Stafford listed as one of the top 10 NFL players under the age of 25

NFL.com published “Young guns: Top 10 NFL players under the age of 25” by Daniel Jeremiah.

Amongst those players is fourth-year quarterback Matthew Stafford, who impressed the league with his 5,000-yard season in 2011 following back-to-back injury-shortened years.

Said Jeremiah of Stafford, “Surprised? It’s hard to believe that Stafford is still only 24 years old. After two injury-plagued years, he was able to stay healthy and post some incredible numbers in 2011. He passed for more than 5,000 yards and 41 TDs while leading the Lions back to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. He has a tremendous skillset for the position. He has good size, arm-strength, touch and poise. He should be one of the league’s elite signal callers for the next decade.”

Bill Bentley on Monday’s workout with the Lions’ vets

After participating in this past weekend’s mini-camp, signed rookies are now eligible to participate in the team’s voluntary workout program, putting them with veteran players for the first time.

Cornerback Bill Bentley – the Lions’ third-round draft choice – offered insight into camp and Monday’s workout.

On the rookie mini-camp: “The weekend was great. The first impression was pretty good. I came and learned a few things, got adjusted to speed and am picking up every day as I try to progress and get better.”

On Monday’s workout: “I came out and got good conditioning in and that was pretty good. You’ve got stay in shape and keep your endurance up.”

On working with veterans and rookies together: “I kind of felt more comfortable with the veterans being here because they know more and you learn from them as time goes on. I’m just trying to learn from those veterans and help to contribute in any way that I can.”

On which veterans made an impact: “Alphonso Smith and Aaron Berry. All those guys were reaching out early and helping me try to learn things fast so I can contribute to the team and they welcomed me with hands open. I really appreciate that.”

Twentyman reports that – according to League source – Broyles, Lewis, Whitehead and Greenwood have agreed to terms

Tim Twentyman posted on Twitter earlier today that, according to a League source, the Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with second-round WR Ryan Broyles, fourth-round DE Ronnell Lewis, fifth-round LB Tahir Whitehead and fifth-round CB Chris Greenwood.

Twentyman reported that all the players have agreed to four-year deals.

Rookies arrived in Allen Park today for the team’s mini-camp to be held Friday through Saturday at the team’s practice and training facility.

Calvin Johnson Madden 2013 cover revealed

The day before the NFL Draft, Calvin Johnson was announced the winner of the 2013 Madden Cover vote.

Today, less than two weeks later, the cover has been revealed by EA Sports.

The cover features a photo from the photo shoot done immediately following the unveiling. Johnson has his hands out, ready to catch a pass, with key landmarks from the City of Detroit (Ford Field, the Renaissance Center) in the background.

What do you think, Lions fans?

National Football Post puts Schwartz at the top of head coach power rankings

Joe Fortenbaugh of National Football Post put together his list of head coach power rankings that will be “a jumping-off point for a regular feature that (they will) be running during the 2012 season.”

Detroit’s very own Jim Schwartz tops the list after three full seasons with the Lions, taking the franchise from 0-16 to its first playoff berth since 1999.

Said Fortenbaugh, “He may not have a Vince Lombardi Trophy on his mantel just yet, but nobody has done more with less in such a short time span than Jim Schwartz …”

Read his full reasoning behind Schwartz’s top spot.

GQ Magazine spends five minutes with Megatron

Shortly after Calvin Johnson was named this year’s cover man for Madden 2013, GQ Magazine sat down for a five-minute Q&A with Megatron.

In addition to answering questions about his fashion, his TV time with Cam Newton and the big reveal, Johnson talked about how he plays Madden.

GQ: You’ve said that in the game, your character is like a cheat code.
Calvin Johnson: That’s what everybody calls me, “cheat code,” because they just throw the ball up to me.

GQ: And when you play, do you just throw it to yourself all the time?
Calvin Johnson: I try to play with other teams, because I feel like it’s cheating.

Read the full Q&A on GQ.com!

Lions trade up again; this time to take CB Chris Greenwood of Albion

The Detroit Lions traded up again, this time to take CB Chris Greenwood out of Albion College.

Greenwood attracted attention at the East-West Shrine game; General Manager Martin Mayhew says the 6-1, 193-pound cornerback’s measurables were “off the charts”.

“(He) is more of a developmental prospect but also a very good special teams guy who’s built that way and plays the game that way from what we’ve seen,” said Mayhew.

Head Coach Jim Schwartz also said it was Greenwood’s physical attributes that drew his attention immediately.

“When I first saw him, down at the East-West game, and you see right away that he has physical attributes, he can run quick, he’s got great length,” he said.

“That was a big step up in competition for him but we stayed with him through the process. He worked out at – I can’t remember if it was Michigan or Michigan State’s – I think it was Michigan’s pro day. He obviously didn’t look out of place there either. He looked good at the East-West game, he looked good at the pro day we brought him here. We looked at a lot of college film on him. We’ve got a good feel for him and think he is a good developmental corner.”

Lions trade up to get LB Tahir Whitehead out of Temple

After trading back in the fourth round to take DE/LB Ronnell Lewis, the Lions traded up with the Vikings (giving up their fourth-round pick next year) to get LB Tahir Whitehead out of Temple. The Lions have also flopped seventh-round picks with the Vikings, moving from No. 219 to No. 223.

At 6-1 and 233 pounds, Whitehead is considered a solid linebacker and strong special teams player.

Watch Whitehead’s combine workout on NFL.com.

Lions take OLB Ronnell Lewis with the 125th-overall selection

Detroit traded out of the 117th-overall pick to move down eight spots (125) and pick up a sixth-round (196) selection from the San Francisco 49ers.

With that fourth-round selection, the Lions selected DE/LB Ronnell Lewis out of Oklahoma.

Lewis, at 6-1 and 253 pounds, was projected as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but could also play defensive end in a 4-3 scheme.

Said Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops care of SoonerSports.com: “Ronnell is one of (those) athletes that comes along somewhat infrequently. He is a great combination of size, speed and strength that will translate well to the NFL. As a defensive end, he was impressive as a speed rusher, but also overpowered blockers at time. It wasn’t unusual to see him up the field disrupting opposing offenses. He also was an outstanding special teams player, particularly on kickoff coverage. Ronnell is versatile and could have played one more year of college ball so his upside could be substantial.”

Remaining picks for the Lions:

Round 5, Pick 23 (158)
Round 6, Pick 26 (196)
Round 7, Pick 12 (219)
Round 7, Pick 23 (230)

Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops on the Lions pick of Ryan Broyles

The Detroit Lions selected WR Ryan Broyles with the 54th-overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft.

Said Stoops on Soonersports.com, “Ryan’s accomplishments speak for themselves, and while he’s very gifted, he also earned his accolades through hard work and dedication. That’s even more obvious now that he has returned so quickly from an injury. He’s smart, he makes spectacular catches and he’s dangerous as a ball-carrier, but he’s equally valuable off the field as a humble teammate and in the way he represents the program.”