Tag: Cam Sutton

Lions defense has much work to do starting with better tackling

ALLEN PARK — After the Lions’ overtime loss to Seattle, no player or coach can escape scrutiny. 

The offense’s two turnovers — Jared Goff’s interception and David Montgomery’s fumble — were beyond costly. 

Yet, don’t overlook the defense that allowed Seattle to sail downfield to score on the first possession and then again in overtime to win the game. 

Certainly coach Dan Campbell has a few thoughts on the defense.

“We need our most reliable players to be reliable. I expect more reliability,’’ Campbell said on Monday.

The pass rush is anemic at best. While they put some pressure on Geno Smith he was basically untouched until linebacker Alex Anzalone sacked him for a 17-yard loss in the fourth quarter. That was the Lions only sack in the first two games.

Campbell said the transition on defense from run to pass must be quicker. 

“Our urgency has to go up and our violence has to go up to shed those blockers. That will go a long way,’’ Campbell said.

He emphasized the need for discipline for each player to do his job and trust the guy next to you is doing his. 

“And perimeter, we can’t rush high. We’ve got to close this in on the quarterback. We rush high and we don’t have somebody that can cover, we’re going to be in trouble,’’ Campbell said.

Even after the big win at Kansas City, the Lions knew there was much work to be done. Now after the loss at home, perhaps there will be more urgency to get miscues corrected.

Immediately after the game, Anzalone said they need to be better at tackling.

Pretty basic, but cornerback Cam Sutton reiterated that on Monday. He said tackling in space is something they can control.

It looked like the defense took a step back after the win over the Chiefs, but Campbell said it was a totally different opponent, different style.

“There were a number of things we did really well against Kansas City and a number of things we didn’t do well that didn’t bite us and this was a totally different opponent than Kansas City. Totally different style, totally different scheme and so, we didn’t handle that scheme well consistently,’’ Campbell said.

“We had a number of stops in there and really, I felt like – now it’s a huge part of it, but talk about starting fast and we didn’t do that. They drove the length of the field and they get a score, but you start with a score, you end with a score and that’s really the – man, those are the two that really – that’s the frustrating (part) because there was a lot of good stuff in between there that I thought we did pretty well, but look, we’ve got a ton of room for improvement,’’ Campbell said.

“I say it all the time, ‘We’re in a race to improve.’ We’re in a race with everybody that we’re getting ready to play. We’re in a race with everybody in our division too,’’ the coach added. “How fast can we improve?”

Injury update

Linebacker James Houston (fibula) will be out for a while according to Campbell. The coach is uncertain on how long RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee) will be out, but he’ll know more in the next few days. RB David Montgomery (bruised thigh) is day to day. LT Taylor Decker, who did not play due to an ankle, is improving but Campbell isn’t sure if he’ll be ready to play on Sunday.

It’s only June, but Lions’ secondary shows signs of improvement

ALLEN PARK — While it is just June – three months away from the Lions’ season opener – even quarterback Jared Goff has noticed that it’s tougher to find an open wide receiver during mandatory minicamp.

Coach Dan Campbell credits defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and his staff for the improvement so far.

“The additions that we do have — there again it’s early, we’re in spring. There’s a reason why we got Cam Sutton, there’s a reason why we got (Emmanuel) Moseley, there’s a reason why we got C.J. (Gardner-Johnson)  because we believe they certainly upgrade us production-wise and they’re also football guys,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday. “They fit everything that we’re about — the way they go about their business, they’re veteran guys, they’ve got skins on the wall, they come from winning programs and they play the game the right way.’’

Campbell feels like the team is way ahead of where it was two years ago and sees the biggest difference in the secondary.

“That’s without Moseley right now being out there. Once we get him back and he’s healthy and obviously getting Tracy (Walker) back that’s a big transformation with depth and competition,’’ Campbell said.

Of the new guys, Gardner-Johnson has been a standout on the field for his talkative style.

Defensive lineman Romeo Okwara said the secondary is noticeably louder. 

“I think it’s huge for the guys back there, especially the young guys. (Gardner-Johnson) brings a lot to the table. I think we’ve totally got better in the secondary and the defense of course.’’

Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, entering his third season, is one of the younger guys picking up on playing with the more experienced additions to the defensive backs room.

“(Gardner-Johnson) is very vocal, very talkative but in a good way though,’’ Melifonwu said. “It comes from a good place. He wants to see all of us be great and push each other so it’s good.

His energy and just the energy of the (defensive backs) room in general rubs off on everyone.’’

Melifonwu made the switch to safety last season, but was limited to 10 games due to injury. He came back and played in the final eight games mostly on special teams but the final three at safety.

“I was just really coming back. It was my first real game reps at safety,’’ Melifonwu said. “I never had played the position before, but I feel that helped coming into this year.’’

He and the other younger defensive backs are benefiting from the more veteran players which could help boost the defense. The new guys have fit in seamlessly.

“We all want to see each other be great and be successful as a team. It all comes from a good place. We have a lot of older guys in the room, so it’s like our meetings might be a lot of people giving different perspectives,’’ Melifonwu said. “The way one guy says something might resonate with a younger guy better than the other one said it. It’s like we have a lot of vets and leaders in the room so everyone listens and, obviously, to the coach, I think it helps.’’

Melifonwu has switched jersey numbers from No. 26 to No. 6. He said he wanted No. 2, but Gardner-Johnson got it. That’s OK with him. “Six is my second-favorite single digit,” Melfionwu explained.

The Lions wrap up the mandatory minicamp on Thursday and finish their OTAs next week.