Dan Campbell 'Pleased' With Defensive Versatility Early in Camp

The Lions added several versatile players during the offseason.

With an active offseason, the Detroit Lions have added several key players to their defense. 

The unit has struggled in recent years, but third-year coach Dan Campbell believes that they may be approaching the level of versatility that is necessary to compete with whatever the team is up against. 

"Pleased. Pleased. Because I think we are on the beginning stages of some versatility beginning to show itself. That's because we've got some guys that are showing up," Campbell stated. "Adding a guy like C.J. has helped. Paschal is coming on, everybody can see it. Hutch is doing what he's doing, Charles is back. I could go down the list, (McNeill). That back end, Branch is okay, he's a young buck, he's coming on. Getting Tracy back, Cam Sutton on the perimeter. So we, I do feel like we're getting to the point where we might be able to have some versatility here and we can have different packages and we can do different things out of those packages." 

Players such as Gardner-Johnson and Branch have the ability to play multiple positions and line up in different areas. With how unique some NFL offenses are, the Lions want to be able to be flexible with their scheme. 

"That's really what you want. It's no different than offense. You want to feel like you have versatility to attack anything," the third-year coach explained. "Any team you're going to play, you want to be able to counter it with what you have. It's no different on defense, because every offense we're gonna face is gonna be different. You want to know that you've got enough ammo, not just the players but the versatility of those players schematically, to neutralize your opponent." 

Notes

1.) Emmanuel Moseley has returned to the Lions' Allen Park facility and is day-to-day, according to coach Dan Campbell.

The cornerback had been away from the team while recovering from a knee injury suffered last season. 

Wide receiver Trinity Benson left Wednesday's practice with an apparent injury, but the Lions feel as though he will be okay after examining the injury.

"It sounds promising. We're getting a second opinion on it, but I think we dodged one there," Campbell explained. "Looks like it could just be a sprain, he'll be out probably a good week or so, but it's good news, great news."

2.) Campbell said undrafted wide receiver Dylan Drummond is climbing up the depth chart. He was productive at Eastern Michigan and has had a solid start to camp. 

"He's doing exactly what a guy like him has to do," Campbell stated. "He's doing everything right and he rarely messes something up, and if he does, he learns from it, grows and doesn't do it again." 

3.) The Lions' PR staff was honored with the Rozelle Award Thursday after being named the league's top PR staff. The Rozelle Award is given annually to the PR staff that consistently strives for excellence in its dealings and relationships with the media. The award is voted on by the PFWA.