In the first half of last week’s preseason game against the New York Giants, Matt Patricia did something few Detroit Lions head coaches have done in recent years.
With about 8 minutes left in the second quarter, Giants quarterback Davis Webb threw a deep pass to receiver Russell Shepard. Lions second-year cornerback Jamal Agnew was right on Shepard’s hip, but he turned his head to locate the ball just a tick late. Agnew flailed at the ball as it arrived. Somehow it squeezed through his hands and into Shepard’s for a 40-yard gain.
After the Giants’ drive ended in a field goal, Patricia left the sideline and took a path that’s rarely been traveled by recent Lions head coaches.