Lions look to fix struggling run game as they prepare to face the Bears

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions’ standard has risen so high in the past three seasons, that to see the run game struggle in the loss at Green Bay was a head-scratcher.

After averaging 5.1 yards per carry last season, the run game could not get in gear which led to a meager 2.1 yards per carry. It is a stat that is not acceptable to anyone in the organization.

It wasn’t just the fault of running backs Jahmyr Gibbs (9 carries, 19 yards) or David Montgomery (11 carries, 25 yards) or even the new-look offensive line. It was a team failure, including the coaches, which Dan Campbell has said includes him.

“Reacting is not going to change what we did, responding will change our future,’’ said Scottie Montgomery, assistant head coach/wide receivers.

Wednesday was Day 1 in practice to prepare for the Chicago Bears who play at Ford Field on Sunday. Campbell said they will address the run game issues head-on.

“The focus, the footwork, the little things, and we’re going to make sure we establish that today, Day 1, in practice and that we’re on point with our footwork, our hat placement, all the little things were IDed correctly,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday. “We’re coming off the ball. If not we’ll do it again we’ll get it right. We will be much better.’’

While it was only one game, the Lions’ 46 rushing yards in the loss were tied for the worst in the NFL in Week 1.

“When (Gibbs) touches the ball that many times, we expect him to be an eraser. There was a couple times he would like to have back, just making sure when we get to those checkdowns — vertical, speed, quickness – everything has to be more detailed,’’ Montgomery said. “I’m not just talking about him, I’m talking about everybody that was in that situation.’’

Gibbs had 20 touches including 10 receptions for 31 yards. Montgomery chipped in with 4 catches for 18 yares.

“Some of the things that extended drives for us in the past didn’t do it this year. Right? Broken tackles, the detail of how sharp and how crisp we were getting to some of those areas and then turning it around, like I said, last year when we were able to unlock those,’’ Montgomery said.

It  goes back to communication, details and fundamentals, according to the coach.

“Those fundamental details are what’s going to take us to get second-and-1, then now it’s first-and-10, putting you in a different situation to open everything up,’’ Montgomery said.