Allen Park — Here are some quick notes from Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell’s Friday press conference.
Cavalry predictably delayed
The initial reports from Brian Branch’s return to practice this week have been glowing, particularly from defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, who said the veteran safety looks ready to handle a full game of snaps.
However, the team intends to lean on the advice of its medical staff, and Campbell confirmed what we’ve all expected, Branch isn’t going to suit up this Sunday against Arizona.
“He’s looked good,” Campbell said. “I think that’s a tall order for this week. We want to be as smart as we can with him. We’re going to work him back in and make sure that he gets enough reps, and we all collectively feel like, all right, we’re ready. So, love where he’s at right now.”
The Lions started the 21-day acclimation clock for both Branch and center Cade Mays this week. The timing was mildly inconvenient because of the team’s early bye, since the clock doesn’t pause during the break.
However, Campbell said the two players will stick around the facility and continue to work on their conditioning. That’s because the goal for both is to rejoin the active roster for the team’s Week 7 matchup against Green Bay coming out of the bye.
“They won’t have other teammates around, running plays, all that stuff, but they’re going to be here, continue to condition, get ready,” Campbell said. “It’s (as much) football stuff as they can do, without it being that, with the training staff. And then, man, let’s get them going Green Bay week.
“Let’s get them going and then we’ll (re-)assess,” Campbell said. “Hopefully, by mid-week, we’ll have a pretty good idea. We’d love to get them ready to go vs. Green Bay after the bye. “
Memorable meeting
At the start of the press conference, Campbell learned the unfortunate news that Hall of Fame tight end and coach Mike Ditka had passed away.
In typical Campbell fashion, he had a story about the legendary NFL figure.
“(He was) somebody I just loved growing up,” Campbell said. “Ditka was it and (I was a) huge fan. So, when I'm able to come out (of college) — I'm getting drafted — to go to the combine, well, the Saints want to meet with me. In particular Mike Ditka, right? Tight end, hell of a player, hell of a coach, the whole thing. And so, I'm already like, 'OK!’
“I go in, well, I think it's going to — I know he'll be in there, but it's going to be a little bit (of meeting everyone),” Campbell said. “No, no, no. I go in and there's one little light on. It's like a little lamp in the corner. It's at the train station and there's nothing in there. There's no couches. The room is totally cleaned out and there's one little table and the room is full of smoke. I mean, you can hardly even see him.
“You just see this image off in the corner of this little lamp, and smoke everywhere and he's got that big fat cigar,” Campbell said. “It was one of the best times of my life, and most intimidating times of my life, sitting across from Mike Ditka. It was awesome though. Just him asking questions about where you grew up, how you think, how you're wired, the game, what you see, it was awesome. And so, thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He's a legend.”
The Saints went a different direction in the draft, a very different direction. They traded six picks that year, and two more the following year, to move up and take running back Ricky Williams.
Campbell was selected in the third round, No. 79 overall, by the New York Giants.
Setting expectations
I asked Campbell what benchmarks he was looking for from the defense this week to believe things were trending in the right direction heading into the bye.
“I think I'm always going to ask for multiple takeaways,” Campbell said. “We've got to have multiple takeaways and certainly we need to see punch out (attempt)s on the tape. Numerous punch outs, not just one or two. We need to come out of there and say, 'Man, we saw six, seven, eight of these punch outs.' You're trying to get them out.
“I want to see disruption on the quarterback,” Campbell continued. “Been pretty good (so far), got to continue that. And then I want to eliminate the MAs (missed assignments) and dumb penalties. Let's cut those in half, the MEs, missed execution, or MAs. And the penalties that are just neutral zone infractions or jumping offsides or it dealt with technique — 'I got myself in a bind because I didn't use my help.' Those are inexcusable. That will be a big step in the right direction.”
Campbell was asked a follow-up about how much accountability he’s seeing from the secondary after the unit’s early struggles. Again, the answer fell back to that group playing within the scheme.
“Listen, I think our guys are ready to go,” Campbell said. “…We can get this thing done. Right now, talent has got nothing to do with our issues. Until we clean up some of this other stuff, then we can talk about that at some point.
“Once we do what we need to do and cut some of this crap in half, then we can talk about that,” Campbell continued. “That's not our issue. That is not. So, detail your work and be where you're supposed to be. And your teammate, don't try to cover for him. You just do your job. If not, we'll get somebody else in there. It's all good.”
Gosh I love MCDC
I understand Campbell wanting to be cautious, but I question the logic of putting so much emphasis on practice reps. If Branch is medically cleared and physically ready, what exactly are we gaining by delaying his return? He already understands the defensive schemes, and he’s a better player than those currently filling his role.
There’s a risk of reinjury whether he’s practicing or playing. If he aggravates something in practice, the team gains nothing and loses him again. If he’s on the field Sunday, at least those reps have the potential to help the Lions win a football game.
Obviously, you don’t rush someone back before he’s medically ready. But once he is, I’d rather see him getting meaningful game reps than spending additional time proving in practice what we already know he can do. At some point, caution has to be weighed against the value of actually having your best players on the field.