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.’’
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