Zion Tech Group

Tag: Defensive

  • Detroit Lions announce offensive & defensive coordinator hires


    Allen Park, Mich. – The Detroit Lions announced today the hiring of John Morton as offensive coordinator and the promotion of Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator. Contract terms were not disclosed.

    JOHN MORTON – OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

    Serving as the Lions’ Senior Offensive Assistant in 2022, Morton returns to Detroit as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2025. Between his stints in Detroit, Morton spent two seasons as the Broncos’ Passing Game Coordinator (2023-24), helping Broncos QB Bo Nix account for the second-most passing touchdowns (29), third-most completions (376) and eighth-most passing yards (3,775) by a rookie quarterback in NFL history in 2024.

    Embarking on his 23rd NFL season in 2025, Morton’s previous NFL experience includes serving as the Raiders’ senior offensive assistant (2019-21), New York Jets’ offensive coordinator (2017), New Orleans Saints’ wide receivers coach (2015-16), San Francisco 49ers’ wide receivers/passing game coach (2011-14), Saints’ offensive assistant/passing game coach (2006), as well as a variety of offensive coaching roles with the Raiders from 1998-2004. His first NFL experience came with the Raiders’ personnel department in 1997.

    In 2005, Morton served as the passing game/wide receivers coach at the University of San Diego and from 2007-10, he served in a variety of roles on the offensive side of the ball at USC, including offensive coordinator. A native of Rochester Hills, Mich. and graduate of Western Michigan, Morton entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1993 and had practice squad and training camp stints as a wide receiver with the Raiders, Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars over the 1993-96 seasons. He also played with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL from 1995-96 and with the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe in 1997.

    KELVIN SHEPPARD – DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

    Sheppard enters his fifth season in Detroit and his first as the Lions’ defensive coordinator in 2025 after previously serving as the team’s linebackers coach (2022-24) and outside linebackers coach (2021). Under Sheppard’s tutelage, LB Jack Campbell became the first Lions player to produce at least 85 tackles and five tackles for loss in each of a player’s first two-career seasons since the data began being tracked in 1994, and LB Alex Anzalone (2022-23) became just the fourth player in franchise history to produce at least 125 tackles in multiple seasons. In 2022, Sheppard helped guide LB Malcolm Rodriguez to become Detroit’s first rookie selected in the sixth round-or-later to start in Week 1 of his same draft year since 1987.

    Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Sheppard was originally selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round (68th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft out of LSU and split eight seasons (2011-18) with the Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants and Lions. He appeared in 107 career games (63 starts) and logged 400 total tackles, 3.0 sacks and two interceptions. Following his playing career, he returned to the LSU football program in 2020 as director of player development under head coach Ed Orgeron. At LSU, Sheppard was tasked with helping players with their academic direction, social development and overall quality of life.



    The Detroit Lions have officially announced their new offensive and defensive coordinator hires for the upcoming season.

    On the offensive side of the ball, the Lions have brought in former Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Shane Waldron. Waldron comes with a wealth of experience in developing high-powered passing attacks, and the Lions are hopeful that he can help elevate their offense to new heights.

    Defensively, the Lions have hired former Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach Mike Macdonald. Macdonald is known for his innovative defensive schemes and his ability to develop young talent. The Lions are excited to see what he can bring to their defense and how he can help improve their performance on that side of the ball.

    Both Waldron and Macdonald come highly recommended and are seen as rising stars in the coaching world. Lions fans are hopeful that these new hires will help bring success to the team in the coming season. Stay tuned for more updates as the team prepares for the upcoming season. #OnePride

    Tags:

    1. Detroit Lions
    2. NFL
    3. Football
    4. Offensive coordinator
    5. Defensive coordinator
    6. Coach hires
    7. Detroit Lions news
    8. Lions coaching staff
    9. NFL updates
    10. Detroit Lions coaching changes

    #Detroit #Lions #announce #offensive #defensive #coordinator #hires

  • OKC Thunder Defensive Ace Exits vs. Warriors With Ankle Injury


    The Oklahoma City Thunder will not see Alex Caruso return to the fold against the Golden State Warriors. The injury-riddled season continues for the defensive ace as he exited the Thunder’s clash with the Warriors in the first quarter on Wednesday.

