The Detroit Lions are downplaying who will wear the green dot this week.
With veteran Alex Anzalone likely unavailable against the New Orleans Saints, Detroit will likely turn to Derrick Barnes and Jack Campbell this week to be the on-field defensive leaders.
"People give too much credence to this green dot thing," linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard told reporters. "Like, you listen, what did I just hear, I repeat it to the other 10 guys."
Barnes is second in total tackles this season and is ready to show the coaching staff there will not be a drop-off in execution from the linebackers unit.
Rookie Jack Campbell, who is a natural MIKE linebacker, has also embraced the opportunity this week to have his role expanded.
“It’s right up his alley, it’s right up his alley. He embraces that,' said Dan Campbell. "He’s a guy who wants it all. He wants it all. He doesn’t want anybody to think that, ‘Man, I can’t take this job description on.’ He wants every bit of it and he hasn’t missed a beat out there. He’s been great.”
Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn also expressed Detroit's first round draft pick is built to lead a defense.
"That’s the reason we got Jack. He’s a true MIKE backer. And he has to be the one that makes all those checks and he’s capable of doing that," said Glenn. "Smart, heady guy that’s tough. He’s built for these moments. I’m looking forward for him to be the actual mouthpiece of the defense going into this game.”
At this point of the season, the coaching staff has observed the former Hawkeyes linebacker gaining confidence in his understanding of everything involving the defensive scheme.
"He understands this defense like the back of his hands now," Glenn explained. "Just the fact of him knowing that he’s the guy, he's the mouth, but he’s a guy that the whole defense is looking at to make sure we get into the right checks. And for him to have this opportunity right now, man I think it’s outstanding.”
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