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Not sure what it means in terms of Sunday, but Decker, McNeil & Paschal in full practice has got to be a good sign
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"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken LComment
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Collaboration the core theme behind Lions' success: 'We've got the right recipe'
Paywall article.
Richard Silva
The Detroit News
Allen Park — Dan Campbell spent his first 11 years in the NFL as a player, splitting time with the Giants, Cowboys, Lions and Saints. The next 11 came as an assistant, with him spending six seasons in Miami and five under Sean Payton in New Orleans.
Now in his fourth year as head coach in Detroit, Campbell has more than a quarter century's worth of experience that makes him confident in saying this: The Lions, starting with principal owner Sheila Hamp and trickling all the way down to the players, are deploying the right strategy to have sustained success.
"It's a huge factor," Campbell said Wednesday when asked how much Hamp's leadership helps the team. "In my opinion, without having the right ownership, it's hard to get to a point where you can have success and sustain it. I think it's very hard. We have the right ownership. Sheila is outstanding, man. She gives us everything we need, she is very supportive and she speaks her mind with me, and I appreciate that.
"Our guys have ownership of this team, they have buy-in, they know it's their team. We try to honor that, we do. Our team speaks volumes. Our core has got something. I listen, we listen, because that's the way it should be. For the most part, the core, the herd, I think it's you fall in line or it doesn't work out. We've got a good group."
Collaboration has been a core tenant of Detroit's approach since Hamp, along with team president Rod Wood and executive Chris Spielman, hired Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes in January 2021.
The Lions are 36-27-1 under the Campbell-Holmes regime, including a 32-8 record over the last 40 games.
Campbell has done his best to empower assistants — linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard speaks weekly in front of defense as Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn try to groom him to one day become a DC, as an example — and that's led to those same assistants empowering their players.
That includes offensive coordinator Ben Johnson meeting with Jared Goff for an hour every day throughout the week to discuss the game plan. If Goff thinks a certain route will be open against a specific coverage, Johnson will build an alert into the offense that allows Goff to get to it if he likes what he sees at the line of scrimmage.
"He'll kind of spitball, 'Hey, I'm thinking this, that or the other. These are the things that I've done that I really like.' We'll find a way to incorporate those," Johnson said Thursday. "The things that he's most comfortable with usually work on game day, so we want to give him a lot of liberty early in the week."
Johnson valuing Goff's input has helped the quarterback so far post one of the most efficient seasons of his career; Goff ranks second in passer rating (109.1), fifth in passing touchdowns (25) and eighth in passing yards (3,265). Removing his five-interception performance against the Texans in Week 11, Goff has only thrown five picks in his 12 other games this season.
Goff is also second in completion percentage (72.4%), behind only Miami's Tua Tagovailoa (73.8%). In the four games so far following Houston, Goff has completed 73.6% of his passes for 1,185 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception.
You better believe some, if not most, of that production has come by virtue of the teamwork between Goff and Johnson.
"That’s one of the biggest things here that makes it so fun to play here and to be a part of this winning culture we have, is that they listen to us and they are collaborative," Goff said. "We’ve talked at length about the stuff that Ben (Johnson) and I do and the work we do, but I know on defense there’s guys over there that are constantly talking to AG and Shep and those guys, seeing what they can add or help with or ideas they have.
"Personally, I come up with a lot of ideas. They don’t always get used. But sometimes they do, and those ones are fun. It’s a lot of fun to be a part of, I guess, the building process on offense."
It's been a top-down effort starting with Hamp and ranging from Campbell to Glenn and Johnson to the position coaches to the players.
"I've been in this league a long time as a player and a coach, so I've been in different organizations and you play against different ones and you see the dynamic places," Campbell said. "We've got the right recipe, we do. I would love to know who's got it better than us. That's a recipe to win with."
rsilva@detroitnews.com
@rich_silva18
Last edited by whatever_gong82; December 12, 2024, 05:42 PM."I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken LComment
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"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken LComment
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Paywall article below. Wojo: Lions embrace grueling race, no egos allowed
Bob Wojnowski
The Detroit News
Allen Park – If the Lions want help, they sign it. Or trade for it. Or elevate it from the practice squad. They find it, but they don’t ask for it.
