Tag: Mark Brunell

QB Teddy Bridgewater rejoins Lions after coaching state championship team

ALLEN PARK — Teddy Bridgewater is back with the Lions and that should bring smiles to everyone on the team, even second-year quarterback Hendon Hooker.

Bridgewater, 32, who was a backup with the Lions in the 2023 season, spent much time working with Hooker who was a rookie.

“I understand what it looks like. It’s just a different world that we’re getting ready to walk into and I just felt like this was the right thing to do, especially with somebody I have a tremendous amount of trust with and for,’’ coach Dan Campbell said on Thursday. “He understands our offense well, the guys know him well, the coaches know him well and he brings a certain level of comfort to us.’’

Bridgewater just coached his alma mater, Miami Northwestern, to a Florida state high school championship in November. Not bad for his first year of coaching. Shortly after he announced plans to unretire and sign with an NFL team. He was on the Lions practice field on Thursday wearing No. 12.

“It’s fun, it’s cool. I’m glad to have him back here. State Champ Teddy Bridgewater is what we call him now,’’ quarterback Jared Goff said. “He’s a valuable asset to our team. I love having him in the quarterback room, he’s great to have around.’’

Campbell loves Bridgewater’s experience.

“He’s staying in shape, he’s been throwing, just getting worked back in here a little bit. It just brings a level of professionalism, veteran presence. Somebody that’s great for our team, that’s great for the position,’’ Campbell said. “It doesn’t mean we’re disappointed in Hooker, that’s not what this means. This gives us somebody that’s played a lot in the NFL, we’re getting ready for the playoffs, it’ll be good to get back in the fold with us.’’

Campbell said everybody in the locker room respects Bridgewater and what he stands for.

“When he gets his sea legs back under him, he’ll test those guys a little bit defensively which is good in practice,’’ Campbell said.

It’s not just that Bridgewater is an insurance policy as the Lions start a playoff run, always smiling he brings an infectious enthusiasm to the locker room. 

“He’s a great resource for Jared, young quarterbacks Jake and Hendon. He is a professional — he works hard, he prepares as if he’s the starter and that’s what you want. He’s great to be around,’’ quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell said. “He brightens up that room quite a bit and adds some experience, we love having him around, obviously.’’

Campbell and Brunell both said Hooker improves daily.

“Each week he gets better, he really is. His mechanics, his fundamentals, understanding the defenses he’s presented with, his preparation, his work ethic,’’ Brunel said. “I can’t say enough about him. … He’s going to be a really good quarterback in this league and I’m excited for him.’’

Campbell has known Bridgewater since he coached him with the New Orleans Saints in 2018 and 2019. As a backup for the Lions in 2023, Bridgewater played three snaps in a win over Carolina in Week 5 of the season. 

Bridgewater was drafted by the Vikings in 2014 (32nd overall) and started for two seasons (6-6, 11-5). He has also played with the Saints (2018-19), Panthers (2020), Broncos (2021) and Dolphins (2022). 

In 79 games in his NFL career he completed 66.4 percent of pass attempts and threw 75 touchdowns against 47 interceptions.

INJURY UPDATE: Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin was back at practice after getting in a full practice last week coming off a neck injury. WR Kalif Raymond had his first day of practice coming off a foot injury. “We’ll see where he’s at, I don’t feel as confident with him as I do JRM,’’ Campbell said.

UP NEXT: Lions (13-2) at San Francisco 49ers (6-9), 8:15 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 30.

Five things to watch as the Lions face the Bears in Chicago; plus, prediction

The weather forecast may be holiday-perfect —  just another cold, wintry Sunday at Soldier Field on Sunday when the Lions play the Bears.

It will be the second meeting for the NFC North rivals. Chicago (4-8)  may still be a little angry at themselves for giving up a late fourth-quarter lead a few weeks ago at Ford Field to Detroit (9-3). The Lions still sit atop the NFC North with the Bears hanging out in the basement.

“Yeah, I’m not worried about the whole revenge factor. I mean, we’re hungry and we’ve got to win to win,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “So, we want this too, now. I mean – and I think for them, look man, they’re playing pretty good football right now and they want to win. So, I think – I’m not worried about revenge, I’m worried about what this team presents.’’

The Bears present another issue – they are coming off a bye week.

“Typically, when you play a defense like this one, they’re rested. Two, specific to this game, they’re probably upset and angry about how the last game finished for them,’’ quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell said. 

“And they have time to put things in that perhaps you’re not ready for. We will be surprised on a  few things, whether it’s a front, it’s a type of pressure, it’s coverage — we’ll see something different. That usually happens every week but when a team comes off a bye you see a lot more,’’ Brunell added.

Five things to watch:

1. The defense must contain quarterback Justin Fields as much as possible. They have struggled with mobile quarterbacks and Fields carried 18 times for 104 yards in their first meeting. “He’s dangerous. He’s one of these rare, dangerous players and I’ll tell you what he’s done a really good job of, from last year to this year is once he – man, if it’s a pass and he starts to move, he’s still moving with eyes down the field much more than I felt like he had previously and that’s extremely dangerous because even in Minnesota, he had two or three receivers wide open after he had kind of run, found a way through, broke contain and all of a sudden he gets an explosive pass off of it,’’ Campbell said. “But he is dangerous and he – everything starts with him, for us defensively, and containing these guys.”

2. The weather conditions definitely will affect the game-calling. If it’s windy and rainy, Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs will have to pile up yardage on the ground. While they’ve had much success, the Bears’ defense is tied for first in the NFL in rushing defense allowing just 79.0 rushing yards per game. In their first matchup, the Lions had 115 rushing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns. 

3. After two rough games as far as turnovers, Jared Goff came back in fine form in the win at New Orleans. Even though the Chicago weather could live up to its Windy City name, Brunell expects Goff to be fine. “(Wind) doesn’t bother Jared at all. I’m pretty impressed for a guy who played in L.A., and grew up in California, how the elements don’t seem to bother him at all. It’s pretty impressive,’’ Brunell said. “He’s in his eighth year, he’s been in those games, those environments and he’s had success.’’

4. Others must step up with the absence of defensive tackle Alim McNeill who was placed on injured reserve this week. Levi Onwuzurike, Isaiah Buggs, rookie Brodric Martin and/or  Quinton Bohanna could see more playing time. Same for Bruce Irvin who made his Lions’ debut in New Orleans with 11 snaps. Campbell wants to get him more this week. 

5. The Lions defense must continue to limit explosive plays. They have allowed the third fewest run plays of 10 yards or more all season. But the chunk plays in the passing game have at times been an issue. “The thing that I try to do is look at the big picture. We’re one of the top teams in the League as far as not giving up explosive plays. So, I always try to point back to that and what we did before to not give those things up, and our guys understand that,’’ defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “And listen, this is a League of teams that are trying to make big plays because usually when you make big plays, obviously you’re going to get scores after that. So, that’s one thing that we try to make sure we focus on.’’

INJURIES: Center Frank Ragnow (knee, back, toe) and QB Hendon Hooker (knee) are out. LB/FB Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle) is questionable. LB Alex Anzalone (hand), who missed last week, will play.

PREDICTION: Lions 27, Bears 17. The Lions need to continue winning for their hopes of getting a home playoff game. Don’t see them letting up now.