By: Jeremy T. Ballreich
I have been on the Dan Campbell train since he was hired. So much I created a fan page called Motor City Knee Cap Biters. I also named my Podcast Knee Cap Biting with Smokin’ Jeremy B, as well. But there was 3 distinct, yet relative actions that started the transformation, or direction on the Lions season after that loss to Miami. Which has had them get a 6-1 record over the last 7 weeks.
#1) The firing of Defensive Back Coach Aubrey Pleasant:
While the firing of an assistant coach, on what (record wise) looked like a bad team. Aubrey Pleasant was also the Defensive Passing Game Coordinator for the defense. Which means he drew up the plays for the entire plan against passing team’s offenses. Needless to say, his verbiage, and playcalling choices had our defensive unit looking, well, awful. After week 8 the Lions were 30th against the run, 32nd against the pass, and 32nd in scoring defense. Oof!
After week 15, the Lions are 28th in scoring, 18th against the run, and 27th against the pass. Because Aaron Glenn has taken the K.I.S.S. approach. Keep It Simple Stupid playcalling.
#2) The trading of T.J. Hockenson:
This made some SOL (Same Old Lions) Fans head’s explode. He’s a top 10 TE Talent, he’s my favorite player (that one makes me giggle), or this is why we never win anything! Truth be told, he was becoming a distraction in the locker room, he was way underperforming overall (2 good games out of 7). He was leading the team at that time in receiving drops (13) at the time of the trade. And my favorite, he was touted as an extra tackle in the run game. He was in the bottom 10 in run blocking by Pro Football Focus, when ranking TEs and Olineman with blocking. 120 played by that point in the season. T.J. was ranked 115th as a blocker. Oof!
Hockenson wanted top 5 TE money, around 15 million a year, while only providing an average TEs production. See ya, enjoy it there.
#3) Jeff Daniels and Peyton Manning performed a curse lifting ceremony in Ford Field.
While some may have had a great belly laugh, it is an event worth noticing none the less. I especially loved when Jeff Daniels leaned over the bath tub and said, “Either I’m high, but that doesn’t smell like water?”
Peyton replied, “It’s not, it’s whiskey, because Bobby (Layne) would have wanted it that way.”
Jeff: “If this works, why didn’t you do this beat Bellichek?”
Peyton: “Because Bill’s dark magic is too strong!”
I’m not saying it worked, but what if it did? All three of these events happened in succession. All related but not on the same day. And worth mentioning as to how and why this wonderful, yet awesome turnaround began. Lions after being 1-6, they are now 6-1 in those 7 weeks after. Coincidence?
Thanks For Reading!!!
