Dave Birkett
@davebirkett.bsky.social
Detroit Lions beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. 4x Michigan Sportswriter of the Year.
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Dave Birkett
@davebirkett.bsky.social
· Feb 11
Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline - Dave Birkett
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Gonna leave this pinned here. Get your copy of my book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline." It's a great gift for the Lions fan in your life. If you want it personalized, shoot me an email or leave it in the comments of the order and we'll make it happen checkout.square.site/merchant/ML5...
The Lions had 12 men on the field for one play Thursday, and 10 for another. Dan Campbell said his team needs to be more detailed going forward and it's up to him to make it happen. But he's keep play-calling duties for now, calling it the 'right thing to do' www.freep.com/story/sports...
Dan Campbell to keep play-calling for now: 'Right thing to do'
Detroit Lions defense had 10 men on the field for one play and 12 men on the field for another in Thanksgiving loss to Packers.
www.freep.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:26 PM
The Lions had 12 men on the field for one play Thursday, and 10 for another. Dan Campbell said his team needs to be more detailed going forward and it's up to him to make it happen. But he's keep play-calling duties for now, calling it the 'right thing to do' www.freep.com/story/sports...
OK. I talked to Lem Barney's son. He said Lem is alive. He said he Lem saw on Thanksgiving, started getting messages asking about his dad last night. He said he talked to Lem's nurse today, had her send a selfie, heard his voice in the background. "He's good ... He is alive.”
November 29, 2025 at 7:47 PM
OK. I talked to Lem Barney's son. He said Lem is alive. He said he Lem saw on Thanksgiving, started getting messages asking about his dad last night. He said he talked to Lem's nurse today, had her send a selfie, heard his voice in the background. "He's good ... He is alive.”
So the report & statement from the HOF was premature. Just talked to Mel Farr Jr., he said he talked to Lem Barney III, who talked to Lem's nurse, who said Lem is alive. "He's fine. I don't know where that report came from." He said he got a picture sent of Lem w/his nurse today.
November 29, 2025 at 7:21 PM
So the report & statement from the HOF was premature. Just talked to Mel Farr Jr., he said he talked to Lem Barney III, who talked to Lem's nurse, who said Lem is alive. "He's fine. I don't know where that report came from." He said he got a picture sent of Lem w/his nurse today.
Updated story on Frank Ragnow failing his physical with the Lions
-He won't play this season
-Dan Campbell said it's unclear Ragnow's plans for 2026
-"Of course we’re disappointed ... but at the same time, he’s injured, too, and so man, you quickly move off of that" www.freep.com/story/sports...
-He won't play this season
-Dan Campbell said it's unclear Ragnow's plans for 2026
-"Of course we’re disappointed ... but at the same time, he’s injured, too, and so man, you quickly move off of that" www.freep.com/story/sports...
Frank Ragnow's retirement comeback over after failed physical with Lions
Frank Ragnow's comeback is over, as the Detroit Lions announced the offensive lineman failed his physical and won't be on the roster.
www.freep.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Updated story on Frank Ragnow failing his physical with the Lions
-He won't play this season
-Dan Campbell said it's unclear Ragnow's plans for 2026
-"Of course we’re disappointed ... but at the same time, he’s injured, too, and so man, you quickly move off of that" www.freep.com/story/sports...
-He won't play this season
-Dan Campbell said it's unclear Ragnow's plans for 2026
-"Of course we’re disappointed ... but at the same time, he’s injured, too, and so man, you quickly move off of that" www.freep.com/story/sports...
Dan said "nothing new" about Amon-Ra St Brown's status. Called him "day to day," doesn't know what that means for games vs. the Cowboys and Rams but nothing long-term
November 29, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Dan said "nothing new" about Amon-Ra St Brown's status. Called him "day to day," doesn't know what that means for games vs. the Cowboys and Rams but nothing long-term
Dan Campbell on a Zoom call right now said nothing has been discussed about 2026 for Frank Ragnow and whether he'll try to play next season
www.freep.com/story/sports...
www.freep.com/story/sports...
