6 Lions coordinator takeaways: Detroit’s defense starting to hit its goals
Pride Of Detroit • • sports
Key Points:
- Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing emphasized the need to improve the Lions' running game by addressing poor identification, losing matchups, and scheme issues, with a focus on avoiding negative plays against the Vikings.
- Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard highlighted that the defense met all its goals in the last two games, showing positive trends, but acknowledged six explosive plays allowed against the Packers, with half being self-inflicted errors now being corrected.
- Sheppard credited defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend for implementing an effective cornerback rotation that helped limit the Packers' deep-ball offense.
- Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp revealed that the Lions' blocked field goal against Green Bay was the result of in-game adjustments based on player feedback, particularly from linebacker Trevor Nowaske.
- Fipp also warned about Vikings returner Myles Price, who leads the NFL in punt return average and is a significant threat due to his vision and ability to exploit open space on returns.
