Q&A: Lions TE Sam LaPorta Is Having Historic Rookie Season
Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta has been a first-year revelation for one of the league’s most explosive offenses.
LaPorta enjoyed a career-best showing on Sunday, recording nine receptions, on nine targets, for 140 yards and a touchdown in a thrilling 33-28 victory over the New Orleans Saints. The No. 34 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, LaPorta is now 398 yards away from surpassing the legendary Mike Ditka's single-season rookie receiving yards record.
LaPorta recently spoke exclusively with All Lions.
LaPorta discussed Sunday's performance, working with Dan Campbell, how special this Lions campaign is, competing for the No. 1 seed in the NFC and more. LaPorta also revealed the one person he'd love to interview, and also offered his reaction to the College Football Playoff.
What a performance on Sunday. Nine catches, on mine targets, for 140 yards and a touchdown. What was it like being in the zone throughout that victory?
Sam LaPorta: It was a great day for me and our team. I try to pride myself on being a security blanket for Jared Goff. Catching all of the targets he sent my way was definitely the positive outcome I was aiming for. It was cool to mix in some big plays, as well. I scored a touchdown, and had a couple of long gains.
You're 398 yards away from setting the single-season rookie receiving yards record, which is currently owned by the great Mike Ditka. You're not focused on that. We've seen you get a lot better since Week 1, which is always the goal. Which area of your game do you think has improved the most throughout the course of the season?
LaPorta: I think run-blocking is still an area that I need to improve in. I’m focused on that. There are a lot of different fundamentals involved in the run game as a blocker. I need to improve on those fundamentals. I have to play with better pad level. I tend to play with pretty high pad level as of right now, especially on the road when I can’t hear the snap count.
Doing a better job throwing my hands would definitely help. Guys are just so good at this level. I think being a better blocker in the run game is where I’m still improving. We have five regular season games left. That’s definitely a point of emphasis for me.
Speaking of that improvement, head coach Dan Campbell played tight end in this league. He was a position coach before getting his big break. He made a living as a blocking tight end. Tight ends coach Steve Heiden has a decorated resume, both as a player and position coach. Give me a specific example or two on how they've helped you.
LaPorta: I obviously spend a lot of my time with Coach (Steve) Heiden. He really harps on throwing my hands as a blocker in the run game. I feel like I’ve gotten better at that since I arrived in the spring. Like I mentioned, it’s still an area I need to improve in.
Coach Campbell and Coach Heiden are always giving me tidbits of information. For example, when I start out wide and come in motion, maybe I don’t get the point from the center, and that’s what we base our run scheme off. I need to digest that information a little bit quicker.
I need to do a better job knowing who I’m blocking in those situations. Coach Campbell and Coach Heiden have helped me make the appropriate identifications in those situations. I have to look at the coverage. Is the man defender running with me when I motion? Is it nickel defense? If it’s nickel, I don’t have to worry about the shift player on the back side in wide zone.
Coach Campbell and Heiden are always giving me information like that. They’ve been so great for my development.
You're not just surrounded by great coaches. How have Brock Wright and James Mitchell been assets to your development behind the scenes?
LaPorta: Brock and James have become great friends of mine. I love being out there with those guys. They make playing the game so much more enjoyable. You love having great teammates like those guys. That goes for everybody across the board in our locker room. I’m surrounded by so many great people.
Brock and James are two of those guys that have really helped me improve my game. We spend a lot of time together. I spend more time with them than anybody else on the team, because we’re in the same meeting room. They’re great to hang around with. I’ve learned a lot from them on a weekly basis, especially given their experience in this offense. They’re awesome. I love those guys.
I don't know if you can fully appreciate how special this season has been to a fanbase that hasn't had a lot to cheer about in quite some time. How are you seeing that impact support in the community?
LaPorta: It’s funny you ask. I’d say our home games are a great representation of that and what our fanbase has been craving for so long. But, I think the away games are even more telling and instrumental. The way our fans have been traveling to away games paints a picture for me as a young player.
