OT: Lions hire Dom Capers as a defensive assistant
So it appears that Kneecaps is putting together a pretty good staff to work with. Dom Capers was just hired to be a 'senior defensive analyst'. He has been a defense-first coach for 30 years in the NFL, and has also been a head coach a couple of times. He's probably the most well-known and best defensive coach they've had that I can remember.
I have to believe that Chris Spielman is manipulating the puppet behind the scenes, which is fine by me! But even so, Campbell - as the head coach - has to be confident and secure enough in himself to follow the lead of someone that's never coached. So, while I do believe Spielman is involved, this HAS to be a team effort, with both working together to identify, recruit, and sign these experienced hands.
So far, I kinda like what Shiela has going on. Lets temper the enthusiasm until we see what they put on the field, but they seem to be off to a good start.
January 30th, 2021 at 8:48 AM ^
The one part that seems odd to me is how they hired a GM with underwhelming qualifications and then a head coach soon after. Doesn't seem like the GM had any say in the hiring of Campbell.
January 30th, 2021 at 9:02 AM ^
Well...I mean...it’s the Lions. You don’t need to ask people to temper enthusiasm. It’s kind of second nature to not expect anything.
January 30th, 2021 at 9:18 AM ^
Lions? Competent? Feeling disoriented. Dizzy. Must sit down.
January 30th, 2021 at 9:10 AM ^
Seems like a valid point, but I don't think anything was done in a vacuum. It wouldn't surprise me if Holmes was asked who he'd like as a coach, maybe with a list of candidates to choose from, or at least asked for his opinion on various candidates. Same could be said of Kneecaps, since I have little doubt that the Lions were speaking with him while the Saints were still playing.
I fully realize that this thought train points directly to organizational competence within the Lions front office, and I realize how far-fetched it actually sounds. For this, I have no explanation for myself, nor do I apologize.
January 30th, 2021 at 10:05 AM ^
Holmes was announced as GM on Jan. 14 and Campbell was announced on Jan. 20, so it's entirely plausible that Holmes had a say in the final decision to hire Campbell.
January 30th, 2021 at 10:13 AM ^
How do you know that the GM had not been in touch the coach even before getting the Lions' job?
January 30th, 2021 at 1:22 PM ^
Not really. They did come out after both hires and say player personnel and drafting would be a combined effort. With that approach it makes the sequence of hires understandable.
January 30th, 2021 at 9:38 AM ^
Mmm mutton!
January 30th, 2021 at 9:10 AM ^
Another good hire. Forward down the field!!
January 30th, 2021 at 9:39 AM ^
Best defensive coach they have had? Fans of of the teams he previously coached for seem to disagree based on what they have been commenting about this hire. That being said he is not going to be a playcaller, he is just going to be an experienced voice for a new DC in Aaron Glenn and the other first time coaches, kind of like Phil Martelli has been for Juwan.
January 30th, 2021 at 11:16 AM ^
He was probably Peter Principled as a head coach, but he was a pretty good DC back in his day. Even if the game has passed him by a little, he's got some good management experience to help mentor a young, first time DC and head coach. As an assistant, I think he's a good hire.
January 30th, 2021 at 9:54 AM ^
What matters is what happens on the field and the Lie-downs and Fords have to make up for 63 years of fucking ineptitude. Even this blind squirrel has yet to find its acorn.
January 30th, 2021 at 10:07 AM ^
after the super bowl they'll announce the block buster deal bringing suh back......
obviously that's what he was referring to when he said they were going to break knees.....
January 30th, 2021 at 11:14 AM ^
Not breaking knees - they're going to eat kneecaps! Which is why I think the perfect nickname for Campbell is 'Kneecaps'!
January 30th, 2021 at 12:01 PM ^
Great nickname for Campbell!
January 30th, 2021 at 12:29 PM ^
I agree with the conceptual name, but "Kneecapper" would be more descriptive, methinks.
January 30th, 2021 at 10:26 AM ^
Game passed Capers by years ago.
January 30th, 2021 at 11:13 AM ^
So, it was a dumb caper to hire him? Or was it just a capricious move by Kneecapper?
January 30th, 2021 at 10:38 AM ^
lol "Lets temper the enthusiasm until we see what they put on the field"
Not a lot of enthusiasm, just dead eyed looking at my 50 years as a Lions fan knowing reality but patiently waiting until my expectations are proven wrong.
Love the Lions. Teaches you that life is meant to enjoy the journey.
January 30th, 2021 at 10:52 AM ^
if anything, not a bad mentor for a young head coach; not unlike phil martelli for juwan.
January 30th, 2021 at 11:10 AM ^
Temper the enthusiasm? Uh, I don't have any enthusiasm for the season. For the draft -- 2021 AND 2022 -- under the new regime, sure. But they're going 3-13 next year. Enthusiasm, lol.
I do like the hires recently though.
As far as the chicken / egg thing for GM and coach: Holmes talked on 97.1 about how he appreciated how Shiela and Rod "streamlined" the process and that he "aligned well" with Campbell. So, yeah, Holmes was asked for input on a final list of candidates. Not sure that's "the way" but whenever Rod Wood is involved in football decisions, I expect ineptitude.
Not sure what the ceiling is here, but I might as well be hopeful. The more concerning thing is how the Lions continue to get hosed on game-changing calls, even when they suck. The NFL definitely has their favorites, and the Lions aren't in that group.
January 30th, 2021 at 11:29 AM ^
This guy hasn't been relevant since the Clinton administration.
January 30th, 2021 at 12:30 PM ^
Jim Schwartz has been the best Lions coach I can remember, just didn't have the players to win
Jabba the Hut, Wayne Fonts the 2nd best
January 30th, 2021 at 2:22 PM ^
I still believe Schwartz was the right guy at the right time. But losing Best to concussions killed that team.
January 30th, 2021 at 12:31 PM ^
Capers is an experienced set of eyes that can help with preparation during the week. I'm cool with it. He's a better staff addition than the recently cashiered Mike Pettine or Gregg Williams.
As for enthusiasm, it's a mixed bag. I do feel much better about our evaluation of draft prospects with Dorsey on board, especially at the QB position. But Campbell's first couple years will be pretty rough, and then we'll see if anything has changed by the firmness of their commitment to the long-term plan.
I don't have expectations for actually winning more than 2-3 games in 2021, but if a couple standout defensive rookies emerge, that will at least provide some hope.
January 30th, 2021 at 12:49 PM ^
Off to Hotel Gulag if he doesn't get it turned around quickly!
January 30th, 2021 at 2:23 PM ^
There he'll learn the true meaning of kneecaps!
January 30th, 2021 at 3:15 PM ^
It looks like the Lions are making really strong hires within Campbell’s coaching staff as well as getting Dorsey on the personnel side (great talent evaluator, maybe not the best GM).
As a fan, I want to be optimistic, but these are the Lions.
I have to hope they win another playoff game while I am alive.