double team blocks.

As a Lions fan I appreciate you doing these. I’m learning a ton about technique and it’s really helpful. You’re raising our football IQ, thank you!

Best football film channel on RU-vid. As lions fans we are sooo lucky you have taken an interest into our team. Thank you for everything!

Perfect mentor for Brodric Martin

After keying on and watching virtually every defensive play in DJ's time with Cincinnati....I can honestly say that Detroit is getting a BEAST that is truly unblockable one on one, and wins virtually every double team. HIGH character, locker room leader, and a good man. HATE LOSING HIM, and with Aaron Donald retiring, DJ is the best run stuffer in the league. Dude is STRONG.💪💪

Lions are already one of the best teams at stopping the run this just opens up so much more for our defense

I'd like to see Houston back to 2022 form. I believe Reader is going to help out everyone on that D line.

Seemed like a great guy too. His press conference was good, hope he can stay healthy

This should show fans, just how important a player like DJ can be to the players around him ! Well done

Alim + DJ = The Great Wall of Detroit

I love how much attention your videos are getting!!! Very much deserved. I love sharing your content

Brilliant move by "The Villain" to grab the key to unlocking our defense!! Both in the run game and if teams chose to throw on early downs, DJ will be there occupying double teams, and allowing the rest of the 🦁's to get to the passer much faster , thereby helping our secondary. You can't DT everybody, so like you I foresee his immediate impact on our overall defense. While people focused on overpriced DEs, I kept looking at the DT spot next to Alim. Now Martin gets to learn from a Sensei at his spot!! My fave FA signing, bar non. You did an excellent job (per usual) of breaking down the WHY/WHAT/HOW DJ impacts our defense! 👍🏾👍🏾❤️🎙🎬

As a Detroit Lions fan, I thank you for this top notch film breakdown. Looking 4ward to next season. GO LIONS!

Ironically Reader and McNeil both played baseball

Detroit's run D got way better with Reader. Just his presence on the line loosens up the LB's. Not many offenses will choose to bust up the middle with McNeil and Reader in there. Really smart signing by the Lions

Reader is absolutely the best individual run stopper now. The defense was collectively great at stopping the run. I haven’t fully watched as I’m typing this, but his biggest help with “run D” will be helping prevent QBs scrambling up the middle

He’s the type of player that makes everybody around him better. So it’s really up to his teammates to step their game, because their job is going to get significantly easier especially the LBs

As a Lion's fan, I feel fortunate you picked them as a second team to perform your analysis on. You do an amazing job

sad that he never made a pro bowl or got an all pro. his impact is other worldly smh. beast

DJ reminds me a little of Jerry Ball, another great inside “D” lineman for the Lions. He was more of a pure nose tackle in a 3-4 look most of the time but tough as nails and also a run wrecker. Thanks for the great introduction to what we can expect of DJ Reader.

Derrick Henry is a Dawg. DJ R is just what the doctor ordered. The way I understand it is the fan’s from Cincinnati absolutely love DJR. Brad Holmes only gets low cost High potential. I’m glad you like DJR because I trust what you say.

Lions got a HUGE win with Reader!! This will help Aiden so much as well!! Lions still need a Edge rusher opposite Aiden but their D is getting some major talent updates. Enjoyed the video!

Alim played baseball as well. I remember that from his draft profile videos.

DJ Reader will make the whole defense better, great breakdown, thank you!!!

Have been following your content for awhile - I always learn something, usually very fine details which the regular fan never gets to understand. But to Reader - when he signed I labeled him a "Force Multiplier" - he makes everyone better - Mac, Hutch - imagine Jack Campbell roaming unmolested? Even the Secondary will be better - he limits options for teams - when you make teams more predictable - everyone is better. I just think he is a force that multiplies all your surrounding players. But you even showed me more reasons why that moniker is more fact than hyperbole, thank you 🙂

When I see DJ Reader, I think of Snacks, who still follow the Lions. Top-notch job as always!

