In 2014, the Detroit Lions selected linebacker Kyle Van Noy in the second round of the NFL Draft. The hope was that he would develop into a player who would help solidify the defense for years to come.
http://gty.im/1086743402
But as we know, that did not happen.
Instead, after dealing with injuries in his first two seasons, a healthy Van Noy got his chance and started the first seven games of the 2016 season. During that time, the Lions did not see enough to keep him around and decided to trade him to the New England Patriots for a late-round draft pick.
As was predictable, Van Noy has since flourished in New England, including in the AFC Championship this past Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, the former BYU standout is heading to another Super Bowl while the Lions (and their fans) can only continue hoping.
On Wednesday, former Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky tweeted out a complimentary message for Van Noy.
Also the perfect example of a “bust” given a new chance at a different place, used correctly, and in many ways, flourishing! Happy for @KVN_03
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 23, 2019
Van Noy saw Orlovsky's tweet, but rather than just saying, “thank you,” he took the opportunity to take a shot at his former team for not know where to put him!
https://twitter.com/KVN_03/status/1088159793041342464
Now, to Van Noy's defense, the Lions have since hired a new GM, and new head coach, and a new defensive coordinator, so these comments are probably more directed at the old regime, but damn!
BONUS CONTENT:
Kerryon Johnson is fired up about Detroit Lions’ new OC Darrell Bevell
On Wednesday, the Detroit Lions shocked just about everybody by announcing that Darrell Bevell would be their next offensive coordinator. Bevell’s name was rarely (if at all) mentioned as a potential candidate by the so-called “experts” and it was fun to watch the comments on social media flow in about whether or not it was the right hire.
One person excited about the hire is Lions’ running back Kerryon Johnson. Johnson spoke to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press about his anticipation of playing for Bevell, a coach who has worked with running backs like Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch.
By most accounts, Bevell is a run-first offensive coordinator and that has Johnson hoping it means more touches for him.
“Obviously with my position, that makes me excited and I hope that is the direction we try to go in,” Johnson said. “But regardless of the direction I want us to go in, it’s about the team and how we win games. So if he wants to bring that and that’s where we go with it, that’s where we go with it. If not, if he sees our team go in a different direction and that’s what we do, as long as we win, I’m fine.”
Johnson, who missed the end of his rookie season with a sprained knee said he is healed up and ready to roll.
During his rookie campaign, Johnson showed flashes of greatness as he rushed for 641 yards (5.4 per attempt) and three touchdowns while adding 213 yards and another touchdown receiving.
If Kerryon can stay healthy, you can bet your bottom dollar that those stats will improve greatly in 2019.
