Tag: jared goff

Lions coach Dan Campbell: ‘We’re back to reality, back in the mud’

Coach hates losing but likes where his team is

ALLEN PARK — Despite a host of injuries and a disappointing overtime loss in the home opener, Lions coach Dan Campbell is not hanging his head. That’s not who he is.

The Lions (1-1) have got work to do with the Atlanta Falcons (2-0) coming to town on Sunday.

“I hate losing, but I love this. I just feel that this is what we’re all about. We’re back to reality, we’re back in the mud. It’s doom and gloom outside of this building and this world so let’s hunker down and go back to work,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday.

“Let’s get it back to what we do well. It’s going to take all of us to win – all three phases. I know our guys, I know our coaches, this is challenge accepted. I feel really good, I do,” the coach said. “If we don’t get back to our identity this team will take your soul so that’s the motivation.’’

Safely C.J. Gardner-Johnson (torn pec) and linebacker James Houston (fibula) are out but Campbell said there’s a chance — he was not guaranteeing anything — the two could be back by the end of the season. Both are on injured reserve.

Veteran Tracy Walker will step up at safety. 

“We’re fortunate to have depth in a number of areas and that’s one of them at that position,’’ Campbell said. “Having a guy like Tracy who’s got time on task, somebody we have a lot of faith in, trust in. That alleviates a lot of pressure and stress for us.’’

Running back workhorse David Montgomery (thigh) is day to day.

“We’re going to do what we do. Our focus is on how we’ attack this opponent more than the backs we have,’’ Campbell said.

Can rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs fill his shoes?
“We’ll see,’’ Campbell said.

The coach said his focus is on Sunday but when it comes down to making decisions on some players’ availability the Lions have a short week next week, playing at Green Bay on Thursday night, Sept. 28.

“There are a couple guys if it’s close enough, do you try to play them this week knowing that maybe if you do then they’re probably out for Green Bay anyway?’’ Campbell said without identifying those players.

Those who did not practice on Wednesday: St. Brown (toe), Montgomery (thigh), LT Taylor Decker (ankle), S Kerby Joseph (hip), CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring) and G Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee). Also, WR Joshy Reynolds (groin) was limited in practice.

“A lot of them are day to day. It’s going to feel that way for a little bit here. It’s business as usual,  back to work here,’’ Campbell said.

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.

Five reasons the Detroit Lions lost 37-31 in OT to the Seahawks

DETROIT — Dan Campbell will be serving up slices of humble pie this week after a 37-31 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Ford Field was electric, the fans were jumping out of their seats expecting the very best after the big win at the Chiefs 10 days prior.

What they did not see was the Lions at their best. Two critical turnovers on offense put more pressure on the defense. Not a good equation.

“I know it stings and those guys are disappointed, I’m disappointed, the staff is, but my gosh this is good. We’ll get a little humble pie here,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. 

Expectations are high for these 1-1 Lions and the season is not over. 

“Sometimes you don’t know exactly where you’re at until you’re in it. We come off a big win and you can always preach certain things but this is the NFL, these guys ame in, took that win and they earned it,’’ Campbell said.

It was the first win for the Seahawks who were coming off a home loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Five things that were costly:

1. The defense had trouble getting pressure on quarterback Geno Smith. The only sack — and it was big — came late in the fourth quarter when linebacker Alex Anzalone went the extra mile to sack Smith for a 17-yard loss on a third-and-10 play with 2:11 left. “I think we’ve got to stay true to the rush plan itself. One more time, close the pocket in on him and don’t give him anywhere to go and somebody’s going to get one here,’’ Campbell said. “But we can’t rush high and let him run through unevaded.’’ Smith finished with 328 passing yards and 20 rushing. Anzalone said Smith may be old (he’s 32) but he still has wheels. Anzalone also said the biggest thing the defense needs to work on is tackling.

2. The Lions turned the ball over three times. The one fumble as the clock ran out in the first half just didn’t matter. The other two were huge. On the first play of the third quarter, running back David Montgomery fumbled and Seattle recovered on Detroit’s 23-yard line. Two plays later Seattle scored a touchdown. Jared Goff’s streak of 383 passes without an interception was snapped when a pass intended for Jahmyr Gibbs was intercepted by Tre Brown and returned for a touchdown. Goff took the blame saying he was about to get hit so had to throw the ball before Gibbs broke for it. “If there was some magic world where we could take away the turnovers today I thought we played pretty well. But outside of that, the turnovers are what kill you,’’ Goff said. “We have to take care of the ball, we didn’t and it cost us.’’

3. Campbell said he thought Goff played “really well.’’ It was the interception that was huge. Otherwise he was 28 of 35 for 323 yards and three touchdowns. But the loss stings, Goff  said they all do. “You would like to get the first one for the fans. That’s why it stings a little more. That was a real, real, real home-field advantage for us today,’’ Goff said.  Having them do that for the rest of the year will be a real, real home field advantage but you have to give them something to root for, though, and continue to find ways to win games.’’

4. The Lions had a chance to win it when they got the ball with 1:44 left at midfield, down by 3 points. They managed to get down to the 20-yard line with 3 seconds left and kicked a field goal to tie it and send it to overtime. Goff didn’t attempt a deep pass for a touchdown on the drive. “I never felt like we were crunched against the clock to score a touchdown,’’ Campbell said. At that point they were without right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Montgomery, Taylor Decker (who was inactive) and while Amon-Ra St. Brown was back in the game after cramping and they didn’t know if he was limited.

5. Wide receiver Josh Reynolds had another big game with 5 catches for 66 yards and a pair of touchdowns. “Reynolds is really playing big for us now. He’s been a reliable guy since he’s been here, he just had some injuries last year that slowed him down at times when eh’s healthy and he’s going he’s somebody we have a lot of faith in,’’ Campbell said. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta came up big for the second straight week. His five catches for 63 yards do not tell the whole story. He also had a key block on David Montgomery’s touchdown scamper. “I think his run after catch is pretty special and his hands, his catch point is really competitive. He’s starting to find himself and how he wants to play the game and how he fits in our offense,’’ Goff said. “I’m excited to see his development.’’

INJURIES: Montgomery left the game with a thigh bruise, according to Campbell. The coach said James Houston could be out a while, but was not more specific. He had no news on Vaitai who left the game and did not return. 

UP NEXT: Falcons at Lions, Sunday, Sept. 24, 1 p.m. The Falcons (2-0) edged the Packers, 25-24, on Sunday.