With the moves made in our division for RBs its an excellent move

21:43 i was ecstatic about this signing. Not only for the continued run stopping we'll be adding with him but he'll be opening up plays for Hutch and a healthy James Houston (who the Lions very quietly gave a tender).

Thank you for the intelligent analysis of what Reader can bring. The emotional desire of fans want a guy like Hunter. The intelligent move is gabbing Reader which in turn will allow other guys to get to the pass rusher easier (and the flash sack numbers will get better). Brad is playing 4D chess

DJ will make a hell of a big difference on goal line where surprisingly we sucked against the run. When they roll out the “Detroit Wall of Destruction” it’s going to be nothing but good for us and bad for our opponents

Dude is a beast when healthy

Seahawks n bears fan here, I watch all of your vids completely. Always entertaining to watch, and informative

This is a great video not just breaking down the success of each play but putting into context on why and how he’s important to the new team. Much appreciated

Thanks for breaking this guy down and pointing out the significance of this guy, what he brings to the table and how doggone good he is. I watched his presser after the signing and immediately fell in love with this guy. What a great acquisition for my Lions, and immediately following his presser, I went to a sportsbook and gambled a couple hundred bucks on Detroit winning the SB next year in New Orleans. When you remove the element of surprise, you remove some advantages for the offense. So, 3rd and long happening more often in a game gives the Lions a strategic advantage against everybody they grapple with during the season. Black n Blue Division- win or lose, we gonna make you pay a price for entering the field of play against us. In Detroit, we call that GRIT.

Really looking forward to your take on DJ! #OnePride

At this point, it's a little bit scary how easy Brad Holmes makes building a team look. Dude is absolute 🔥🔥🔥 Reminds me a little of how great Ozzie Newsome was in turning around your squad so many years ago.

Ravens fan here, he’s a beast. I knew he was good. But he is getting extension on these guards and I love the way he plays. Stops the run! 😤💯

I had no idea the big fellas purposely went to a knee to stop the block momentum. I feel more wise after watching this video.

My guy Alim the dream also played baseball in college . For NC state and was damn good !!!

15:22 - wow, that play is beautifully defended and reacted to by the defense, and I'd never have known/seen that without you highlighting it coach... thank you!

I was excited when I saw the Lions were signing DJ Reader, but I'm even more excited now! Thanks for the insight!

Love the content especially as a Detroit lions RU-vid channel…really enjoy the breakdowns with video as a visual aid

5:27 idk if you knew this but Alim also played baseball.. center field

I agree with you wholeheartedly. He is a tremendous athlete, and the Lions have made themselves Super Bowl winners. They have done so much, and the draft hasn’t happened yet. Go Lions #46 #87

Dj reader is going to take this d line to the next level. He’s going to give Alim 1v1, less double teams on hutch. He’s going to push the pocket and wreck some games. He’s going to open up huge gaps for our lbs, safties and cbs to blitz the qb. Huge signing for the Lions. If reader, Alim and Hutch all stay healthy I think Alim can get close to double digit sacks. I think Hutch can get up to 15 sacks. I LOVE this signing for the Lions. So excited. We will have Houston back for passing downs but we definitely still need to upgrade the opposite de of hutch. He’s also going to be a great mentor for the younger guys, brodric Martin, Alim, Levi is he’s healthy, and if we add a dt in the draft.

Been looking forward to this one!! You the man!

Yes sir coach..🏆💪🏼 Thank you! I absolutely appreciated your breakdown of D.J. R.. And I can't wait for this season to start. They really have to go the distance this yr. Bcuz it really should have been ours. We were a couple of plays away from the big dance. I know Dan Campbell felt like his heart was kicked by a horse. We all felt it. It brought us all indescribable pain and agony. And for the Lions, not to get back to the championship this yr It'll be devastating. So I hope and pray that everyone can stay healthy to give them the best chance of going the full distance. But again I thank you sir for all your time efforts and support. Many many wonderful blessings to you and yours. 🙏🏼✝️🙏🏼 #ONE_PRIDE!_@313 #ALL_GRIT!💪🏼🏆💪🏼👑 LET'S_GO_LIONS!💙🦁🏈

McNeil was also quite the baseball player I remember being told from one of his early press conferences

This is the most significant acquisition of the Lions 2024 off season so far. A really good run defense just got better.

