![]() ![]() This is the time for the Lions to show improvement. Technically, this is not the halfway point of the season. “He brings value to the roster at a minimum just to have on gameday because he does so many things,” Campbell said. Brown and D’Andre Swift - another Quinn pick.īoth the defense and special teams should be aided with the return of Jerry Jacobs. Now here is the sliver of hope: The Lions offense should get a boost with the return of a healthy St. To be clear, I’m not calling for Campbell or Holmes to be fired.īut they are setting up a make-or-break season in 2023. So don't tell me turnarounds take forever. Meanwhile, if the season ended today, the Jets and Giants would be in the playoffs. Then, they will get crushed by the Bills on Thanksgiving. I don’t see them beating the Cowboys, Dolphins or Giants. The Packers don’t look formidable but neither did Seattle or the Patriots. Nor have they gotten much from wide receiver DJ Chark, this summer's free-agent signee.Īll of that has contributed to the bottom line: This team could go into Thanksgiving Day with one, maybe two wins. Holmes has tried to build up the defensive line. But to this point, the Lions don’t have much of a pass rush. ![]() The Lions have had a horrible kicking game because the guys Holmes has brought in (and let Matt Prater walk). This year, Holmes drafted injured wide receiver Jameson Williams in the first round and took defensive lineman Josh Paschal, another injured player, in the second round.Īnd yes, you can be critical of that, too. He missed most of training camp his rookie year, has not played this season and just had surgery - a “last resort,” Campbell said - and is done for the year. Holmes drafted defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike in the second round in 2021, a guy with a back injury dating back to college. And beg for patience, hoping the injured players return, unconcerned if it creates more losses while they are out.Īctually, that’s exactly what Holmes has said through his actions, even though it hasn’t worked yet. It’s almost like the Lions have found a creative way to tank. It’s a good unit.” Playing the long game? Multiple fronts, good disguises in coverage, and so, yeah it’s a good unit. “They’re talented, they play hard, they’re good at what they do. “It’s a good defense,” Campbell said Monday. Ironically, the Lions will see Parsons this week - the centerpiece of the Cowboys' defense. He can help fix the Lions two biggest needs, shoring up the run defense and giving the pass rush a boost as a blitzer.” He is an absolute beast and has the highest upside of any defensive player in this draft. As I wrote before the draft, detailing why most Super Bowl winners don’t invest so much on the offensive line: “I’d be fine with a corner but I'd prefer linebacker Michal Parsons. And he has played a role in the Lions’ high-scoring offense.īut do you know what would have been more visionary? Drafting Micah Parsons, who has turned into an absolute stud. He is, by most measure, a fantastic tackle. It’s offensive line, most of which was built by Quinn and Matt Patricia.Īnd Holmes decided to add to it in the first round in the 2021 draft, taking Penei Sewell. And Malcolm Rodriguez has been a nice find. And the defense has been awful.Īmon-Ra St. He has had a chance to upgrade the defense through free agency. At least he’s doing something, right?ĭetroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, first round picks receiver Jamison Williams and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson pose for a picture with GM Brad Holmes in April. And so, I just felt like we’ve got to get back to those things we were doing in camp.” “You may put a strain on other groups because you’re light in that area, but man, the rest of your team needs that work. More “good-on-goods” - first-team offense against first-team defense. Campbell eased up the contact at practices because so many players were hurt, which was understandable.īut after starting the season 1-4 and having a bye week to analyze what has gone wrong, Campbell is going back to his old ways. Then, everything switched after the season started. ![]() Campbell was trying to create a tough, physical team. But the substance behind the quote might have been lost. The scene drew national buzz because it was so passionate and entertaining. That's all I (expletive) think about is you guys and how I set you up for the best (expletive) possible, the best possible advantage I can give you to have a season. "All I think about is you guys," Campbell said. ![]()
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