Just when you think Detroit Lions All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell couldn’t possibly find a way to get any better than he already is, he has found a way.
Sewell is already one of the best offensive tackles in the spot, as evidenced by his three straight Pro Bowls and two straight All-Pro nods. However, that doesn’t mean Sewell is resting on his laurels.
As he revealed to the media on Thursday, Sewell has gotten even stronger during the offseason and doesn’t think he has lost a step as far as speed and athleticism is concerned.
“Lions All-Pro T Penei Sewell said his focus this offseason was getting stronger. He said it was all about moving heavy weight fast. He said he’s a lot stronger without losing any speed or athleticism,” Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com wrote.
As if Sewell wasn’t a difficult enough matchup for opposing defenders, things aren’t going to get any easier now that he’s got some extra strength.
Someone who has played a massive role in Sewell’s development has been offensive line coach and run-game coordinator Hank Fraley.
Fraley was a candidate for at least one offensive coordinator job earlier this offseason but decided to stay with the Lions, who added promoted him by adding run-game coordinator to his title.
Sewell joked that he would’ve retired if Fraley didn’t return.
“I told him if he wasn’t coming back, I’d retire,” Sewell said to Fraley, per Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News.
The NFL announced on Wednesday that a new award would be created for offensive linemen called the “Protector of the Year Award.”
Not exactly going out on a limb, but we’d say Sewell has a great shot to win it.
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