Notbebook: Ben Johnson Defends Late-Game Decisions

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson defended the team's approach on their final offensive possession against the Seattle Seahawks.

Recall, Detroit decided to let the play clock run. The Lions did not take any shots in the end zone, seemingly playing for a tie at the end of the game.

"Yeah, I mean, we talk about these situations. This is year three now with coach Campbell as head coach," Johnson said. "I think he and I are very much aligned in how we see the game. Going into that drive, we knew at minimum we had to get into field goal range. So that was first and foremost and obviously, an offense like ours that we feel really strongly about, we want shots in the end zone to win the game. We want that on us. We had opportunities within the plays that were called to get the ball a little bit closer and I think the shots into the end zone would have come from there. I know we didn't push it into the end zone, but was very happy with Jared, what his decision making was, and we came really close to executing a touchdown."

Detroit's coaching staff, including head coach Dan Campbell, have indicated on a regular basis their stance is to balance scoring late, while not allowing the opponent much time at all, if the possession changes.

"In that particular instance, I don't think time was an issue," Johnson explained. "We had plenty of time with two timeouts and we were just making sure we handled it really well. That we were at a manageable field goal, at a minimum, with no time left and had an opportunity to get it into striking range."

Do you think James Houston really should have been on special teams, given what he could add to the defense? pic.twitter.com/0WXdBmrptG
— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) September 18, 2023

Losing James Houston on a special teams rep

For special teams coordinator Dave Fipp, anytime a player is lost, let alone on special teams, it is difficult to accept.

“For me, it’s devastating losing a player on special teams, but really, it’s devastating losing a player on any rep whether it’s offense, defense or special teams," said Fipp. "As coach, you hate it. Hate when it happens in practice, hate when it happens in a game. I think I said it a year or two ago, I’ve seen injuries occur in walkthroughs, I’ve seen them occur in non-contact practices, contact practices, games. Offense and defense. None of them are fun.

"Unfortunately, it is part of the game. I do think the league’s done a great job of trying to make the game safer," Fipp explained further. "The only other thing I would say to it is I know people make a big deal out of injuries on special teams, but I would also tell you every game that I’ve come out of as a coach, we have more injuries on offense and defense as a team collectively than we do special teams players. I think the game inherently has some degree of danger. It’s in all three phases to me. They design the game, they design the rules. We play the game, we coach the game. We’re gonna try to do it to the best of our ability and really the safety of the game is up to the National Football League and how they want to see it play out.”

Defensive discipline

Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn pointed the finger at his himself for the team's defensive issues against the Seahawks.

"I would say execution at all levels has to be better," said Glenn. "So, I’m gonna say that with players, I’m gonna say that with coaches, and I’m gonna point the finger at me first. Because that’s where it always points. So we just have to do a better job at all angles, and I’m looking forward to this week and making sure we get that done.”

Glenn pointed to the similar discussion about discipline last year, indicating the defense steadily improved throughout the course of a long 17-game regular season.

"Absolutely, there’s buy-in and you keep going to the discipline part when you look at this in one game, I don’t see that as an issue for us. I just see that as us having new players that are trying to get themselves -- they have to understand exactly what AG wants, as far as secondary play," said Glenn. "That was the same thing that went on last year. You might have asked the same question last year. You might have been the one talking about this from the last year. And you know what? Those guys got better. Yeah, you’re the discipline guy, so I get that, but I would tell you this, look how those guys continue to operate throughout the season, then come back to me. We’ll talk.”