It means a lot to this team and to this city. You should see the way our fans show up to away games. We just played in New Orleans, and half the Superdome was filled with blue. We were out in Los Angeles recently, and when we ran out of that tunnel, you would have thought it was a home game. There were thousands of Lions fans in those stands. The place went absolutely berserk.
We just appreciate their support so much. Knowing that our fans are in attendance rooting us on makes every game so much more electric. They really want the best for us.
It’s clear on a weekly basis. Does the No. 1 seed feel within grasp? You got closer on Sunday. Imagine the NFC going through Motor City.
LaPorta: I think a lot of cards are still left to be played. There’s a lot of football left. Our first goal is to secure the NFC North division title. It would be great to earn the No. 1 seed, too. Having home-field advantage throughout the entire postseason would definitely be something.
Ford Field has been rocking all year long. We want to play as many home games as possible while securing the NFC North. After that, we’ll focus on trying to win the NFC Championship. We want to compete for a Super Bowl.
We’re doing exciting things. We want to do things that haven’t been done here in a long time.
There are three guarantees in life: death, taxes, and Iowa tight ends producing at the next level. What's in the water down there?
LaPorta: It all starts with head coach Kirk Ferentz and how he operates the program. It’s such a developmental program. It really teaches young men how to navigate their time at Iowa. You’re going to learn about time management. You’re going to learn about making an impact in the community.
Getting your degree comes first. Being a great citizen comes first. We take pride in leaving a positive impact on our community. All of that leads to a better football experience. It starts with Coach Ferentz.
Iowa recruits the right people. They have a type, and they know how to attract the right people to Iowa. Having a great coaching staff helps. There have been a plethora of guys over these last couple of years that have made immediate impacts at the next level.
I think you’ll see that trend continue over the next couple of years.
Athletes have podcasts nowadays. It's become a lot more common in a world driven by social media. If you had a podcast and could interview anyone of your choosing, who would be your first guest?
LaPorta: Wow, that’s a great question. Anybody of my choosing?
Doesn’t have to be football related.
LaPorta: That’s tough. I’d probably pick somebody that’s playing their professional sport at a high level. I would stray away from football. I might pick a baseball or basketball player.
I’ve always been fascinated by people in individual sports, too. A tennis player or a golfer would probably be my first choice. Serena Williams and Tiger Woods definitely come to mind.
Athletes who play individual sports are really interesting to me, because of the mind games involved. I’m out there with 10 teammates (laughs). They can pick me up if I do something wrong.
If you’re playing golf or tennis, you’re out there alone. That’s mental warfare. Serena Williams or Tiger Woods would be pretty cool.
Those are terrific choices. What was the last movie you saw, and did you like it?
LaPorta: I watched "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3" recently (laughs). I watched it with my girlfriend on the couch the other night. It was good, it was funny. We enjoyed it.
Something tells me she had control of the remote control that night.
LaPorta: (Laughs). We watched the first one together a few months ago, and I absolutely loved it. She kept telling me how great the first one was. I really enjoyed it. I thought the first one was absolutely hilarious. Of course, we watched the second and third one now. I really liked all three.
You’re right, though. She was in control of the remote (laughs).
I thought so (laughs). The College Football Playoff is coming up. The committee created some controversy, but we now know it's Michigan, Washington, Texas and Alabama. Who do you think wins?
LaPorta: I guess I’d choose the Big Ten. Michigan has unfortunately gotten the better of Iowa in recent years. Of course, I’m going to back our conference, regardless of that. I’ll go with Michigan.
We've appreciated your time today. This has been an outstanding conversation. What are Sam LaPorta’s goals for the rest of this season?
LaPorta: That’s another great question. We want to secure the NFC North division title, first and foremost. We’re going to try and win our final five regular season games. We want to finish strong.
We’re hoping to embark on a nice, long playoff run.