Love your analysis on the Lions. Top flight analysis - love the personal background on the players before jumping into film. Film and insight is the best. Love the different angles and replaying the clips over and over while your talking to pickup every nuance of each clip. This is the BEST film breakdown on the web!!

we've made our strengths even stronger in solidifying our offensive and defensive lines, hopefully we can get some production at corner and opposite St. Brown!!!!

What else can I say but WHOW! This is the BEST NFL football film analysis in ANY media format ...BAR NONE! Every detail fits and you communicate in a straightforward and respectful manner without hyperbolic exaggeration. Just my excited WHOW! 😂 My first day here on YT with you Coach (SUN 01 JUN 2024) ...if I may address you so Sir, yes? I am an old school Detroit Sports Fan as my nickname here implies. I feel like I am listening to the MLB version of HOF broadcaster Ernie Harwell describe a stellar play or player in detail. What realistic and higher compliment could I give from a fan's prospective? Looking forward to much more content throughout the 2024-25 NFL football season. Keep up the good work Coach! Best Wishes to you and Yours out there in the Metropolitan Baltimore Area! And good luck to the Ravens in the AFC ...maybe a SB opponent for the LIONS in SB 59? #GoLions #OnePrideDetroit #DanTheMan

Unreal how underated this signing is. He "unlocks" so many things. Great vid bud.

BEST DETROIT LIONS FILM BREAKDOWN HANDS DOWN!!!

It's funny you mention Reader playing baseball because Alim McNiel played baseball and was actually pretty good too haha

Seen the signing, watched the highlights, read the articles. He's top 5 and from what I watched from the Lions and the highlights from Reader. 😳, I'm like when coach gon drop this damn vid...😂

DJ is the only player that makes the ENTIRE DEFENSE better with his presence: 1) Demands double teams on every play. 2) Will allow 1-on-1 match ups for Alim, Hutch and the rest of the line. 3) Allows better lanes for the LB's to make tackles. 4) Has enough wiggle to get to the QB and alleviate pressure against the DB's. 5) Quiet leader who answers questions with his actions. 6) Former captain of the Bengals D. This can potentially make the Lions defense a Top 10 defense.

As a Lions fan, I appreciate you making these videos. Keep em coming.

I personally love our signings. Got 2 aggressive press man type corners which is desperately needed for what this defensive scheme needs. We’ll see about Davenport. Love Reader, didn’t even think we were in play for him.

Great video, thanks Coach. Btw, Alim McNeil played HS baseball so he has baseball (at different levels) in common with DJ. You're right this is a big time signing. I like to think of guys like Reader as force multipliers. He will make the entire DL better, as well as the LBs.

Lion's fan and if i was an actual Lion, this vid is catnip, thanks! Soooo long until next season starts

Reader is a beast & I completely agree with your assessment definitely Det best run defender...at least pre injury. When discussing Hutchinson's career numbers you noted he probably had a 100 career pressures then chuckled saying that was a slight exaggeration. I'd say 200 would've probably been the slight exaggeration. I mean maybe you were being sarcastic if so I missed and I do apologize. Great work as usual.

DJ will play between Hutch and McNeil. He will be the anchor in the middle. He is good against the pass too. If he is not double teamed, he will collapse the pocket from the middle. So That will free up Hutch and McNeil. Marcus is a nice addition if he stays healthy. He is pretty good on the outside and can rotate with Pascal. The Lions needed that! So I like the D-Line a lot. Add in those new CB's and I think the Lions will be way improved on defense.

You are teaching me a lot about the game...

🎉 great job I appreciate the real understanding and knowledge

Great video dive. DJ. is going to improve the stat-line and efficiency for 10 other positions on our defense.

