Dan Campbell Camp 09/08/26 Press Event
Injury Summary
New/Updates:
Thomas Harper - Back at Practice
Mekhi Wingo/Ben Bartch - Back at Practice
Isiah Pacheco - Back at Practice
Sam LaPorta - Back at Practice
Jimmy Rolder - Back at Practice
No Changes/Updates:
Brain Branch - Potentially Early September
Kerby Joseph - Back with the team doing rehab in the facility. Last true update on knee is that it will linger into the season on same timeline as Branch.
Giovani Manu - Added to NFI/Injury List due to previously undisclosed injury form offseason
Cade Mays - Mays is sidelined for 8-10 weeks with fractured Wrist (Target Week 5)
Transactions
N/A
Quick Hitters
Tom Kennedy will play against the Saints (Campbell slipped up and let that out). Not sure if a PS elevation or if he will be signed as the #53 roster spot
Side note, the Lions staff edited out Campbells "oh shit" moment
On Jack Campbell being named a captain, Campbell said "Jack is taking this thing over. We've said it from day one."
Kerby joseph is back in the building and ramping up. Cannot practice until after Week 2, but can rehab and work with trainers
Dan Campbell Press Event Transcript
Opening Statement: I'm just going to continue on what I was kind of had started yesterday. Um I do think this is a good staff. I think Kell's done a good job. You know, obviously year two. Um there are still some guys that are there that that I have a lot of respect for and uh you know that I think a lot of Brendan Nugent uh that I coached with Joel Thomas is back there. Um you know those guys I was with them uh really good coaches. Um, Phil Galliano. Um, you know, already talked about Mickey, Jeff Ireland. Got a lot of respect for those guys. Um, you know, and then just some of the players that were there. You know, Erik McCoy, I think he's kind of the glue in there for that old line, man. He's a difference maker at center. And, uh, you know, Ruiz was a pup when I was there, young player, but, you know, he's developed into a good a good guard who obviously can play center. that was um something that he certainly could do. Uh AK (Kamara) I don't think will be ready um obviously but got a lot of respect for him. We talked about Cam Jordan. So just a number of guys man it was good times know what those guys are about. Uh this will be a good challenge for us but there again we're we'll be ready for this.
Obviously, as time passes, you built your own thing in Detroit, but you've referenced through the years just even with the backfield, you know, building, you know, yours similar to AK, Ingram and different things that you learned throughout the years of being in New Orleans, just like how much did when you seen the schedule come out, y'all played New Orleans, even though it's been some time away. How much does that place just mean to you? Well, I mean, it means a lot. I mean, that was, you know, had it not been for my time there um with that organization, it's a it's a class act, man. class organization and being with Shawn Payeyton obviously uh I I wouldn't have gotten this opportunity. So, so it means a ton and the environment's got to be right, man. It's got to be the right conditions and we had the right conditions. Uh and you don't forget those, you know, and you try to carry over the things that you feel like are done right that you do right and take them to where you go and that's what we've done here. So, um there's a lot of similarities in that regard.
