The Detroit Lions like to brag about how well they can block out outside sounds.
However, it is evident from listening to general manager Brad Holmes that the coaching staff, front office, and a number of players are well aware of what is said about the decisions made by the team.
During his nearly 40-minute, season-ending press conference, Holmes stated that, after three complete seasons in the National Football League, it was now appropriate to evaluate the 2021 draft.
To their surprise, Detroit’s general manager singled out certain members of the media when discussing two of his 2021 choices.
“All right, let me return to the draft from 2021. Every selection made in the ’21 draft was done so with great deliberateness. I go back to that manuscript for a few reasons,” Holmes explained. “To start with, the 2023 season recently ended. Not the day after a draft, but at that point is when you should rate a draft. When you reflect on those choices, you’ll see that not everyone in this room was happy with them.
“You (Dave Birkett) wanted us to select a quarterback; you were against Penei Sewell. Holmes went on, “People didn’t want us to select a wide receiver in the fourth round.” “People were impatient with the development of a Derrick Barnes. However, each and every action was deliberate and made with purpose.”
Carlos Monarrez at the time chastised Ifeatu Melifonwu, another draft selection. Holmes chastised the reporter following Melifonwu’s pivotal performance at the end of the 2023 season.
Holmes genuinely merely wanted those who criticized his choices to be held responsible if they turned out to be incorrect, even if he did not want to come across as taking a victory lap.
Going ahead, the team’s goal in attacking the offseason will once more be winning in December and January rather than grabbing headlines.
