DeAndre Levy Credits Change In Mindset For Better Play Over Past 2 Seasons
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
ALLEN PARK (CBS DETROIT) - Six-year veteran linebacker DeAndre Levy was named NFC Player of the Month for September, and he attributes his impressive play to a new approach to the game. For the attention his play has received, Levy credits his teammates.
The Detroit Lions have a record of 3-1, and the team's defense ranks first in the NFL in yards allowed per game.
"Obviously I think some of the recognition and praise that I've gotten the past month, a big part is how well the defense has been playing, the guys around me have been playing," Levy said. "If we weren't number one, I don't know if it would be as much recognition, so big credit goes out to those guys. [Coordinator Teryl Austin]'s done a great job mixing up the game plans week-to-week, making adjustments and getting us in the right position."
As far as how the linebacker stepped up his game in 2013 and has continued to play well this season, Levy said he decided about two years ago that he wanted to be more than an average NFL player.
"I think it was kind of just trying to switch my mentality, not just being a guy, just coming out here with a purpose each day to work," Levy said. "Offseason, get up every morning and have a purpose in mind as opposed to just going through the motions of saying, 'OK, I'm doing my job and working how I'm supposed to,' just trying to push myself a little bit more, on and off the field, film study, whatever it is."
Levy said he generally arrives at the Lions facility around 6:30 a.m. and leaves between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Sometimes that time frame includes an additional hour or so of film study, but sometimes he does that at home.
Levy said he thinks the extra time looking at video has helped him.
"You try to find little tendencies and get familiar with the personnel," Levy said. "Once things start becoming familiar, you can just react off instinct a little bit. It becomes second nature once you see certain formations, certain sets."
Lions head coach Jim Caldwell certainly seemed impressed by Levy's revamped approach to games.
"One of the things that you notice - and rather quickly if you watch him in practice - he prepares the way he plays," Caldwell said. "He's intense and he's focused. I was sitting in the meetings, actually, the other day, just kind of listening to [linebackers coach] Bill Sheridan give instruction about getting prepared for this game, and the questions that [Levy] has are right on. He's an expert at what he does, and I think you see that sort of carry over in his play."
As for the accolades Levy has received, the linebacker said he has not paid much attention. He said he did not feel slighted when he was not selected for the Pro Bowl last season, and he added that he has not read anything from the media in about two years.
"Just unnecessary noise," Levy said.
In addition to his six interceptions last season were 119 tackles, a career high, and 15 passes defended, another career high. Many teammates said they believed Levy belonged in the Pro Bowl.
They might get their wish if Levy keeps playing at this level.
Through four games this season, Levy has already recorded 38 tackles, three passes defended and an interception. Levy also scored two points when he tackled Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy in the end zone in week three.
"He's around the ball," Caldwell said. "If you want to know where he is and how effective he is, just watch the football. He shows up and shows up quickly. He's got skill level obviously that is extraordinary. He runs extremely well, he can shed blocks, he can certainly get to the ball a number of different ways with power and speed, and [he is] very good in pass coverage as well. He's a very unusual guy."
