I loved the guy when he was here. Great to see him having some success.
The Lions were able to finish the 2022 season with a winning record thanks to a road win over the Packers that saw them take the lead in the fourth quarter with a rushing touchdown and then keep the previous season’s MVP quarterback from putting his team back on top.
The start to the 2023 season didn’t look terribly different. David Montgomery’s rushing touchdown with seven minutes to play put the Lions up 21-20 and they did not 2022 MVP Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to pick up a first down on either of their final two possessions. The win gave the Lions their first 1-0 start since 2017, but head coach Dan Campbell said at his postgame press conference that it didn’t teach him anything new about a team that’s coming into this season with high expectations.
“I didn’t learn anything. I got verification of what I already knew,” Campbell said. “And this is a resilient team. It already was a resilient team, and we added pieces to that resilient team. We’re built to handle some stuff, and we did that today against a very good opponent.”
Campbell might not have learned anything about his team, but a win like that on a stage like that likely justified some of the offseason hype around the Lions for people outside the organization. More of the same in the weeks to come would leave little doubt that these aren’t the same old Lions.
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The nice thing going for Campbell is they appear to actually have someone competent building the roster with him. They've built a nice OL, nice free agency additions, CGJ is a nice addition for them on D and he'll be their heart and soul probably. Aiden Hutchinson is a star in the making too. It was far too early for Dan to be a head coach here when his interim stint ended. I still think he's a bit of a donkey the way he acts and some of the things he says sometimes but got to give him credit he's done a nice job turning things around there. Like any good team though the HC and GM need to be on the same page and it appears they are. The Lions got contributions last night from last years draft picks, and this years as well as their free agent pickups. That makes a huge difference IMO.
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It would be nice for the Detroit Lions not to be the Detroit Lions of the NFL this season.
Loved the win last night!resnor likes this. -
I think the Lions are my #2 team this season, and I wouldn't be shocked to see them make a playoff run. Super Bowl talk feels a little premature but I'm going to ride or die with my man Motor City Dan Campbell!
The real question is- do I pay YouTube? I really don't want to just out of principle, but I'll have to decide by kickoff Sunday.resnor likes this. -
I don't know if the old school run it, run it, run it, 10 yard play action pass model is going to be effective in the long run.
He was very inconsistent with his play calling and decision making. Sometimes too aggressive, sometimes too conservative. Giving the Chiefs a 3rd and 17 as opposed to a 4th and 3 almost bit him in the ***. -
I dont think Campbell calls any plays.. but i also dont think head coaches need to call plays to lead a team.. him and deion sanders just know how to motivate and build chemistry but they definitely defer the playcalling.
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dolphin25 and Tuanon4Life like this.
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The running game focus is partly from the GM Brad Holmes who went with building a strong OL and RB stable while using Jared Goff as a game manager. I think it can work, but I'm not sold on Goff in the playoffs.
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resnor likes this.
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Playing and coaching on emotions is only going to take you so far.
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MikeD is the better long term play, dude is innovative and hopefully will be Shula/ Coach Spo 2.0 with the same tenure. -
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Regardless, I’m glad he’s having success in Detroit (their fans deserve some excitement), and wish him well, unless the Lions play Miami - then it will be “Dan who?”resnor likes this. -
Like if we miss the playoffs this year, people will start to question McDaniel about being too relaxed, not being enough of a redass, etc. Just win baby.resnor likes this. -