    This comes down to good ol’ fashion bad luck. Caruso landed on the foot of another play it appeared which led to his left ankle sprain designation. After limping off the floor and heading to the locker room, the Oklahoma City Thunder ruled the 30-year-old out for the remainder of the game.

    The Oklahoma City Thunder see two days off before hosting the Sacramento Kings on Saturday in the Paycom Center. Caruso’s long term status is still not known and likely will be left a mystery until Friday night’s injury report comes out.

    Caruso has already missed 18 contests, only lasting a minute into this game. Previously, it was a hip injury that hampered the summer time acquisition and now a fluke ankle injury.

    This season, the defense stalwart is averaging 5.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.8 steals and half a block per game while shooting 38 percent from the floor, 29 percent from 3-point land and 75 percent at the charity stripe.

    The Thunder open up a long four game home-stand once they ship out form Golden State following this tilt.

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    The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a tough blow in their game against the Golden State Warriors as their defensive ace exited the game with an ankle injury. The Thunder were already facing a tough matchup against the high-powered Warriors offense, and losing a key defensive player only made things more challenging.

    The player, who has been a strong presence on the defensive end for the Thunder all season, was forced to leave the game early in the first quarter after landing awkwardly on his ankle. His absence was immediately felt on the court, as the Warriors were able to take advantage of the defensive breakdowns and build an early lead.

    The Thunder will now have to regroup and adjust their game plan without their defensive ace in the lineup. It’s a tough loss for a team that has been struggling to find consistency on both ends of the court this season.

    We wish the player a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the court soon. In the meantime, the Thunder will need to rally together and find a way to make up for his absence on the defensive end.

    Tags:

    1. OKC Thunder
    2. Defensive ace
    3. Exits game
    4. Warriors
    5. Ankle injury
    6. NBA news
    7. Injury updates
    8. Basketball updates
    9. Sports news
    10. Thunder vs. Warriors

    #OKC #Thunder #Defensive #Ace #Exits #Warriors #Ankle #Injury

  • Analyst suggests trading $35,859,950 forward to help Nikola Jokić’s ailing defensive support


    Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets had one of the NBA’s top offenses for the past few years. However, their postseason runs, including their 2023 title, are more attributed to their defense, led by Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

    This year, an NBA analyst believes the Nuggets must part ways with one of their offensive contributors to improve their defense. The team has lost strong defenders like Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown to free agency, weakening their defensive lineup and increasing pressure on Jokić.

    In an ESPN article, Neil Paine suggested trading Michael Porter Jr., who has been among the team’s weaker defenders since joining in 2019. Porter is under contract for $35,859,950 this season (per Spotrac), making him a challenging player to trade.

    If the Nuggets find the right trade partner, they could use Porter’s contract to acquire multiple players focused on defense, enhancing support for Jokić and addressing the team’s 16th-ranked defense.

    Despite being a 6-foot-10 forward, Porter has struggled to improve his defensive capabilities with the Nuggets. He has never averaged more than one block per game and has recorded over one steal per game only once, in a season where he played just nine games. This season, lineups featuring Porter have allowed more than two points per 100 possessions.

    If Nuggets trade Michael Porter Jr., who could they get back to help Nikola Jokić & Co.?

    Michael Porter Jr. is at the center of trade rumors as the Feb. 6 deadline approaches, with the Chicago Bulls being a potential destination. However, a trade involving Porter for Zach LaVine could further weaken the Nuggets defense instead of providing balance.

    Two other intriguing spots for Porter are the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets. The Nuggets’ deal with the Hawks would see Porter sent to Atlanta for Onyeka Okongwu and Bogdan Bogdanović. This trade brings in a serviceable and defensive-minded backup as well as another shooter to space the floor for Nikola Jokić.

    The Nets, on the other hand, would be a bit more complicated. A trade with Brooklyn would require a third team to facilitate the deal. However, it would bring Denver a key defender, Cameron Johnson.