Sam LaPorta has enjoyed a historic start to his career with the Detroit Lions, but he could be poised for even bigger production in the future.
LaPorta keeps rolling, piling up 758 yards and nine touchdowns this season. That production might seem shocking relative to LaPorta's low name recognition coming into the year. But for those behind the scenes, it is no surprise.
Dan Campbell has watched LaPorta work from the start.
"He's doing a really good job and if you see the kid, when you watch him in meetings, you watch him out at practice, (in) the walkthroughs, the way he works, he reminds me of (Amon-Ra) St Brown in that manner. Very much the same way, just how he goes about it and he is highly competitive. He gets in games like (Saturday) and he shows up and he's got this competitive edge about him. So I'm not surprised by that. He just keeps getting better and better."
LaPorta is likely to end with double-digit touchdowns and needs just 242 yards in three games to finish with 1,000 for the season.
Getting a St. Brown comparison from Campbell is big, given the wide receiver is routinely lauded as one of the hardest working Lions' players.
Sam LaPorta defers credit for performance to teammates
At this point, LaPorta could let accolades go to his head. But it's just the opposite.
LaPorta remains grounded even as he sets records, and continues to credit his teammates for helping him accomplish what he has.
"It was really cool. I mean, I always say I can't do it without my teammates. I certainly can't. There's 10 other guys out there with me, so yeah, it was just a really good day. Really good day for the team (against Denver)."
LaPorta has an affable exterior, with the drive of a competitor in the vein of St. Brown. The Lions value cultural fit in parallel with talent, and the rookie tight end has fit right in.
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