Dan Campbell is true to his word in assembling the Lions roster

The Detroit Lions have made their cuts down to the 53 man roster. In the process, Dan Campbell proved that he is true to his word.

This is a brutal week in the NFL. A week when many lifelong dreams are dashed. A week when those who just aren’t good enough are given a ticket home.

Every coaching staff has their own way of handling the mandatory dismissals that must occur for their roster to meet the league mandates. Yet, no matter what the protocol is, it always ends the same way. Players are told the coach wants to see them and they need to bring their playbook. The NFL kiss of death.

In the case of some players, it isn’t a matter of not being good enough to play in the league. It’s a matter of the roster being too talented or perhaps a position group is loaded with talent and another player with talent is the odd man out.

In a case like that, other teams will call. Like the Detroit Lions who are trying to fill many needs. But for the most part, the final roster cutdowns are about ending dreams. Time to find a new profession.

Here in the Motor City, we have a new sheriff in town. His name is Dan Campbell. He’s the most rootinest, tootinest, knee cap-biting coach in the NFL. Fans of the Honolulu Blue and Silver have come to embrace his straight-shooting, yet fun-loving personality.

The media, both national and local, have enjoyed having him around as a quote machine. Whether they use his words against him or find valuable nuggets within them that give us a glimpse into how he thinks his team is doing and what his thoughts are about his troops.

If we have learned one thing, Campbell isn’t afraid to speak his mind. He isn’t afraid to tell us in his own way what he’s about to do, then stun everyone by doing it. This week he did exactly what he said he would as he sent players packing that we expected to make the roster.

The Lions wouldn’t have cut their losses in the past

The Detroit Lions are a team in transition. A team that has a lot of work to do before they will be ready to challenge for a world championship.

That means there will be a lot of hard decisions that will need to be made in order to build this team the right way. In a manner that will allow them to build a contender.

In the case of Campbell molding his roster, his first cuts were perhaps the most surprising. In the first wave of players that were released this week, it was a small group that included receiver Breshad Perriman, tackle Tyrell Crosby, and cornerback Mike Ford.

Crosby was a starter last season and did an adequate job. Despite missing time in training camp with injuries, most thought he would be a key backup. Ford has been developing as a player the last couple of years and it seemed almost a foregone conclusion that he would be counted on as valuable depth in the Lions’ secondary.

Instead, they were both released. It wasn’t a surprise when Denver snapped up Ford. One would think that Crosby will get another opportunity as well.

Then there was Breshad Perriman. The son of former Lions standout Brett was unable to capitalize on his opportunity to follow in his Father’s footsteps in Detroit.

I thought it was interesting when a friend of mine said that since this early signing by Lions general manager Brad Holmes didn’t work out, maybe we should pump the breaks a little instead of getting excited about the ability of Holmes and Campbell to build a winner.

I think this is the Lionized thought process. This franchise hasn’t done much right at all for the last 60 plus seasons, which I get and I don’t have a problem with fans looking at what this team does with a little scrutiny.

However, as I pointed out to my friend, despite the fact Perriman didn’t work out, Campbell cut his losses and ended it. In the past, the Lions would have carried Perriman and his guaranteed contract.

Not to mention that despite the fact Perriman’s contract was guaranteed, it was still a cost-effective contract that won’t hurt the salary cap in the long run. If anything, the way this was handled has strengthened my benefit of a doubt for this new regime.

Dan Campbell seems to be continually calling his shot

In the midst of the roster moves this week, including the much-anticipated release of linebacker Jahlani Tavai and the surprise trade for receiver Trinity Benson from Denver, Dan Campbell was completely true to his word.

Campbell told us that there were players that were expected to make the roster and wouldn’t. He didn’t allow contracts, names, or time spent in Honolulu Blue and Silver to influence his decisions.

The players that produced the best and projected to possibly have a future in the league made the roster. Those that fell short were shown the door.

Going right back to when Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell first arrived in Detroit, they said that they would be making decisions based on what is best for the Lions in two years. In other words, building for the future and once they have built that contender, to continually tinker with to create a consistent contender.

Now the truth is that they haven’t built a Super Bowl contender yet and just building a foundation this season will be a big first step. But it is clear that Dan Campbell has no interest in giving the standard coach speak and isn’t afraid of telling the media and fans just what they will do and then doing it.

Almost like Campbell is continually calling his own shot.

The trade for Benson goes with the youth movement theme that Campbell has established with his roster selections and it hasn’t ended there. With this being the opening stage of the Lions rebuild, they have more leeway than an established roster to take some chances and bring in a variety of players to try out.

With that being said, having a roster filled with young players that are building for tomorrow does create concern for today. Most of the experts are expecting the Lions to finish in the NFC North cellar and challenge the Houston Texans for the number one overall pick next April.

Considering the youth movement, that makes the idea of a difficult season a little more realistic. However, the fact that Dan Campbell will concede nothing on game day even with a team being built for tomorrow, he has a chance to build a complete culture change even in what might very well be a lost year. And the whole time he will be doing it while being true to his word.

11 recent roster cuts the Detroit Lions should consider adding

As the Detroit Lions cut down their rosters to 53 players, head coach Dan Campbell claimed that the team will be active on the waive wire.