Sam LaPorta Brings 'Different Flavor' to Lions' Offense

Detroit Lions tight end is becoming a dependable player.

Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta has quickly become one of Jared Goff's favorite targets. 

Despite being a young, inexperienced player, the second-round pick has been handling all of the responsibilities given to him by the coaching staff, giving the team confidence it can include him in even more packages. 

Dan Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket this week that the team puts an "enormous" amount on its tight ends, including the rookie. 

"It’s a big deal. It’s a big deal. Those guys, they get a lot put on them, especially a guy like Sam," said Campbell. "We ask a lot, mentally and physically and certainly, the more he’s able to do, the more we’re gonna ask him to do. We put an enormous amount on our tight ends, we’ve been doing that to Brock for going on three years now. But, this kid brings a different flavor to us, and he just continues to grow and get better every week."

Through four weeks, LaPorta has gained a significant amount of confidence, quickly becoming a player the team can depend on. 

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"What’s exciting is, I think what you see out of him is real, and it’s only gonna get better, I believe that," Campbell said. "Every game that comes, every practice that comes and goes, all he does is gain the confidence of this staff and the players around him. He gains the confidence of Goff, so I feel like he’s becoming one of our guys that we can really depend on right now. And, that’s a good thing for a rookie.”

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson utilized many of the team's offensive weapons against the Panthers, as quarterback Jared Goff spread the ball to eight different teammates. 

"It certainly does, spreading the ball around, spreading the love," LaPorta expressed, when asked if spreading the ball around helps to get the offense going. "What’s nice is the defense really can’t hone in on any one player. Not to mention, we were running the ball really well today. So, just complementary football, running the pass game, as well as just being able to distribute it to a lot of guys, it’s really great for us.”