Lions News

[whatever_gong82]

If Lions end up losing Ben Johnson, two in-house candidates stand out as viable replacements



Justin Rogers
The Detroit News



Allen Park — It's a topic a lot of Detroit Lions fans aren't prepared to discuss, but if the team continues on its current trajectory, there's a strong chance they'll lose one or both of their coordinators during the league's next hiring cycle.

After offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive counterpart Aaron Glenn interviewed for multiple openings last year, coach Dan Campbell has been bracing for a pending departure for some time.

"I haven’t gone there yet with that in this moment," Campbell said earlier this month. "I mean, I’ve thought about that before. I thought I was going to lose AG (Glenn) twice and Ben last year once, but that was certainly at the end of the year."

Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson.jpg

Obviously, Campbell presently has bigger things commanding his attention — most notably, the team's upcoming matchup with the Baltimore Ravens — as the Lions continue their pursuit of their first division title in three decades. But, it should go without saying that a contingency plan must exist so the franchise can maintain success if Glenn or Johnson receives that opportunity.


And while outside candidates would and should be considered for those potential vacancies, two internal options are standing out as workable replacements for Johnson: assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery and passing-game coordinator Tanner Engstrand.

Both present strong resumes, holding equal or greater coaching positions at different levels prior to joining Detroit's staff.



Montgomery has been an offensive coordinator twice at the collegiate level, sandwiched in between a three-year stint as the head coach at Eastern Carolina. He's also worked with three different position groups as an assistant, including running backs and wide receivers in the NFL. Plus, he's made it known in the past he has aspirations to be coordinator for an NFL offense.

Much like Campbell, nothing but the immediate future is on Montgomery's mind right now.



"As far as the whole process, we're in Week 6," he said last week. "I slept three hours last night. You think I have time to think about anything other than trying to get these guys lined up? No. Do I have aspirations? Of course. I'm not going to run from that. This is the real world. But right now, during the season, if you're thinking about that, the team you're about to play against is going to expose you, and you won't have to think about it."

What stands out about Montgomery has been his relentless attention to detail and authoritative presence when put in front of the room. He carries himself like a leader and has experience setting a standard and holding players accountable when they fall short of expectations.


"He’s seen some things and he’s a good sounding board for me," Campbell said earlier this offseason. "...He’s excellent, the way he pushes those guys. He pushes those running backs, demands a lot out of them, he’s accountable and he’s high-energy and he’s smart."

As for Engstrand, he's been something of Johnson's right-hand man since joining the Lions in the middle of the 2020 season, first working together to coach the team's tight ends before being shifted, full-time, to the passing-game coordinator role this season.


"He’s bringing a lot more ideas to the pass game in general," Campbell said. "And I think really from the game-plan aspect is where you really see (his development), as well as, man, the details of the routes with the receivers, the tight ends, the backs, because he kind of works in those rooms too. ... He’s an asset for us."

A former college quarterback like Johnson, Engstrand does have coordinating experience, running the offense for the D.C. Defenders of the XFL in 2020. Plus, having four years to work with people like Johnson, Montgomery and former senior assistant John Morton has only refined his resume and depth of knowledge if provided a chance to revisit the role in the NFL.



Both Montgomery and Engstrand have embraced the collaborative approach employed by the Lions and Johnson, while Engstrand's offensive philosophies closely mirror the current OC, particularly the emphasis on making different things look the same and the same things look different that is the heart of Detroit's offensive scheme.


Last offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles made the Super Bowl, then saw both of their coordinators land head-coaching jobs. Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen wound up with Indianapolis, while the defensive coordinator got the gig in Arizona. If the Lions win their division and have some postseason success, it would be foolish to suggest they couldn't face the same prospect.

"All I can tell you is they’re both (Glenn and Johnson) very vital to us and our success and everything that, to me, we’ve built," Campbell said. "... Everybody’s got a piece, everybody’s got a job to do, and you want them to be the very best at what they’re asked to do, and I feel like we have that. So, when you don’t have that, you’ve got to find the right guy that you put in those places when the time comes."


jdrogers@detroitnews.com

Twitter/X: @Justin_Rogers

[whatever_gong82]

[El Axe]

If Lions end up losing Ben Johnson, two in-house candidates stand out as viable replacements

Justin Rogers
The Detroit News

Allen Park — It's a topic a lot of Detroit Lions fans aren't prepared to discuss, but if the team continues on its current trajectory, there's a strong chance they'll lose one or both of their coordinators during the league's next hiring cycle.

After offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive counterpart Aaron Glenn interviewed for multiple openings last year, coach Dan Campbell has been bracing for a pending departure for some time.

"I haven’t gone there yet with that in this moment," Campbell said earlier this month. "I mean, I’ve thought about that before. I thought I was going to lose AG (Glenn) twice and Ben last year once, but that was certainly at the end of the year."

Obviously, Campbell presently has bigger things commanding his attention — most notably, the team's upcoming matchup with the Baltimore Ravens — as the Lions continue their pursuit of their first division title in three decades. But, it should go without saying that a contingency plan must exist so the franchise can maintain success if Glenn or Johnson receives that opportunity.

And while outside candidates would and should be considered for those potential vacancies, two internal options are standing out as workable replacements for Johnson: assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery and passing-game coordinator Tanner Engstrand.

Both present strong resumes, holding equal or greater coaching positions at different levels prior to joining Detroit's staff.

<clip for brevity>

I would hope Mark Brunell also gets some consideration. His interviews impress me. He also did a good job in his brief stint as a high school head coach. QB coaches, by default, really need to have a good understanding of the entire offense and Goff certainly has improved under his watch.

[ghandi]

I dont know what he is doing now, but another possibility would be former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett if he was available...he and Dan have history.

[Mainevent]

No. No. No, no, no, no, a thousand times no.

[-Deborah-]

You seem ambivalent.

[-Deborah-]

Haha!

Amon-Ra St. Brown Pays off Bet to Julian Okwara
Amon-Ra St. Brown wore a costume after practice.

• CHRISTIAN BOOHER
• 16 MINUTES AGO

Amon-Ra St. Brown surprised reporters Thursday by conducting his weekly media availability in a leprechaun costume.

Detroit's third-year wideout was donning his outfit as the result of a lost "agreement," between he, a USC product, and Notre Dame alum Julian Okwara.

Notre Dame knocked off the previously unbeaten USC 48-20 on Oct. 14, resulting in St. Brown having to dress up.

"We don't do bets in this facility, we made an agreement," St. Brown said. "Made it outside the facility, I called (Okwara), FaceTimed him and said, 'If USC wins, he's gotta be Tommy the Trojan. If Notre Dame wins, I've gotta be, whatever this green thing is.' So yeah, we made an agreement outside the facility and that's that."

He played it off nicely, commenting about how poorly he felt about his attire.

"I mean, this material's trash, everything about this is trash. But it is what it is," St. Brown added.

Detroit's top wideout is having a solid start to his third season. He's coming off new career-high totals in receptions and receiving yards last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He's developed superb chemistry with quarterback Jared Goff, who was named the NFC's Offensive Player of the Week for his performance Sunday.

St. Brown had high praise for his passer Thursday, explaining what makes Goff so steady and reliable for Detroit's offense.

"He's been a beast. He just keeps getting better every week. So poised, so calm, doesn't throw many picks but when he does, he moves on so quickly," St. Brown said. "For a quarterback, I feel like that's a trait every quarterback wished they had. He has that and is just able to move on to the next series, whatever it is, next. For an offense, that's huge. When a pick does happen, it's probably, a turnover is one of the lowest points for an offense. He's able to just flip the switch, move on to the next series. It gives us the confidence as an offense to keep going and finish the game how we want. Because one play is not gonna define the whole game."

[edindetroit]

I don't know where to post this. AI renderings of a Detroit Superbowl celebration. Weird and crazy.

Looks like AI has no clue how deep the Detroit River is.

[-Deborah-]

Among other things.

[froot loops]

No. No. No, no, no, no, a thousand times no.

I concur but for a different reason, we have to keep him on TV. I'll watch a dog crap ND game just to hear the Clapper's analysis. But the chef's kiss is when he is in front of the camera with other people . That maniacal grin is the highlight of my weekend, if Christopher Nolan ever comes back to make more Batman movies, he has to cast Garrett to replace Ledger.

[Trickalicious]

Looks like AI has no clue how deep the Detroit River is.

They nailed it on how flammable it is though.

