Hard Knocks Episode 2 Comments

[Huskerdoo]

They ain’t Barry. No one is Barry but Barry. As good as the backs are, they still need holes.

[LineBusy]

As the resident communication-obsessed poster, I have to comment on a couple things.

1. Shep. He lamented that a coach in 5 years hasn’t seen what he’s seeing from Rodgrigo. He’s tried to get it out of them, but he hasn’t. They’re all in the same meeting room, yet this 6th rounder is showing up and playing like he’s coached to play. He (Shep) made that personal by declaring that he hadn’t seen it in 5 years as a coach on that team. He’s allowed to do that, even in the critical manner he’s doing it toward the others. He’s earned it and has pleaded with the vets to get it in gear. He turned up the heat very directly without making it an all-out ultimatum. Linebusy approved.

2. MCDC letting off when he was talking about what he can’t tolerate (people disinterested and disrespectful of their teammates clawing for a roster spot). He had it in him to hammer the point harder and more emphatically, but let up with a smile trusting that they got the point. Knowing when to hold back sometimes is the difference between making a point and becoming Charlie Brown’s teacher. I thought he did a great job with that, naturally.

3. I’m not really a fan of Staley either, but I thought he did well. Swift needs some tough love. If Staley can’t instill a bit of dog into Swift, then he’s just going to go down as another in a looooooooong list of 2nd round failures.

[thunderbuzzworth]

I respect Swift, because I think he’s worked really hard, and built himself up into a pretty solid back. He has also been an above average receiver out of the backfield. That takes effort, and reps.

However, I don’t see the natural gifts of vision, or a ton of juice as a big play threat. That’s where my respect comes from … I think he’s made a lot out of what he was given.

I like that Staley wants more from him. I get it. But I think we will find that Swift can be a ‘good’ player, but not really ‘best in the league’ type juice that Staley is hoping for.

[stephenboyd57]

@LineBusy

Shep. He lamented that a coach in 5 years hasn’t seen what he’s seeing from Rodgrigo.

This part actually made me laugh watching hard knocks though because Shep was a linebacker on the Lions within the past 5 years, which means he couldn’t do it either. lol

[BIgLIoNsFaN]

@TNutZz

@BIgLIoNsFaN

I also had a vibe with Staley and Swift. I’m not sure what it was. But it kind of felt like “jeez man are you ever satisfied? I scored a touchdown.”

Either way I like our coaching staff and hopefully Swift figured it out this year.

We should keep in mind that Swift was the worst ranked RB in the league at running between the tackles last year because he wants to always bounce outside. He doesn’t trust his blockers, isn’t patient and tends
to avoid contact. What Staley is doing is trying to make him a feature back. If he continues to always bounce outside he’s going to become not much more than a 3rd down slot receiver and the Lions will be drafting a RB in the first few rounds next year

I like Swift but I’m going to have to see a MASSIVE improvement to justify paying him top running back money. I just don’t think paying big for a running back is a great investment.

Swift really can be as good as he wants to be. But thus far he definitely prefers to avoid contact.

[BigNatty]

@radiofriendly

that relationship.

What I see is Swift’s relationship with Swift (himself).
Instead of being grateful for the feedback, or even getting a little pissed and having a “watch this shit” attitude on the next play, Swift is having a more defeatist energy, and feeling like “I can’t win.” His inner child wants to be celebrated for his TD.

Staley is trying to activate warrior energy from within him.

It may eventually work. Time will tell.
Swift is not the natural warrior that J.Williams (RB) is.

[Mr.Peabody]

@radiofriendly

Because of that I have to acknowledge it could be my dislike for him causing me to misread the situation entirely. For example, perhaps his behavior with AG is nothing more than a tactic to increase and promote competitiveness amongst his pupils, even though I suspect it’s just alpha ego at work.

Yes, you misread the situation.

[appeasethefblgods]

I like the way shep called out the vets. He was giving props to Rodrigo while also calling for the other guys to be better.

It seems like Duce and Swift don’t have a great relationship. I think swift needs to be pushed… but he doesn’t seem to respond well to Duces approach. I think a good coach would shift his approach to get through. But it’s a 2 way street and the way multiple coaches have talked about swift (not toughing out through soreness, hurt vs injured, missing too much practice time, etc) and seeing his body language… I’m not sure he’s very coachable. I think swift has some elite traits… but he’s kind of only flashed them. He was the same in college. Just never seemed consistent or dependable. It still burns me that Quinn took him over Jonathan Taylor… Taylor was such an obvious talent…

[TNutZz]

@BIgLIoNsFaN

I like Swift but I’m going to have to see a MASSIVE improvement to justify paying him top running back money. I just don’t think paying big for a running back is a great investment.

Swift really can be as good as he wants to be. But thus far he definitely prefers to avoid contact.

Yea I was just rewatching some of the game. You can see if from the first play. The Oline got a big push and opened a lane. Swift should at least have got four yards if he hits his hole. He hesitates and runs himself right into a defender for a loss

Lions Start Off the Preseason With a Touchdown Drive!

[LionFrog]

@Huskerdoo

As good as the backs are, they still need holes.

