Tag: Aaron Glenn

Lions: Oruwariye’s benching sent a message to the team

ALLEN PARK — When Lions cornerback Amani Oruwariye was benched for the game at New England, it sent a message to the team. Basically, compete or sit.

Oruwariye had started three of the first four games, missing the contest against the Commanders with a back injury.

Detroit’s passing defense allows 261.0 yards per game, that’s 26th in the NFL. Of course, that’s not all on Oruwariye but part of it is. Hence the decision was made to sit him.

“I think it’s important that you do that as far as a team because now it sends a message to everybody on offense and defense,’’ defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “This game is about competing at the highest level every time you have to earn your keep in this league, there are no free passes.’’

In Week 3, Oruwariye was whistled for six penalties against the Vikings, but cleaned that up in the Week 4 loss to the Seahawks.

“This game is hard, especially at that position. When you look at it, over the course of the season you hear people say setback. I just think he’s had a hard time,’’ Glenn said. “I think Amani is still Amani. I just think some of the situations he’s been in and some of the flags that he’s had has made people look at him in a different way.’’

Glenn said it’s important that the coaches help him so he can get back on the field.

“I’m not going to rag on Amani. I still have high hopes for that player, I still think that player has a chance to be a top corner in this league, we’re going to work our (butts) off to make sure of that,’’ Glenn said.

Last season, Oruwariye started 14 games and finished with a career-high six interceptions. He’s still looking for his first pick this season.

The coordinator said they’re going to put his feet to the fire. 

“That’s who we are as far as a defense, everyone has to compete, everybody has to go out there and pull their weight and he wasn’t at that time,’’ Glenn said. “With coach Dan (Campbell) and the staff we made the change and he’s going to compete and get his job back again.’’

Glenn is pleased with Oruwariye’s response to the benching. 

“With Dan being confident to make that decision, I think it really sent the message, I really do. It kind of reminds me of my days with coach (Bill) Parcells – he wasn’t afraid to do that. It taught me a lesson also that you can’t be afraid to make a decision, you live with it and move on even if you have outsiders say what you should do and what you shouldn’t do you be confident in your decision you move on and do what’s best for the team and that’s what Coach Campbell did.’’

Five things to watch as the Lions face the Patriots; plus my prediction

While the Lions are in a somewhat familiar situation with a 1-3 record they are in uncharted waters when it comes to having the NFL’s best offense and worst defense.

If the Lions want to beat the Patriots on Sunday in New England, the offense will need to maintain its high-scoring ways and the defense will have to show signs of improvement.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick goes after his opponent’s strength so the Lions know what he will try to do. 

“His teams are always going to – they’re never going to let the best player beat you on either side of the ball. That’s what – that is 100 percent – whatever you do well is what they’re going to try to take away first,’’ Campbell said. “First and foremost and if you can find a way to win it without that, then OK, he’s playing the odds.’’

But remember, Campbell is one fearless, aggressive coach who is not afraid of fourth downs and has plays in his back pocket that have not been revealed yet this season.

Five things to watch as the Lions (1-3) face the Patriots (1-3):

1. The Lions’ defense was under the microscope after allowing the Seahawks to score 48 points in the 48-45 loss last Sunday. Campbell has given defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn his vote of confidence. “He’s no different than any of us, it’s all about moving forward and getting it right. That’s what we’ve done, we turned the page, it’s a new week and we’re going to be ready to go,’’ Campbell said. The Patriots with third-string quarterback Bailey Zappe might have something to say about that.

2. Look for personnel changes on defense. Rookie defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor will make his NFL debut. Will Harris will likely get more defensive snaps. After he played 100 percent of the defensive snaps in the win over the Commanders, he played 20 snaps in the loss to the Vikings and just nine in loss to the Seahawks..“He’s a guy we do have a lot of trust in, I can see him play this weekend. I think he’s going to play,’’ Campbell said. “I think there’s a lot of guys who are going to play. We’re looking for the right combination of players, they can all feed off each other, make some plays and be where they need to be.’’ Others who could seem more time in the secondary include Bobby Price, Ifeatu Melifonwu, A.J. Parker and Chase Lucas

3. While it’s up to Campbell, Glenn and the defensive staff to prepare them, the players have to take accountability and ownership.”I feel like our guys are going to do that. Nobody wants it more than they do and we do in this locker room,’’ Campbell said. “I can tell you this, they’re locked in … we’re going to give them a plan they can succeed in and play fast. All hands on deck.’’