Which is a good thing, because the Lions are crafting the franchise’s greatest regular season, one of the dominant runs in recent NFL history, and no one’s offering any help. Football fate has wracked their defense with injuries, but not wrecked it. The schedule has been daunting, with no letup looming, and their primary challengers in the division and conference aren’t going away.
No rest for the weary, or the wary. It’s amazing, actually. The Lions are 12-1 with 11 straight victories and the only thing they’ve clinched is a playoff spot. Not a division title, not a home game, not a No. 1 seed, not a bye. The Vikings (11-2) and Eagles (11-2) remain in dogged pursuit, having won a combined 15 consecutive games. Now the Lions get a “break” from the NFC wrestling match to face one of the AFC’s best when Buffalo (10-3) visits Sunday for the 4:25 p.m. CBS showcase game.
At this point in a long season, it can be exhausting or exhilarating. You know which way Dan Campbell and his grit-fed players lean. On a team largely devoid of drama and divas, no one minds the grind.
“I love it, I think it’s great,” Campbell said. “It keeps you sharp. I think we do well with pressure and it’s the right kind of friction and stress that we need, and it’s motivating. Absolutely I think there’s a benefit. I feel like we are in playoff football in a sense.”
Super Bowl preview?
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Lions have an 85% chance to win the NFC North, and 75% chance to land the top seed. They’re only a game ahead of the Vikings and Eagles, and currently own the tiebreakers. They also arguably own the toughest remaining schedule – Buffalo, at Chicago, at San Francisco, home to Minnesota.
The Eagles host the Steelers this week, then finish at Washington and home against the weak Cowboys and Giants. The Vikings play the Bears, Seahawks and Packers before the finale at Ford Field. I know we’re not used to playoff seeding around here, but let’s be very, very clear: The Lions’ chances of a Super Bowl run are dramatically raised if they get all their playoff games in the deafening din of Ford Field.
You’re tempted to call Sunday’s clash a potential Super Bowl preview, a fascinating one too, although the Chiefs might object. The Lions (32.1 ppg) and Bills (30.5) have the NFL’s highest-scoring offenses, with MVP candidates in Josh Allen and Jared Goff. Allen is the betting favorite because he plays the way fans love – with the swagger and size to plow through defenses for big runs. He’s the Bills’ second-leading rusher and has cut way down on interceptions and other reckless plays.
Goff is more subtle and precise, but anyone who underestimates his competitive toughness is a dope. He’sbeen to a Super Bowl with the Rams and the NFC Championship Game with the Lions, yet remains low-key and trouble-free.
Allen has played in an AFC championship game but not the Super Bowl. As both long-tortured fan bases know, neither franchise has ever captured the big prize.
This would be considered a HUGE game for the Lions except they’ve played multiple HUGE games, including the 34-31 gutcheck thriller over the Packers 10 days ago. That was their fourth game in 18 days, and then they got a free weekend to exhale, right?
Yeah, right. The Lions got to watch the Eagles edge the Panthers for their ninth straight victory, and the Vikings beat the Falcons for their sixth straight. Amon-Ra St. Brown said he monitored the games on two screens and shrugged.
“You can never really exhale in this league,” St. Brown said. “With everyone winning, it definitely keeps us motivated. Sometimes, at this point in the season, it’s all right, let’s get to the playoffs, can’t wait for the regular season to end. But we gotta keep going.”
Campbell and his players talk openly and colorfully about their lofty ambitions, but the key is, the words aren’t empty. They welcome the target and embrace the chase.
For instance, the Lions practiced in full pads Wednesday, the first time they’d done it mid-week in a while. It wasn’t just to further assimilate all the new defensive pieces – Ezekiel Turner, Kwon Alexander, Jamal Adams, etc. – or assess the injured pieces – Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Paschal, etc. – who are trending toward returning. It was to sharpen the edge.
“I love it,” St. Brown said. “Our legs are fresh, get some competitive drills going, no better way to do it than with the pads on.”
