Notebook: How One of Jared Goff's 'Superpowers' Aids Lions

Lions notebook highlights Jared Goff, Jack Campbell.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has the ability to bounce back quickly. 

Over time, the veteran signal-caller has gathered comfort knowing what his strengths and weaknesses are, and knowledge of how to effectively manage the roller-coaster that is the NFL on a week-to-week basis. 

His growing maturity has allowed the 29-year-old to weather tough storms professionally. 

His immense struggles against the Baltimore Ravens should be viewed as an outlier, as Goff has played some of the best football of his career over the last 12 months. 

"It’s one of his superpowers, I think, the ability to be resilient," said offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. "When criticism or poor play occur, he’s able to just learn from it and move on quickly. He’s got a short memory that way. He’s approached this week the same as every other week. He’s been, very much, studying the tape and preparing like he normally does. Confident that we’ll get the train back on the tracks here.” 

Goff being aware of Raiders defensive lineman Maxx Crosby

Detroit is well aware of how Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Maxx Crosby is able to wreck an offensive play. 

All, including Goff and the offensive line, have certainly watched film of Crosby wreaking havoc on opposing linemen. 

“It depends on the play, but yeah, he’s able to wreak havoc in both the run game and the pass game," said Goff. "So, yeah, you’re still aware of him and making sure you’re doing your best to handle him, and he doesn’t come off the field much and is able to wreck a game on his own if you let him. So, we have to do our best not to let him.”

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff / © Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Coverage issues against Baltimore Ravens

Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn did not attribute the secondary's issues to not listening to the coaching staff or veering far off the game plan. 

“No, I don’t want to say that, because if that was the case, not listening, then our performances before wouldn’t be the way they were. So, that’s totally off-base," said Glenn. "I think it’s more or less of, this is one of those games where our guys struggled. I would say our coaches, we all struggled. 

"This was a damn good team," Glenn explained further. "I would say this, I was glad to be a part of it, because it lets us know, as an organization, if we want to be one of these elite organizations, man, we have to always have that standard of playing a certain way. And, Baltimore is that standard, like a couple of other teams that’s in this league. Everybody wants to be looked at that way, organizationally, and as an identity as a team. We all have to do our part. I have to do mine, coaches have to do theirs and players have to do theirs." 

For Jameson Williams, Rapport With Jared Goff Will 'Take Longer'

Jack Campbell has to play as much as possible

Baltimore's offense utilizes eye candy to successfully disrupt what the opposition is recognizing and reacting to. 

Unfortunately for rookie Jack Campbell, Baltimore's offense created confusion, and the talented rookie was subsequently fooled by Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. 

“Man, we all love that player to death, because every little thing matters to him and every little mistake, he takes to heart," said Glenn. "And, you really try to get that player to get on to the next play, because he cares so much. There’s some things in this game he’s made mistakes at. And, the good thing is, man, you’re in the NFL and these things are gonna happen to you. But, you have to understand things beforehand and what does the picture tell you before, so you can allow yourself to not get yourself in those situations."

Detroit is still planning to play the rookie more, as it feels his learning experiences have been invaluable. 

"Every rep that he takes on the field, man, great learning experiences for him," said Glenn. "I try to tell him, ‘Listen, yes, you can look at it as a failure. But, you also have to look at it as a way to learn what not to do.’ That player has to play as much as possible, because he’s a damn good player.”

Ifeatu Melifonwu impresses special teams coordinator Dave Fipp

Detroit's young defensive back has grown as a player over the past couple of months. 

While his role in the defense was relegated to special teams in Week 7, as the team decided to utilize veteran Will Harris against one of the AFC's best teams, the 24-year-old has grown as a player. 

“His role obviously depends on defense, all that, so he came back and wasn’t playing as much on defense. He’s done a nice job," Dave Fipp said of Melifonwu. "I think he’s really grown through his time here. I feel like he’s a lot better today than he was when he got here. Special teams wasn’t something he was doing a lot of at Syracuse. He had done a little, but not a lot. So, I think he’s really developing as a player, and I feel like he’s gaining a lot more confidence as a player, too, for us. So, that’s a positive. We need him.”