Kelvin Sheppard Fox 2 Interview Recap

Lions Defensive Coordinator Kelvin Sheppard went on The Office Show with Dan Miller and Jennifer Hammond on Tuesday evening and dropped a significant amount of info on where he believes the Lions Defense is at, some breakout candidates and how he intends to improve over last year.

On Roster Competition

• Shep said it's the most amount of jersey numbers and new faces he has had to learn in his six years

• Credits the front office bringing in competition, says that was the thing leaving last year, making sure that they create such a competitive environment in house, so when the season gets rolling doesn't matter who they call up it truly will be a next man up with no drop off mentality

About the Secondary

Sheppard mentioned several players by name and why they have caught his eye and he expects them to help drive the Lions defense this year.

• Safeties Chuck Clark, Christian Izien and Avonte Maddox

  • With uncertainty around what a Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph return will look like, Sheppard mentioned how the front office did a great job bringing in two proven vets and re-signig Maddox to ensure that the position has healthy competition so there is no drop off with next man up mentality.

• Nickel CB Roger McCreary

  • Shep mentioned McCreary specifically as the guy who has popped in backfilling Amik Robertson. mentioned how they want to expand the use of nickel in 2026 over last year (injuries.)

Defensive front changes

• As for the DLine, said he hates that he keeps hearing "Whose the guy opposite Hutchinson, as its a bit disrespectful to guys on roster. Last year AQM and his 12 sacks wasn't good enough Shep joked. He gets the concern, as did the front office, who attached it and addressed it in the draft via Derrick Moore

• Edges Derrick Moore, DJ Wonnum, Payton Turner,

  • Shep had some praise for Moore, offering unsolicited that he would describe him as a "dog' and "complete football player", stating that you can forget the flash with Moore, he is just a guy that will put you on your face.

  • Did a great job in Free Agency nabbing DJ Wonnum, Lions saw him for four years with Vikings, Peyton Turner, another 1st rd. pick, believes light will come on for him.

  • Undrafted edge Anthony Lucas and Ahmed Hassanein also were mentioned.

  Interior D-Line

  • Alim and Tyliek Alim understand last year was not up to standards and have not shied away from it. McNeil was coming off major injury, not ability issue, so having confidence that he can put foot in ground and not think about it has made a difference. As for Tyliek, last year the Lions had luxury of having Reader and Lopez ahead of him, both now gone, Tyliek now getting those reps and done a tremendous job of getting self in shape. He did great job last year and Shep is excited for the year one to year two improvements. Shep also said that both can play Left or Right side along with either Nose or 3tech.

Where will improvement come from?

• Complimentary football is top item. Defense coaches try to limit points and adjust for what does it take per week to win. It's not about being the #1 in any category but providing week-to-week clear cut understanding of what it takes to win each game each week. Playing at an elite level as a team in all three phases, by product is statistical category leader.

• How much do you look at other defenses?

  • Sheppard stated that they absolutely do that as part of self-scout looking to know what those at highest level are doing. Understand who you are and who they are. He said you can't play certain styles based on personnel or complimentary football, but Seattle, Houston Jacksonville were all teams he looked at. Limiting points is goal, and if he found something that was applicable to Lions, Shep applied it. Will make the Lions better in long run.

On Growth from year one to year two

• Said it means everything, you never know you're ready until you do it. Time on task ebbs and flows, ability to adapt and adjust during the season. No excuse for not having X, Y and Z. One of best games of season last year was Tampa Bay when the Legion of Whom netted their nickname.

Been a player and coach, what part transitioned most?

• Shep said the most humbling moment as a player came when phone stopped ringing. As a coach, the moment came in year 1, walked into locker room with a lot of former teammates, and the first day or two they addressed him as sir or coach, and he realized he arrived on the caching scene.