Lions C Frank Ragnow: Matthew Stafford's ability to read defenses 'blows my mind'

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CoachAllred

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Lions C Frank Ragnow: Matthew Stafford's ability to read defenses 'blows my mind'



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Cameron DaSilva

February 19, 2021 12:19 pm

Frank Ragnow has spent the last three years with the Lions, playing alongside Matthew Stafford. He was the starting center for the last two seasons, which helped him develop a strong relationship with the veteran quarterback.
With Stafford on his way out and headed for Los Angeles, Ragnow reflected on his time with No. 9 and had nothing but great things to say about him. On “Unrestricted with Ben Leber,” Ragnow called Stafford his favorite teammate ever and doesn’t think that will change for as long as he plays.

“Matthew Stafford, I don’t think anyone will ever be able to top my favorite teammate ever,” Ragnow said. “Toughness, passion, competitiveness, everything. I can’t say enough about the guy, and I’m excited to see how he does in Los Angeles, but I’m also super excited about Jared Goff.

Being the Lions’ center, Ragnow was tasked with calling out protection assignments and identifying blitzers to help Stafford read the defense. But with the way Stafford operates, he was often one step ahead of Ragnow in that department.

Being a 12-year veteran, Stafford has seen just about every type of defense there is, so he was typically prepared to change things up at the line before Ragnow was even ready to. That blew him away, calling Stafford “a savant when it comes to reading defenses.”

“He is toughness, hard work – everything good you can say about a guy I’ll say about him. He’s taught me how to be a true professional. He’s a savant when it comes to reading defenses,” Ragnow said. “Blows my mind. It got to the point – so I would make a lot of the protection calls, but he would know. He would know a call he wants to do and he would switch it—he obviously had last say, right? —but I would make the switch and he would be like, ‘There we go, buddy. I was waiting on you.’ … I’m sure there’s a lot of quarterbacks like that, but from my point of view, he’s just a couple speeds ahead that it’s just crazy when it comes to diagnosing defenses and reading things, it’s wild.”

One of the knocks on Jared Goff was that he didn’t do enough at the line of scrimmage without the assistance of Sean McVay. That was mostly a criticism in 2017 and 2018 when they were first getting started together, but even in 2020, Goff seemed to struggle reading defenses at times.
He wouldn’t see his hot reads quickly enough when under pressure, which led to poor throws and turnovers. That shouldn’t be a problem for Stafford, who’s a quick-processer and performs well when pressured in the pocket.
 

SteezyEndo

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Lions C Frank Ragnow: Matthew Stafford's ability to read defenses 'blows my mind'



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Cameron DaSilva

February 19, 2021 12:19 pm

Frank Ragnow has spent the last three years with the Lions, playing alongside Matthew Stafford. He was the starting center for the last two seasons, which helped him develop a strong relationship with the veteran quarterback.
With Stafford on his way out and headed for Los Angeles, Ragnow reflected on his time with No. 9 and had nothing but great things to say about him. On “Unrestricted with Ben Leber,” Ragnow called Stafford his favorite teammate ever and doesn’t think that will change for as long as he plays.

“Matthew Stafford, I don’t think anyone will ever be able to top my favorite teammate ever,” Ragnow said. “Toughness, passion, competitiveness, everything. I can’t say enough about the guy, and I’m excited to see how he does in Los Angeles, but I’m also super excited about Jared Goff.

Being the Lions’ center, Ragnow was tasked with calling out protection assignments and identifying blitzers to help Stafford read the defense. But with the way Stafford operates, he was often one step ahead of Ragnow in that department.

Being a 12-year veteran, Stafford has seen just about every type of defense there is, so he was typically prepared to change things up at the line before Ragnow was even ready to. That blew him away, calling Stafford “a savant when it comes to reading defenses.”

“He is toughness, hard work – everything good you can say about a guy I’ll say about him. He’s taught me how to be a true professional. He’s a savant when it comes to reading defenses,” Ragnow said. “Blows my mind. It got to the point – so I would make a lot of the protection calls, but he would know. He would know a call he wants to do and he would switch it—he obviously had last say, right? —but I would make the switch and he would be like, ‘There we go, buddy. I was waiting on you.’ … I’m sure there’s a lot of quarterbacks like that, but from my point of view, he’s just a couple speeds ahead that it’s just crazy when it comes to diagnosing defenses and reading things, it’s wild.”

