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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell joins Costa & Jansen on 97.1 The Ticket following a massive victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Campbell gives an encouraging update on linebacker Jack Campbell, sharing that he is improving and discussing how the team manages the emotional weight while staying focused ahead of Miami.
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00:00A lot to do on this Tuesday that's not days of the week.
00:03I guarantee if you ask Dan what was the first day of the week,
00:06he probably would say Tuesday.
00:08When the prep starts, right?
00:10Flip the switch.
00:11Miami this week.
00:13We will talk about the Bears who played last night on Monday Night Football.
00:16Later in the hour, we'll talk about this division because it's unbelievable
00:19and Chicago's absolutely going to be a problem.
00:21A hell of a game last night for them.
00:23And we'll get to on campus because Greg Hargrave's got all of our college
00:26football questions as we head into a raucous Week 10.
00:29Already into Week 10.
00:31I know.
00:31It's hard to believe.
00:32The college football season just absolutely flies by.
00:36Here we sit, Week 10.
00:38That's in college.
00:39We work our way through the NFL schedule.
00:42And it's time for us to talk to Dan Campbell.
00:50Dan, good morning.
00:51Thanks for joining us.
00:53Good morning.
00:54Hey, Dan.
00:55I know you guys don't have anything new to share on Jack.
00:58You will when you have it.
00:59But you guys had an unbelievably great win and an emotional high along with the low of
01:06what happened to Jack and some other guys on the field, but specifically Jack.
01:09Now you've got to turn the page.
01:11How do you guys handle that emotional tug and pull?
01:18Well, I mean, I think we got to, we acknowledge it, you know, tomorrow when I would bring him
01:22in, you know, we'll, we'll acknowledge that and understand what it is.
01:27You know, it's, it's, it's not easy because he's going to always be on our minds over here.
01:33Um, the good news is he is improving.
01:35Um, but, but we also, we got a job to do, uh, and it's what we're, we're, this is what
01:41we're tasked with.
01:42And, um, you know, there, there's a reason why we, we go through all this stuff.
01:48Um, you know, and it's, um, it's to get to where we want to go collectively as a team
01:56and, and, you know, adversity comes in all shapes and sizes and, uh, and, you know, we
02:02got to overcome everything that's, that comes our way.
02:05So, uh, we got to reload, lock in this, this Miami team.
02:09It's a hungry team, man.
02:11They play hard and, uh, the, everybody they played, they gave, gave fits to, they've had
02:15a chance to win these games.
02:16So, uh, we know what we're about to face here.
02:19Yeah.
02:20We saw Hutch emotional on the field.
02:22We we've heard from the players post game.
02:24What's your sense of, of how they're handling, you know, a very serious issue, obviously for
02:28the person beyond even the player with Jack.
02:32Well, I think the thought of him knowing he's doing better, you know, and I've kept the
02:36captains up to date and they'd let, let the other guys know, uh, it's good news, you
02:41know?
02:42And, um, so I, I think that helps everybody, you know, uh, just get a better handle on all
02:49this.
02:49Um, you know, you, once you know that, then it's, then you got to move on, uh, for yourself
02:57too, in that moment.
02:59Because if, if you let things wander and you drift and you worry a little, and then you're
03:04trying to play or prepare, that's where bad things can happen to you, you know, because
03:09you're not all in on what you need to be doing.
03:11So that's why it's important, uh, you know, that you, you get back to your own business.
03:17Um, and you know, all we can do at this point is just continue to, to pray for Jack, put
03:25our thoughts on him when we have a minute and, uh, his family and it's working, like I said,
03:31cause he is improving and, uh, and then we're on to, we're on to our business.
03:36And you mentioned out of business and obviously there's going to be a void, uh, that, that
03:41Jack will leave currently.
03:43Jimmy Rolder, as you mentioned yesterday, um, isn't going to be back.
03:47How do you fill that void?
03:49Who has to step up and who are you looking to, to fill some of those roster spots?
03:55Um, yeah, and look, it's unfortunate just from the playing aspect, we know what Jack
03:59brings to us, you know, and he's, he's an important piece and, uh, you know, anytime
04:04you lose a player like him and a teammate like him, it, it makes it, you know, it makes it
04:09a little more difficult.
04:11Uh, and then Rolder, honestly, Rolder had a heck of a game before that happened.
04:15I mean, he was really improving on special teams.
04:17I mean, that, that was, that's encouraging to see, uh, just where he was going.
04:22Um, now it's unfortunate this has happened, but here's the good news.
04:27Uh, that, that room, uh, is well taken care of.
04:30I mean, between Barnes and Rodrigo and Nowowski, um, you know, we feel really good there.
04:37I mean, all three of those guys can play football and all three of them have had versatility and
04:43have improved, uh, as we've gone here.
04:46So we've got a lot of trust in all three of those guys.
04:48And then, and then Amon has played football in this league, uh, you know, and, and he's
04:54been up for us every week on special teams.
