ALLEN PARK Marcus Davenport, an edge rusher, is familiar with Lions coach Dan Campbell from their time together with the New Orleans Saints. That might have been the factor that pointed him toward Detroit.
This week, Davenport inked a one-year contract at a maximum of $10.5 million with a base of $6.5 million with the Lions.
He called his style of play rough and aggressive.
But even that is something I would like to alter. I want to grow and I want to adjust. I was told lately that I can teach a lot of young men, and my immediate reaction was, “We have a lot of guys I can learn from,” said Davenport, who spent the last five seasons as a player for the New Orleans Saints after being selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He signed a one-year contract with the Vikings last year, but a high ankle sprain in Week 6 ruined his season.
Davenport recounted a story about Campbell from the Covid era, when coach Sean Payton was sick and Campbell was named interim coach.
He delivered a speech. When someone gave a speech for the first time in a long time, I recall thinking, “Yeah! That is our current endeavor! All I can recall is his enthusiasm. At a press conference on Thursday, Davenport stated, “I don’t want to say that not many people have the same kind of passion, but it takes someone that was there to actually understand.” “I would like to be able to assist with that so that I can see him in this position.”
The speech?
“The lesson I took away was that we have grit; it wasn’t like biting our knee caps off.” “Grit, he really was,” remarked the 6-foot-6, 265-pound Davenport.
Even though he was familiar with Campbell, he took the time to research Lions general manager Brad Holmes.
“I smiled when he told me something nice,” Davenport remarked. “I watched your games, and we can tell you’re one of those guys who puts the game out there and really appreciates it,” he remarked. You play the physical game. Even in the few games you played, he said, Davenport remarked. “Knowing that gave me confidence that I had made the proper choice. It’s always good to have some faith, particularly in situations where I can’t refute everyone.
Additionally, Davenport, 27, is acquainted with Lions defense captain Alex Anzalone, a linebacker, from their time together with the Saints.
You are aware that he is now an alpha. I didn’t expect anything less from him—he’s always been a decent man,” Davenport remarked. All I can say is that it makes me smile to watch him goofing around and acting silly.
