For Isaiah Buggs, Missing Game Was 'Different', Waiting on Opportunity

Isaiah Buggs remained engaged on the sideline during Chiefs game.

For NFL players, missing game action, especially when healthy, can be a challenging experience. 

For Isaiah Buggs, being a healthy scratch against the Kansas City Chiefs provided him an opportunity to coach up the young players and to remain engaged throughout the entire game. 

“I think the defense did a really good job up front. I think they did a really good job of containing Patrick Mahomes," Buggs told All Lions after practice. "That’s like what we practice all week. Overall, I think everything was pretty smooth. We had a couple missed lapses, but we were able to overcome that. We made less mistakes than they did, so that was the good thing about that."

Being on the sideline was a different experience, but one in which he found a way to be of assistance to others on the roster. Last season, he started 13 games and was a key part of the defense. 

He finished the campaign with a 53.9 overall Pro Football Focus grade. Buggs had 20 pressures in 2022. 

“It was definitely different for me. But when I was on the sideline, I was just coaching the young guys and the guys around me, and then also seeing myself in certain positions and kind of staying focus mentally. Just waiting on the opportunity.”

When asked if the opportunity presented itself for him to have a different role against the Seahawks, Buggs indicated he was a team player and would oblige whatever the coaching staff needed him to do. 

"Whatever the team needs me to do, that’s what I’m gonna do," Buggs said. "I don’t get into all that, I’m a team player. So whatever they lock me in to do, that’s what I’m gonna do."

Not getting caught up in hype

Detroit's roster was excited to defeat the Chiefs on the road, but understand the importance of keeping one victory in perspective.

 “Everybody’s excited. At the end of the day, it’s still gotta be about the Detroit Lions and what we do," said Buggs. "We can’t get caught into the outside hype. We’ve just gotta stick together and we’ve gotta focus in and lock in and do what we need to win.”

Detroit's defense understands just how productive veteran quarterback Geno Smith can be, especially at Ford Field. Despite the Seahawks losing their first game against the Rams, Detroit is ready to face a desperate football team, looking to avoid starting the season 0-2. 

"Geno is a smart quarterback. They’re coming off a big loss so you know they’re hungry, so they’re gonna come in and give us their best shot and we’ve gotta be ready for it and we’ve gotta respond to it.”

Working with new defensive line coach John Scott Jr., who coached at Penn State prior to coming to Detroit, Buggs feels their ability to aid in preparing the defensive line to play in big games has been beneficial. 

"He’s a great coach and he’s also learning as well. Coming from college to the NFL, it’s very much different but he’s doing the best that he can and I respect it. Cam (Cameron Davis) and (John) Scott, they’re doing a very good job so far with coaching the D-Line room and getting us ready to play these big games.”