No Detroit divas
The Lions might be an NFL outlier in that regard. They’re loaded with high-end talent, obviously, but low on prima donnas. Goff brushes off MVP talk. Either running back, Jahmyr Gibbs or David Montgomery, could be the No. 1 guy on many teams, but happily share the carries and the glory.
St. Brown is a first-team All-Pro receiver who caught 119 passes last season. As other offensive weapons such as Jameson Williams and Tim Patrick have emerged, St. Brown’s numbers have dipped a bit (81 receptions) but not his value. In a league full of look-at-me receivers who spout and pout, St. Brown is a throwback, willing to execute whatever’s needed, including fierce downfield blocking.
Offensive tackle Taylor Decker has been here longer than anyone and witnessed a rare culture practically rise from molten earth. From owner Sheila Hamp to GM Brad Holmes to Campbell and coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, no one demands extra attention, no divas need apply.
“One thing that comes from the top down, there’s zero ego involved with any of the coaching staff or any of the players,” said Decker, expected to return this week from a knee injury. “I think Saint (Brown) even said, going into the Packers game, ‘If I have to dig out a safety on a run play 50 times, I’ll do it.’ And the evidence is on tape. It speaks to the right type of people being here, and the culture that Dan wanted to build. I’ve never seen anything like it in my nine years as far as the selflessness and lack of ego.”
It’s a compliment when we say the Lions don’t always do it conventionally or easily. They needed four fourth-down conversions to beat the Packers, including the final handoff from Goff, who fell as he shoveled the ball to Montgomery, who ran for 7 yards to kill the clock and set up the winning field goal.
Assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery calls it the “clutch gene,” and players such as Goff, St. Brown and others absolutely possess it. Is the “clutch gene” really a thing, or a result of repetition and experience in big game after big game after big game?
“Is it in my DNA? I don’t know,” Goff said. “Is it in anyone’s DNA? I think it’s the ability to know when those moments are, and not change who you are or what you’re doing. Dan talks about it all the time. A lot of people when pressure happens, their heart rate spikes, and they do something out of the ordinary, or try to do too much. I try to remain the same, and I think I do a pretty good job of that, but it’s constantly a work in progress.”
For the best teams and best players, there is no finish line, only the next task. As much as they’ve already accomplished, that’s how the Lions have to view it, because the challenges and challengers aren’t going away.
bob.wojnowski@detroitnews.com
@bobwojnowski
"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken LComment
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"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken LComment
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"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken LComment
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"Yeah, we just... we don't want them to go. So that's our motivation."
Dan Campbell at Green Bay, January 8, 2023.Comment
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Pride of Detroit Direct
by Jeremy Reisman
While it’s hard to ignore the upcoming marquee matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions this week, I had to put pause on a preview column for this newsletter. This past week has been the clearest of reminders that the Detroit Lions have the best coaching staff–top to bottom–of any team right now. And I wanted to share my perspective from a thrilling week at Allen Park.
Of course, we still have our First Byte preview podcast at the bottom of this email, plus an exclusive interview with rookie running back Sione Vaki.
But let’s talk about this coaching staff.
Don’t forget this specific coaching staff. They’re special
As special teams coordinator Dave Fipp approached the podium with his typical pep in his step, something was a little different this week. He was fidgeting with a piece of paper hiding in the pouch of his hoodie.
“I don’t do this that often, but Zak Keefer?” Fipp said, pulling out the piece of paper while scanning the media members in attendance.
Keefer, a national writer for The Athletic, was in the crowd. As we get closer to the playoffs, we’re already seeing national outlets send media members to Allen Park to get a taste of what’s cooking with the Detroit Lions. This week, in particular, has been shoulder-to-shoulder in the press room, with Keefer being just one of several additions, including extra staffers from ESPN, NFL Network, and more.
But on this day, Fipp wanted to have a long overdue conversation with Keefer. Back in July, Keefer penned a deeply-personal and emotional piece on Colts special teamer Grant Stuard. One of the members of the Lions PR department placed the article on Fipp’s desk back in the summer, and since he read it, he’s felt a debt of gratitude to its author.
