DETROIT -- Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell was a bit toned down when speaking to his locker room following Monday night’s football game at Ford Field.
Under his watch, he’s usually fired up with the intensity of a professional wrestler or action movie star — showcasing a passion that jumps off the screen and a speech filled with choice language following a big win.
While that same fire was still there, Campbell was more pointed in his delivery to his locker room after the 24-9 win over the then-NFC-best Tampa Bay Buccaneers — a performance in which the defense paved the way for the Lions’ fifth victory of the season.
“How about the defense? Nine points allowed, 4-of-16 on third down, one interception, one fumble recovery, 252 yards allowed,” Campbell started when addressing his players. “Man, that’s outstanding defense. Listen, we did what we had to do. There are things we’ve got to clean up, but I tell you what — defense, you play like that, you win every game. That’s the bottom line. That’s outstanding. That’s the way to cut it loose, just like we talked about, guys.”
From there, Campbell went on to give out three game balls. The first went to Jahmyr Gibbs. The second-year running back finished with a career-high 218 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.
Players typically give a speech after they’re presented with a game ball. Still, the soft-spoken Gibbs opted to place it near his offensive line — Penei Sewell specifically — instead of addressing the locker room.
The next one went to Lions linebacker Jack Campbell, who set the tone for the front seven with eight total tackles, one sack, one quarterback hit, two tackles for loss, and one pass defended.
“I appreciate you guys,” the Lions linebacker said. “DBs, hell of a job today. Hey, let’s keep it going.”
The final game ball went to another member of the front seven — one Campbell called out front and center with some glowing remarks.
“This guy, man, I feel like he’s been on the come-up for a while now,” Campbell said. “Playing really good football and just versatile, man. To have this guy back has been big — five total tackles, one sack, one quarterback hit, one tackle for loss, one pass defended. Man, come on out, (Derrick) Barnes.”
Barnes started his speech by saying, “It feels so good to be back, man. That was a long recovery for me, bro. Being back means a lot to me, man.”
But from there, he elected to give his game ball to someone he’s referred to as his big brother — Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. Barnes credited the first-year coordinator for positioning the team for victory despite the issues they faced heading into Monday night.
“Man, y’all already know, bro. I ain’t (expletive) without y’all, bro,” Sheppard said. “Forever and a day, this league’s been about players — always will be about players. That’s why it was an honor for me to take this job, fellas. It’s only the beginning.
“Do y’all see who we can be? It don’t matter — nameless faces, we don’t give a (expletive). We line up and play anywhere. I love the (expletive) out of y’all, man. I appreciate the (expletive) out of each and every one of y’all. D. Barnes, this is yours.”
From there, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown — who scored the game’s opening touchdown — broke the team down in a huddle and urged them to stay hungry.
The Lions now head into their bye week with a 5-2 record and will return to action at Ford Field on Nov. 2, hosting their division rival, the Minnesota Vikings.
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