Ikaika Alama-Francis article (1 Viewer)

[Anthony Borbely]

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Lions coach Marinelli high on rookie defender Alama-Francis

Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News

ALLEN PARK -- Hearing his name called on both ends of the Lions' defensive line is a good sign for the player coach Rod Marinelli calls "Five-O."

Ikaika Alama-Francis got a practice-field promotion Wednesday to right end with the No. 1 defense. The other starting ends -- Dewayne White (groin) on the left, Kalimba Edwards (ankle) on the right -- were out.

"To me, it's very special," said Alama-Francis, a second-round pick from Hawaii. "The head coach is working with you personally when you're out of the plays and even when you're in the plays. He's one of the best defensive line coaches ever to coach the game."

Alama-Francis is sure to be part of the defensive-line rotation this season. The Lions are looking to upgrade the pass rush, and Alama-Francis had 18 1/2 sacks his last two years at Hawaii.

Marinelli calls him "Five-O" as a takeoff from "Hawaii Five-O," an old police drama television show. It's also because of the difficulty in pronouncing Alama-Francis' first name -- "ee-keye-kuh."

"Everybody knows how to pronounce my name in Hawaii," Alama-Francis said. "My name has been destroyed over and over again. I just gave up on it -- 'Five-O' is fine with me."

Ikaika means "brave, strong" in Hawaiian, Alama-Francis said.

What about Alama-Francis?

"My mom and my dad's last names," he said, laughing. "You guys are going to have to sort that one out. That's not my choice."

Alama-Francis has an engaging, outgoing personality. But the Lions drafted him to put pressure on the quarterback.

Defensive coordinator Joe Barry likes his potential.

"The first thing you like is his athleticism," Barry said. "You forget sometimes that the kid is 280 pounds when you just see him. He's very fluid and athletic."

Alama-Francis is starting Saturday against Cleveland, with Kalimba hurt. I am very interested to see him play and hopefully he will get some extended time.

 

[stevegamer]

This screams for a hybrid LB/DE role, and uniform # 50.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

This screams for a hybrid LB/DE role, and uniform # 50.

He is not going to play LB. He is still growing. He may wind up playing inside at some point. I personally think his size and speed will make him a very good DE. He sure has a lot of upside.

 

[Jene Bramel]

This screams for a hybrid LB/DE role, and uniform # 50.

He is not going to play LB. He is still growing. He may wind up playing inside at some point. I personally think his size and speed will make him a very good DE. He sure has a lot of upside.

Agreed, but I think he was playing off the Hawaii-5-0 thing.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

This screams for a hybrid LB/DE role, and uniform # 50.

He is not going to play LB. He is still growing. He may wind up playing inside at some point. I personally think his size and speed will make him a very good DE. He sure has a lot of upside.

Agreed, but I think he was playing off the Hawaii-5-0 thing.

 

[Tick]

I don't think I get it - 280 doesn't sound like a hybrid, and there are very few hybrids in 4-3s.

 

[JoeSteeler]

Any update on how he is progressing, playing time etc?

 

[jgb95]

i haven't seen any!!!

i still have him on my PS. (I'm holding)

 

[Anthony Borbely]

He has only been active one game. I'd be patient, he was extremely raw coming out of college, and he has a lot to learn. The DEs in front of him have been very good, which is another reason he hasn't played.

My long term opinion of his has not changed. But I don't think he plays much this year barring injury. I think he is a good dynasty buy low from an impatient owner.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

He has only been active one game. I'd be patient, he was extremely raw coming out of college, and he has a lot to learn. The DEs in front of him have been very good, which is another reason he hasn't played. My long term opinion of his has not changed. But I don't think he plays much this year barring injury. I think he is a good dynasty buy low from an impatient owner.

Jared Devries and Corey Smith have played well in the rotation, getting some extra time when Edwards has been hurt, but neither is any long term threat to IAF's spot opposite White.

 

[JoeSteeler]

Thanks for the reply guys! I drafted him in the 5th round and still think I got a steal. I am holding on to him for sure and wanted to see how he was progressing.

 

[Donnybrook]

He has only been active one game. I'd be patient, he was extremely raw coming out of college, and he has a lot to learn. The DEs in front of him have been very good, which is another reason he hasn't played. My long term opinion of his has not changed. But I don't think he plays much this year barring injury. I think he is a good dynasty buy low from an impatient owner.

<------ Impatient owner. I cut him last week for Brian Robinson.

 

[Tick]

He has only been active one game. I'd be patient, he was extremely raw coming out of college, and he has a lot to learn. The DEs in front of him have been very good, which is another reason he hasn't played. My long term opinion of his has not changed. But I don't think he plays much this year barring injury. I think he is a good dynasty buy low from an impatient owner.

<------ Impatient owner. I cut him last week for Brian Robinson.

...and I snagged him the following day.

 

[Tick]

I saw that IAF was on the field yesterday... did anyone see enough to get a feel for how he played?

 

[Anthony Borbely]

I saw that IAF was on the field yesterday... did anyone see enough to get a feel for how he played?

He played a decent game considering it was the first time he saw extensive playing time. He had only one tackle, but he did put some pressure on Romo a couple of times, and on a couple of plays where he ran sideline to sideline, you could see his athleticism. He has a big time motor. He just needs to play more. He is still very raw and regardless of how he does over the last 3 games, I think he is someone to hold or buy this offseason.