“I’ve been meaning to write you a letter and tell you this is an incredible article, a great story on a great dude,” Fipp said Thursday. “I got a chance to play against the guy this year, and got a chance to talk to him after the game. It’s really well-written on a great story, and, to me, what this game is all about. I love it, man. So nice job.”
While this gesture may seem small and inconsequential to most, to me, it represents everything that makes this regime under Dan Campbell extremely special. Football coaches and media have a long history of contentiousness, and I certainly don’t need to jump into the recent history of this franchise under Matt Patricia to highlight that point. But this regime is different. The level of respect everyone in this building shows to one another–from the top of the organization to the bottom–and to outsiders is remarkable.
It’s become a bit of a fun habit of mine when I see a newcomer in the building to watch how they react to how the Detroit Lions carry themselves. And this week, they were given a treat: Not only did they get Fipp’s kind gesture, a couple Dan Campbell pressers, and the usual offerings of assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery and the coordinator. But the Lions put animated linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard out there, too–who delivered an 11/10 press conference, even by his lofty standards. To paraphrase one of the media newbies:
“I haven’t seen anything like this.”
We all know that offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn are special. Both will be atop the interview lists for head coaching jobs next year, and if you look across the league, there may not be that many other candidates to challenge them. But with Montgomery and Sheppard, Detroit has two incredible leaders who are almost certainly just scratching the surface of their NFL potential.
Montgomery has already interviewed for an NFL offensive coordinator position, but with the way he carries himself, I would not be surprised if he eventually worked his way into head coaching candidacy. There’s a reason “assistant head coach” is in his title right now. We all know the special leader and person that Dan Campbell is. And now he’s passing along those lessons to Montgomery.
“I’ve just learned so much from him,” Montgomery said this week. “Like I talked about before, going up there and just being truthful and transparent. I’ve never wanted to go harder for a coach than when he came in after a tough loss this year, and immediately said it was on him–and it wasn’t. In his mind, it was, but on all of us. There were so many plays in the game that happened. Right then, you don’t see leaders do those type of things in public situations.”
Meanwhile, Glenn is mentoring Sheppard to be a future defensive coordinator. The Lions linebacking coach has already shined bright on his own. Not only does he have the Lions’ linebacking corps better than it has been in decades, but when he steps to the podium, he oozes “it factor.”
“He’s a damn good coach,” Glenn said. “He’s fiery. Everything that you need as a linebacker coach, he’s that, and there are certain coaches on the staff that I think have to be bulldogs, and he’s one of the those coaches at that position.”
And while these coaches all have the intangibles, likability, and leadership qualities I’ve outlined above, they also are clearly extremely effective at teaching and getting the most out of their players. It’s those remarkable, personal qualities they have that allow them to take in four new players on a Monday, and give them significant roles to play on Thursday. It’s why Al-Quadin Muhammad is playing his best football in Year 8 of his career. It’s why Ezekiel Turner is emerging as much more than a special teams player. It’s why veterans like Jamal Adams and Kwon Alexander come running when the Lions need reinforcements.
We know attrition is coming with this coaching staff, so it’s important we don’t take them for granted right now. But at the same time, the bench is deep. I haven’t even talked about arguably the best offensive (Hank Fraley) and defensive line (Terrell Williams) coaches in football. We rarely talk about how Tanner Engstrand is slowly rising up the offensive ranks. Or Antwaan Randle El, who has already scored an offensive coordinator interview of his own.
This coaching staff is special and unique, but I have full confidence the next class of coaches will be defined by a lot of the same characteristics that have other media members in stunned awe these days.
1-on-1 interview with rookie RB Sione Vaki
Jeremy: First things first, I wanted to know your reaction to currently being first in Pro Bowl voting among special teamers.
Vaki: “Oh shoot. I’m grateful, man. I’m just thankful to, first and foremost, God. I’m also thankful to the fans and all those who are voting for me for seeing something and being able to vote me into the Pro Bowl, man. That’s crazy, I would never had thought about that.”
Jeremy: Does it mean a little more at the special teams position–something you’re very familiar with, but doesn’t always receive the recognition it deserves?
