Dan Campbell’s ‘blue-collar’ style making these Lions embraceable
The energy is unmistakable.
The synergy between the city and the football team is real in Detroit.
The excitement surrounding the Lions divisional playoff game Sunday against the Buccaneers at Ford Field is as palpable as the prices are astronomical to get into the building, with the least-expensive walk-in price hovering around $500.
This is what happens when a team thats never even reached a Super Bowl wins its first postseason game in 32 years, which is what occurred last weekend at home against the Rams when, according to a CBS report, the noise level reached 133.6 decibels, which is the equivalent to a military jet aircraft take-off.
These Lions are embraceable.
Their head coach, Dan Campbell, is a larger-than-life caricature with his swashbuckling, say-whatever-is-on-his-mind stream of consciousness.
6Dan Campbell led the Lions to their first postseason win in 32 years against the Rams. Getty Images
6The Lions are filled with players and coaches who have paid their dues in the NFL. APTheir quarterback, Jared Goff, is a classic castoff, a former No. 1-overall draft pick who was, essentially, a throw-in for the trade that send longtime Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Rams.
Their team is not laden with commercial stars or perennial Pro Bowlers, but instead is a perfect blend of grinders, misfits and players and coaches whove paid their dues.
You may recall some of the first words out of Campbells mouth in when he was hired before the 2021 season.
6Former Texas A&M teammate Ray Mickens described Dan Campbell, pictured this season, as “energetic.” Getty ImagesThis team is going to take on the identity of this city, Campbell said. And, this citys been down, and it found a way to get up. Its found a way to overcome adversity. So, this teams going to be built on were going to kick you in the teeth, all right, and when you punch us back, were going to smile at ou, and when you knock us down, were going to get up. And, on the way up, were going to bite a kneecap off.
Before long, were going to be the last one standing.
Ray Mickens, the former Jets cornerback who was also a college teammate of the 47-year-old Campbell at Texas A&M, chuckled over the phone Thursday when he recalled those words from that press conference.
Thats him. Thats who he is, Mickens said. Energetic. It was funny to hear him say that, but it wasnt out of character. Thats who he is.
6Ray Mickens, pictured with the Jets in 2006, played with Dan Campbell at Texas A&M. APCampbells words were perceived by some as bombastic chatter from a Neanderthal football player (Campbell played from 1999-2009 with the Giants, Cowboys, Lions and Saints). To some, the way he spoke made it difficult for him to be taken seriously.
Weve come to find out, though, that Campbell is a lot smarter than you thought he was, a master motivator and team builder who knows his stuff. The Lions went 3-13-1 in his first year. They were 9-8 and barely missed the playoffs last season after winning eight of their last 10 games following a 1-6 start.
They won the NFC North this season, and it wasnt close.
Campbell is to be taken seriously.
He doesnt come off as the polished, suit-and-tie type of coach, Mickens said. Hes a blue-collar guy. Some people may have been like, Man, is this the place for saying things like that? Its against the norm. Youre not supposed to talk like you talk in the locker room. But Dan is Dan. Hes going to speak to the media the same way he speaks to the players.
Campbells offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn are both hot candidates for head-coaching jobs, and both interviewed for openings after last season when the Lions didnt even make the playoffs.
6Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, along with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, have received head-coaching interviews. Getty Images
6Dan Campbell’s Lions will face the Buccaneers this weekend for a spot in the NFC Championship game. Getty ImagesMickens is close with Glenn, a fellow cornerback from Texas A&M and with whom he played for the Jets, and he believes the winding road Glenn took to get to this point perfectly represents the team for which he coaches.
When we were done playing, he had a small business empire some real estate, construction and he did some food and beverage, which is what Im in and wed always talk about coaching, Mickens said. Wed talk about Bill Belichick a lot and he said, Hey man, one day Im going go into coaching, Im going to be a scout.
He started off at the bottom. Im so proud of him, and Dan Campbell as well. Knowing the road that he took to get there, thats what Im most proud of. He started off driving from Houston all the way up to Iowa and Oklahoma looking at kids.
Thats the picture I have of him when I see him with the Detroit Lions him being in that Ford Explorer, scouting. Ill never forget him stopping at my house in Dallas on the way up to Iowa. Thats the emotional part of it for me.
Sunday in Detroit figures to be a day filled with emotion.
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