Notebook: Tracy Walker Dealing with Falling on Depth Chart
Anytime a player loses his starting job, it can be challenging to adapt to aiding the team in a different way than originally expected.
Tracy Walker, whom Dan Campbell identified as being part of the "old guard" during the Detroit Lions' victory celebration in Minnesota, has seen his starting role at safety vanish.
In fact, Walker will now likely be fifth on the depth chart, when C.J. Gardner-Johnson is cleared to return.
"It's a really good question, because I think what happens, it's easy for us to sit here and say, 'No big deal, he's not starting, he's being asked to do this.' I always say, 'Well, yeah, it's not a big deal, but if they came and told me next week that they want me to load the plane instead of coach special teams, I might feel like, hey, that's not really what I signed up for.' I think that's hard to deal with emotionally," said Dave Fipp. "And, I think there's a real component to that we have to be cognizant of."
With Ifeatu Melifonwu emerging as a starter, Walker was in turn relegated to special teams. Though Walker isn't accustomed to playing this special teams role, he has accepted what's been asked of him.
Having started 43 games in his career, Walker is not a special teams regular. However, Fipp has been impressed with his ability to handle the new responsibilities.
"Now, that being said, at the end of the day, they're paying us to get a job done and whatever they ask us to do we have to do, we accepted that when we came here," Fipp explained. "And so, ultimately, if you accept that role, then it's your responsibility to the rest of the team, players and coaches, people around you, to give everything you've got. I think Tracy's done a good job of that, I really respect and admire it. I know it's what he's supposed to do, but it's not easy. He does it with a smile on his face, he's into it, he's trying, he's trying to get better and I definitely appreciate and respect that. I don't think it's easy for him. I think playing on special teams is difficult. I think there's some startup time for it. I think the more you play at it, just like anything, the better you'll get. So, obviously, he's new to it. He hasn't done much of it throughout his career, but I definitely admire and respect what he's done for us."
Mistakes keep Dave Fipp awake
Coaches in the National Football League often do not have much time to reflect on team success.
Lions special teams coach Dave Fipp expressed that he was not part of the team's celebrations in Minnesota, as he was getting dressed and already starting to think of preparations that needed to occur for the Dallas Cowboys.
“As a coach, you are definitely so worried about the next thing, and it is very, very hard to reflect and realize any good during the season," said Fipp. "And so really, I don’t even know what we’ve accomplished. We’re trying to win the next game. And, that’s like coach speak, but it’s definitely how I feel.
"I know that for sure. And really, the plays that stick in your mind, I think the older you get and the longer you coach, the plays that stick in your mind are like the negative plays," Fipp continued. "Like a blocked field goal, or the extra point from last week. It’s Christmas Eve, you can’t sleep. You wake up on Christmas morning still frustrated. And then thinking about, 'Okay, what are they gonna do to us this week? How are they going to attack us?' We’ve got that on film and really, I really do think, in the moment as a coach, most of us are are just so focused on the next play or the next opponent or the next game that it really is hard to put it in perspective. I think at some point, when you’re able to realize what you did and all that, over time, for me, the Super Bowl, you’re able to look back on that a little bit more the further it gets away. And, you know you did something good.”
Aaron Glenn talks to defense about being winners
Both Lions coordinators could depart Motown this offseason. The coaching carousel in the league could see as many as seven to eight openings, following the conclusion of the 2023 season.
For Aaron Glenn, conducting himself and having his players prepare like winners has produced positive outcomes.
“Listen, it’s as tough as it is. Especially when you’re at this point, to where — I talk about this to our defense, to be honest with you. Man, at this point, you’ve created something for yourself," said Glenn. "We’re 11-4, we’re winners. And, winners talk, walk, practice, go through walk-throughs, they do things different. And, I’ve been a part of that for a long time in my career, as a player and as a coach."
Glenn has previously expressed his desire to be considered the best assistant coach in the history of the organization.
While there are still areas for improvement for the former defensive back and his players, if an opportunity for advancement presents itself, the 51-year-old will consider his options in the offseason.
"The most important thing you have to do when you become a winner is, you focus on the job at hand and what’s in front of you. Everything else is gonna take care of itself. I believe in, if you do the things you have to, the byproducts will be there for you. And, if that becomes being a head coach, man, listen, I’m grateful and I’m with it. But, I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, I’m enjoying my time being a coordinator here in Detroit," said Glenn. "And, I want to see this thing through. I want to see what we can do.
"I appreciate Ben saying that. I mean, obviously he’s done a hell of a job with the offense. And, I tell you what, to be able to get the ball to all those pieces, that’s a task in itself. So, hats off to him and how he’s operating with those guys.”
Peoples-Jones rising to the occasion
When the Lions acquired Donovan Peoples-Jones at the trade deadline, some wondered how big of a role he would play within the Lions' offense.
Because there are so many playmakers already within the unit, getting touches for everyone involved is a difficult task for offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Though Peoples-Jones has just three catches in his time with the Lions, two have come in critical situations. As a result, Johnson has been impressed with the acclimation of the new wideout in his first six games with the team.
"Yeah, there's no question. He's very smart, just like we thought, and he's practicing really, really well," Johnson said. "It's hard to — who do we take off the field sometimes? Maybe we want to generate them in a certain personnel group, and so we're a little bit heavier and we have less receivers on the field. So, there is a give-and-take, but the limited reps that he has had, he's risen to the occasion. Last week, it's a big third-and-8 conversion and then the Chicago week, he had a big catch in that one, as well. He gets one for us each week that maybe we're not counting on going into the game, but they've been big, in terms of the result."