Vaki: “Yeah, for sure. Special teams is how I started my whole career, man. Especially starting in college, that’s where I got my name, being able to work into a starting position. Now in the NFL, man, playing special teams, you’ve got to love it. You’ve got to love the process, and special teams has been a big thing in my process.”
Jeremy: How does Sione Vaki today compare to training camp Sione Vaki?
Vaki: “Back in training camp, it was just like getting out of my DB mindset for a lot of it. Especially just looking in the backfield. When I would look at myself in the backfield back then, it was just like, ‘Dude, what am I doing?’ I looked like a DB back there, but now, definitely being able to settle in and then being in the (RB) room 24/7, being able to focus on this position, I feel good. I feel in a good place.”
Jeremy: When you say you looked like a DB, are you talking about your stance? The way you run?
Vaki: “Yeah, I would feel like sometimes my stance back there would be like–my feet would be cocked as if I’m about to backpedal or something. And since then I’ve gotten a lot better.”
Jeremy: What have you learned most from Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery?
Vaki: “From DMo, I learned how to be a professional. Being able to take care of his body not only here, but outside the building. And then just seeing him perform, even in the walkthroughs man. I know a lot of you guys aren’t able to see that, but it looks the same in walkthroughs than it does in the game. He’s always game-time ready.
“And then Gibbs he kinda wants to help me chill out, have fun with the game. Sometimes before the game, he’s just a really chilled-back, no worries, nonchalant guy. And it’s just like, ‘What the heck?’ Then he just goes out and he does what he does.
“Also, being able to learn from Munch (Jermar Jefferson) and Craig (Reynolds). Those guys being able to just show me the ropes, as well. Everyone has been super helpful to me, man.”
Jeremy: Everyone knows that running back room is filled with characters. Can you compare each to a superhero or movie character?
Vaki: “I don’t know if I can change Sonic and Knuckles. So I’ll just keep them that. Craig, we’ll go with Captain America. He’s a little Swiss army knife, probably can do a little of both. And I would say Munch. Who’s Munch? I would say Munch is– I don’t know about superhero–but as a character, I would say Sid from “Ice Age.” I would give Munch that.”
Jeremy: What about you?
Vaki: “Shoot, I don’t know. Something off to the side.”
Jeremy: So you’re a sidekick?
Vaki: “Yeah, a sidekick.”
Jeremy: Last one: what’s the best advice Scottie Montgomery has given you?
Vaki: “Early, when I first came in for my visit, I went to the meeting room, somebody had asked me, ‘What do you bring to the table?’ So, he pulled me to the side, because I had answered it. He pulled me aside in the running backs room, he’s like, ‘I don’t need you to be no one but yourself.’ That’s helped me a lot, especially here. There’s so much going on, you’re wondering, you’re assuming certain things, you’re trying to figure out everything at once. But the best advice that he’s given me is to just be yourself.”
Jeremy: That seems to be a message throughout the entire building, whether you’re a player or a coach.
Vaki: “Everyone should tap into that unique part of themselves and what they bring to the table. So being able to be yourself, you’ve got to do that.”
First Byte: Lions vs. Bills preview with John Boccacino
"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken LComment
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From Jeremy Reisman:
"People want to talk about how Dan Campbell’s aggressiveness could cost the Lions a game in the playoffs. Nobody wants to talk about how Jim Caldwell’s conservativeness cost the Lions their best chance at a Super Bowl in 2014 (immediately after the PI flag pickup)"
"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken LComment
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Caldwell was a great leader of men, but a terrible game manager. I felt like we could count on him losing 2-3 games a season from poor game decisions. Usually because he was way too conservative.Comment
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I thought he was OK as a game manager, even if he was conservative. I never thought the team had anything more than 10 win talent. He was good at managing the game in keeping the team in it for a comeback.
The Lions under Campbell can run the ball, that makes it so much easier to be aggressive. Until Campbell and Holmes came along there was a 20 year stretch in which they simply could not run the ball, they drafted numerous backs and offensive lineman, every coach they had preached establishing the run and they simply couldn't do it. Being able to run on 3rd and 4th down allows the coach to be aggressive with his play calls.
