Prior to the Lions' Week 14 loss to the Broncos that dropped their record to 1-11-1, Jared Goff was asked what he's learned about himself this year as QB 1 in Detroit. He said he's "a lot tougher" than he thought. The same question was posed to Dan Campbell on the Stoney & Jansen Show Tuesday as he nears the end of his first season as Lions head coach.
"Shoot, man, I don't know if I’ve learned anything new necessarily," he said. "That’s a good question. That’s a real good question. Look, of course up to this point, this has been a little more difficult than I thought as far as wins and losses. I thought we would come away with a little more success up to this point in the win column.
"However, where we’re at doesn’t put me in a spot where I feel like I’ve never been before, or that I can’t handle the adversity. I’m a guy who’s always been able to respond with what’s given. It’s like, what’s next? What do we have to do to keep moving forward?"
You can't blame Campbell for having higher expectations this season, even in the first year of a major rebuild. He came to the Lions fresh off four straight division titles as assistant head coach of the Saints. Even as interim head coach of the Dolphins in 2015, Campbell went 5-7. With a few breaks, his record might look similar through 13 games with the Lions. But his record is what it is.
So, what has Campbell learned about himself this year?
"You know what, here’s a good one for you," he said. "I would say that I’ve learned to respond to many different challenges of this head coaching seat, from injuries to illnesses to adjusted schedules to offensive coordinator. I think I’ve been able to adapt. Now, has it been just totally smooth? No, but I have been able to adapt and take all of it on."
The Lions were always going to face an uphill battle this season. Injuries made it a massacre. It started when they lost their left tackle a few days before the season opener; he wouldn't return until Week 10. By Week 4, they had also lost their Pro Bowl center, top two wide receivers, top cornerback and top pass rusher for the year. Their top two running backs have missed five games combined. That's how you wind up with the top pick in the draft.
As if the injuries weren't enough, the Lions went to Denver last week with a roster decimated by COVID-19 and the flu, then lost their starting middle linebacker and a starting corner to injuries of their own and were outscored by 21 points in the second half. That they've otherwise played so many tight games is a credit to Campbell and his coaching staff -- a coaching staff that's likely to look different next season after Campbell took over play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn coming out of Detroit's Week 9 bye.
Related
There have been bright spots along the way, like the continued rise of D'Andre Swift, the emergence of rookies Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jerry Jacobs (before an ACL injury ended his season) and the stoutness of the offensive line. But no one has shined like Penei Sewell, the seventh overall pick who already looks like one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL.
Campbell said the 21-year-old is different than any offensive lineman he's ever been around.
"Look, first of all, the man is like 335 and doesn’t necessarily look that way and move that way. He moves like he’s 275 pounds. A very fluid block of ice. I wouldn’t even know where to begin with (comparing) him. He’s unique. That’s why he got picked where he did by us. There’s not a lot of players like him."
On the other hand, rookies like defensive linemen Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill and linebacker Derrick Barnes are still finding their footing in the NFL. Barnes, a fourth-round pick, could have a major opportunity in the final four games of the season if Alex Anzalone misses time with the ankle injury he suffered against the Broncos.
Campbell said his message for Barnes is, "Hey man, let’s go. We’re at the back half of your rookie season. You’ve got enough snaps now to where we can’t see these mistakes show up anymore. We need to see a guy who we feel like is becoming an experienced rookie. So man, take it all in. You’ve got an opportunity to not come off the field. Now what are you going to do with it?"