Notebook: T.J. Hockenson Still Big Part of Lions' Offensive Gameplan
For an offense struggling to score points and move the ball consistently for all four quarters, one improvement would be getting tight end T.J. Hockenson even more involved in the offense.
After a productive start to the season, defenses have started to target the third-year tight end as a priority to limit throughout the game, causing him to consistently draw double teams the past couple of weeks.
"I mean, sometimes, you're going to double team T.J. and someone has got to make a play, and they are gonna keep going doing it until other people make plays," Detroit offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn explained to reporters on Thursday. "But, he's been targeted a lot more than what the stats stay. It's just the ball don't go his way for whatever reason. He's been targeted. He's a big part of our gameplan and always will be. So, that won't be a problem. Hopefully, not anymore."
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Areas of improvement for Lions' offense
Turnovers continue to plague Detroit's offense, as the team turned the ball over on two more occasions against the Vikings.
At his weekly media session, Lions head coach Dan Campbell noted that Jared Goff may be too aggressive in his desire to make plays.
According to Lynn, that can be expected, as it is natural for competitors to want to be aggressive, especially for the majority of NFL quarterbacks.
"Everyone's trying to make plays," Lynn commented. "At the end of the day, we just have to do our job, you know? But, yeah, I think that's natural when you are in our position. He's trying to make a play here and something bad may happen. But, he's doing fine."
Lynn added, when asked about the offense starting faster in games, "Yeah, not turning the ball over. We can start right there, you know? I mean, we've had four turnovers the last couple of weeks. … We can all get better in that area, and we plan on doing that."
Chemistry with wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge
Goff and his former L.A. Rams teammate were able to connect on a 2-point conversion late in the game against the Vikings.
The play had been practiced all week, but with Quintez Cephus. With the injury to Detroit's second-year wideout, Hodge filled in, and found the end zone for the first time in his NFL career.
"KhaDarel and I actually were teammates in L.A. in 2018. He was our fourth or fifth receiver I believe, probably the fifth guy there," Goff said. "And, he had to step in there, and it was seamless. It was really like, ‘Whoa, Okay. This guy can play.’ And then in L.A., he moved on, and went to Cleveland. And now, we got him back, and our chemistry is a little further along than it would be with somebody I haven’t played with. He’s a guy I trust and a guy that we want to get involved.”
Lions' defense beginning to develop 'swagger'
Despite giving up plays late in games to opposing offenses, Detroit's defense has started to limit the overall production of its opposition.
Recall, after the team's Week 3 performance against the Baltimore Ravens, several other coaches called Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, seeking tips to try and learn how Detroit had the success it did against Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
"Start by saying how proud I am of this defense," Glenn told reporters. "Each week, you continue to see improvement. ... To be able to fight the way that they fight. Man, you are starting to see a little swagger with them, starting to see a little bit more anticipation, as far as plays are concerned. Each week, for the last three weeks, we forced the turnover. We're hitting the quarterback. We're getting sacks. Like I said, for Charles Harris to have the most sacks he's had in his career, you're starting to see those things start to show up."
Fearlessness of Dan Campbell impresses Duce Staley
One noticeable aspect of the Lions' gameplan all throughout the season has been the aggressiveness of the offense.
Late in the game against the Vikings, after the defense forced a turnover, Detroit's offense was able to take the lead when D'Andre Swift found the end zone late in the fourth quarter.
The offense remained on the field, and without hesitation, the decision was made to go for the 2-point conversion.
"Aggressive. I loved it. Aggressive," Lions running backs coach Duce Staley said Thursday. "He showed the players, along with the coaches, 'Hey man, he's fearless.' We're going to do what we think is right, and at that moment in time, that was right, and we executed."
