Dan Campbell and the Lions have a lot to figure out in the next month. At most positions, roles are murky. That's the nature of a rebuilding team. It means battles galore in training camp, and decisions galore for the coaching staff.
Asked Thursday which battles are the most important, Campbell pointed to two on defense.
"Probably for me, I would say my eyes are on safety and inside linebacker," he said. "And actually I’d flip it, I’d say inside linebacker first, then I would say the safety position. Those are going to be good battles. And I’m not just talking about starting, I’m talking about who’s the next guy in. We could have three starters that rotate through, we could have four."
Campbell said special teams will factor into the equation, too.
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At inside linebacker, Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn favor speed over bulk -- a departure from the previous regime. Free-agent acquisition Alex Anzalone and Jamie Collins currently top the depth chart. A slimmed-down Jahlani Tavai has impressed the new coaching staff, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin has a chance to expand his role after returning on a one-year deal. Campbell is also mighty high on fourth-round pick Derrick Barnes.
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At safety, the outlook isn't bright. Tracy Walker and Will Harris were the starters on the first day of camp. Both are coming off down seasons, though Walker feels like a good bet to bounce back. Veteran Dean Marlowe, who started four games for the Bills last season, is next in line. After that, it's a mishmash a cast of special-teamers and undrafted free agents. Look for Detroit to sign another veteran or two before the end of camp.
The Lions need several players to pop on defense this season to avoid a repeat of last year, when they allowed the most points and most yards in the NFL. That's what Campbell will be looking for over the next several weeks, on both sides of the ball, as he begins to mold Detroit's roster in his mind.
"If a guy makes a couple plays and they pop off to you, that’s what you’re trying to get, man," Campbell said. "That’s what these guys need to be thinking is, how can they get my attention by the way they play? Like, 'Man, I want the head coach to see me.' Not just one play, but like, 'Man, I noticed you today, over and over and over.'"