04:56And then certainly Bocci, we got a lot of faith and trust in Bocci.
05:00That's why he's here.
05:01You know, he's played plenty of ball.
05:03And, uh, and so we, we've got those guys and we feel good there, you know?
05:09And then we, we, uh, you know, we're adding some guys, we added KJ Britt, um, you know,
05:15just, uh, get him in the hopper here.
05:17So look, we, we feel good, uh, with what we've got, you know, Brad's done a good job
05:21of the depth here.
05:23We're talking to Lions head coach, Dan Campbell, the way you guys ran the ball against Minnesota.
05:28Nobody does that to Flores.
05:29I think it's a good moment to highlight Petsing and this offensive line.
05:32Are we seeing the vision of what you guys wanted to fix from a year ago?
05:38Well, yeah, first of all, I thought Drew did a heck of a job, you know, Hank Fraley, uh,
05:43and those guys, and then certainly, you know, just, it takes everybody, um, but that old
05:48line, uh, and the, and freaking Laporta and Brock, you know, and then Conflict, because
05:54we used some 13 too, um, just were, were huge, you know?
05:59And I, I don't know if I even know if I need to speak on, on, uh, on Gibbs.
06:04He said, he's such a rare special player.
06:07Um, but Vocky as well.
06:09I mean, Vocky really contributed in a big way and we told him we needed him too.
06:12So, um, that was big.
06:15We knew we had to be able to run it against that defense because that's the thing.
06:19You, you, it's hard to put them in that situation because most of the time you get run out of
06:24it or you start to get out of your comfort zone because you feel like you need to push
06:29the ball.
06:29Um, you know, our defense was able to, to keep us in that game while we, we just, you know,
06:36continued to pick away a little bit.
06:38And, and when we could lean on it and get a real good hand, love it, a good feel of
06:43it, adjust and let our runners go, um, that, that good things happen.
06:48So yeah, there, we, you, you have to be able to do that.
06:52You want to be a good team and you want to have the chance to go where you want to
06:56go.
06:56You better be able to run the ball in criticals and in games to where sometimes nothing else
07:01is going to go your way.
07:02And that's a step in the right direction.
07:05Where does that CFL play come from?
07:07The, the one where St.
07:09Brown gets a running start.
07:10What's the background on how you guys added that play?
07:13Well, really, that was more Kafka's baby, you know, and like, like most plays that come
07:19here, somebody gets an idea and then you start massaging it, you know, you slap it up against
07:24the wall.
07:25Hey, what about this?
07:25And everybody kind of picks away at it a little bit.
07:28You know, that, that's how it goes.
07:30Cause I mean, Drew will have stuff and we'll pick at it.
07:33Uh, Hank and Scotty and David Shaw and Kafka and, um, for Tui and Drakowski and choice.
07:42I mean, we all have ideas and you fall against the wall and it's either perfect or you start
07:48massaging a little bit and you start tinkering and you start, but that one started with Kafka.
07:53It was, it was awesome.
07:54You know, it was, it was something good.
07:56We've had it up for a couple of weeks, just hadn't run it yet.
07:58And this was a good week to do it.
08:00Hey, do me a favor.
08:01I know, I noticed you didn't say Brunel in there.
08:03Make sure that he's contributing to the coaching staff.
08:05Yeah.
08:06No, come on.
08:06I know he likes to slack off a little bit.
08:09No, and Brunel.
08:11I didn't mean to do that.
08:12It's all of it.
08:13That's a little fun jab that I did take in a former teammate.
08:16Um, I'm glad you did that.
08:18Yeah.
08:18No, but Bruce, he's laying on the floor with his feet up on the desk.
08:22No.
08:23Typical.
08:24You guys are done.
08:25Just tell me if they don't want the quarterback, what you want him to do.
08:28Well, I want to know what the coaching point is when you turn on the film for, for golf as
08:33lead blocker.
08:34I never saw Brudel do that.
08:37Listen, that's, that's, that's golf doing his own bill there.
08:40That's golf going rogue.
08:41Um, but listen, he, you know, there's certainly a, you know, there's, you know, you, you hold
08:51your breath sometimes, um, some coaches more than others hold their breath.
08:56Um, but man, that, that was him.
08:59I mean, it was a little bit like we knew where this game was going to go somewhat and what
09:03we're going to have to lean on.
09:04And, and we, the running game was a big part of that, became a big part of it.
09:09And I think he just, you know, that's his instincts took over and it's like, man, I'm
09:13going to help out where I can help out.
09:15And look, man, well, for whatever it is or isn't that that's the type of teammate he is.
09:19And, uh, he just wants to help.
09:22He's like anybody else, man.
09:23He's one of our freaking studs.
09:25He's an unbelievable player in his position, but yet he's willing to do whatever it takes
09:29to help.
09:29So, I know there's a lot of variables involved and, and Cade has been, Cade Mays has been
09:35banged up early in the season.
