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Dan Campbell ready to reduce aggression – Daily Tribune

VaselineJuly 13, 2024

0 3 minutes read

Dan Campbell ready to reduce aggression – Daily Tribune

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell argues a call during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, in Detroit. (DUANE BURLESON — AP Photo)

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell has quickly built a reputation as one of the most aggressive coaches in the NFL.

Since taking over the role in 2021, the fearless coach has never hesitated to push the boundaries in high-pressure situations. The Lions ranked second in fourth-down conversion attempts last season with 40 and converted 52.5 percent of the time.

That aggression has come back to bite the Lions at points, most notably in the NFC Championship game. During the San Francisco 49ers’ rally, the Lions botched two fourth-down attempts that ultimately led to a stunning collapse.

During a recent interview with a Texas radio station, Campbell explained that he won’t hesitate to dial back his aggressiveness. He has a thorough self-scout and evaluation process for his decisions and is willing to play it safe at certain points to help his team win.

“I’m always going to trust the strength of our team. I just believe in that,” Campbell said. “So who’s to say we come in and it’s just a different path? And you feel like you have to be a little more conservative. That can easily happen if I believe that’s the best way to play the game and that it’s going to help us win.”

Campbell pointed to the team’s late run in 2022 as an example of changing his thought process. As the team struggled, the Lions switched from pushing the pace to controlling the clock. Once they started experiencing success, he built on the momentum the team had built.

“In 2022, we were 1-6 and I’ve slowed down a lot and had a little more control at times,” Campbell explained. “We wasted time on some things and then we won three in a row. Then we lost a game and won three in a row again and then we started to step things up and hit the ground running. I always go with our strengths and what I think is going to help us win the game.”

Rams game ‘most electric’ of Campbell’s career

The Lions’ 2023 campaign has been a memorable one, with the highlight of the season perhaps being a Wild Card Round victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

In an emotionally charged atmosphere that saw Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford take on their former teams, the Lions fan base rallied behind Goff and their team to help the team to victory.

Looking back on that game, Campbell called it the most important of his career, in terms of the overall atmosphere at Ford Field.

“Let me just say this. (The Draft) was crazy. But as far as our fans and the transformation that’s happened here, man, I’m not kidding, I’ve been playing for a while, I’ve been coaching in this league for a while,” Campbell explained. “I’ve been to different places. And man, our Wild Card game, the first week of the playoffs against the Rams here at home, that’s the most electric game I’ve ever been a part of.”

Lions fans filled the stadium early, chanting Jared Goff’s name as the offense took the field for pregame warmups. As the energy in the stadium began to swell, Campbell felt the fire and intensity early and often.

“The energy was through the roof and I don’t know if it was, they were definitely into it, but I’ve never been to a place where it’s packed an hour before the game,” Campbell said. “It’s like every asshole is in their seat. I couldn’t believe it, and they were screaming and chanting.”

Notes

1. Campbell explained that he once thought he didn’t want to become a coach because of the overall toll it can take. However, he soon discovered an effective way to manage his time within the profession, and became comfortable with the workload that comes with it.

2. The Detroit Pistons have hired Kevin Burleson, brother of former Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson, to their coaching staff as an assistant coach. Burleson joins the staff of new Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

This article was produced by the Sports Illustrated/All Lions staff. For more, visit si.com/nfl/lions

VaselineJuly 13, 2024

0 3 minutes read

Vaseline

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