[Mainevent]

Yeah, I wonder who Garrett knows behind the scenes that thinks putting him on TV is a good thing. Except that it is exciting to watch in all the ways you point out. He's hilariously awkward and his analysis is so cursory that's almost anybody could dish it out.

[Tom]

Haha!

Amon-Ra St. Brown Pays off Bet to Julian Okwara
Amon-Ra St. Brown wore a costume after practice.

• CHRISTIAN BOOHER
• 16 MINUTES AGO

Amon-Ra St. Brown surprised reporters Thursday by conducting his weekly media availability in a leprechaun costume.

Detroit's third-year wideout was donning his outfit as the result of a lost "agreement," between he, a USC product, and Notre Dame alum Julian Okwara.

Notre Dame knocked off the previously unbeaten USC 48-20 on Oct. 14, resulting in St. Brown having to dress up.

"We don't do bets in this facility, we made an agreement," St. Brown said. "Made it outside the facility, I called (Okwara), FaceTimed him and said, 'If USC wins, he's gotta be Tommy the Trojan. If Notre Dame wins, I've gotta be, whatever this green thing is.' So yeah, we made an agreement outside the facility and that's that."

He played it off nicely, commenting about how poorly he felt about his attire.

"I mean, this material's trash, everything about this is trash. But it is what it is," St. Brown added.

Detroit's top wideout is having a solid start to his third season. He's coming off new career-high totals in receptions and receiving yards last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He's developed superb chemistry with quarterback Jared Goff, who was named the NFC's Offensive Player of the Week for his performance Sunday.

St. Brown had high praise for his passer Thursday, explaining what makes Goff so steady and reliable for Detroit's offense.

"He's been a beast. He just keeps getting better every week. So poised, so calm, doesn't throw many picks but when he does, he moves on so quickly," St. Brown said. "For a quarterback, I feel like that's a trait every quarterback wished they had. He has that and is just able to move on to the next series, whatever it is, next. For an offense, that's huge. When a pick does happen, it's probably, a turnover is one of the lowest points for an offense. He's able to just flip the switch, move on to the next series. It gives us the confidence as an offense to keep going and finish the game how we want. Because one play is not gonna define the whole game."

I’m glad he didn’t welch in his bet like Rodgers did when he lost to the 49ers.

[whatever_gong82]

Detroit Lions fans deserve to go crazy now, but check out what's happening in locker room



Jeff Seidel
Detroit Free Press


Let me tell you about the cutest granddaughter in the world.

Her name is Lorelei, and she happens to be absolutely adorable. But there’s something else: Lorelei is responsible for the Detroit Lions' latest winning streak.


Because she was wearing a Lions onesie on Sunday afternoon — as is her Motor City duty — while the Lions beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 20-6.

“The Lions are undefeated when she wears this,” Leah, my daughter-in-law, said. “Four straight wins.”


Not that I live in a superstitious family or anything.

Think about it, Lorelei is 2 months old, and her favorite team has an .833 winning percentage in her lifetime.




Yep, things are changing fast.


A few days later, I was working out at Planet Fitness and three guys were wearing Lions T-shirts — that’s just something you didn’t see a year ago.


Sports talk radio is filled with giddy fans talking about the potential for a No.1 seed, which becomes even more possible if the Lions win Sunday at Baltimore, and the excitement is through the roof.

And to all Lions fans I say: Enjoy every second of this.


Because you deserve it.



At this point, I could recite the statistics about the long, painful rebuilds in the Motor City and the playoff droughts for the Tigers, Pistons, Wings and Lions. But I don’t want to put you through that again. This is a new time.

So paint your face mid-week if you want. Drive around with Lions flags. Wear Lions gear to the store. Watch the games in your lucky chair. Eat the same pregame meal.



Don’t change a dang thing.

And get as crazy as you want.

Because here’s the interesting juxtaposition: the exact opposite is happening in the Lions locker room.


A steady, even-keeled approach


As excitement swirls and builds outside of the Lions facility — and that actually might be under stating it — the players have suddenly turned into the voice of reason.


