X's and BrO's - Shep reacts to Frank Ragnow's retirement

Shep opens Tuesday's show with some quick takeaways from Lions All-Pro center Frank Ragnow's announcement that he's hanging 'em up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
If you've followed this show long enough, or if you're
new to the show, welcome, And if you follow the
show long enough, you know that Frank ragnow might be
my favorite lion. I know it's easy to buy jerseys
for Jared Goff, saw a bunch in the neighborhood just
over the weekend for A'man Ross Saint Brown. For Jamior Gibbs.

(00:23):
I mean, how many people are going out there by
number seventy seven because of a center greatly respect his knowledge,
his toughness, his commitment, all those things. I think he's
been a hell of a pro. I love the draft
pick at the time, I know, I know, I mean,

(00:45):
it is not something that is super sexy. It is
not something that people embrace all the time. With offensive lineman,
you think you can get better guys at the bottom
of drafts. You think it's really important to take quoting
quote skill set players at the beginning of drafts. I
argue strongly that and not many NFL people use the

(01:08):
word skill when they talk about just wide receivers and
running backs and tight ends and corners. The skill is
definitely there from an offensive lineman and standpoint, we're going
to talk with Lomas Brown, the Hall of Famer. I
saw him yesterday at Oakland Hills. I will you can
enjoys in seven thirty five to talk about the importance
of this. It's not like this team can't survive when

(01:34):
other teams can move on, like Philadelphia without their multi
all pro center Jason Kelsey. The possibility is there. Tate
Ratledge more of a guarden college, but can play the position.
Miles Frasier, more of a guard tackle in college, can
play the position. Graham Glasgow has played the position, so

(01:59):
it's not like it's something that they can't overcome. But
you don't just plug and play guys and have them
be as good, if not better than a player who
was this in tune with the offense and in tune
with his teammates on offensive line. You know the cliches,

(02:23):
but they're so appropriate, and that is they work as one.
Wide receivers can be on different parts of the offensive line,
and they can run routes that don't always help the
other one. Tight Ends can do something similar. Running Backs

(02:44):
don't have to be in the same backfield. If you're
an offensive lineman, you must work in concert with the
other men on that line. In order for the entire
offense to be successful and effective. You could argue, and
I know left tackle is where the money is oftentimes made,

(03:08):
but you could argue the center position is the most
important position outside of quarterback on the football field, and
when a guy is this good, this steady, this knowledgeable,
this respected, it's hard to replace him. In one fell suit,

(03:31):
I didn't know how to feel about it when it
became official on Instagram via Frank Ragnow yesterday, because there
was a part of me that was kind of pissed off,
as much as I like him, and I'm sure you
may have felt the same way. Why pissed off? Well,
that's easy. How about giving them a heads up going

(03:54):
into the draft about that? Then? I thought, look, part
of the reason they drafted the two offensive linemen was
because their versatility, their ability to do that job. I
don't think it's not like it wouldn't come as a
shock to the Lions, But I'm not sure Brad Holmes

(04:16):
was completely taken off guard by this, considering Ragnow has
has had to go through the consistent injuries. No doubt
they have conversations at the end of seasons to see
where they're at. And I think he he knew at

(04:37):
some point during the draft. Going into the draft, they
should say that, you know, we've got to protect ourselves
a little bit here, just in case. He doesn't live
in the moment. He lives in future moments. That's what
makes him a great general manager. Our phone number on
the Meyer hotline eight sixty six eight three, eight forty

(04:58):
eight forty three. The text line is sports Radio twenty
one thousand. Kind of a tough day for those who
really appreciate a guy like Frank Ragnow and appreciate offensive
linemen and just how important they are to a football team.