Notes: Why having former players as coaches works for the Lions

ESPN’s Eric Woodyard provides a fantastic look and how having so many ex-players has helped the Lions reach new heights.

Usually, the saying goes: those who can’t do, teach, but it’s not quite applicable when it comes to the Detroit Lions . The men carrying the whistles, yelling instructions on the sidelines have been in the same cleats as the young men they’re mentoring.

In just a fantastic in-depth piece for ESPN, Eric Woodyard spoke with both coaches and players about why having former athletes on staff is working so well for the Lions.

“Players rave about the coaching staff’s previous playing experience, saying it helps the coaches relate to them in pivotal moments on and off the field,” he writes.

A tight end in the league for over a decade himself, head coach Dan Campbell has surrounded himself with nine former NFL players. In the article, Woodyard includes insight from current players on the benefits, including Amon-Ra St. Brown’s appreciation of the fact the coaches know what their bodies are going through. Former players like Calvin Johnson also weigh in, as well as offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who explains what he provides as a coach who wasn’t once in the league.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• The Tigers are hoping to make Terrion Arnold feel right at home.

• Speaking of, perhaps you saw the clip of Arnold saying the Las Vegas Raiders told him they flipped a coin on whether to draft him, but general manager Tom Telesco says he actually used an 8 ball (not really.)

• Girls High School Flag Football returns to Ford Field.

• The Sun God gets his own Funko Pop! figurine.

• Hype video to send you properly off into your weekend.