ALLEN PARK -- I thank God I got cut.

Those aren’t words you hear that often. Especially from a guy like Mike Daniels, who was known as one of the best and strongest defensive tackles in the league during his seven years in Green Bay. He was good against the run and terrific against the pass, racking up 29 sacks. That’s a Packers record for an interior lineman.

But the Packers cut Daniels loose last week, a move that saved them more than $8 million in cap space but still surprised many. Because while Daniels did miss six games last year with a foot injury, he is still widely respected around the league.

Within an hour, 13 teams called. Several made offers.

He chose Detroit over all of them.

Why?

“Coach (Matt) Patricia,” Daniels said. "Just flat out. He’s just a genius. He really is, man. He understands the game of football, he knows what it takes, so to be able to play for a coach like that means everything. It means everything.

“I’m really just trying to be restrained right now, because I’m so excited. If I could do a back flip right now, I’d do one. I’m really excited.”

Daniels met with a few teams during his brief foray on the open market, but as soon as he talked to Patricia during a private meeting in Allen Park, it was all over. He was sold on Patricia and this system so much that he actually became thankful he got cut.

Because he thinks he’s headed for big, big things in this defense.

“I always respected him, and I’ve always respected his work,” Daniels said. “Now I thank God. I thank God I got cut, and I have an opportunity to play with a defensive genius.”

Patricia is known for his defensive pedigree after turning the Patriots into one best and most consistent defenses in the league. He imported that system to Detroit last season, and after a slow start, the impact became obvious. The Lions ranked among the 10 best defenses in the league the second half of the season, no doubt aided by the midseason trade for Snacks Harrison.

Then the Lions went out and landed Trey Flowers, perhaps the most-prized free agent in the league this offseason. And Flowers, like Daniels, cited Patricia’s defensive pedigree and expertise for choosing Detroit over a long list of potential suitors.

Not bad for a coach who players supposedly don’t want to play for, eh?

Yes, Patricia is a tough coach. But he also knows defense, and defensive players who like to work hard are drawn to him. That’s exactly what Flowers said when he chose Detroit on the first day of free agency, and that’s exactly what Daniels said on Sunday after his first practice in Detroit.

“I know he does things the right way, and that’s how I do things,” Daniels said. “I try to do things the right way, as the best I can. So I’m glad I get to play for a coach who demands doing things the right way.”

Now Daniels joins Harrison to form one of the better 1-2 inside combos in the league, and that says nothing of Da’Shawn Hand and A’Shawn Robinson, who are also coming off big seasons. Throw in the addition of Flowers on the edge, and Detroit’s defensive line appears poised to join the league’s elite.

“Definitely have a tough defensive front,” Daniels said. “I’ve always respected the Lions’ defensive front, and now with Coach Patricia being here, seeing the guys he’s brought over here, they’ve only gotten better. So being able to play with those guys is awesome."