Notebook: Lions Have Many Mouths to Feed on Offense

How Ben Johnson plans to utilize depth of skill players.

The Detroit Lions have a wealth of depth at the skill positions offensively. 

With two steady running backs, a talented tight end and a host of receiving options, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is tasked with creating opportunities for a number of players.

Johnson acknowledges that getting each involved can be a tough task. As a result, the play-caller often designates touches for each player based on what the game dictates. 

"Within the circumstance of the game, it's just an ebb and flow. May or may not try to just dial it up to get it in someone's hands. Other times, it might be, hey, I think they're gonna be in this defense or we want to attack them this way," Johnson said. "It's a balancing act right now. It's a blessing and a curse to have this many talented skill players. We've got a phenomenal tight end, we've got two really good running backs and all five wide receivers that are up on gameday deserve to get the ball in their hands and run with it."

Because there are only a finite number of plays in a game, it's likely that some players will be under utilized. This creates the conundrum for Johnson, who understands that frustration can be a natural outcome of not getting enough touches. 

"That's where, each week, you're all gonna have plays in, and someone's probably gonna be not as happy that they're not touching the ball enough," Johnson explained. "We just try to cycle it around each week. We've got a lot of dynamic playmakers, and that's the challenge for us right now." 

Development key for defensive turnaround

Since the bye week, the Lions' defense has struggled. Detroit has allowed an average of 30 points per game in the four games since, exhibiting a difficulty to contain opposing offenses.  

As a result, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn believes there's urgency to continue to improve throughout the remainder of the campaign. Players like Alex Anzalone and Alim McNeill, prior to his injury, are having career-best years.

That type of effort can take the production level up a notch.

"Listen, there’s always an urgency in that regard. That’s the first thing we talk about as a defense, we want to limit points. I think when you look at it in totality, look at our overall defense, there’s really the same core that’s been here," Glenn explained. "You look at us last year at this time, we were not a good defense. I think we were ranked last in a lot of different categories. You look at it now, it’s really the same core. I mean, these guys have improved. That’s the one thing I don’t think people really take a look at."

There has been marked improvement from last year to this across the board. This has created optimism that the unit will turn around its struggles. 

All the while, the Lions are also developing players, like Brodric Martin, to continue their pipeline of development. 

"This time last year, when it comes to yards, when it comes to rush, man, we were not good last year. But, this year, things have changed. I think you’ve got to give credit to those guys, we don’t hear that enough," Glenn said. "Listen, everybody wants to be the number one defense. Hell, I want to be the number one defense. But, guys have to develop, and the guys have developed and look where they’ve put themselves."

Reeves-Maybin is Special Teams Player of the Week

For the first time since 2004, a Lions player that is not a kicker, punter or returner won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Jalen Reeves-Maybin took home the honor after a four-tackle performance in Week 13 against New Orleans. 

In his second stint with the Lions, Reeves-Maybin has been an impactful player. He's a special teams captain, and leads the charge on coverage units. 

“Yeah, when he left, we thought he was a great player, and (were) disappointed to see him go or whatever. But, that’s a part of the business. Obviously, when we had a chance to get him back, it was incredible," said special teams coordinator Dave Fipp. "He’s a great leader, his way of leading is a lot more by example than being vocal. However, he has been vocal. That’s also helped the guys, and he’s done a little bit of that this year. He’s obviously a captain for us. But, great player. For him to go out and make the plays that he made in that game is obviously special."

With Reeves-Maybin's prowess on coverage teams, opponents will likely allocate extra attention for the veteran. However, his performance against the Saints showed he's more than capable of overcoming that and making an impact. 

"The one thing that happens with these guys is, when you’re a good player, you get a lot of attention. They put good players on you. If they don’t put two guys on you, they put their best guy on you," Fipp explained. "So, for him to go out and do that against a good football team, that has a bunch of good players on their side of the ball and (a) well-coached group that has a good plan, it obviously says a lot about him individually.”

Lions expecting surprises from Bears

Having just played the Bears in Week 11, the Lions are familiar with their upcoming foe. Detroit won the first meeting in show-stopping fashion, which leads it to believe that it'll be facing an especially hungry opponent. 

Given the Bears are coming off a bye week, too, the Lions are expecting to see unique looks from their NFC North opponent on Sunday.

"The one thing that has gotten our attention is that they're coming off a bye week. So, typically when you play a defense like this, one they're rested, two, specific to this game, they're probably upset, angry about how the last game finished for them," Detroit quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell said. "They have time to put things in that perhaps you're not ready for. We will be surprised on a few things, whether it's a front, it's a type of pressure, it's a coverage, we'll see something different. That usually happens every week, but when a team comes off a bye, you see a lot more of it. So, it's a concern. You have to be ready for just about everything."