One of the knocks on Jared Goff was that he didn’t do enough at the line of scrimmage without the assistance of Sean McVay. That was mostly a criticism in 2017 and 2018 when they were first getting started together, but even in 2020, Goff seemed to struggle reading defenses at times.
He wouldn’t see his hot reads quickly enough when under pressure, which led to poor throws and turnovers. That shouldn’t be a problem for Stafford, who’s a quick-processer and performs well when pressured in the pocket.
We need a veteran yes. My idea would bring in sully to coach the line. From the looks of it Ragnow would be a good C for this team. Especially since the chemistry is there.
 

Allen2McVay

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We need a veteran yes. My idea would bring in sully to coach the line. From the looks of it Ragnow would be a good C for this team. Especially since the chemistry is there.
Ragnow was a first round hit for the Lions a couple years ago. I think he’s just 24 or 25. He may be a foundation piece for Detroit. I doubt he comes free anytime soon.
 

SteezyEndo

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Ragnow was a first round hit for the Lions a couple years ago. I think he’s just 24 or 25. He may be a foundation piece for Detroit. I doubt he comes free anytime soon.
Stafford may still be here by then. The way I see it, Stafford may retire while on this team. We will see though before we get another QB to take the reigns.
 

NJRamsFan

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We need a veteran yes. My idea would bring in sully to coach the line. From the looks of it Ragnow would be a good C for this team. Especially since the chemistry is there.
Yeah I mean who wouldn't want to bring in a young absolute stud C. I don't think you realize how good Ragnow is.
 

Neil039

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If he was available I am sure Sneed would have already inquired about him. Or I'm giving Sneed to much credit.
 

BatteringRambo

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Pretty cool to see how Ragnow appreciated Stafford. I don't recall Sullivan or Blythe speaking those words to Goff but not everyone opens up. I am so fucking happy we shocked the world and grabbed Stafford. Unreal!
 

Angry Ram

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Pretty cool to see how Ragnow appreciated Stafford. I don't recall Sullivan or Blythe speaking those words to Goff but not everyone opens up. I am so fucking happy we shocked the world and grabbed Stafford. Unreal!

Yeah no kidding. He's gonna bring a real spark next year. Fantastic feeling.
 

MachS

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Very excited to see him play in McVays offense. I think he offers a ton in regards to recognizing defenses and making protection calls at the line. Should give us some flexibility at center if we decide to upgrade there with a young, physical specimen instead of a vet that might be better at making the calls.
 

Merlin

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Waiting on the rest of the moves is like torture lol. With Akers & Stafford that backfield looks downright nasty though that's for damn sure.
 

12intheBox

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This - more than the arm strength, more than the toughness, more than the leadership - is why I love this trade. We are about to have a diagnostician out there under center.
 

JonRam99

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Very excited to see him play in McVays offense. I think he offers a ton in regards to recognizing defenses and making protection calls at the line. Should give us some flexibility at center if we decide to upgrade there with a young, physical specimen instead of a vet that might be better at making the calls.
Great comment - never thought about that. Perhaps Blythe's ability to make reads & calls was why McV was forced to use him at C? cuz Goff couldn't?? Mebbe Rams do get a developmental but stud specimen C outta da draft then!
 

CoachAllred

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  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
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Waiting on the rest of the moves is like torture lol. With Akers & Stafford that backfield looks downright nasty though that's for damn sure.
From everything I have read, Stafford has , since entering the NFL never been this excited and happy.
May have to reign that big arm in at camp, just to keep him from injuring receivers.:giggle:
All jokes aside, I get the feeling this man is on a mission and will do any and everything it takes to acquire a ring or two.
Can't wait to see Stafford and AD leading this team. It's going to be a very exciting season.
We just need to keep in mind that there will probably be some ups and downs as Stafford learns this offense
and gets in tune with his targets
 

dang

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Give him a gd stud center and make sure he has someone who can stretch the field and a big red zone target. Then let ‘em rip!!!!