The Detroit Lions knew little about what they had in defensive end Josh Paschal following his rookie season. The Kentucky product missed most of the preseason training and only played in seven games.
However, he looks primed for success ahead of his second campaign. After completing an offseason healthy and recording valuable reps, he played an important role in Detroit's Week 1 victory.
Paschal burst through an open gap on a key fourth quarter third down and tackled Rashee Rice for a loss, which forced a punt. That play is evidence that defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has a potential key player in the former second-round pick.
In total, Paschal finished with three tackles and one for loss. He was Detroit's third-highest graded player by Pro Football Focus, earning a 73.5 overall defensive grade.
"That's one guy that I was talking about since OTAs that I was excited about seeing because of the fact that he's had an offseason to train," Glenn said. "He had training camp to go through, he had OTAs to go through. So it didn't surprise me at all that he was effective in that manner and I expect him to continue to grow in that position that we have him in. I think he had maybe 30 plays, he's continued to grow, so you'll see him out there more."
'Bad taste' from previous meetings with Seahawks
The Lions have had a difficult time slowing their Week 2 opponent, Seattle, in recent meetings. Two seasons ago, Detroit yielded 51 points in a blowout loss.
Last season, inside Ford Field, the Lions failed to force a punt in a 48-45 loss that wound up being the difference maker in the postseason tiebreaker.
Moving into this matchup, many Lions are eager to right the wrongs from last season. Glenn admitted as much, saying he hopes to clear a bad taste in his mouth from previous matchups.
"Well, I've moved onto Seattle because it's the next game," the coordinator said. "So regardless of what's happened, that's the next game. And yes, I hear you guys talk about how they have a bad taste in their mouth, well I've got one too. We gave up 50 points, damn near twice. Our guys have got to be ready to play."
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