Tag: dan campbell

Are the Detroit Lions America’s team? Five reasons why they’ve earned the title

The Cowboys, once America’s team, are so yesterday.

How exactly does an NFL team turn itself into America’s team? Is there a caucus? A primary? Winning is key. Add in hard work, physicality, perseverance, humility and a super-sized dose of charisma. 

As the playoff wins pile up it’s becoming more apparent, the Detroit Lions have claimed the once-elusive title of America’s team. Even the New York Post proclaimed “The Real America’s Team: Lovable Lions just one win away from Supe after beating Bucs.”

It’s been a journey which may have started when coach Dan Campbell attracted fans through the up-close examination of all that is Honolulu Blue via HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”

It ramped up when they won eight of their final 10 games in 2022 after an 1-6 start.

It hit new heights when an electrified Ford Field, during wins over the Rams and Bucs, caught the eye of NFL fans who love to cheer for the underdog.

And now, here the Lions are one win away from the Super Bowl. It’ll be a tough matchup at the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday  but coach Dan Campbell said they will be ready.

None of this was an accident. 

“We were intentional about being about grit and earning it. … We went through darkness and it shaped us for this moment,’’ GM Brad Holmes said in the locker room immediately after the wildcard win over the Rams.

Before that game – the franchise’s first playoff win in 32 years – Campbell said his bunch was “scarred to perfection.”

Not convinced? Five reasons why the Lions are America’s Team:

1. The quarterback. Jared Goff may be a California guy at heart, but he’s got ice in his veins – the perfect temp for a quarterback. He lived through a 3-13 season in 2021 and came out better for it. He’s loved by his teammates, the coaches and the fans. A fan video appeared on Facebook after the Rams win of Goff in an SUV passenger seat leaving Ford Field, the windows down and a fan yelling “You’re the King of Detroit.” Actually Goff said that happened after the win over Denver, but it indeed happened. The sentiment remains the same.

2. The coach. Dan Campbell was the perfect man for this monumental turn-around. He’s got the respect of the team because he respects them. When he screws up – and he has at points – he’s the first to admit it. He’s famous for his “biting kneecaps” comment when hired, but perhaps that is just what needed to be said. He and Holmes have a profile for players they seek and it’s not all about football. It’s about the type of people and if they’ll fit in. “This will be an outstanding test for us but it’s one we’re ready for, we’re built to handle this,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday in preparation for facing the 49ers.

3. The bad boy. Aidan Hutchinson, in just his second season, is all about pressure. His spin move has become his trademark. In the two playoff games he was good for three sacks, eight quarterback hits and 10 tackles. He’s about attitude too. Campbell said his defense is a salty group and that description definitely fits Hutchinson. Before he played an NFL snap he came to the forefront with his rendition of “Billie Jean” on “Hard Knocks.” Many fans have a special place in their heart for him because of his Maize and Blue roots. Honorable mention to Kerby Joseph, one tough football-playing dude, and linebacker Alex Anzalone who leads the defense in tackles. 

4. The rookies. Tight end Sam LaPorta, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, linebacker Jack Campbell and safety Brian Branch were expected to contribute right away. They have and they’ve just gotten better as the season and playoffs have worn on. LaPorta, who had a touchdown catch against the Rams, finished with nine catches against the Bucs in the divisional round setting a single-game NFL postseason record among rookie tight ends. The speedy Gibbs has rushed for a TD in each of the first two playoff games. DB Brian Branch opened the season with an interception returned for a touchdown and has kept up the intensity. In the two playoff games he has combined for 16 tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss. LB Jack Campbell has grown into his role with Dan Campbell saying that his best game to date was in the win over the Vikings to end the season. 

5. The fans. Go ahead, name a better fan base. I’m waiting. They’ve lived and died with their team since the last playoff win on Jan. 5, 1992. New coaches, new GMs, Hall of Famers retiring early – they’ve lived through it all. Then there was the promise of a new season at every training camp. A 3-13-1 inaugural season for Campbell who was a tight end for the Lions in 2008 during their 0-16 season. This season the fans at Ford Field (and on the road) have been amazingly loud and electric and they took it up a notch during the two home playoff games. Perhaps ESPN’s Steve Levy, who was at Sunday’s game said it best on ‘X’: Ford Field yesterday was the loudest stadium I’ve ever been in. And yet the silence, when the Lions were on ‘Goffense’ was remarkable. Fewest visiting fans I’ve ever seen at a major sporting event. Might just be the best gameday experience in the NFL. Well done Detroit.”

Detroit Lions built Campbell-tough, ready to roll into NFC Championship game at 49ers

TE Zach Ertz arrives, hopes to help young guys

ALLEN PARK — It is not a usual week for the Lions as they prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game on Sunday.

More at stake, more media and more attention, but the same old Dan Campbell. 

“This will be an outstanding test for us, but it’s one we’re ready for, we’re built to handle this,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday. “This will be an outstanding game on the road. Our guys will be ready to roll.’’

Since the start of the season, Campbell has said this team was built for winning. Every player in the locker room meets the standards that Campbell and GM Brad Holmes have set.

“Everything starts with ability, you have to have ability in this league. We have ability,’’ Campbell said. “But deeper than that you have to be able to handle the ebbs and flows of the game in a season, in playoffs. That’s what has been built for three years now. That’s what gives me faith.’’

Center Frank Ragnow has lived through plenty of adversity individually and with the team since 2018. He knows he is not alone.

