Lions Name 6 Captains
The Detroit Lions announced six captains ahead of the start of the 2023 campaign.
Quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackle Penei Sewell are the team's offensive captains.
Linebacker Alex Anzalone and defensive end Charles Harris represent the defense, while linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin is the team's special teams captain.
The captains were elected based on a vote by the members of the team.
"Every one of those guys are worthy of that position, and that's an honor," Dan Campbell said. "We're fortunate to have a lot of guys that are, I would call, leaders on this team. So, we're in a good spot, but congratulations to those guys."
Buggs benched: 'We base everything off the tape'
The Lions have surprised many with their decision to bench defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs in Week 1.
A prominent member of the defensive line last season, Buggs missed practice Saturday, but returned Monday. It was then that he informed reporters that he would not play in the season opener.
Campbell explained the decision further Tuesday morning.
"We base everything off the tape, period," the popular coach stated. "So, I've spoken to Buggs, that stays between us. But, yeah, we feel like the guys that are best prepared to go this week, for this game, those will be the guys that'll be up."
Despite the benching, the Lions' coaching staff isn't going to write the defender out of its future plans. There is a path and a precedent for Buggs returning to action for Detroit in the future.
"Absolutely, and he's been told that. It's no different than any of these players," Campbell explained. "And, that includes practice-squad players. We tell them, 'You have an opportunity. Make the most of it, and you've got to show us in practice.' I go back to James Houston, there's a reason why we activated James Houston. The guy, we couldn't ignore him anymore, he just kept making plays. ... Any player that's on this roster has an opportunity."
Notes
1.) In the days leading up to the new season, ESPN and Omaha Productions announced that their popular Monday Night Football alternate broadcast, the 'Manningcast,' is searching for a third host alongside Peyton and Eli Manning.
They released a video Tuesday with a list of popular figures in the sports world comedically auditioning for the new host position. Among those featured were Goff and Campbell.
"On this team, we tear ourselves to pieces," Campbell is seen saying.
Goff, meanwhile, jokingly quips a subtle jab at the popularity of the show.
2.) Campbell is preparing the team for playing in one of the NFL's best home environments in Kansas City. While it could be seen as a tall task to win in such an environment, the coach is imploring his team to embrace the opportunity.
"It's an unbelievable environment, it really is," Campbell explained. "Man, to go on the road, place like that, I told my guys, 'Embrace it, enjoy it.' This shouldn't be stressful. Man, take it all in. Enjoy the sunlight, if you will. I know it's at night. When you're a true competitor, to go on the road in an environment like this, it brings out the best in you."
