For Lions, Competition Prevents Team From 'Taking the Cheese'

Why competition can help the Lions ahead of 2023 season.

The Detroit Lions are poised to have competition at positions all over the field. 

Many of the spots will have battles for starting positions, including linebacker. Speaking Monday, coach Dan Campbell explained how each and every one of the players at the position could wind up leading the defense onto the field in Week 1. 

In addition to veteran Alex Anzalone, young players Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes and rookie Jack Campbell all have a fighting chance to run with the first team. 

"The nature of that room and the competition that's in there and knowing the players, I wouldn't be shocked if Rodriguez is starting Week 1, it wouldn't shock me if Barnes was, it wouldn't shock me if (Campbell) does," the coach said. "It's a good room, so we'll let them duke it out. The good news is they're all competitive. They don't sulk." 

The third-year head coach praised the efforts of Rodriguez, who missed most of the team's spring and summer workout regimen. 

In addition to his efforts at linebacker, the Oklahoma State product was called "a heat-seeking missile" on special teams and could play a big role in that aspect.

Another area that will be hotly contested is the third running back competition. Justin Jackson rejoined the fold days prior to training camp after holding the role for most of last season. 

The veteran running back was keeping in touch with the Lions from a distance throughout the offseason, finally inking a deal right before camp.

Campbell called Jackson "at least a number three back," and expects him to contribute once again. He will compete for reps along with presumed starters David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.

"We've talked about making it more competitive in every room if we can, and (the signing) does that," Campbell said. 

Near the end of his press conference, the coach discussed the importance of staying focused on the team's end goals and not "taking the cheese," that comes with high preseason expectations.

He mentioned that his coaching mentors, Bill Parcells and Sean Payton, would place mouse traps on the ceilings above meetings to ensure his players remained locked in.

"You come in the locker room and there's mouse traps, literally 2,000 of them, and there's cheese all over the floor, someone's got to pick up the real cheese," Campbell explained. "You just, you gotta keep it, not that I've done that yet, but you've gotta keep it light. We've got significant goals and we have high standards and we're gonna be better, but we've got to be smart. I just don't want the focus to be away from the work and earning everything we've gotten, because that's what we started with in 2021." 

Notes

1.) Marvin Jones was placed on the NFI list Sunday after a back issue popped up prior to reporting for camp. Campbell is not concerned about the severity of it. 

2.) The Lions hope to have cornerback Emmanuel Moseley back in the building by the end of the week. He did not report due to lingering affects from a knee injury in 2022.