“We’re hardened by that. I don’t want to say that makes us fearless because we definitely respect our opponent but we’re not going to back down to the battle for sure,’’ Ragnow said.

Campbell is not guaranteeing a win. That’s not his style. He’s guaranteeing his team will be ready to handle anything thrown their way.

“There are going to be things that happen in this game that it’s going to look like it’s out of control and it’s not going to go well for us. As long as we just play the next play it will turn, that’s what we’ve done all year,’’ Campbell said. “That’s the most important thing to keep in mind, but you have to be made a certain way and the team has to be made a certain way to be able to handle that. Otherwise you just crumble. That’s what gives me faith, we have a team that’s built that way.’’

The coach said there was not one certain moment in the season where he knew the team would get down to the NFL’s version of the Final Four.

“I don’t necessarily think like that. To me it’s one week at a time. It’s about finding a way to get the most wins you can, get yourself into a position when you get into the playoffs, you have the best possible advantage to advance,’’ Campbell said.

He said he would’ve said in training camp that he had a good team but it was all about getting into the postseason. 

“We got in and now we’re just one week at a time,’’ Campbell said.

Ertz on board

Veteran tight end Zach Ertz is ready to help. He was signed to the practice squad on Monday after Brock Wright was injured Sunday and participated in the team’s walk-through/practice on Wednesday.

“He’s here. I know he’s in shape. We are just going to gauge this and see where we’re at. He’ll be out here (at practice). He’s played and played at a high level,’’ Campbell said. “There’s things that he does well. It’s just a matter of: Is this the week to use him.”

Ertz said he wants to earn whatever reps he gets.

“I’m just here to support the guys anyway I can, hopefully I can teach Sam (LaPorta) or some of these young tight ends some things,’’ Ertz said.

Ertz, 33, started seven games for the Cardinals in the 2023 season and then was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 24. He was waived on Nov. 30.

INJURY UPDATE: For the Lions, the Wednesday injury report is estimated because they had a walk-through instead of practice. Jonah Jackson (knee), Sam LaPorta (knee) and Frank Ragnow (ankle, toe, knee, back) did not participate; Alex Anzalone (shoulder/ribs) and Josh Reynolds (ribs) were limited; James Houston (ankle) fully participated.

For the 49ers, WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday and is uncertain for Sunday.

UP NEXT: NFC Championship game featuring Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers, 6:30 p.m., Sunday on FOX.

Lions notes: Dan Campbell on Goff’s fourth quarter, eardrums and Jackson’s knee

ALLEN PARK — Through 14 wins and even the five losses, Lions quarterback Jared Goff has been the coolest guy in the building when the temperature rises and the game is on the line.

It was never more apparent than in the Divisional Round win, 31-23, over the Buccaneers on Sunday at Ford Field, especially in the fourth quarter.

The game was tied at 17-17 to start the final 15 minutes. That’s when Goff draped a Superman cape across his shoulders and went 11-of-12 for 131 yards including a spectacular 9-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown.

“It’s the way he’s made. I think that’s one of those traits that I believe he learned over time. Look I don’t know, maybe from his father maybe it started there, just his experience, his time playing the game at a high level in big games, understanding what’s coming next,’’ coach Dan Campbell said on Monday. “He does do a great job. He does stay calm, he does stay cool. He knows even if it feels a little shaky, a little rocky, it will smooth out and we keep playing ball.’’

The coach said it’s one of the reasons Goff had that remarkable display in the fourth quarter.

“He can hang in there, he’ll get in a rhythm, he’ll start finding some throws and get hot for us,’’ Campbell said.

The Lions will need the same poise from Goff when they play at the 49ers in the NFC Championship game at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Goff is the third quarterback in franchise history to win multiple playoff games, joining QBs Tobin Rote (1957) and Bobby Layne (1953, 1952). 

Zach Ertz signed 

Veteran tight end Zach Ertz was signed to the Lions practice squad on Monday to fill the gap after tight end Brock Wright broke his forearm in Sunday’s win over the Bucs.

Ertz, 33, played for Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden while they were with the Arizona Cardinals. So there is familiarity. 

Ertz started seven games for the Cardinals in this 2023 season and then was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 24 and waived on Nov. 30.

He was drafted in the second round in 2013 by the Philadelphia Eagles and played there until he was traded to the Cardinals in October 2021.

In his career he played 151 games with 113 starts. He has 709 catches for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns. He has played in eight postseason games with 36 receptions for 381 yards and two touchdowns.

Eardrum check

The fans came through big-time at both playoff games at Ford Field. It, of course, has not gone unnoticed.

“The eardrums were just banging. The only thing I thought is, I would get a blown-out eardrum, we’ll work on that next year,’’ Campbell said.

The crowd and the noise was his vision, where he wanted to go.

“For all the Lions fans, this was the whole idea,’’ Campbell said. “I know everybody’s been dying for it for so long. This is the point because of what we just saw in those last two playoff games.

“The environment in there is better than any you’re going to find in the NFL, back-to-back weeks. 

Injury update

Guard Jonah Jackson underwent surgery for a minor meniscus tear in his knee, per an ESPN.com report. He’s expected to miss the NFC Championship game on Sunday at the 49ers. 

However, Campbell said there’s a chance he might be able to play in the Super Bowl on Feb. 11 if the Lions beat the 49ers. He said it depends on how quickly it heals. “The timeline could be there,’’ Campbell said.