Pride of Detroit
On Thursday, Detroit Lions coordinators met with the media to discuss the Cowboys win and the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Rams. Topics this week ranged from how to stay disciplined when Matthew Stafford is trying to manipulate the defense, how Detroit has adjusted to the loss of tight ends and Brian Branch, and more issues with blocked field goals.
Here are my six biggest takeaways from the media sessions.
On managing the offense without top tight ends
If you go all the way back to training camp, the Lions are currently missing five of the six tight ends they had prior to roster cuts (Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra, Steven Stilianos, and Gunnar Oakes). Zach Horton, currently on the practice squad, is the only one still around. Even prior to that, they had lost Luke Deal and Kenny Yeboah to injury.
It’s been a challenge for the Lions’ offense to adjust to the recent losses of LaPorta and Wright to injured reserve, but Morton credits a ton of their playmakers for stepping up. He’s been particularly impressed with the growth of Jahmyr Gibbs in the receiving game, and the growth of rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa.
“TeSlaa stepped up a little bit last week. He just keeps getting better and better. So excited about him. And Gibbs, I can’t say enough. And (Amon-Ra St. Brown) Saint and (Jameson Williams) Jamo. I mean these guys are just blossoming and it’s really cool to see,” Morton said.
The Lions appear ready to get Shane Zylstra back from injured reserve this week, and Morton said he could help replace some of the production left by LaPorta’s absence.
“He’s more of a receiving tight end, that helps. It’s been missing ever since LaPorta’s been gone. So, he helps in that aspect,” Morton said.
On stopping Rams’ four-man rush
Los Angeles does not blitz much. Per NFL Pro, the Rams send extra pass rushers just 20.8% of the time (fourth lowest), trusting their front four to generate high pressure rates (36.2%, 10th). Those kind of defensive attacks (Eagles, Packers) have given the Lions fits earlier this season. This week, Morton is fired up for the matchup, believing the key to be Detroit’s offensive line matching LA’s intensity.
“They’re a young front, but man do they get after it. I mean they’re violent,” Morton said. “So, we have to match that intensity, which we will. Our effort and our intensity has been great all year. That’s why I love the matchup. This is like a heavyweight fight. It’s going to be great.”
Challenge of Rams’ 13 personnel
Earlier on Thursday, I wrote about how the Lions may be uniquely qualified to defend Los Angeles’ high usage of 13 (one back, three tight end) personnel sets, because of how often Detroit plays with three linebackers on the field anyways. But Sheppard said something that Jack Campbell told reporters on Wednesday, and that’s that LA is...
