ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The fourth quarter often was a
nightmare last season for the Detroit Lions. Their opener still is
months away, but it’s never too early to develop a closer’s mentality.
The
Lions had fourth-quarter leads in six of their nine losses last season,
including a Dec. 16 setback against Baltimore that knocked them out of
playoff contention. It was the first of three straight final-period
giveaways to end the season and likely sealed the fate of coach Jim
Schwartz, who was fired after five years and one playoff appearance.
Linebacker DeAndre Levy said it was a lot to process.
"It
took about a solid month. It still kind of lingers until you get here
and get back with the guys," he said after Wednesday’s minicamp
practice.
"It’s overwhelming when you’re so close but keep seeing the same thing over and over."
The
Lions were 6-3 and led the NFC North but managed just one more victory
after Nov. 10 and disappointed a fan base that’s seen just one
postseason appearance since the turn of the century.
Not that Levy
and the rest of the defense shared all the blame for the late-season
collapse. Untimely turnovers, including a late interception in the
Baltimore game, and offensive gaffes also helped keep the Lions out of
the postseason.
New coach Jim Caldwell, who guided Indianapolis to
the 2010 Super Bowl, has a winning pedigree but doesn’t appear to be
dwelling on last season’s mistakes.
"He just says it’s a new season," cornerback Darius Slay said. "All that matters is this
season."
The way last year ended doesn’t seem to haunt Detroit and Levy said the coming season is a great way to
shake it.
"When
you’re in the moment you really don’t dwell on it because you can come
back next week and still have a chance," he said, adding the real soul
searching came long after the final game.
A fresh start with the new coaching staff certainly helps.
"Every
year that’s the same motivation: To improve on last on last year," Levy
said. "It’s the easiest way to forget about last year."
The Lions end the minicamp Thursday and won’t be back here until training camp opens in late July.
NOTES:
Levy didn’t learn until the day after the program aired that the NFL
Network named him the 59th best player in 2014, but was happy to hear
the news. "It’s good to be respected by your peers. It’s something we
all strive to do," he said of the countdown, based on voting by players.
. RB Mikel Leshoure, WR Golden Tate and LB Stephen Tulloch did not take
part in drills Tuesday. . The Lions have been using a ‘ladder cam’ to
closely track quarterback play during the minicamp. Caldwell said the
technique has been around since he was coaching in the early 1980s.