Perhaps Dan Campbell was correct all along. Campbell conducted one of the more notable inaugural press conferences as the newly named Detroit Lions head coach in January 2021.
‘What I do know is that this team will take on the identity of this city. And this city has been knocked down and then resurrected. ‘It’s found a way to endure adversity,’ said the gruff, bearded Campbell, a former Lions tight end at 6ft 5in.
‘So, this team is going to be founded on: we’re going to kick you in the teeth, all right, and when you punch us back, we’re going to smile at you, and when you knock us down, we’re going to get up. In addition, on the route
Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes arrived. The offensive coordinator was Ben Johnson, and the defensive coordinator was Aaron Glenn. All four men have contributed significantly to the Lions’ cultural revolution and change of identity.
It is typified by Campbell, who wears his emotions on his sleeve and recently starred in the popular NFL behind-the-scenes show Hard Knocks.
Detroit has built one of the best rosters in the NFL by bringing in a slew of prove-it free agents like linebacker Alex Anzalone and cornerstone draft picks like Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St Brown, Aide Hutchison, and Brian Branch.
They were the first team to go winless in a 16-game season under Rod Marinelli in 2008. The Lions made the playoffs three times during an upswing in form under Jim Schwartz and later Jim Caldwell in the 2010s. And they all failed.
In 2018, the popular Caldwell was fired and replaced by Bill Belichick protégé Matt Patricia. His three-year tenure was marked by disaster and cuss words as he called out – and shipped off – his stars. Players loathed him, and many publicly cheered when he was sacked after three seasons and a record of 13 wins, 29 losses, and one draw.
Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes arrived. The offensive coordinator was Ben Johnson, and the defensive coordinator was Aaron Glenn. All four men have contributed significantly to the Lions’ cultural revolution and change of identity.
It is typified by Campbell, who wears his emotions on his sleeve and recently starred in the popular NFL behind-the-scenes show Hard Knocks.
Detroit has built one of the best rosters in the NFL by bringing in a slew of prove-it free agents like linebacker Alex Anzalone and cornerstone draft picks like Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St Brown, Aide Hutchison, and Brian Branch.
They acquired quarterback Jared Goff (the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft) in March 2021 in exchange for Matthew Stafford (the Lions’ own No. 1 overall choice in the 2009 draft).
Goff led the Rams to Super Bowl LIII, where they were defeated 13-3 by the New England Patriots. However, the Rams needed a quarterback improvement and sent Goff and two first-round selection picks to Detroit. Stafford won the Super Bowl in his first season in Los Angeles after spending the previous 12 years toiling in Detroit.
Goff’s future with the Lions has long appeared bleak. Never more so than after they started 1-6 last season, and the Lions were doing well.
But since then, something wonderful has occurred.
They won 13 of the following 16 games and just lost three. They’ve defeated three of last year’s playoff teams along the road. They won this year’s season opener on the road against the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Detroit is one of five clubs that are 5-1. They’ve won their last four games by double digits, matching a franchise record set in 1969.
They have won in a variety of ways, which is the mark of a good squad. Their offense will score points one week, while their defense will keep the opponents’ score low the following.
Goff is playing like a seasoned veteran behind a powerful offensive line – the unit is ranked No. 1 in the league by football experts PFF. Despite injuries to running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions have won with receivers St Brown and Josh Reynolds accumulating over 800 yards between them.
So far, at least. They head to Baltimore on Sunday to face the 4-2 Ravens and their fearsome defense, which is ranked second in the NFL.
It’s the ideal test for Campbell and the Lions, and it’ll undoubtedly be a box-office draw this weekend.
