Podcast: Impact of Losing Duce Staley, Evaluating Lions DC Aaron Glenn
Part of the reason the Detroit Lions experienced success in 2022 was due in part to the coaching staff connecting with the players and maintaining healthy communication.
With so many ex-players on the coaching staff, Detroit's young roster felt an elevated sense of comfort, as they knew the coaching staff had an understanding of what it is like to be a National Football League player.
Unfortunately, a member of the coaching staff decided to move on and take an opportunity with another team.
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Running backs coach Duce Staley, who became quite popular among fans and the organization, decided to take a job with the Carolina Panthers.
Staley delivered impactful messages to the running backs room regularly. One of those speeches was captured on "Hard Knocks" during training camp.
“You can be the best in this league, you really can,” Staley told D'Andre Swift. "But what you got to do is this: You got to have that dog mentality. You got to bring that (expletive) out of you.”
In 2022, Detroit's rushing attack ranked 11th in the NFL, averaging 128.8 yards per game.
Their rushing average represented their highest total since the 1997 season.
This offseason, Detroit has hired new position coaches to work with the tight ends and defensive backs. Soon, the team will also fill the vacant position left by Staley's departure.
Also, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is still in the running to become the next Cardinals or Colts head coach.
On the latest edition of the All Lions podcast, Logan Lamorandier explores free agents the Lions should target in the offseason, how the Lions running game can improve in 2023 and the impact of Dre Bly joining the coaching staff of Dan Campbell.
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