RUMBLE:Detroit Lions SPECIAL TEAMS Outperform Bears, Vikings, Packers.

Locked On Lions - Daily Podcast On The Detroit Lions

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4.1 • 680 Ratings

🗓️ 27 March 2026

⏱️ 30 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Detroit Lions' special teams quietly anchor the squad amid last season's ups and downs. Does this overlooked unit hold the key to a stronger playoff push? Matt Dery breaks down Detroit's surprising top-13 league finish in special teams, spotlighting kicker Jake Bates, punter Jack Fox, and the evolving return game. With Kalif Raymond's departure and Greg Dortch's arrival, will the Lions reshape their kick and punt return strategy—perhaps adding Jameson Williams' elite speed to the mix? Guest Jake Reipma from the Locked on Squad Show joins to analyze roster moves and Brad Holmes' fiscal approach during free agency. Key topics include defensive upgrades with Caleb Banks, offensive line depth, and edge prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft. Reipma offers unique player and coach insight, revealing fan reactions, free-agent standouts like Cade Mays, and potential impact from new additions. Get insider perspectives on Detroit Lions' path to NFC North contention and the changing special teams landscape.

Transcript

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0:00.0	You know we never talk about, but we're going to talk about today, Detroit Lions special team.
0:12.4	You are Locked on Lions, your daily Detroit Lions podcast.
0:17.6	Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day.
0:25.1	Welcome to everybody, Matt Derry, Lockdown Lions, Lockdown Podcast Network,
0:28.5	the number one sports podcast network on a Friday, March the 27th coming up on the program today.
0:33.3	The great Jake Reapma, yes, host of the Lockdown Lions Squad Show.
0:38.7	Let's get an update on the squad show. We will do that coming up in a little bit. Also, Lions had a visitor to Allen Park
0:45.3	today. We'll tell you about that. But first, I mentioned this yesterday on the program. It's not
0:50.2	something that we have talked about enough, but need to talk about. And that is a certain
0:55.5	unit inside Allen Park, and that is special teams. All right. What's interesting about all the
1:03.5	things that happened last year with the Lions and the struggles that the team had in the midst
1:08.3	of a nine and eight campaign in a season of which many of you and me.
1:12.7	I'm a fan just like you guys and shout out to our everyday listeners.
1:15.9	But at nine and eight, there were a lot of things to point to as to why the lions finished
1:21.4	in last place, why the lions in a very very good division.
1:25.0	Don't get me wrong.
1:25.9	Every team finished with the winning record.
1:28.3	Why they struggled. Why they didn't have the kind of success that they had the previous three seasons.
1:34.7	And you point to a lot of factors, right? Everybody mentions the offensive line, not having Frank
1:38.7	Ragnow, not being able to consistently run the football at the end of the year,
1:42.3	defensive line, not be able to stop the run, the Pittsburgh game, which we talked
1:46.3	about yesterday, the Minnesota game, all these things.
	...

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