4. While there’s much dislike for former Lions coach Matt Patiricia, who now calls the offensive plays for the Patriots, Campbell is not jumping in on that. In fact he praised what Patricia, the former defensive guru, has done switching to the other side of the ball. “I think it’s tough, I think it’s tough, but I also know if you know football and you’re a good coach you can adapt and that’s what I see, he’s adapting quickly,’’ Campbell said. “And every week it’s better and better and better. They’re attacking their opponents. They’re putting together good game plans, they’re using the roster well.’’

5. The LIons offense has been remarkable in fighting through injuries and still producing points. Detroit’s 18 touchdowns and 140 points scored both lead the NFL. Belichick will try to find a way to stop them but he’ll have to get through the offensive line which has been playing well. Jared Goff, who has only been sacked five times, may be playing his best football. Don’t overlook the run game either, you know Belichick won’t.

BONUS: Running back D’Andre Swift (shoulder/ankle) will miss his second straight game. Two wide receivers — D.J. Chark (ankle) and Quintin Cephus (foot) — are out. Actually, Cephus was placed on injured reserve. Others who have been ruled out are: Defensive lineman John Cominsky (wrist), defensive end Charles Harris (groin) and offensive tackle Matt Nelson (calf). Wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) and Josh Reynolds (ankle) are questionable.  The Lions have a bye next week and expect to get many players healed by the time they return.

(Prediction: Lions 31, Patriots 21. Just don’t see the Pats’ defense stopping Goff and his gang.)

Lions’ defense faces personnel, scheme changes; Aaron Glenn safe

ALLEN PARK — After a disastrous defensive showing in the loss to the Seahawks, coach Dan Campbell said he will make changes in personnel and scheme. 

Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s job is safe.

“I’m not afraid to make a hard decision, if I really believed that was the cause of it and I don’t believe it is. I believe Aaron Glenn is the man for the job and he gives us our best hope, our best option to run this defense,’’ Campbell said at his Monday presser.

At the end of last season, Campbell made the tough decision to fire offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn.

The Lions defense gave up 555 yards in the 48-45 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday. It wasn’t just a bad day. The defense was ranked the worst in the NFL after the first three games. It’s an ongoing situation that was magnified on Sunday because the injury-depleted offense rose to the occasion.

Campbell wouldn’t offer specifics on the changes, saying he was still in conversations with Glenn.

“I think you’re looking at the totality of it, our FBI (football intelligence). We’ve got to get some players we feel like we can rely on, we can trust to get out there. Because once they’re trustworthy then their teammates will trust them,’’ Campbell said. “When you really watch it, the thing and I told these guys this, the thing that shows up over and over is a snowball effect.

“We have a guy who doesn’t do the right thing and the guy who knows what to do is trying to overcompensate for it and that’s costing him a step behind his job and then this guy is trying to cover for him and the next play they don’t trust that the teammate is going to be there and we’re in this vicious cycle right now,’’ Campbell added. “We have to pull things way, way back and get our confidence back and gain some trust among teammates. That comes with scheme, that comes with personnel, we’re going to work through it.’’

The problem is not just with the players or the coaches, they all share in the woes. Campbell admits his fingerprints are on the failures too.

The defense is playing without starting safety Tracy Walker who is out for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon. No excuse, though. The offense was playing Sunday without its top two playmakers in D’Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Campbell did not talk name names, but was asked about rookie Aidan Hutchinson, the second overall pick, who had three sacks in the first half in the win against the Washington Commanders. He hasn’t had one since. 

“I think he’s come a long way, I think every week he’s getting a little bit better. He’s one of the players we need to look long and hard about. Do we need to move him in different spots to give him the opportunity to have more success?’’ Campbell said. “He did a lot of good things in the running game yesterday. I think he’s where our defense is right now — we’ve just got to improve and get a little better. I think we can all help each other. I’m certainly not disappointed in him.’’

One key is to not allow finger pointing which can tear apart a team.

Wide receiver Josh Reynolds was in this situation the first few years he was with the Los Angeles Rams and the offense was putting up points while the defense struggled.

“As the year goes on — we’ve got a long season — as the year goes on the defense starts finding their groove and figuring out how to play together,’’ Reynolds said. “That’s big for the defense you’ve got to trust the guy next to you.we’ve got to give them some time, let them figure it out, especially losing Tracy. They’ll figure it out and we’ll be clicking.’’

(Next up: Lions at New England Patriots, 1 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 9.)