Dan Campbell appeared more fired up than usual on Monday, the start of the first week of the regular season.
After months of work and coming off a devastating 3-13-1 year, the season is here. The Lions open the season against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Ford Field.
“We have our players, we have our crew. We have the brotherhood, if you will. The 53 with a 16-man vet squad or practice squad. There’ll be a couple things that always come up through the year but for the most part this is our crew,’’ Campbell said at his Monday press conference.
He likes that they were able to sign veterans – he named Jarrad Davis in particular – to the practice squad. So when injuries happen he’ll have plug-and-play guys available.
“I feel like we have the right guys, it’s the right 53 and I feel like our strength is exactly that, the 53 plus that 16-man practice squad. So I think that is our strength, I don’t think you can point at one player and say this is who we are,” Campbell said. “I think it’s kind of unique that way, I appreciate that and I think our guys do.’’
It’s uncertain whether Campbell or offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will call the plays on Sunday. Johnson called them during the preseason. Campbell said Johnson is ready but he is too.
“It’s been good, it’ll be fun. He’s done a great job. This is going to be interesting to find out, I’m excited to know too,’’ Campbell said. “I’ll be honest I’m just not quite there yet, I still have this eagerness to want to call it myself.’’
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