New regime, Same Old Lions. That's the natural reaction to the Lions' 0-2 start under Dan Campbell, even in a rebuilding season. And if that's the perception on the outside, so be it. Campbell and his staff can't control that.
But if Campbell detects any negativity inside the walls of Allen Park, if he sees any of his players sulking or surrendering to the organization's history of losing, it won't be tolerated.
"I just tell them I don't want to see that sh*t," Campbell said after Detroit's 35-17 loss to the Packers Monday night. "They come in, I'm not that type of person. I'm not a negative person. I'm all about going to work. I want guys who are resilient, who are willing to go back to work. They love ball and they're going to clean up their mistakes. Those are the guys I'm looking for, man. I'm not a sulker. You're not going to get me down. And those are the type of people I want around me."
The Lions broke from their history Monday night by wearing white pants for the first time in more than 70 years -- and then taking a lead into the locker room at Lambeau Field. But the Packers won the second half 21-0 to win the game with ease. So it's back to the drawing board for Detroit ahead of a Week 3 clash with the Ravens.
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"I want guys who are looking for solutions," Campbell said. "You know, we're going to fix our mess because we put ourselves in this mess. That's what I'm looking for. We're going to be just fine. We're going to be upbeat. And you know what? It should sting. I hope it does sting. It stings me. And that's OK. But that doesn't mean you have to be negative or kick the dirt and everything else. I don't want those guys around here."
Quarterback Jared Goff, who went 26-36 for 246 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, echoed his head coach when asked about pessimism creeping into the Lions' psyche.
"It's a new crew now," he said. "Obviously there has been history of that, but I believe in the guys we have here. I believe in Dan. I believe in our staff. I believe in everyone that this is a new regime and a new energy in the building. It's still early. Obviously O-2 is not where we want to be, but a lot of room to improve and a lot of wins to be had down the line."
