The Detroit Lions pulled a total shocker at their first full-padded training camp practice this week. For years, coach Dan Campbell has kicked off these sessions with intense, full-on live tackling drills, meaning defenders would take guys all the way to the ground. It was his signature move, the kind of old-school, grit-first approach you’d expect from the guy. But Monday was a different story.
Campbell’s Old-School Vows Are Out the Window
For anyone who’s followed Campbell’s tenure, especially going back to “Hard Knocks” in 2022, you know this dude was passionate about live tackling. He’d gather his players in a semicircle on the far field, reporters scrambling to catch every bone-rattling rep. He once said, “I had a couple of you look at me like ‘What the (expletive)? Why are we going live (tackling)?’ I got it. Here’s what I need, man. I need you to trust me. I swear to god I’m not a lunatic. I swear to you.” He doubled down, explaining that if he thought they could get by without pads, he’d do it. But for a defense, the essence is “Pursuit and tackle. Pursuit and tackle.” He literally believed if you don’t work on tackling, you’re not ready until Week 8. That’s how much he believed in putting players through the grind right from the jump.
A New Approach to Lay the Groundwork
But then Monday hit, and the Lions pivoted hard. Instead of sending guys to the turf, they opted for two-hand touch to start padded practices. This is a massive shift from the fiery philosophy Campbell used to preach. When asked about it on Tuesday, Campbell explained the change, saying, “Let’s just do it to where these guys get a feel. It’s crazy how you saw that drill under control and all this.” His argument? Early in camp, live tackling can get sloppy and dangerous. Players, hyped for contact, try to run over each other, even when that’s forbidden. By easing into it with two-hand touch, players can settle their form before they start going full force. “Let’s just fundamentally, let’s go through it a couple times,” Campbell added. He even found another win: players he used to hold out of these drills to protect them can now participate and show what they’ve got. It’s a calculated move to prioritize technique and player safety from the jump.
So, while the old Campbell would have had his guys slamming each other around, this new approach looks like a smarter, more controlled way to build a formidable defense. You gotta wonder how this philosophy shift will impact their defensive identity when the real games roll around.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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