Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp spoke to the media Thursday. Here are my 10 biggest takeaways from those media sessions:
1. Here's something that should really excite Lions fans. Kerby Joseph (6) and Brian Branch (4) have 10 interceptions between them and are widely considered the best safety duo in the NFL.
"They're not even close to where they're going to be," Glenn said.
2. Houston's defense will pose a challenge the Lions really haven't seen yet this season. DeMeco Ryans' wide-9 scheme is penetrating and disruptive as they are fourth in sacks (29.0) and second in tackles for loss (59). Johnson said the scheme elevates the players they have. This will be a tough test for Johnson and Co. on the road this week. Johnson received 27 clips this week on teams facing 3rd & 7-to-10 yards against Houston's defense and saw three conversions with Houston having eight sacks in those 27 clips.
3. Fipp was really high on Green Bay's special teams units last week but he's even higher on the Texans' units. He said there's a Bill Belichick feel to their teams with general manager Nick Caserio having Patriots roots. The Texans really value teams, much like Detroit does under Dan Campbell, and the back of their roster is dedicated to having good teams players. Fipp said it's an experienced and explosive special teams group they face Sunday night.
4. Glenn has seen the viral memes of his rain-soaked glasses last week in Green Bay. His kids have apparently been having a good time with it at his expense.
"Listen, this thing is really getting out of hand," he said. "Man, for all the memes or whatnot that people have been sending me about that, and I had no idea, I really didn't. I was just locked in trying to call the best game I can. This thing is getting out of hand, fellas. But it's cool."
5. An emphasis Johnson had for his pass catchers this offseason was to limit the dropped balls. Through eight games, consider it job well done. The Lions lead the NFL with just one dropped pass on 165 catchable passes.
6. The conditions were tough in the rain and wind in Green Bay last week and Fipp thought his players handled it really well. Long snapper Hogan Hatten wasn't perfect on his snaps, which he's been pretty much all year, but Jack Fox made up for it and Jake Bates was perfect kicking the football again. Fipp commended the professionalism of his units in those conditions last week.
7. Glenn is really happy the Lions got veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith via trade and to start working with him when Smith gets to the Meijer Performance Center on Friday. Glenn isn't sure if Smith will be available Sunday in Houston on such a short turnaround, but he likes the versatility he brings, being able to play on the outside, inside and set the edge in the run game.
8. One player on Houston's defense who has really jumped out on tape for Johnson is Texans nickel cornerback Jalen Pitre. Johnson said the Texans play more nickel defense than anyone in the NFL just so they can keep him on the field more. He 'pops off the tape,' according to Johnson.
9. Veteran cornerback Kindle Vildor is really playing well as one of Detroit's gunners, according to Fipp. Khalil Dorsey gets a lot of attention, and deservedly so as he's one of the best gunners in the game, but Vildor is taking advantage of the one-on-ones he gets on the backside. That's been huge for a Detroit punt team that leads the NFL in net punting average (46.5).
10. The standards are pretty high for Johnson and the Lions' offense. One area he'd like to see cleaned up moving forward is some of the three-and-outs they've had. They've had 16 three-and-out drives, which is tied for the 10th fewest in the NFL. Atlanta leads the NFL with just nine.
