Allen Park — After a 2022 season that saw Alim McNeill show a ton of progress, the Detroit Lions defensive tackle is starting back at “ground zero.”
For McNeill, that’s not a slight on what he accomplished last year. But at training camp in Allen Park Monday, he did have an admission about his 2022 season.
“Last year was up and down for me,” McNeill said. “I didn’t personally like it. But, I didn’t dislike it. This year, I’m looking to be able to be who I want to be on the field and be able to show everybody what I can really do.”
He didn’t explicitly state it, but reading between the lines — and seeing his new physique — it’s possible McNeill’s frustration with last season is that he felt like his own body was holding him back. The former third-round pick in 2021, who came into the league at 320 pounds and was listed at 330 pounds last season, said he’s dropped from 327 pounds to 305 since the last time he spoke “at a podium.”
“I feel a lot better,” McNeill said. “A lot lighter and faster on the field, and I still have the same strength, so I feel really good.”
McNeill showed flashes last year of the player he can be, with his most notable game coming in a big-time win over the New York Giants on Oct. 20. He had just four tackles, but three of them were for a loss, one was a sack and he hit the quarterback three times.
He’s not just lighter — he’s leaner — and that should make a difference for him come this fall, helping him turn in some more performances like he did against New York.
“Consistency is the word of the offseason for me. I just want to show that I can be consistent every play, every down. It’s just as simple as that,” McNeill said. “I just want to be more consistent on the field, show that I can do those things. Just having trust in my coaches.”
McNeill didn’t waste any time getting to work after the season ended.
“It was really after that last game. I knew before then that I was — ‘I got to make some changes. I want to make some changes to myself,’” McNeill said. “But, really that last game, from the day after that, I was just like, ‘Let’s go.’”
nbianchi@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @nolanbianchi