ALLEN PARK -- When speaking to reporters last week, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard referred to fifth-year linebacker Derrick Barnes as a little brother.

But according to Barnes, “Shepp” doesn’t just have that relationship with him -- he shares it with multiple players on the Lions’ defense.

When speaking with MLive , Barnes said one big reason players trust Sheppard is his ability to professionally balance his role as coordinator with also being someone they can confide in personally, knowing what’s said will stay with him.

“He’s just a guy you can trust. You know if you tell him something, he’s going to keep it to himself, which is big for me as far as respect and things like that,” Barnes said.

So where does this ability to connect with players come from?

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