Defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell spoke to the media Tuesday following last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings and ahead of Sunday's matchup with the New York Giants in Detroit.
Here are 10 takeaways from those media sessions:
(Note: These media sessions took place before the Lions made the trade of defensive back Quandre Diggs to Seattle official.)
1. Does sending running back Kerryon Johnson to IR Tuesday change what Bevell and the Lions are able to do on offense? Bevell said it's his job to put players in the best possible position to succeed, using the skillsets they have. He said he still had to learn more about what Tra Carson, who the team acquired last week, does well, but has a good idea about Ty Johnson and J.D. McKissic. He plans to accentuate the things they do well and put them in positions to be successful, meaning things will probably be a little different without Kerryon.
2. Defensive tackle Damon Harrison Sr. talked to reporters Monday, and took the blame for the Lions struggles in stopping the run this year. It's not all on Harrison, but when asked about him Tuesday, Pasqualoni said he saw some improvements in his individual play this past week and expects him to keep getting progressively better moving forward.
3. When looking ahead at the Giants' defense, Bevell said three players have stood out to him – linebacker Alec Ogletree, cornerback Janoris Jenkins and former Michigan standout Jabrill Peppers. Bevell said Peppers has really stood out with how active he's been all over the field being a big hitter and playmaker.
4. The Lions have to prepare for Giants running back Saquon Barkley this week. Pasqualoni said Barkley can hit any gap, so if he runs the ball to the far right, guys on the left have to understand there is a point of attack and that ball could end up back to them. The Lions have to be much better than they've been against the run this week, both fundamentally and technique-wise.
5. Bevell had Golden Tate as a young wide receiver in Seattle, when Bevell was the offensive coordinator for the Seahawks. He said Tate is one of the best in the NFL with the run after the catch. Bevell seemed to have a lot of respect for Tate's versatility and skillset.
6. Kevin Strong Jr. was Detroit's best defensive lineman last week. Pasqualoni said the rookie has done a good job coming to work every day and getting better. Pasqualoni is pleased with his development, and it's starting to show on gameday.
7. The Lions signed wide receiver Marvin Hall a few weeks back, and he's been a playmaker down the field for their passing game. Bevell and the Lions were looking for someone with game-breaking speed to add to the receiving corps, and Hall has certainly done that. Bevell called Hall a "great addition."
8. Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones has had some recent struggles with interceptions. Pasqualoni chalked that up to being a young quarterback in the NFL. The one area Pasqualoni said Jones can be very dangerous in is when he gets out of the pocket. New York ran a zone read last week in which Jones had a nice gain. It's something the Lions are preparing for this week.
9. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is playing some really good football right now. He threw for more than 300 yards with four touchdowns against a Vikings' defense that ranks in the top 10 in about every statistical category. Handling all the protections and having the production he did left Bevell pretty impressed.
10. The Lions' issues last week stopping the run were a direct result of poor tackling, per Pasqualoni. Detroit needs to be much better in that regard against Barkley and the Giants.