Alim McNiel was also a Baseball player went to NC st on duel sport scholarship

Just found your channel. Gonna binge these over the week

Thank you for your service coach, your videos are always top notch

I think every Lions fan knew immediately Reader was our best run defender as soon as we got him... that's why we all wanted him so bad

Lions were good at stopping the run but a lot of that was by design. ( they sell out to stop the run) If they still do that with Reader it will be near impossible to run on them. Now the thing that may help the linebackers in pass coverage is not having to be at the line or blitz as often to stop the run.

Alim, DJ, Hutch. Can’t double all three of them. Not to mention we have two top-10 DTs against the run. Don’t forget Marcus Davenport offering moral support. This D-Line could be nasty to deal with.

Hutch will go off the charts this year with sacks with Reader. In Detroit’s defensive scheme he will probably occupy double teams at least 80% of the time if not more. This will free up most of these double teams Hutch saw last. The offense can’t double team everyone. And Alim to the mix and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hutch getting more sacks on 1st and 2nd downs, than 3rd downs because Reader most likely won’t be on field for 3rd downs.

Top shelf review. Always there best anywhere!!!!!!! Thanks Rick

they just signed kevin zietler from our other team, cant wait for your video on that!

McNeil was a helluva baseball player too!

"A very astute signing by the front office". I think even those who were very late to the recognition of the "very astute" draft last year will find themselves agreeing to that statement more and more. Thank you for this great content. Almost impossible to disagree with any of your observations.

I agree with your evaluation and I think it will along with the Carlton Davis signing greatly effect the pass rush DJ commands double teams on passing downs, I think Hutchinson gets 18 sacks.

Awesome breakdown, I just subscribed. As a Lion's fan these are the best film study videos on YT.

We love it. Totally agree with your assessment

I can see his Strength and knowledge of the game will push everything to the edges. That’s why I hope we get a solid edge in the draft. Alim DJR Hutch and maybe a Darius Robertson or if we can get Chop Robinson. Those four front linemen would be awesome

Dude your analysis is top notch. You deserve a million subs for your hard work and great break downs. Keep it up, it' appreciated.

Alim is actually rated higher than DJ, but both are in the top ten. I can't wait to see what those 2 guys do in the middle. He's the perfect fit for the Lions.

I appreciate all the knowledge behind your commentary!!

The Lions are a better team right now than they were in the NFC Championship Game. I’m also expecting our young players getting better and adding another draft class that will help.

You do a great job. I appreciate you.

I remember when DeAndre Levy was a pro bowler, when we had Suh and fairly upfront

Lions got their guy. Win win. Got him out of the AFC North and he exactly what they have been missing

Going to be very tough for QB’s to step up into the pocket lol

Hutch, McNeil, Reader, Pascal/Houston is one hellva starting line

Alims about to get way more 3rd down snaps now with DJ Reader on the roster. Genius signing. We didnt need a pass rusher, we had one just couldnt use him as much as we'd like.

Our lb scheme allowed our run defense to excel they had that crash first drop second mindset now with Reader as an elite run stopper who can eat up two blockers we can not limit our linebackers to full commit to the run and can use them in pass coverage to help our terrible pass defense

Randomly revisiting this video and getting hyped again lol

13:47 you also see how DJ opens up the Edge by forcing a double team (which he still won). Lions front 7 should be an impenetrable wall now…

DJ Reader will help with the pass rush because DJ Reader will command a double team and that gives other guys like Hutch and Davenport just ask Hendricks how Reader helps the pass rush when he had 17& half sacks for Cincy. And as far as the run game we the Lions that is was great now it will be the greatest in the NFL.

thank you well done.

Now with Swift in Chicago, Jones in Minn, and Jacobs in Greenbay. This is an absolute PERFECT signing by Detroit. LFG

Hey Coach, good stuff as always. Heard you chatting with The Heavyweights the other day. Good stuff man, hope that’s a good relationship. Those two are fun ✌🏼

Thank you for all your hard work... I just love the way you break it down... Wondering if you could please do a one Matthew Betts... I love this guy's short Burst and think he mite be a hidden gem for the Lions I know it's a long shot coming from the CFL Again thank for what you do

Great video. Thank you.