Has Dan Campbell been ‘Lionized’ already?
By Robert Jones
Dan Campbell was battling emotions in his postgame press conference after a tough loss to the Vikings. Has he been ‘Lionized’ already?
This hasn’t exactly been a banner season for the Detroit Lions so far, as one of two winless teams left in the league entering Week 6.
Three years ago at this time, the fans were wondering what they had gotten into with the hiring of Matt Patricia. The Lions record was 2-3 heading into their bye week. They had posted impressive wins over the New England Patriots, Patricia’s former team, and the Green Bay Packers.
But the Lions also lost to the San Francisco 49ers, who would nose-dive after Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury and they were blown out in the season opener on Monday Night Football at home by the New York Jets. The Jets were led by rookie Sam Darnold. After his first pass as a pro was returned for a score by Lions safety Quandre Diggs, Darnold pulled himself together to throw for almost 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
That would be considered the starting point of an average defense being dismantled by Patricia and then-general manager Bob Quinn so it could be built in the image of the Patriots. Needless to say, it never quite worked out.
There are some fans who still might say Patricia would have succeeded if he was allowed to complete his process. They are the minority.
One of the most memorable moments from Patricia’s tenure was when told a reporter to sit up and respect the process during a press conference. This from a man who often looked like he raided his laundry hamper for that day’s outfit.
The question that caused the outburst was innocent enough. Detroit had just traded Golden Tate to the Philadelphia Eagles. So Patricia was asked how this benefited the Lions.
It was at that moment that it became easy to consider that Patricia had been ‘Lionized’. It had happened to many coaches before Patricia, and that outburst was not a good sign. Now, five games into the 2021 season, there are some wondering the same thing about an emotional Dan Campbell.
But there are critical differences between Campbell and Patricia, in favor of Campbell.