Also with Caldwell, because they couldn't run effectively, they could never salt the game away. You simply never saw a game in which they salted away the game in the 4th quarter with time consuming drives. When you are trying to run the clock out and it results in 3rd and 7, you are going to allow a lot of teams to come back.
Comment
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Caldwell was entirely... fine as a head coach. I sometimes think he struggled with real time decision making, but that's really a nitpick more than anything. I struggle to see too many coaches get terribly much more out of the rosters he was given.Comment
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DFN Mailbag, Part I: Future of Lions' newcomers, stopping Allen and ranking pizzas
Justin Rogers
Dec 13
Allen Park — It’s been a few weeks since I checked the mailbox. Given the number of high-quality questions, I’m breaking this mailbag into two parts, with a second wave Saturday morning.
Q: Do you think Christian Mahogany has established himself as the top interior o-line backup? If so, do you think the plan would be for him to take Kevin Zeitler's spot next year? — Dhani Bowtie
Justin: My opinion isn’t necessary with the first part of your question. The proof is in the team’s approach. For the past few weeks, they’ve gone into games with Mahogany as the choice, ahead of Kayode Awosika. There’s no gamesmanship at play here. The team clearly feels Mahogany gives them the best chance to win if they need an in-game replacement.
Regarding the plans for 2025, it’s too early to say. We’ll obviously have a better grasp on how they feel about Mahogany’s starting potential based on how they approach free agency and the draft. If there’s lingering uncertainty, they’ll have some strong competition for the job. They won’t risk weakening one of the key strengths of the roster on a gamble.
Q: Do you believe the huge increase in season-ticket prices will make season-ticket holders sell their tickets, leading to a large surge of visiting fans? — Matthew Sharp
Justin: No, I don’t see it playing out that way. If a fan is going to travel to a road game, they’re going to find a way into the building. What we know is there’s a waiting list for season tickets north of 20,000, and if the Lions continue to play at a high level, there will continue to be strong local interest through the secondary market.
While we might see an increase in the number of resale options available as season-ticket holders sell off a portion of their packages to offset the increases, I don't anticipate a drastic shift in the ratio of home fans vs. road fans buying them up.
Q: How does somebody get press credentials? Is there a cost for that? — Nate
Justin: Generally speaking, to be credentialled to cover a professional sporting event, you need to be employed or assigned by an accredited outlet. Applications are handled by the home team or league, depending on the event. There are no costs associated with credentialing.
Q: Which of the new guys has played himself into potential future plans? — Zac Herr
Justin: It’s difficult to say any of them have guaranteed anything beyond this season. The sample size is too small and there are too many moving parts.
What they’re working toward establishing in these windows of opportunity is work ethic, coachability and capability of executing assignments. A guy like Ezekiel Turner, for example, has elevated his stock. Still, he’s there's redundancy against longer-term roster pieces, such as Jalen Reeves-Maybin or Malcolm Rodriguez.
Alternatively, someone like Jonah Williams might have a better shot based on roster dynamics, with Marcus Davenport and John Cominsky on expiring deals.
Most of those assessments will be made in February and March.
Q: It feels like Aaron Glenn will move on. Do we go after Mike Vrabel or Robert Saleh or stay internal? — Rich Frank
If the Lions lose Ben Johnson, what are the chances his replacement is already on staff? — Dean Pippio
Justin: When trying to project these things, the challenge increases without historical examples to reference. We know, not just with Dan Campbell, but NFL head coaches in general, guys like to fill out their staffs with people they’ve worked with before.
And when Campbell’s gone outside his network, he’s been more inclined to pull the plug quickly. Anthony Lynn didn’t make it through his first season as offensive coordinator. Position coaches Mark DeLeone, John Scott and Aubrey Pleasant similarly didn’t get the benefit of the doubt when their units weren’t meeting expectations.
Given the critical importance of the coordinators, my inclination is Campbell would prefer to fill those roles with coaches he knows. That’s why Kelvin Sheppard has been the guy I’ve pointed to for two years as my favorite to replace Glenn. I’d also lean toward an internal promotion for offensive coordinator, with Scottie Montgomery having a slight edge on Tanner Engstrand.
