Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions (Photo by DetroitFreePress Syndication)
The Detroit Lions are starting to prepare for the season opener. Is it possible that the defense is ahead of the offense?
The Dan Campbell era is just one week away from playing its first meaningful game. Next Sunday, Ford Field will host the San Francisco 49ers as they will do battle with the Lions.
On the surface, this doesn’t seem like a very fair fight. After all the 49ers are a strong defensive team with a very innovative offense. Meanwhile, the Lions are a team in transition. After three failed seasons under the iron fist of Matt Patricia, new general manager Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell are picking up the pieces that were left behind and starting the laborious task of rebuilding this franchise.
The approach under Campbell has been different. Skipper Dan has his players buying into what he’s selling. Yet while he has fun with his players, he is also direct and no-nonsense about making sure his troops hear what they need to hear.
Campbell has been rather direct to the press as well. He told us beforehand that there would be players that won’t make the team that were expected to. Like Breshad Perriman who was one of Holmes’ early free-agent signings but was sent packing.
Tackle Tyrell Crosby who everyone thought would be valuable depth for the offensive line was given his walking papers as well. So was cornerback Mike Ford who had performed fairly well in the exhibition season.
The new regime is committed to building a championship team and how they have conducted business so far is a good example of that. If what Campbell sees in practice and games isn’t good enough, then it’s time to say goodbye.
There certainly seems like there will growing pains as Holmes and Campbell build this team into a contender. However, possibly the biggest surprise might be that the Lions’ much-maligned defense just may be the Honolulu Blue and Silver’s strength as opposed to the offense.