There may be a reason for optimism
As we dissect this offseason and what OTA’s mean, we need to realize that the true answer as always will only come in time. Campbell still has his team doing walkthroughs and ending OTA’s with seven on sevens.
So while there has been talk about Jared Goff looking sharp and Jahlani Tavai’s weight loss, at this point we have nothing to really gauge what these mean.
Plus the news of former Ram and Falcon’s running back Todd Gurley being in town kind of clouds things as well. The concern about Gurley is if Campbell and his staff were to use him like Matt Patricia did Adrian Peterson last year.
It took far too long for Swift to be given the reigns last season and if the Lions wanted a fourth back with experience they probably should have held onto Kerryon Johnson. Running back is now a young man’s game. The days of picking up a veteran back to see if there is anything left in the tank are over.
Now that being the case, we also have not had much to complain about this offseason. In general, Holmes has won over the fan base as has Campbell.
The fact that the Lions’ strengths on the offensive line will be utilized to create holes for the talented young Swift and should give Goff time to find his receivers, opens up the playbook for offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn’s offense.
Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn wants to attack opposing offenses. He considers his players on defense to be weapons that he can launch at opponents. In other words, no more passive defense. This will be attacking, hunt down and destroy defense.
So those who are leading this team are encouraging, and the schemes they wish to run are also encouraging. Plus this regime has not overspent on players in free agency and has drafted a group of players that do address needs but also point this franchise in the direction of finally becoming strong in the trenches where games are won and lost.
Is there hope? We will see, but there is reason to be optimistic. Every Lions fan should brace themselves for another difficult season this fall. However, if Dan Campbell and his staff can get the most out of their players and there is actual progress being shown on the field, even if it isn’t in the wins and losses, then perhaps these Motor City cats are headed in the right direction.
There is never much to be learned from OTA’s outside of the fact it fires up the Lions fan base. Yet if Holmes and Campbell can continue to bring substance to the table in the form of acquiring talent and coaching them well, then perhaps the Honolulu Blue and Silver faithful may one day in the next couple of years have legitimate hope in the fall.