“It’s so early,” quarterback Jared Goff said Wednesday. “We’ve done some good things and yeah, we feel the excitement from the city and from the fans and it’s fun. Certainly, home games right now are on a different level than I’ve experienced and now some of the away games have been on a different level than I’ve experienced as well. So yeah, we feel that energy and we certainly feel our fans behind us right now and it gives us that wind in our sails to kind of keep going and hopefully stay on this trajectory, but it’s a lot work, man. It’s a lot of hard work and we’re so early on.”

This is exactly how a starting quarterback should talk.



Yes, Goff is playing great.

But he is also the voice of experience.


He has led a team to the Super Bowl, so he carries extra weight.

“I know everyone’s so excited, as are we, but we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Goff said. “Another tough challenge this week.”



This team has created so many amazing stats:

* It’s scored 20 points or more for 15 straight games — Indy is second with seven;

* It has the No. 1 rush defense in the NFL;

* It has the second most explosive plays in the NFL (behind the Dolphins) and ranks third in time of possession — a rare combination.


But I don’t get any sense this team is losing focus. There is no sense of entitlement or complacency. No sense they are losing sight of the bigger goal.

In the locker room on Wednesday, there was no giddy excitement or celebration. I just saw a bunch of guys just going about their work.

There is a steady, even-keeled approach to this team that starts with coach Dan Campbell.


“This team is built to handle these things,” Campbell said. “It’s built to handle adversity and anything that comes. And look, this season isn’t over. I mean we know that. We’re going to hit a tough patch at some point here. I don’t know when it’s going to be, but we’re going to hit one and we’re going to have to get back through and get back on our feet and that’s fine. We’ll be ready for that.”


One of Campbell’s strengths is his feel for the team. So, he took his foot off the pedal on Wednesday and eased up the practice schedule.

“We’ve been going pretty good,” Campbell said. “We’ve been playing physical opponents. We’ve got another one coming up and so, I wanted to back down today. It’ll be a lot of mental work and then we’ll do a little bit of just getting their heart rate up at the very end. But, felt like that’s what we need for today and then we’re back in rhythm tomorrow.”


This, too, is the voice of reason.

It’s a long season. And Campbell is focusing on the long term.


Lions fans deserve this


There is one other interesting element to all this Lions excitement.


I don’t sense any reservation from the fans.

Nobody is holding back and saying: I’m just not ready to go all in. I don’t want my heart ripped out. I can’t handle another crushing disappointment. I can’t handle more misery.



Nope. Fans are filling up opposing stadiums and making the roof pop off Ford Field and wearing their hearts on their sleeves. Their Honolulu Blue and Silver sleeves.



That, in itself, is remarkable.

After all the years of disappointing, after all the losing, after all the soul crushing losses, the love for this team is higher than ever. It is uniting all of Michigan.



And it’s a heck of a lot of fun.

So, again, to all you Lions fans I say this: Man, enjoy this. Savor this.



But whatever you’ve been doing for Lions games this season, whatever you have been wearing, wherever you’ve been sitting, keep doing it.

And yes, Little Lorelei will be wearing her Lions onesie on Sunday.


Contact Jeff Seidel at jseidel@freepress.com or follow him @seideljeff.

[whatever_gong82]

Jameson Williams gets jacked up at Detroit Red Wings game, wears Gordie Howe No. 9 jersey



Marlowe Alter
Detroit Free Press


Ford Field is the place to be on Sundays, but Little Caesars Arena is becoming a popular mid-week destination.

Sunday's Detroit Lions touchdown scorer Jameson Williams was in the house Wednesday night at LCA to watch the Detroit Red Wings snuff the Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-3, and enjoyed himself — all while wearing Gordie Howe's iconic red winged wheel No. 9 jersey with "HOWE" emblazoned on the back. Williams, a receiver in his second season with the Lions, also wears No. 9.

Williams was seen enjoying the beginning of the Wings' game — introduced to the crowd pregame and lighting the ceremonial lamp — and videotaped his own celebration at the end, high-fiving a fan after the Wings scored an empty net goal to seal the Wings' win, their third straight victory to improve to 3-1 on the young season.


Williams reacted as any lifelong Wings fan would after dispatching Sidney Crosby and the Pens: "They can't front with us," he bellowed as the crowd roared. "Ain't even no goalie! Freaky!"

We'll see if Williams and the Lions can keep the good vibes flowing this weekend. The Lions are tied for the NFL's best record at 5-1, but are three-point underdogs Sunday when they visit the Baltimore Ravens (4-2).