The Detroit Lions are trying to get their rebuild rolling, and All-Pro center Frank Ragnow believes his young team is on the move.
Frank Ragnow has been through the tough times.
Ragnow, 26, is entering his fifth year with the Detroit Lions after being a first-round pick out of Arkansas in 2018. He’s made Second-Team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl, but never sniffed the playoffs.
However, that might be changing soon.
While the country got to see the improving Lions on HBO’s Hard Knocks while working under second-year head coach Dan Campbell, Ragnow lived through the work. On Tuesday, Ragnow spoke with FanSided’s Matt Verderame on Stacking The Box as part of an Applebee’s campaign — a restaurant franchise near to his heart stemming from high school days in Minnesota — and explained why he sees a team ready to compete.
Frank Ragnow believes the Lions are ready to win
Ragnow’s optimism is understandable. The Lions went 3-13-1 last year but finished the campaign with three wins over their last six games. Now with another draft class headlined by No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson, one of the league’s best offensive lines and a host of intriguing weapons, Detroit could be poised to make real noise.
One of those weapons, running back D’Andre Swift, is hoping to break out on a national level. The 23-year-old is entering his third pro season and although he’s only totaled 1,138 rushing yards on 4.3 yards per carry, he clearly has a skill set fit for a star.
“He’s pretty dynamic, man,” Ragnow said. “He can (take) one step and change direction on a dime. Pretty cool to know that when you’re blocking for him, every play, there’s an opportunity for an explosive run. That’s one thing that offensive line love. You combine that with his work ethic, he’s one f the first guys in the building every day. I have a lot of respect for the guy and think he can be pretty special, just staying healthy and us being consistent as an offensive line, he can have a good season.”
For Swift, Ragnow and the Lions, their season begins at Ford Field on Sept. 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
