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. Glenn pointed to two critical moments where he was really impressed with his defense in last week's win over the Vikings. The first was the pass breakup on the two-point conversion try after the Vikings got a scoop and a score on a David Montgomery fumble late. He said it was terrific communication by Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph and Terrion Arnold to identify their matchups on a bunched look and a good breakup by Branch that was critical. The second was the late three-and-out forced by the defense that gave the ball back to the offense with plenty of time to drive down and score the game-winning field goal.
2. Don't let Tennessee's 1-5 record fool you. Johnson said this is the best defense his offense has faced up to this point in the season. He said it's not so much the scheme with the Titans' defense but more the personnel they employ. He was particularly impressed studying them with how much they play two-high safety but are still able to stop the run. He said it will be a good test this week.
3. Expect the Lions to be more aggressive kicking short on kickoffs and forcing teams to return kicks on them.
"I think what happens on that, once you start dictating the tempo and the terms, then you force your opponent to play a little bit different and you have them on their heels," Fipp said.
4. In his first game without Aidan Hutchinson, Glenn was much more aggressive with the blitz as we saw Detroit's blitz rate take a steep incline against the Vikings. Is that sustainable?
"At the end of the day, I like to blitz," Glenn said Thursday.
He thinks the size and experience they have at linebacker is a matchup advantage over running backs and he plans to continue to target that with blitzes. The fact that he has a ton of confidence in the secondary playing good man defense behind the blitz factors in as well.
5. If the Lions don't have Jameson Williams available Sunday, Johnson didn't seem too worried about it. He has tried to get Kalif Raymond more involved the last couple weeks and that will accelerate if Williams isn't available. Johnson said Raymond's the best among all the receivers they have with his releases at the line of scrimmage and his quickness can be a weapon for them.
6. It's not often the Lions don't convert a fake punt, but they were stuffed early on last week on a fake try on 4th & 7. Fipp said he liked the look and they will continue to be aggressive. He said that aggressiveness pays off in other ways. He mentioned the 58-yard punt late in that game that flipped the field. The Vikings played off coverage cognizant of the fake and that allowed Khalil Dorsey a free release. He made a great play to back Minnesota up at their own 22-yard line following a 63-yard punt and 5-yard return.
7. Glenn has really challenged his cornerbacks to be aggressive in man defense and get their hands on receivers within the first five yards. After so many instances of opposing No. 1 receiving options having huge performances against the Lions last season, Detroit's been better in that regard this season allowing just three 100-yard receiving performances – DK Metcalf (104), Cooper Kupp (110) and Chris Godwin (117) – while holding players like CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson under 100 receiving yards the last two weeks. Detroit's in such a better position this season to handle top receiving threats.
8. We could see undrafted rookie wide receiver Isaiah Williams make his debut Sunday. Williams has apparently popped on the scout team in practice and has earned multiple scout team player of the week honors, according to Johnson. Can he impact the game Sunday if he's active?
9. Fipp said he was glad to see kicker Jake Bates with the big smile and the little celebration dance after kicking the game winner last week. Bates is locked in and focused and is all business when he's at the Meijer Performance Center, and Fipp liked seeing that side of him. He said one of the big reasons why he coaches is to watch players have success and enjoy it.
10. Johnson said center Frank Ragnow might have played his best game in a long time last week in Minnesota. Not just because of what Ragnow did post-snap containing the run and opening up lanes in the run game, but more so pre-snap, getting the protections right and identifying looks. That was a loud environment at US Bank Stadium last week and the Lions didn't really come close to any delay penalties. The operation was smooth. That's a credit to Ragnow and quarterback Jared Goff.
