The Detroit Lions’ faltering defense will almost probably be without its star this week when they face the New Orleans Saints. Linebacker Alex Anzalone, who is having probably his best professional year, has a hand injury that will keep him out at least this week.
But the Lions’ coaches aren’t worried. The Lions have talked about their linebacker depth for the past two years, and it just got deeper this offseason with the addition of first-roundk choice JacCampbell. At the MIKE position, the former Iowa Hawkeye has mostly shared time with third-year defender Derrick Barnes. However, with Anzalone out, Barnes is set to replace him, giving Campbell the full-time MIKE post this week.
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“That’s why we got Jack,” defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said earlier this week. “He’s a true MIKE supporter.” And he has to be the one who writes all the checks, which he is capable of doing. Tough, intelligent, and headstrong guy. He’s built for these occasions. I’m expecting him to be the defense’s actual mouthpiece going into this game.”
Communication may appear to be a difficult chore for a rookie linebacker, but it is not aDetroit Lions new role for Campbell. He was a two-time captain at Iowa and the anchor of the Hawkeyes’ dominant defense.
“The thing I appreciate is just the kind of person he was, the energy he brought to our building every day, the relationships he had with his teammates,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said in April. “His leadership abilities, which are extremely important in that position.” You must obviously be able to make plays, make tackles, and cover throws. All of that, too. However, when a man provides leadership to that position, it is really important. We’ve been playing pretty good team defense the previous few years.
Communication may appear to be a daunting duty for a rookie linebacker, but it is not a new position for Campbell. He was a two-time captain and the anchor of Iowa’s dominant defense.
“What I admire about him is the kind of person he was, the energy he brought to our building every day, the relationships he had with his teammates,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said in April. “His leadership talents, which are quite crucial in his job. Obviously, you must be able to make plays, make tackles, and cover throws. All of that. But when a man adds leadership to that position, it is quite important. We’ve been playing pretty solid team defense the last couple of years.
And when he’s not being tested or learning from his opportunities on the field, Glenn is making sure he’s growing in the film room, too.
“When we’re in meetings, and sometimes I tell Alex (Anzalone) don’t say anything because it’s easier for him for the most part,” Glenn said. “The next voice that you’re going to hear is Jack and that’s encouraging because what he does in the meeting actually translates to what he’s going to do on the field. And he understands this defense like the back of his hands now.”
That knowledge will be put to the test this week in a very important game for the Lions. While the Saints offense has not been great this year (18th in points per game), the Lions defense is allowing 29.0 points per game over the past five games. With Detroit in the midst of a division run, they can’t afford a slip-up against another hopeful NFC playoff contender.
