Tag: jared goff

Lions LB Jack Campbell continues growth, takes pride in ownership of defense

ALLEN PARK — Lions linebacker Jack Campbell takes pride that coach Dan Campbell has given him ownership of the defense.

The talented but humble third-year player said it will not change him, he’ll continue to work hard every day.

He was thrilled for the first padded practice on Friday and it showed on the field.

Campbell took a step forward late last season when linebacker Alex Anzalone was sidelined with a broken forearm. While others on defense may be adapting to new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, Campbell and the linebackers have been coached by him the past two seasons.

“I’ve had the honor of coaching Jack since he was drafted. Jack’s a player, out of everybody, he’s never had any other voice in his head,’’ Sheppard said. “He knows what I’m thinking, we’re in lock-step with one another, and we spend a lot of time together, quite frankly. I wanted to open up that healthy kind of door communication, let him know this system, because you to have to give ownership to the players out here.’’

Linebacker Alex Anzalone has not participated in camp yet due to a contract situation, but Dan Campbell has made it clear he needs both Jack Campbell and Anzalone on defense.

Anzalone has the experience factor while Jack Campbell, a first-round draft pick in 2023, continues to study the game.

“When he came in he was pretty good. He was one of these guys who was a little bit ahead of everything mentally and now to see where his growth is. It’s impressive. He’s done an outstanding job,’’ Dan Campbell said.

“He has a good feel of the game, he understands the game, he knows what we’re trying to do defensively. He did it with AG (Aaron Glenn) and now even more so with Shep and so with that we’re going to give him a lot more – he and Alex both,’’ Dan Campbell said.  “A lot more flexibility to get us into the play. He also studies, he studies the opponent, he studies our offense. He’s trying to get in any little key he can. One of the reasons we drafted him is for that.’’’

Jack Campbell ‘s growth is due in part of his understanding of the game’s mental side.

“The NFL is mostly mental. You get guys who come in this building everyday who have all the physical attributes,’’ Jack Campbell said. “It’s the guys who set themselves apart mentally and I feel like that’s where everyday it’s to fight to get a little better, a little bit smarter, a little quicker on your reads I feel that’s where I’ve seen my game improve.’’

Jack Campbell said his biggest stride last year was understanding the defense as a whole.

“The biggest stride I want to make this year is not letting one mental error ever happen, and it’s gonna happen and when it does happen, move on to the next play,’’ Jack Campbell said.

NOTES: For the second straight day Graham Glasgow took reps at center while rookie Tate Ratledge was at right guard. Dan Campbell said that’s probably the direction they are headed but Ratledge will still get some snaps at center. With the retirement of Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler leaving in free agency there are two starting positions open. Christian Mahogany has seen the bulk of reps at left guard. … Derrick Barnes (finger) and Terrion Arnold (calf) practiced Friday after leaving the field early on Thursday to have injuries evaluated.

Lions Dan Campbell cherishes a good challenge; calls schedule the ‘right kind of brutal’

ALLEN PARK — With the OTAs this week, the Detroit Lions are taking the next step toward the start of the season in September.

Coach Dan Campbell sees a few challenges ahead. One of them is the schedule which he calls “the right kind of brutal.”

While outsiders may look at the Lions’ game schedule and think maybe the team is headed for a season of disappointment, that is not the way Campbell sees it at all.

“I love the schedule we have this year, this is the type of schedule that builds you for the postseason. We’re going to get tested early and often and all year long and it’s freakin’ awesome. It’s really how you want it,’’ Campbell said on Friday prior to the on-field work. “We’ll be ready to go when the time is right.’’

That’s because his message, as usual, is there is no room for complacency.

“We’ve gotten to where we’ve gotten because we haven’t been complacent and we have gone and put the work in again and done all the little things you have to do to win games and win the division again. We have to do that all over again,’’ the coach said.

He said the challenge is why he loved this game and why the NFL is the best.
“Not only (games) here at home, our own division, go on the road, it’s awesome. To me, by the end of the year we ought to  be scarred up, scarred up and ready to, hardened for battle and ready for the playoffs,’’ Campbell said. “There’ll be nothing easy about it. Just to get through our own division is going to be brutal, but it’s the right kind of brutal.”

Another challenge is that he is working with two new coordinators – John Morton on offense and Kelvin Sheppard on defense. Plus new personnel and a few in new positions.

“We’ve got offensively and defensively staffwise either new coaches or in new positions or first time having the room — that’s 14 guys, that’s a lot,’’ Campbell said. 

He’s got to get everyone on the same page by making sure the coordinators want what they want and they also know what Campbell wants.

“This is the best time to do that, we’re working through the kinks which is awesome,’’ Campbell  “It’s only been two days but it’s been really good. Guys are in a good spot, good energy, thorough has been awesome.’’

Lions GM Brad Holmes will not overreact after playoff loss; does not feel walls closing in

He fully trusts Dan Campbell to hire coordinators who are good fits

Do not look for Lions GM Brad Holmes to make “crazy wholesale changes” after the disappointing loss to the Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs. He thinks all the pieces are in place moving forward.

“Obviously it sucks, it’s humbling, but no overreaction. There’s nothing else to do but get back to work,’’ Holmes said at his end-of-season press conference on Thursday.

The level-headed GM has routinely said he won’t be a prisoner of the moment and this moment is no different.

“We’ll assess and evolve like we always do every year, we’ll work to improve, but literally there is nothing else to do but get back to work,’’ Holmes said. “That’s what we’ve been saying since Day One, it’s all about the work and that’s what we’ll continue to do.’’

He thought the Lions, whose defense was decimated by a slew of injuries, were very close this season winning 15 games, the NFC North title and earning the No. 1 seed. He’s confident about success next season.

“Nothing is going to alter what our approach has been in terms of trying to continue to improve and keep building. I did think we were very close, obviously felt very good about this season, but fell short. But we’re going to stay committed and stay committed to the process,’’ Holmes said.

He refuses to put a window – of sorts – on how many more years the Lions can contend for a Super Bowl.

“I understand that contrasts come up and stuff happens, but we feel so good about our young core and young nucleus of players and we feel really good about our quarterback (Jared Goff)  and how he’s playing — him having an MVP caliber season this year,’’ Holmes said. “I think all the pieces are in place. I don’t feel walls closing in or a window. And, again, we make an effort to avoid those kind of things.’’

ONE MORE THING

Holmes said they were prepared to lose coordinators Ben Johnson (who signed as head coach with the Bears) and Aaron Glenn (who is headed to the Jets). 

“I have so much respect for the unknown, you can’t know exactly what’s going to happen. Obviously we were prepared to lose those guys, those guys were great coaches. Call it what it is, we were lucky to have both of them this year,’’ Holmes said. “… I have the full faith and trust in Dan (Campbell) to make sure we’re going to have the right people in place in those spots.’’