Year one of the Dan Campbell-Brad Holmes era was never going to concern wins and losses. Not for a team coming off three straight last-place seasons with a torn-down roster. It was going to concern the shape of that roster moving forward, who stays and who goes as the Lions figure out their future.
Four games into the season, the Lions are getting some answers.
"We are starting to figure out a lot more about our guys," Campbell said Tuesday on the Stoney & Jansen Show.
It helps that the Lions have forced important plays in the fourth quarter of each game. Nothing puts a player to the test like pressure. As Campbell said after Detroit's last-second loss to the Ravens, "If you really want a sharpened sword, you have to put it under a lot of heat." In some ways, the Lions' 0-4 start has been constructive.
Instructive, at the least.
"It’s frustrating because look, you don’t want these guys to quit giving the effort they’re giving and believing in it," Campbell said. "But also, man, we gotta get better when we’re in those high-pressure situations. That’s why I’m saying we’re learning a lot about some of our guys. We got some guys that are really stepping up when called upon and we gotta have it, and you feel like there’s some that aren’t necessarily doing that. So that actually helps us down the road."
Campbell didn't name any names in the latter department, but Detroit didn't release LB Jamie Collins by mistake. Nor has Campbell redistributed playing time in the secondary on a whim. Safety Dean Marlowe has seen an increase in snaps the past two weeks, Will Harris and Tracy Walker have seen a decrease. Bobby Price saw every snap at cornerback in Week 3, then got benched in favor of Jerry Jacobs in Week 4. None of these are cut-and-dried conclusions. They are trends worth watching.
Likewise, DE Charles Harris continues to earn more action. He played 90 percent of the defensive snaps against the Bears and notched a sack for the third straight game. Austin Bryant's stock is rising too. Both players have a big opportunity with Detroit's top pass-rusher Romeo Okwara done for the year. So does Okwara's brother Julian. And for all the excitement about rookie LB Derrick Barnes, keep an eye on Jalen Reeves-Maybin. He's been the biggest beneficiary of Collins' departure.
You may have heard, but the Lions could use some more receivers. They may have found one in 5'8 speedster Kalif Raymond. Detroit's punt returner also leads the team's wide-outs in targets, receptions and yards and is tied for the lead in touchdowns after his big game in Chicago. Rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown had his best game of the season, too.
"I thought 'Lif really showed up," Campbell said. "He’s one of those guys, he’s tough and he’s pretty explosive. The kid blocks, he’s our punt returner, he can get open, he can separate and he plays like he weighs 230 just when he gets in there and plays physical. But I love the kid and he’s done well. St. Brown made some plays, which is good, and he’s been physical in the run game.
"So look, I think we’re starting to get a little bit out of these guys and we’re going to keep trying to get them balls here and see if we can get some production out of them. But I did see improvement out of that receivers room this week."
The heat on the Lions is rising. As Campbell and Holmes weld this roster, they'll be watching closely to see who wilts.