That’s what Duce was telling him. It’s not that there weren’t holes. It’s that he wasn’t seeing the holes.
There’s a certain amount of patience involved. You have to be able to see a hole that hasn’t opened up, yet.
If he needs instant holes, or, if this offensive line can’t give him the holes he needs, he’s a second stringer.

[stephenboyd57]

@BIgLIoNsFaN

I like Swift but I’m going to have to see a MASSIVE improvement to justify paying him top running back money. I just don’t think paying big for a running back is a great investment.

I hate giving RB’s 2nd contracts as well. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here with paying him. He’s under contract for 2 more years still and we could franchise him if he’s really playing at a high level for a 3rd year of team control.

This is his prove it year to me, especially if this O-line stays healthy. That’s why Duce is trying to bring the Dog out of him.

[BigNatty]

-I love Blough’s wife, and I love their relationship. I can tell he’s really good to her. She’s suuuuch a sweetie.
-I LOVE RA! …Hence forth into battle rode the SUNGOD!
-I am getting more faith in Hutch with each milliliter of information I get on him. He’s gonna be better than I thought. LOVE that MF’r.
-Rodrigo is gonna be a nice starter, maybe a very good one…

@JerseyJungle

but use that energy in a more productive way. He means well, but delivers it too crudely.

YES! There are some definite components of authenticity to it, but it can be more…more connected with himself and the players. As long as his intentions continue to be pure, he’ll continue to grow and learn.

@NYLion59

Amon Ra is that special, Jordan, Kobe, Brady to use a football analogy, type of athlete whose competitive drive is a level above everybody else.

You can just see it in the way he carries himself and interviews that he has The Eye of the Tiger or Lion in this case. He’s not the elite level athlete that those other guys are but you just know he will outwork everybody else on that field and will himself to be the best he can be. I thought he’d be Tate if he maxes out but he could be more than that, I wouldn’t be shocked.

Yup - he’s hard wired to be a massive dog! Him throwing downfield blocks do spring Jamo and Swift…tha’ts what I see. LOL

[radiofriendly]

@LineBusy

As the resident communication-obsessed poster, I have to comment on a couple things.

All great points man.

[BigNatty]

@TNutZz

Yea I was just rewatching some of the game. You can see if from the first play. The Oline got a big push and opened a lane. Swift should at least have got four yards if he hits his hole. He hesitates and runs himself right into a defender for a loss

Yup! sure did!
Deuce is trying to not only coach him to do the right thing, but to get the warrior ienergy awake in him as well. It doesn’t appear to be working so far.

[radiofriendly]

@BigNatty

What I see is Swift’s relationship with Swift (himself).
Instead of being grateful for the feedback, or even getting a little pissed and having a “watch this shit” attitude on the next play, Swift is having a more defeatist energy, and feeling like “I can’t win.” His inner child wants to be celebrated for his TD.

Staley is trying to activate warrior energy from within him.

It may eventually work. Time will tell.
Swift is not the natural warrior that J.Williams (RB) is.

Yeah, that’s kind of what I was thinking.

Like…I know millennials and younger generations are a bit different. Staley’s approach works great in 1986 on a Parcells coached team.

Does it work in 2022? Maybe? Yes? I’m just not sure is the truth. Some of the younger players, which I guess they all are at this point, just might not respond very well to that.

I’m not saying Staley is wrong or anything I just wonder if it’s the best way to get through. If I’m the coach and I pick up on that I might try to get into Swift’s head differently? Not sure.

What’s the best way to teach and motivate someone that isn’t a natural warrior?

[LionFrog]

@stephenboyd57

That’s why Duce is trying to bring the Dog out of him.

Sometimes we focus on the critique, rather than the sentiment behind it. Duce told him several times that he wants him to be the best, because he’s capable of being the best.
I think Duce believes that. I’m not sure Dre does.

[radiofriendly]

@appeasethefblgods

It still burns me that Quinn took him over Jonathan Taylor

I wanted Taylor pretty badly…same thoughts.

[BearlyThere]

Campbell addressed Duce and Swift in today’s press conference. Said that Swift has thick skin and wants to be better.

Said it’s very important for coaches to know when to push and when to back off. Great to hear he knows that line and will expect his coaches to as well.

I think Duce is trying to get the best out of Swift much like Pleasant was with Okudah last season.

Swift lacks confidence and Staley is trying to get it out of him. This might be a forever issue. If Swift can’t change his ways, teams will know to always play him outside and he will forever be a 3rd and long down back.

Personally the Lions have Reynolds and Williams to play smash mouth running and I’d save Swift for the second half as a change of pace. I feel like Duce is kind of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole as I don’t think Swift has the mentality or health to be an every down bell cow between the tackles. I’d rather him come and lightning past defenses after 40 minutes of thundering them with Williams and Reynolds.

[stephenboyd57]

@radiofriendly

What’s the best way to teach and motivate someone that isn’t a natural warrior?

Switch sports to ping pong, haha I kid.

[BearlyThere]

@BigNatty

-I love Blough’s wife, and I love their relationship. I can tell he’s really good to her. She’s suuuuch a sweetie.

Blough was my favorite storyline for sure. I feel like they are setting him up cosmically to either make the team over Boyle (Campbell said in his presser today that Blough will be running the 2s for now), OR Blough will need to come in for a 2 minute drive to win the game and he will be ready. It’s written in the stars now.