Lions Roundtable: Questions for Dan Campbell Ahead of Training Camp

Key storylines for the Detroit Lions heading into 2023 training camp.
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1.) How excited are you for Lions training camp? 

Vito Chirco: I am very excited because you can feel the buzz in the air regarding this team. It doesn't seem like it's died down since the Lions ended Aaron Rodgers' Packers career with a loss in Week 18 of last season. In fact, the buzz and the expectations have only been amplified by the solid offseason that Detroit general manager Brad Holmes put together. He added plenty of impactful pieces on the defensive side of the ball that should transform the Lions into a legitimate playoff contender in 2023. And, I'm looking forward to observing how all the returning players and offseason acquisitions mesh with one another during training camp. 

John Maakaron: This is going to be one of the most heavily covered training camps in Lions history. Like Vito said, the buzz surrounding this team has only grown since the end of the 2022 season. With expectations being what they are and so many storylines to pay attention to, I am very excited to cover training camp this year. Each day should be very competitive, and the position battles will be very close at multiple spots. 

2.) What is a storyline you are keenly following?

Chirco: I'll be closely watching the wide receivers battle in camp. I'm intrigued by whether Marvin Jones Jr. or any of the other non-Amon-Ra St. Brown wideouts will emerge in camp as viable options to serve as Detroit's No. 2 WR in place of Jameson Williams. I say this because of Williams' looming suspension that will knock him out for the first six games of the regular season. 

Subsequently, during those first six games, Lions signal-caller Jared Goff will need to grow comfortable with some other receiving option. So, hopefully he starts developing some much-needed chemistry with Jones, Kalif Raymond, etc., during camp.

Also, I'll be keenly watching the play of fellow first-year pros and Iowa products Jack Campbell and Sam LaPorta. I'm curious to see if they emerge as clear-cut starters at their respective positions (Campbell at linebacker and LaPorta at tight end).

Maakaron: I want to see if the defensive backs continue to talk as much trash as they did all throughout the offseason. There is certainly an increased level of confidence from the defense, and I want to see how the offense responds. 

I could see multiple skirmishes and even a camp brawl if the defense keeps talking trash to the offense. Amon-Ra St. Brown has not shied away from defending the offense against the defense. He could find himself again in the middle of a camp brawl this year. 

3.) Is Jerry Jacobs under-appreciated?

Chirco: Jacobs is part of a crowded Detroit defensive backs room that was revamped over the offseason. So, he could easily be forgotten about. However, I wouldn't go as far as saying he's under-appreciated. He's a decent cornerback, but I don't envision him being an integral member of the Lions' secondary in 2023. 

And, I think the same would be true for Jacobs even if he joined another team. He's not a game-changing cornerback. Instead, he's much better-suited to serve as a depth piece in a team's defensive backs room (as he will with Detroit this upcoming season).

Maakaron: I think the unit as a whole has faced a heavy amount of criticism. When a team adds multiple new defensive backs, it is easy to point out that the unit struggled. 

For Jacobs, he has seemed like the forgotten man. But, a solid training camp will provide the third-year defensive back a chance to make a name for himself. He has the talent level and competitiveness to earn playing time in Aaron Glenn's defense

When Emmanuel Moseley returns, the competition should be fierce to start opposite of Cam Sutton this season. 

4.) Will D'Andre Swift succeed with the Eagles?

Chirco: I think Swift – injury concerns and all – will succeed in Philadelphia. With the Eagles, he gets to run behind an offensive line that is arguably the best in the National Football League. Additionally, he has two more-than-capable backs running behind him – in Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Gainwell – that will help take the load off him in the Eagles' backfield. 

I don't believe Swift is going to run for 1,000 yards with his new team. But, I do think, with all the factors mentioned above, that he will have a successful first season in the "City of Brotherly Love."

Maakaron: I disagree. I do not think Swift will succeed with the Eagles. If the speedy running back struggled to stay healthy in Detroit, I don't see him all of a sudden being able to withstand the day-to-day grind of playing the position. 

He is not the biggest back, and I see him struggling to remain healthy his whole career. While he will make plays, I see the Eagles fanbase becoming similarly dissatisfied with the former Bulldogs running back. 

5.) What is one question you would ask Dan Campbell ahead of training camp?

Chirco: I would say to Campbell the following – Your squad is clearly no longer going to fly under the radar this season. So, now that you are the hunted instead of the hunter, will your message to the team change at all in training camp? 

Maakaron: I want to know Campbell's confidence level in the offensive rookies contributing early in the season. Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta are going to be counted on this season, especially during the first six weeks of the season. I am curious to see how ready they will be Week 1 against the Chiefs.


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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!