Dan Campbell, the Detroit Lions’ head coach for the past three seasons, has been near or at the top of the league in going for it on fourth down, and the Lions have led the league in fourth down aggressiveness overall. Even after the much-publicized and criticized failures in the NFC Championship Game, that aggressiveness is unlikely to change. His process in that huge game was also not as flawed as some would have you believe.
Campbell’s aggressiveness on fourth down shows one thing above anything else. He has faith his players will get it done in those situations, and against the 49ers in the conference title game they simply didn’t. But to hear the players talk, they wouldn’t have it any other way in appreciation of who Campbell is as a coach.
Mark Schlereth, as a three-time Super Bowl champion over 12 seasons as an NFL guard, is in tune to the perspective of a player. In his work as a game analyst for FOX, he has also done some Lions’ games during Campbell’s tenure.
Mark Schlereth explains how players feel about Dan Campbell’s aggressiveness
Schlereth discussed the Lions and commended the general situation in Detroit in a recent episode of his podcast, “The Stinkin’ Truth Podcast”. Co-host Mike Evans questioned Campbell if he will tone down his aggressiveness after what transpired against the Niners. Schlereth’s response was not surprising. “No, I don’t,” Schlereth replied. “I think that’s the way he wants to play.” Scherleth took a step farther, exploring the player’s perspective. “My men know that the odds are we’re going for it on fourth down, which relieves the strain on third down. They are more—they have more duality on third down than any other team in the NFL.”
