Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard is sticking to his guns, even after Bryce Young shredded his blitz calls in a tough 32-26 loss to the Carolina Panthers last Sunday. Sheppard told reporters Thursday that “Those calls were the right calls, and I’ll leave it at that.” Man, talk about a stubborn stance after a game like that.
Bryce Young Cooked ‘Em When Blitzed
It’s tough to hear a defensive coordinator double down on calls when the numbers paint a pretty clear picture. Bryce Young, the Panthers’ QB, carved up the Lions defense when Sheppard sent the blitz. We’re talking 7-for-8 on 12 dropbacks. That’s not just getting beat; that’s getting absolutely picked apart. It’s one thing to have a strategy, it’s another to watch it blow up in your face and then say it was still “the right call.” What are we missing here?
“Private Conversations” Won’t Fix the Problem
Reporters pressed Sheppard on a potential disconnect between the play calls and what was actually happening on the field. You know, like, maybe the players weren’t executing the “right calls” as well as he thought? But Sheppard shut that down, saying those are “private conversations that we have that I’m going to keep in house.” He doubled down again, repeating, “Those calls were the right calls.” That’s not exactly inspiring confidence, is it? When the numbers are that bad, you gotta wonder if those “private conversations” are actually getting through, or if it’s just more of the same.
Now, the Lions have to turn around and get ready for a Week 5 showdown against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday. Will Sheppard’s “right calls” still be the play? Or will we see an adjustment after getting picked apart by Young? Lions fans gotta be holding their breath heading into that one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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