One of those holdover players you didn't mention was Juwan Johnson. you had him as a undrafted rookie who, you know, didn't get a lot of playing time when you were one year. He's become one of the better receiving tight ends in football, but I guess what kind of pride do you take in in his growth or, you know, admiration in his growth as a young player to now? I would love to take credit for that. I cannot I cannot I uh I was we were at the very beginning stages of moving him and he was a receiver. He's very much like Meeks. Um, and he was really a receiver, you know, big skill. Um, and it was kind of, you know, hey man, would you be willing to move? What do you think about that? I don't know, maybe. Yeah, you know. Um, and then the move was made and it was obviously really good for him for his career. He is he's a big skill player. Um, a mismatch player, man. the things where he stays on the move, keep him vertical, he he's uh man, he's got range, he's got length, he can track the ball. Um so, uh he come a long way, but I think that was always the vision for him. So, I'm not surprised where he's gone, you know, cuz we I know when I was there and young, it was like, man, this this kid may be able to develop into, you know, a receiving threat as a tight end slot, you know, and he's been able to do that, but I can't take credit for that. So
Is that something you considered when you were making Meeks do that move this off season and going through camp with him? Yeah, I mean, I think that's the vision a little bit. you just, you know, when you see what a guy is, uh, uh, just kind of the skill set, the makeup, um, you know, cuz not everybody can make the move. Everybody wants to, you know, everybody's dying to find those. And every year it's, hey, man, this guy, he's played basketball or he's been a receiver here. We're just going to move him. And, man, you got to be there's a lot more that goes into it than just that. Um, and so we felt like, you know, Meeks has those qualities, man. He's got the wiring for it. He's tough, he's competitive, he's smart. Uh, and obviously his skill set, you know, to be able to work the middle of the field, the seams, the it's intriguing and that's why we wanted to move him. And certainly him being able to play special teams bodes well uh for him and for us.
Every season brings its changes and its challenges. Um, what gives you what are you most encouraged about as far as the changes that you've gone through this year with the team? Uh, well, I think, you know, I thought we had a really good off season. You know, I did and we identified things that we felt like we needed to upgrade. I thought we did that. And then I think just our focus getting back to what we do, what we're about. Um, you know, and really competing with each other, testing each other. um you know, the chess game between the coordinators, the offense, the defense, the cutting it loose more on special teams. Um you know, I just thought we identified those issues and went after them. Not only personnel, but just schematically and competitively. You know, I think we got back to some of those things that that were about. I think we had an outstanding training camp and uh and so that that's always going to give me hope, man. and they're again, man, the core of this team. I just know what these guys are about. And to see the growth already of Jack Campbell, you know, and there's some addition by subtraction that that takes place. Penei Sewelll, um, you know, just a few examples of that. So, um, man, I'm Yeah, I feel pretty good right now.
You mentioned, uh, both Bar and Mahogany were talking about the week one offensive line yesterday. Are you considering playing them both on Sunday? Yeah, we could. You know, I think uh really this week is going to be um today they're going to they're going to split. You know, I see them splitting on Thursday. I see them splitting on Friday. And then uh if nothing's been decided by then, then maybe they both play.
Yeah, we've gotten used to Hutch being pretty disruptive in practice over the last four years. But from the outside looking at it, it just seemed like maybe it was a different kind of disruption this year. I thought he had a terrific camp. just curious where you think he's at heading into his fifth season. I think he's in a really good spot right now. I think he's in a um you know, he just he's always been, in my opinion, a complete defensive end and he's elevated that once again. You know, I think last year what he was able to do coming off the injury he had was impressive. I mean, it was impressive cuz uh that that's a significant injury. Now, the good news is it was a bone, but that's a big that's a you know that's not like the fibula, the small bone on the ankle that he all that this is a significant uh injury and for him to be able to come back as quick as he did and be able to have the impact he did was impressive. Well, he just got another year of a full off-season training. um just man the quickness, the weight, the explosion, the he's always continued to grow his craft and so I think he's prepped to have another big year.
Maybe this is the same version of the same answer you gave Carlos, but you know, we look at the topline talent and think that's a big reason for optimism. What is sort of the intangible that you see in your team that's your biggest re reason for optimism for why you can be a Super Bowl contender? Well, you know, the um you know, this is not an answer you guys are going to love, but some of the things that I love about and I mentioned this this morning. Um we know who those guys are. You know what you just said and but it's also those it's those key role players, man. Having Brock Wright back. Brock Wright had an outstanding training camp. Hogan Hattan, Khalil Dorsy, special teams on the edge. Tom Kennedy. Yeah, Tom Kennedy's playing in this game. All right. Uh but those role players are big, you know, and they're the ones that kind of they're a little bit of that glue that binds those premier players together. They got a job to do and they got to be really good in that role and in that job. And I love those these little spots of guys that we got a job for. You know, the McCreary's man. Uh obviously Chuck and Maddox. I just there's I just I like it, man. I think it's what makes teams and it gives you that little extra edge.
