6 takeaways from Lions coordinators: Offense struggles ‘an easy fix’

The Detroit Lions coordinators had a lot to answer for after the team’s lackluster performance in all three phases against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. The three spoke on Thursday, addressed their units’ struggles, and spoke about how they plan to fix things in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears.

Offensive coordinator John Morton

Lions offensive struggles are “an easy fix”

Detroit’s offensive troubles vs. the Packers—particularly in the run game—have been well established at this point. But if you need a quick reminder: 2.1 yards per carry running the ball, and no touchdowns until the final minutes of the game.

Like many others this week, Morton talked about communication issues being at the forefront of some of the offense’s execution problems. But his overall takeaway from the game was that a lot of these issues can be correctly quickly.

“It’s an easy fix, it’s an easy fix. Again, we’re not in panic mode,” Morton said. “But 2.1 (yards per carry), that isn’t going to cut it. That isn’t going to cut it, that should never happen.”

Why is Morton so confident in getting the issues smoothed out? For one, Morton admitted he’ll be taking a little off their plate so they can play faster. But, additionally, most of the stuff they’re doing is stuff this roster has done before.

“We’re doing plays that they’ve done,” Morton said. “Now, there’s some young guys, right. So we’ve just got to make sure we give them the right looks, all the different type of right looks, and to make sure they know exactly what they’re doing. And that’s what we’ve done.”

What happens if Taylor Decker can’t play?

Morton did say—almost under his breath—that “we’re totally expecting Decker to play,” but the Lions left tackle has missed the first two days of practice this week with a shoulder injury. Morton was asked of his confidence in second-year developmental tackle Giovanni Manu, if it’s necessary for him to step in on Sunday against the Bears.

“The good thing is when Decker was out there, he got a lot of reps, so that’s beneficial for him,” Morton said. “So, there’s things we know that we’ll have to do to help, but listen, he did a really good job and we’ll be aware of that if that happens.”

In other words, Manu is the next man up, and they’ll likely shade protections and chips his way, if necessary .

Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard

Mostly good vs. Packers, but too many explosives

Sheppard said coming off the field he was “pissed” about the defensive performance. But after watching the game a second and third time, he came away with a much more positive outlook of the game.

“You go, ‘There’s a lot of good football on this tape.’” Sheppard said. “We played 47 snaps defensively and they had 188 passing yards, 78 rushing. So if you look at an NFL game and you tell me the Green Bay Packers are going to have 188 passing yards and 78 rushing, did you play a winning brand of football? I would tell you yes.”

Unfortunately, the performance was still not up to Sheppard’s standards. He points to a pair of explosive plays—Green Bay’s two-play drive that went for 65 yards and a touchdown. That drive alone was responsible for 35 percent of the Packers’ passing output for the day. On the ground, while they only allowed 78 yards, they also gave up an explosive 15-yard run.

“We play a good defense on 40 snaps, but seven snaps—we’re not doing that this year,” Sheppard said. “You’re going to pull your weight, I’m going to pull my weight, the staff’s going to pull their weight.”

Caleb Williams’ mobility will be a challenge

Sheppard praised the Lions’ containment of Jordan Love in Week 1, but noted that Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is an entirely different player when it comes to his speed and athleticism. On Monday, Williams displayed that escapability against the Vikings, rushing for 58 yards and a touchdown on six attempts—none of which were designed runs.

“Caleb was outstanding,” Sheppard said. “He extended a lot of drives, he put points on the board, he gave his team an opportunity to win last year via his ability to escape the pocket and run. We’re very aware of that and we’ll have a plan for it.”

Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp

Fipp explains why Lions returned the ball out of the end zone vs. Packers

With the touchback moved up to the 35-yard line this year, most teams are trying to avoid kicking it in the end zone. But on two opportunities Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, the Lions had a chance to take a touchback and get it at the 35-yard line. On both occasions, though, Jacob Saylors retuned the kickoff.

Fipp admitted with returns averaging to about the 29-yard line, that it’s better to take the touchback in those situations. However, in both of Saylors’ cases, the ball was right around the goal line. And when there’s any bit of doubt on where you are at on the field, the players are taught to return it.

“You also don’t want your guys looking down at the line and all that, so it takes a player who’s certainly aware,” Fipp said. “Our first kick return of the game against Green Bay was a little bit like that where you’re like a yard deep and it’s one of those ones that you don’t want to have hesitation in your players, so you tell them, ‘Hey, if you’re unsure, you’ve got to go.’ But, if you clearly know you’re back in the endzone, then obviously I think everybody in the league’s saying take the touchback.”

Whole room is taking accountability for poor Week 1

Jack Fox averaged just 47.3 yards per punt, the Lions kick returners managed just 23.2 yards per opportunity, and Detroit was flagged multiple times on special teams.

Fipp didn’t shy away from criticism of the entire unit—save a decent showing from kick coverage—but that also included criticism of himself. What’s encouraging to him, though, is how the team has been accountable for their mistakes.

“Obviously I didn’t do good enough,” Fipp said. “I always say to the players, anytime the film doesn’t look like you want it to look, I think if you’re worth a lick as a coach, then you’re saying, ‘Hey man, how can I fix it and help that? That is solely on me.’ And now, the same token, if you’re the player you need to sit there and look at the film and say, ‘Man, that’s on me because I knew where I was supposed to be or how I was supposed to do it, and their guy ended up keeping me from getting that done. I need to be better than him.’”

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