Obviously, we can’t know who might be available on the open market. And if there's mutual interest from a proven option such as Saleh, it would be foolish to outright dismiss it. But, remember, Campbell’s football philosophies are going to be reflected in whoever might be brought in. Physicality, toughness, aggressiveness and an emphasis on the run will be key attributes.
Q: Does Colby Sorsdal have a future with the team? Is he an option at guard or tackle? — Craig Mirek
Justin: Sure, but not necessarily as a starter. He’s still being cross-trained at both positions, but he’s landed near the back of the depth chart, behind Skipper, Mahogany, and, last we knew, Awosika.
The Lions put more emphasis on Sorsdal playing tackle this offseason and it didn’t go particularly well. It was clear, watching practice daily during camp, Skipper was going to be the guy.
Everything resets next offseason. Sorsdal will be provided another opportunity to move up the depth chart and potentially earn the swing tackle job.
Q: Where does Detroit-style pizza rank amongst styles of pizza? I was born and raised in Michigan but have lived in Connecticut for over a decade now. Most pizza out here is New Haven or New York Style. So where would you put Detroit-style compared to New York-style, New Haven-style, Chicago deep dish, California-style, and hand-tossed (since Michigan is home to Little Caesar's, Domino's, and Hungry Howie's)? — Andrew Keck
Justin: I’ve never had pizza that was described as New Haven style, but coal-fired brick oven pizza is at the top of my personal list. And look, I love Detroit style. Love it. But as I’ve gotten older, my body rejects food abuse, so any time I eat more than a single slice of Detroit style, I feel weighed down.
It’s a shame because there are so many good options near my house, including Como’s, Elephant and Co., Green Lantern and Loui's. I may have had Elephant and Co. this week.
If I was making a ranking of styles:
Coal-fire brick oven (Neapolitan?)
Detroit style
New York style
Non-chain hand-tossed
Chicago style
Frozen
Wonder Bread, leftover Chef Boyardee and melted string cheese
Lunchables
St. Louis style
Q: What is the best way to contain Josh Allen? — JFL
Justin: Be disciplined and tight with your rush lanes and use a lot of underneath zone coverage as a backstop. I’d be reluctant to play a ton of straight zone given Allen’s experience and arm strength, but having a safety playing robber and/or a middle-field linebacker closer to the line of scrimmage to further discourage scrambles would be high on my priority list on obvious passing downs.
A little extra prayer probably wouldn’t hurt.
Q: Even though he is locked up for next year already, has Jake Bates played his way into a long-term deal this offseason? — Chris Dressler
Justin: No need to rush it. The Lions have his rights for two years beyond this one, given he’ll be an exclusive-rights free agent in 2026.
This is a situation where you let it play out. If he remains reliable, you can work toward a multi-year deal in 2027, when he’d be a restricted free agent.
Q: What game are you most concerned about from the remaining games? Which one is a must-win? — JFL
Justin: None of them are must-wins. The Lions can lose any of the four remaining and are practically guaranteed to earn the top seed in the NFC, based on how the tie-breakers are shaping up.
In terms of concern, it’s clearly this one against Buffalo. That’s as dangerous of an offense as there is in the NFL, paired with an opportunistic defense.
Q: Do you think Melifonwu will be a Lion next season? — Wes
Justin: I do not. We can agree he’s an immensely talented and versatile defensive back, but I don’t think the Lions can afford to pay for potential when he hasn’t been able to reliably stay on the field during his four seasons in Detroit. It will be cheaper to look for a Swiss Army knife with special teams ability in the draft to serve as a backup to Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph.
Q: Everyone seems to pronounce Onwuzurike as On Zoo Ree Kay, but it feels like a syllable is missing. It looks like On Woo Zoo Ree Kay. Is the former how Levi has said it should be pronounced? — MotorCityJeff
Justin: Well, how about I just go ask him? Spoiler: We’re both wrong, but you nailed the extra syllable.
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"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
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Caldwell was never a great leader.. Players respected him because he was a nice guy,Comment
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