Is that specific do you think that's typical of the most NFL coaches or do you think because you were kind of in that role yourself, you have a little bit more sympathy or affinity for it? I don't think sympathy is the right word. I think it's important, you know, I think it's important and because the same thing can be said about your offensive line, you know, in certain spots. I mean, we know what Penei Sewell is, but I think, man, you know, Tate Ratledge over there, as he continues to grow, Blake Miller, man, young, hungry players that I think have taken big jumps and will continue to take big jumps. That's inspiring stuff, man. So, um, no, I don't I think you got to have those guys. And of course, if you don't have those other horses, it's tough. We got those guys. and now it's about having the best team. Uh, you know, it's about having the best team cuz I've seen I know there's been some really talented teams out there and they stacked them at all positions and it just didn't quite work the way that everybody hoped it was going to work. Um, and so it's about it's about having the right guys out there on the field and I feel like we do.
You mentioned Jack a little bit ago. Uh, he was named the captain for the first time. I'm just wondering um why do you think he's ready for that that responsibility as he enters? Oh, I'm glad you brought that up because I meant to say something about that. I was proud of those guys, man. That's a great honor to be voted. That's voted by their teammates, their peers. Um but Jack and Hutch, Alim McNeil made it. Uh that's well deserved. He earned it. Sewell, Goff, Jack Fox. Uh and uh and so, you know, Jack is Jack has taken this thing over, you know, and we've said it from day one, but everybody to a man respects what Jack Campbell is about. But by the way, he goes about his business, man. It means something to him. The way he works, uh he understands the game plan. He understands what offense is trying to do to him. Uh he is uh snap to whistle all the time. So, anything that Jack says, um, people listen to because he's earned that, you know, by the way he plays, his demeanor and his FBI.
We touched on this yesterday, but how much does the way they finished last year get your attention? And does it remind you at all when you guys started to get on a roll here and things started to click? Yeah, I think it's big. I mean, what four out of the last five, you know, they finished pretty hot and, you know, they kind of found their groove and, you know, and I think that's important when you go into year two and so they've got a lot of optimism. You know, they've added pieces certainly. They got some firepower on offense and that defense has been what they've lived off of, you know, for a while now. you know, the defense has been a strength of this team and so you add a little potency on the offensive side and it they can become dangerous. And so I think you're always going to see a little bit of knowing what we went from year one to year two and knowing where they're at and what they're coming into and then they got us lined up week one. This will be big for them, you know. Um so yeah, I mean I I think that's always a reminder, but you got to always you got to always step back and say, man, what is it really about? It's about us handling our business and doing things the right way, playing disciplined football and doing it for 60 minutes.
Dan, you spoke a lot this training camp about how valuable the reps are for Blake Miller against Aiden Hutchinson. He's likely going to get a lot of looks at Chase Young and just an interesting tidbit. Very similar in size. I think their wingspan's only an inch in comparison off between the two. What do you expect to see from that matchup between Chase Young and Blake Miller? What you need to see from the rookie? Well, I think that what you just said has set him up well for what's to come and it he will continue to grow as this season goes on. Um, and they have similar um they have, you know, similar height, length, some of but they are different in in the way that they play a little bit. Just some of the there's a little nuance to their games that are different. And it'll be great for Blake. That's a good thing. the more the more he faces u some of these guys whether it's length it's speed it's bend it's he'll just continue to grow and um and so I think he's set up well and look he got some from Wonnum on the other side's a totally different player than Hutch is too as a rusher and um and so this this is a good thing you know Blake is set up to go into this game and be ready to go you know I don't expect it to be perfect it doesn't need to be Perfect. Um, but I know he's going to grow and get better every week and every rep.
Kerby just got back with the team and what's the Yeah, he's here. Yep. He's doing good. He's ramping up.
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