For the second straight week, Dan Campbell and the Lions are facing a franchise they'd like to follow.
It was the Packers in Week 2, the gold standard of the NFC North. It will be the Ravens in Week 3, a (sort of) pure-bred winner. Green Bay is known for its quarterbacks, Baltimore is known for its defense. The Lions aren't known for much of anything, which is why Campbell says a team like the Ravens "is a model of what you're looking for," a model that can be distilled into one player.
"Look, Coach Harbaugh has done an unbelievable job, (former GM) Ozzie Newsome, all those guys over there," Campbell said Wednesday on the Stoney & Jansen Show. "They created a culture, and we talk about culture. They have. But I’ll tell you what, probably nobody's influenced that culture more than Ray Lewis. You look, even though he’s been gone for years his handprint is still on this defense and the way they play because it’s been passed down over and over and over. Just the nature of the way they play, how they play.
"And that’s what you’re looking for, man. You’re looking for game changers, for organization changers."
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It's not the first time Campbell has used Lewis as a touchstone for the Lions. He and defensive coorindator Aaron Glenn entered this year's draft searching for Detroit's version of the Hall of Fame linebacker. (Derrick Barnes!!) And who could blame them? Baltimore drafted Lewis 26th overall ahead of its inaugural season in 1996 and watched him make 12 Pro Bowls over the next 16 seasons.
But perennial Pro Bowlers aren't necessarily "organization changers." That's what makes Lewis different. Baltimore has played in his image from the moment he arrived. In 21 seasons this century, the Ravens have produced 17 defenses in the top 10, 10 in the top five and eight in the top three. They've also won two Super Bowls, seven division titles and made 13 trips to the playoffs, all while snarling at the opposition. Lewis retired in 2012 and the Ravens still play mean.
"Look, we've got a challenge on the offensive side," Campbell said. "This defense is a salty, gritty group and will be one of the best defenses we’ve faced."
That's a nod to their reputation. The Ravens have actually been pretty porous through two games. They've also been hammered by injuries and faced two of the best offenses in football. Don't be surprised if they turn things around starting Sunday in Detroit. Crab cakes and defense -- that's what Baltimore does.
As for Lamar Jackson and the NFL's top rushing attack?
"There’s nobody like them and there’s nobody like him," Campbell said. "We’re going to have to have some great full-speed looks at it to really get the timing of it and what they’re doing. Our safeties are going to be a huge part of it. Everybody is, but our safeties are going to play a huge part in how we stop this package and stop this run game. You gotta make this guy beat you with his arm, you just do."