09:37Juice was in there when we celebrated the fact that it was a great addition.
09:41Um, and then Cade goes down again, Juice comes in.
09:44Felt like that's really when the, the protection and the, uh, the run game really started to
09:50get going.
09:50Is there a competition, uh, at the center position?
09:54Well, I can't say that right now.
09:56I mean, look, Cade, Cade has got this ankle right now.
09:59Um, what I would say is that juice came in and played very well.
10:04That's what I would definitely say.
10:06I mean, juice to be able to, you know, he took the mental reps this week.
10:10He got a couple live, but really it was more of the mental at center and to get thrust back
10:16in there against that defense with everything they were doing and to be, to have the production.
10:23I mean, it was impressive and he was locked in.
10:26He was so ready to go.
10:27I mean, that he was, um, you know, I told you this before we, we love juice and, uh,
10:35he, he just fits us and he's all about business.
10:38He's a great teammate.
10:39He's high energy.
10:40He tries to finish plays, uh, runs off the football.
10:45So he, he did a heck of a job.
10:47And, and, um, you know, I, as of right now, I mean, he, he's our guy, you know, because
10:53I don't see Cade practicing Wednesday and he might not Thursday.
10:56So we're going to get juice ready to go here.
10:59In regards to the defense, obviously for the first four games, there was a lot of conversation
11:03about the secondary, the past defense.
11:05And in the last three, they've looked really good.
11:08There's this debate going on.
11:09Is the defense more like the first four games or the last three games?
11:14What would you tell people that are wondering what to expect from this defense moving forward?
11:20Well, first of all, you know, Kelvin Shepard's doing a heck of a job and that staff, they, they've
11:27done a good job of continuing to, uh, evolve and improve, um, on what the things that we
11:36can do or personnel, the whole thing.
11:38And man, every season, every unit is about improving and we have a steadily improved and
11:45that's the name of the game.
11:46So I would tell you that what you've seen over the last three weeks, that's, that's who
11:52we are.
11:52You know, does that mean that we're not going to have a couple of bumps in the road or some
11:56things are going to happen or no, no, those, those come up, they come up on offense, defense
12:02and special teams.
12:03And that's where the other units got to pick up the slack.
12:06Um, but, but that is us.
12:08And we were, we were improving on defense.
12:11It's not perfect, but I tell you what, our guys play hard.
12:14They're understanding where their help set we challenge, uh, we finished in the football.
12:20Um, and that, that's it.
12:22And guess what?
12:22You know, they're going to make some plays.
12:24Jefferson made a hell of a catch the other day in the end zone.
12:26Um, you know, and, but we're right there and you got to make them earn it.
12:32He earned that catch.
12:33That's, that's what we expect.
12:34Now you keep a little more outside leverage and you'll, you'll make it a little harder,
12:38but, but that's the name of the game.
12:41And if, you know, if they can make 70 of those plays with us playing that way, good for them.
12:46They earned it.
12:46But, but, uh, but yeah, we're, we're, we're getting our confidence up.
12:51We're playing better football.
12:53Dan, I took a week off of badgering you about Kirby Joseph and then you activated him on the 21
12:57day window here.
12:58Can you give us kind of a sense of where he's at and maybe some of the other injured guys
13:02too?
13:03I know there was a bunch of guys from, from this last week's game.
13:07Yeah.
13:07Kirby will, he'll be in practice this week.
13:09We're going to try to get him some scout team reps.
13:12He's not going to play this game.
13:16So, uh, I know that was coming.
13:18He's not playing versus Miami.
13:20He's just going to get some reps.
13:21All right.
13:22In practice.
13:23Um, you know, we will obviously be being one of them.
13:26They're in a concussion protocol.
13:27So we won't know.
13:29Well, you know, we'll know where we're at in the phase one of this thing, uh, today or later this
13:34afternoon.
13:35Um, you know, Reed's got a hip there again.
13:38It doesn't look good for him on Wednesday.
13:40Uh, for sure.
13:41I, so until I can, you know, get more on that, I don't, I don't see where he's at.
13:47We already talked about May, same thing.
13:49I don't see him Wednesday.
13:51I'll see sailors on Wednesday.
13:53Um, so that, you know, that's kind of where we're at.
13:57I mean, we, we did, we took a little bit of a hit here, but that's, we knew it was
14:01coming.
14:02I mean, it was fortunate we've gotten this far.
14:04Uh, so that's the good news.
14:06We actually, we got a little bit farther this time and, uh, and we'll adjust.
14:10We got, we got plenty of guys.
14:12We got football players and we'll adjust.
14:15Thanks, Dan.
14:15Thanks, Dan.
14:16Hey, when you leave, make sure you give Brew a hug.
14:18I know those quarterbacks can be a little sensitive.
14:22I'll do it.
14:23Take Lions head coach, Dan Campbell.
14:25It's 97-1.
14:26It's 97-1.
14:26It's 97-1.