Why Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions is being compared to Joe Thomas

Hank Fraley spent three seasons late in his 11-year career playing on the same offensive line as Hall of Fame left guard Joe Thomas, and the Detroit Lions offensive line coach said Tuesday he sees many similarities between Thomas and Lions right tackle Penei Sewell.

“He reminds me a lot of Joe Thomas, in terms of his preparation, his self-care, his mentality and the daily grind to become a good or great player like Joe,” Fraley said. “So that’s what I see: this daily competition within myself and with everyone else here. It doesn’t end.”

Sewell earned first-team All-Pro honors at right tackle last season, and in the spring he signed a four-year, $112 million extension that made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history.

Thomas, who once held the title of the NFL’s highest-paid lineman, was a six-time first-team All-Pro for the Cleveland Browns, who played more than 10,000 consecutive snaps in his career and didn’t miss a game until his final season in 2017.

JUST FOR KICKING:Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates visits the Lions

Thomas was a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection, and while Fraley didn’t predict Sewell would one day wear the gold jacket, he said the Lions captain hasn’t changed since signing a contract extension in the offseason.

“It definitely didn’t change him in a bad way,” Fraley said. “The great thing about him is that he remains down to earth and humble. He definitely deserved it. I’m very happy for him and his family, but he’s still hungry, just like he was before he got the contract. Even here, I understand seeing him working every day and he just keeps working. It’s fun to watch him and Hutch (Aidan Hutchinson) fight against each other all the time, even in their underwear, because they make each other better. But he’s always tired trying to improve.

Fraley said Sewell took on more of a leadership role this offseason, including helping second-year lineman Colby Sorsdal transition to right tackle.

Sorsdal played tackle in college, but spent most of his rookie season at guard.

The Lions withdrew left guard Taylor Decker from offseason training this spring after undergoing foot and ankle surgery. Sewell played some left tackle during mandatory minicamp, but spent most of the spring at right tackle, and Sorsdal played on the second team.

A LONG WAY:With his contract expiring, Lions OT Penei Sewell has a new goal: ‘I want a big boy’

Sewell, who allowed four sacks last season according to the Free Press play breakdown, has said at various points in his first three seasons in Detroit that he wants to be the best lineman in NFL history.

Fraley said Sewell’s upside remains huge considering his age and talent level.

“You have to prove yourself every day,” Fraley said. “That’s what you did for me recently. As if it wasn’t like, ‘Well, I’ve done it in the past.’ That’s why every day I prove not only to myself, but to everyone that I can still be one of the best, and he is not satisfied with just being good. “I think it’s a challenge for him and for himself, so you have to keep challenging yourself and he has a chance to become one of those really good players.”

Security

While the Lions released veterans from the final week of organized team activities, Kerby Joseph remained in town for Tuesday’s practice.

Joseph, who declined an interview request after leaving the field, participated in several individual drills and a pre-practice installation period, his most intense work this spring after undergoing offseason hip surgery.

Joseph led the Lions with four interceptions in each of the last two seasons, although he will compete with Ifeatu Melifonwu and Brian Branch for a starting spot this fall. Branch, who missed spring training after his own offseason surgery, played primarily as a cornerback last season, but the Lions anticipate him playing more safety in 2024.

“I think last year they were a little more hesitant with BB to just fix him in one spot, whereas now that he’s entering his sophomore year, I think we’re going to be more aggressive with him,” safeties coach Jim O’Neil said. “He’s the type of player you want to see on the field after all three downs, so we’ll push him to do that, but ultimately he still has to go into training camp and he’s got to hang in there. this work.”

If Branch wins the safety job, it would enable Amik Robertson and rookie second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr. corner game.

O’Neil said Branch has the potential to be a “really good” safety.

“I think he might be one of the better guys in the league,” O’Neil said. “Considering his debut campaign, some of the things he’s done in terms of media relations, some of the things he’s done in terms of fitness and blitzing, I’m excited about him. I’m really excited about it.”

Why Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions is being compared to Joe Thomas

By meerna

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Why Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions is being compared to Joe Thomas

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