Frank Ragnow's retirement comeback over after failed physical with Lions
Frank Ragnow's comeback is over, as the Detroit Lions announced the offensive lineman failed his physical and won't be on the roster.
www.freep.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Dan Campbell on a Zoom call right now said nothing has been discussed about 2026 for Frank Ragnow and whether he'll try to play next season
www.freep.com/story/sports...
www.freep.com/story/sports...
Frank Ragnow's comeback is over after failed physical with Lions www.freep.com/story/sports...
Frank Ragnow's comeback is over after failed physical with Lions
Frank Ragnow's comeback is over, as the Detroit Lions announced the offensive lineman failed his physical and won't be on the roster.
www.freep.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Frank Ragnow's comeback is over after failed physical with Lions www.freep.com/story/sports...
The Lions are 0 for their last 7 on fourth down attempts. Dan Campbell doesn't plan on changing his aggressive approach, nor should he. My thoughts www.freep.com/story/sports...
Dan Campbell vows 4th down struggles won't change Lions' approach
The Lions are 0-for-7 on fourth down attempts in their past 3 games and gave 3 big conversions to the Packers on Thursday.
www.freep.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The Lions are 0 for their last 7 on fourth down attempts. Dan Campbell doesn't plan on changing his aggressive approach, nor should he. My thoughts www.freep.com/story/sports...
Dan Campbell defends Detroit Lions' curious late-game clock management in Thanksgiving loss to Packers www.freep.com/story/sports...
Dan Campbell defends Lions' curious clock management in Packers loss
The Lions showed little urgency during a 6-minute drive that ended in a field goal late in their Thanksgiving game
www.freep.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Dan Campbell defends Detroit Lions' curious late-game clock management in Thanksgiving loss to Packers www.freep.com/story/sports...
With 4 losses in their past 7 games and the surging Dallas Cowboys coming to town next Thursday, the Detroit Lions have an urgent mindset for December: 'The playoffs are now' www.freep.com/story/sports...
Detroit Lions have their mindset for December: 'The playoffs are now'
At 7-5, the Detroit Lions likely need to beat the Dallas Cowboys in Detroit next week or the LA Rams on the road in Week 15 to have playoff hopes.
www.freep.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:02 PM
With 4 losses in their past 7 games and the surging Dallas Cowboys coming to town next Thursday, the Detroit Lions have an urgent mindset for December: 'The playoffs are now' www.freep.com/story/sports...
If Joe Burrow could ever stay healthy…
November 28, 2025 at 3:46 AM
If Joe Burrow could ever stay healthy…
The Lions' margin for error has all but evaporated heading into the homestretch after Thursday's loss to the Packers. As D.J. Reed told me, "The playoffs are now, that should be the mindset." www.freep.com/story/sports...
Detroit Lions have their mindset for December: 'The playoffs are now'
At 7-5, the Detroit Lions likely need to beat the Dallas Cowboys in Detroit next week or the LA Rams on the road in Week 15 to have playoff hopes.
www.freep.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:37 AM
The Lions' margin for error has all but evaporated heading into the homestretch after Thursday's loss to the Packers. As D.J. Reed told me, "The playoffs are now, that should be the mindset." www.freep.com/story/sports...
And this is crazy, but just realized: The Lions haven't had a lead in regulation since the Commanders game in Week 10. www.freep.com/story/sports...
Lions slide further in NFC North with Thanksgiving loss to Packers
Detroit Lions score vs Green Bay Packers: On Thanksgiving, it was Green Bay once again making all the big plays when it mattered most at Ford Field.
www.freep.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:26 AM
And this is crazy, but just realized: The Lions haven't had a lead in regulation since the Commanders game in Week 10. www.freep.com/story/sports...
Taylor Decker said he knew Frank Ragnow was planning to come out of retirement for about a month. His advice to Ragnow: 'Pull the trigger, dude. Come on." www.freep.com/story/sports...
