Despite Humbling Loss, Penei Sewell Has Same Mindset: 'Enough of the Talk'

Penei Sewell reacts to team's first loss, playing left tackle against Seahawks.

Detroit Lions offensive lineman Penei Sewell had the opportunity during this past offseason to flip and play left tackle. 

Teams oftentimes will prepare for any given scenario, similar to what the Lions encountered heading into their Week 2 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. 

Veteran left tackle Taylor Decker was unable to suit up. An ankle injury prevented him from participating in the home opener. 

For the third-year lineman, switching and playing on the left side, which he had not done since his rookie season, is not an excuse for any issues to arise. In his return to the position, he earned a 75.8 run-blocking and a 76.3 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. 

“For my mind, it doesn’t change. It’s not an excuse. Coach depends on me, this team depends on me, so there’s no difference," said Sewell. "When it comes to what I need to work on, just attention to detail. I’m like a yard away from making an important block, and I got to get off the ball faster. Or stay on the block with Jonah more, or just communication.”

The team was unable to complete the comeback in the home opener, losing in overtime to a team that was seeking to avoid starting the season with two straight losses. 

Sewell echoed that the players on the roster need to clean up the issues that have plagued the team to start the 2023 season. He expressed, "Very dirty, across the board. Just got to be better (as a team)."

When asked about his reaction to playing left tackle against the Seahawks, the talented lineman expressed, "A lot to work on, including my hands, my feet, pre-snap reads, so on and so forth."

The Lions, as a team, are reeling from the loss. But, a new week of preparation for the Atlanta Falcons provides an opportunity to right the ship and improve as a team. 

Losing has, for the time being, slowed down the hype train among supporters. 

For Sewell and the roster, returning to the mindset that contributed to the team's winning streak at the end of last season is the plan of attack, with another home game on the horizon. 

“Yeah, definitely humbles you. I hope the guys come in with that same mindset of where we were a year ago. It’s different now," Sewell explained. "There’s too many people riding the wave, there’s too many people talking. For myself, that never bothers me. No offense to y’all, but I really don’t give a damn what y’all say. So, I think the team’s got to humble back, go back to the drawing board and it’s just us, us against everybody. So, we’ve just got to keep that same mindset.” 

Sewell reiterated the team is "gritty" and needs to get back to showing what has made it successful in the past. 

“A gritty team, just simple as that. If I can think of one word, it’s grit. We’ve just got to show it. Enough of the talk. Simple as that," Sewell added.