The article also covers the new rule on footballs used by FG kickers with Philly coach saying FG’s now may need asterisks (Fipp disagrees)
Also discusses John Morton work ethic and what he does to prepare
# Detroit Lions key to stopping run no secret: ‘All the dirty work that people don’t see’
Full article at link.
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The Detroit Lions have dominated defensively on short-yardage rushes this year, and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said the team’s interior tackles are a big reason why.
“It’s a big reason why DJ Reader got a gameball,” Sheppard said. “He’s not popping off the stat sheet and he doesn’t have 13 tackles, three sacks, no. But it’s all the dirty work that people don’t see. … Them guys, I can’t rave about them enough.”
The Lions have allowed just two first downs on eight third-and-1 runs through the first four games.
In last week’s 34-10 win over the Cleveland Browns, they stuffed three straight goal-to-go runs from the 1-yard line –including two quarterback sneaks by Joe Flacco – before Quinshon Judkins scored on fourth down.
In Week 3, they stopped Derrick Henry on back-to-back rushing attempts from the 1, then got a sack-fumble on Lamar Jackson on fourth-and-goal. And in Week 2, they stopped back-to-back sneaks by Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to force a turnover on downs.
Starting defensive tackles Reader and Tyleik Williams have six combined tackles in four games but, along with backup Roy Lopez, they have keyed the team’s seventh-ranked rush defense. And with Alim McNeill closing in on his return from a knee injury, the group is about to get deeper.
“We got guys for days,” Sheppard said. “I just tell (defensive tackle) Kacy (Rodgers), you just roll them in. I don’t care who’s in the game, we got four defensive tackles, they’re all starting-caliber players and that’s something new around here as you guys know, and it’s a joy. I’m glad my first year doing this, I’m able to just have the comfortability that we can roll those guys as we see fit as the game goes.”
