By: Michael Stets
ALLEN PARK–Kerry Hyder may have led the Detroit Lions defense with eight sacks during a breakout year in 2016, but as he prepares for the upcoming season, he’s not about to rest on individual achievements.
“I can’t stay in the same spot,” Hyder told reporters on Tuesday. “I’m gonna keep going. You try to get better each year. I can’t just live off of just eight sacks. I have to continue to get better, continue to grind and push for my teammates.”
Hyder, 26, entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Texas Tech with the New York Jets in 2014. After spending his first season on the practice squad in New York, followed by another year on the Lions’ practice squad in 2015, Hyder finally earned a spot on the 53-man roster in 2016. Making matters even more impressive was the fact that he lost weight during last year’s off-season in order to convert from a defensive tackle into an end. While an eight-sack season is certainly something to build upon, the Texas native would prefer to keep the past behind him, knowing all too well that if he doesn’t perform in 2017, stats from previous seasons won’t matter.
“From what I’ve learned from this business is it’s more like: ‘what have you done for me lately?,’” he said. “I’m going to keep working. Last year is last year. 2017, I’m going to treat it like a new year, new day and try to get better each day.”
Hyder, who was a part of three rookie mini-camps (two with the Lions, one with the Jets), acknowledged that the NFL is “cutthroat,” and said: “I keep working every day like it’s my last.”
Coach Jim Caldwell praised Hyder’s attitude, hustle and work ethic throughout the 2016 season, as did his teammates as well as opposing quarterbacks. So where does that mindset, focus and drive that he’s become known for stem from?
“It’s really where I come from,” he explained. “Nothing about this has been easy for me. And I don’t plan for it to start to be easy. I didn’t accomplish all my goals. I have a lot of goals. And we have a lot goals as a team to accomplish. We have to keep pushing forward. Our ultimate goal is to win games and get to the playoffs and we got cut short last year.”
As for what his individual goals are as far as statistics are concerned, Hyder wasn’t willing to share, saying,”I don’t want to to get into that too much. Kind of keeping that to myself. My goal is to get better every day. I don’t have any numbers that you are looking for. I’m just trying to do a little bit better than I did last year.”
With Devin Taylor no longer with the team and free agent addition Cornelius Washington, who previously played for the Chicago Bears, now in the mix, there will be plenty of healthy competition for the starting defensive end spot opposite of Ziggy Ansah. Hyder says he likes “the versatility of all the guys,” and whether or not he starts is of little significance to him, because he knows he will have a role on the team.
“I trust that the coaches are going to put guys in the perfect position to make plays,” he said. “Whether they are starting or coming off the bench, whatever it is, I am willing to do that. I’m trying to help the team. I’m trying to play well. I know that I’m going to get in and I’m going to get a chance to play. I’m not really worried about that kind of thing. I’m just worried about how I can contribute.”
It’s no secret, the defense must improve greatly if the Lions plan on making a return trip to the playoffs. Hyder was asked what he and his teammates need to do to in order to improve.
“I just feel as a defense we can start and finish games better. We just gotta finish the games, and create some more plays and get the ball back to Matt [Stafford]. If Matt has the ball he’s going to make some plays for us.”