Offensive coordinator John Morton, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp spoke to the media Thursday ahead of Detroit's matchup against the Cleveland Browns Sunday at Ford Field. Here are my 10 biggest takeaways from those media sessions:
1. Sheppard credited the execution more than the game plan itself for the defensive performance against Baltimore last week. Sheppard frequently utilized a spy for Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in that contest. He credited run game coordinator and defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers with having a big influence on Monday's game plan.
Sheppard said the ability to play extra linebackers not just on base first and second downs but also on third down has been an asset for them early in the year. It allows Sheppard to hide his pressures and coverages better and he thinks that's been the big key to the success on defense early in the season. Sheppard credited Derrick Barnes and Trevor Nowaske with being so versatile, they can put them on the field and play more base defense than most teams.
2. The Browns have the No. 1 running defense in the NFL, allowing on average just 57.3 yards on the ground per game, but the Browns haven't seen a running game like Detroit's, per Morton. The sheer versatility and diversity of the Lions' rushing attack is unique. Morton said Detroit must be patient with the run game, even if it isn't clicking early Sunday at Ford Field.
3. We saw several blocked field goals in the NFL Week 3. Fipp said it was a point of emphasis for him last week leading up to Monday night talking about how dangerous Baltimore's field goal block was. He loved what happened around the league the day before their game because it helped reinforce that message. Fipp chalked up the frequency of field goal blocks early this year to it being early in the season and teams still needing to settle in, rather than some big trend or scheme change around the league.
4. Expect veteran cornerback Amik Robertson to get some reps at outside cornerback moving forward. Sheppard said Robertson has earned the reps with his play. The Lions are playing a lot more base defense this year and that means Robertson's nickel reps have declined. Detroit's playing nickel just 37.6 percent of the time, per Tru Media, which ranks 30th in the NFL. They want Robertson on the field more and that means he's likely to rotate some reps outside with Terrion Arnold.
5. Morton said they'll have a good plan for Browns All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett, who has a sack in all three Cleveland contests this season and is currently fourth in the NFL with 4.0. The Lions can't allow No. 95 to wreck the game, Morton said.
6. One area Fipp wants to continue to see steady improvement moving forward is with their punting units. He still thinks they can be better there after ranking No. 1 in the NFL in both gross and net punting last year. Through three games Detroit ranks 11th in gross punting average (48.3) and 20th in net punt average (39.6). Detroit's dealt with several injury issues on special teams early in the season, but Fipp said that's no excuse.
7. Linebacker Jack Campbell embodies everything this Lions team and defense is about, Sheppard said Thursday. Despite having a hole in his lip he could stick his tongue through and having to cover his mouth making the calls so he didn't spit blood on his teammates, Campbell stayed in the game before and after getting stitched up and led the team with eight tackles, adding a sack and tackle for loss.
"He's unbelievable and I'm very fortunate to have that player running this defense," Sheppard said.
8. In his 28 years in the NFL, Morton said he's never seen a group of receivers and tight ends block as well in the run game as the Lions do. He said it opens the entire run game and gives Detroit a distinct advantage over a lot of other teams in the NFL. He said recent Los Angeles Rams teams were probably the second best he's seen.
9. Kicker Jake Bates had to make a touchdown-saving tackle on a kickoff return last week. It's Bates' second tackle of the season, which Fipp would be the first to say is two too many. Detroit doesn't work on tackling with Bates or punter Jack Fox. Fipp said Bates did a good job going low and keeping his head out of the play and hopes this was the last time he's got to put himself in harm's way making a tackle.
10. What wasn't Sheppard happy about with Monday's performance from his defense? He mentioned three things.
- Giving up 30 points to the Ravens. He said that's not OK and not the standard moving forward.
- Sheppard is still waiting to start a game defensively with a three-and-out.
- Allowing a touchdown right before the end of the half. Sheppard emphasizes shutting down the first drive of the game, drives right before the half and end-of-the-game situations.
