**3.** Speaking of edge rushers, Sheppard is pretty excited about the work veteran [Marcus Davenport](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/marcus-davenport/) is putting in right now. Davenport hasn't taken a single day off, according to Sheppard, and sees a very confident player with some of the changes he's made to his body and his approach to the offseason.
With Davenport, it comes down to health and availability. No one doubts the talent when he's on the field. Sheppard said Davenport has changed his offseason approach to make the health and availability questions not part of his story in 2025. Stay tuned.
**4.** There's been a lot of turnover on Dan Campbell's coaching staff this offseason, including the ascension of Sheppard to defensive coordinator. There's a number of new young coaches on this staff, and Sheppard thinks that's going to raise the energy level come training camp.
These are competitive coaches — a number of them former players — and Sheppard is expecting to go back-and-forth quite a bit with running backs coach and close friend, Tashard Choice. He also said he and assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery will get into some back-and-forth a little bit, too.
"I know they'll be waiting on me," Sheppard said. "I'll be waiting on them."
**5.** One of the things Sheppard has loved to see in the meeting room, and something he views as an indication this defense is taking the next step, is the player-to-player accountability. It's one thing for a coach to hold a player accountable, but when the players start doing it themselves, that's when a unit really takes off, according to Sheppard.