Taylor Decker had advice for Frank Ragnow on retirement
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow retired abruptly in June but decided to return to football this week, to the relief of his teammates.
www.freep.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Taylor Decker said he knew Frank Ragnow was planning to come out of retirement for about a month. His advice to Ragnow: 'Pull the trigger, dude. Come on." www.freep.com/story/sports...
Amon-Ra St. Brown injury update: Detroit Lions WR could miss "a week or two, maybe. If we’re lucky." www.freep.com/story/sports...
Amon-Ra St. Brown injury update: Detroit Lions WR may miss 1-2 games
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown injured his ankle while blocking on a running play in Thursday's first quarter against the Green Bay Packers.
www.freep.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Amon-Ra St. Brown injury update: Detroit Lions WR could miss "a week or two, maybe. If we’re lucky." www.freep.com/story/sports...
Pool report on the timeout/penalty sequence in Lions-Packers game
November 27, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Pool report on the timeout/penalty sequence in Lions-Packers game
Dan Campbell said he'll know more tomorrow but it could be a week or two for Amon-Ra St. Brown with the ankle injury
November 27, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Dan Campbell said he'll know more tomorrow but it could be a week or two for Amon-Ra St. Brown with the ankle injury
Lions slide further in NFC North with Thanksgiving loss to Packers; 3 thoughts on Jameson Williams, fourth downs and what comes next www.freep.com/story/sports...
Lions slide further in NFC North with Thanksgiving loss to Packers
Detroit Lions score vs Green Bay Packers: On Thanksgiving, it was Green Bay once again making all the big plays when it mattered most at Ford Field.
www.freep.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Lions slide further in NFC North with Thanksgiving loss to Packers; 3 thoughts on Jameson Williams, fourth downs and what comes next www.freep.com/story/sports...
Jameson Williams drops the fourth-and-3 pass - it wasn't Goff's best pass. He has to lead him there, not put it on his back hip. Big turn for the Lions, still down 31-21. 10:50 left. Lions 0 for 2 on fourth downs today, Packers 2 for 2.
November 27, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Jameson Williams drops the fourth-and-3 pass - it wasn't Goff's best pass. He has to lead him there, not put it on his back hip. Big turn for the Lions, still down 31-21. 10:50 left. Lions 0 for 2 on fourth downs today, Packers 2 for 2.
Huge block by TeSlaa on that 14-yard run by Gibbs. End of three quarters it's Packers 31, Lions 21. Lions driving.
November 27, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Huge block by TeSlaa on that 14-yard run by Gibbs. End of three quarters it's Packers 31, Lions 21. Lions driving.
Lions have officially ruled Amon-Ra St. Brown out for the game with an ankle injury
November 27, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Lions have officially ruled Amon-Ra St. Brown out for the game with an ankle injury
Still no sign of Amon-Ra St. Brown on the sideline coming out to star tthe second half for the Lions.
November 27, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Still no sign of Amon-Ra St. Brown on the sideline coming out to star tthe second half for the Lions.
Jameson Williams with the TD, bounces off one tackler and sprints past half the Packers defense to the end zone. Isaac TeSlaa missed 2 blocks on the play, including the first defender Williams escaped in the backfield
November 27, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Jameson Williams with the TD, bounces off one tackler and sprints past half the Packers defense to the end zone. Isaac TeSlaa missed 2 blocks on the play, including the first defender Williams escaped in the backfield
Both Packers TDs have come on fourth down today, fourth-and-3 and fourth-and-1. Ford Field filled with "Ref you suck" chants. Packers shouldn't have got that timeout. Also, Lions need to come up with a fourth down stop. Now, Green Bay 17, Lions 7.
November 27, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Both Packers TDs have come on fourth down today, fourth-and-3 and fourth-and-1. Ford Field filled with "Ref you suck" chants. Packers shouldn't have got that timeout. Also, Lions need to come up with a fourth down stop. Now, Green Bay 17, Lions 7.