Marcus Davenport connected with Detroit Lions coaches Aaron Glenn and Dan Campbell during his tenure with the New Orleans Saints. Campbell was the team's tight ends coach, while Glenn worked with the secondary.
Though Davenport, a defensive end, had limited interactions with Glenn due to different positions, he was able to understand the coach's win-first mantra.
Now, as the pass-rusher joins the Lions on a one-year deal, he admitted that Campbell and Glenn are two coaches that stick out as people that NFL athletes want to play for.
"That's a hard one. I would only say that I know (Glenn) is someone who doesn't play around," Davenport explained. "He's serious about winning. I like the intensity he's always brought. He's kept it real, and I don't think he's changed. So I'd like to come in and help. Him and Dan, two people that I've watched and I want to play for. I don't think there's many coaches in the league that people want to play for. It's good to have at least two."
One of Davenport's first experiences with Campbell involved one of the Lions' fourth-year leader's top traits -- a motivational speech.
Campbell was serving as the team's interim head coach with Sean Payton out of action due to COVID. That speech given by the Lions' current head coach stuck with Davenport throughout his time with the Saints.
While the former Saint doesn't remember the exact details of the speech, he remembers it being centered around grit and feeling motivated after hearing Campbell's words.
"I remember it was the first time in a long time where someone gave a speech and my heart was like, yeah, let's go do it. But I just remember his energy," Davenport said. "There's, I don't want to say not many people have the same kind of passion, but it takes someone who was there to be able to understand me. So being able to see him in this position, I'd like to be able to help with that."
Now, Davenport is reunited with the coach in Motown. He joins a talented group of defenders that includes promising edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
"It's a great opportunity. Especially watching them, there's a lot of ballers," Davenport said. "Just to get them all under one roof, I think we're all gonna have a great opportunity to eat. Shoot, I'm super excited."
Though the veteran has been unable to put up big numbers in recent seasons, due in part to injuries, he still possesses a violent mindset. With hopes that he's healed up, Davenport has been invigorated to perform at a high level.
"If the violence ain't working, I'm trying to win. If the finesse ain't working, I'm trying to win," Davenport explained. "I know before, at times I've gotten caught up in, I'm trying to beat the man. But there's way more important things than beating the offensive tackle or whoever's in front of me. There's affecting the game, there's strip-sacks, there's disruptions. I just think it's about time to evolve."
'Rebuilt' after injury woes
Davenport has struggled with injuries. He played in just four games while dealing with a high ankle sprain that forced him to undergo surgery. It was the latest in a number of setbacks he's dealt with throughout his career.
With that injury in the rearview mirror, he's hoping to once again impact opposing offenses in an effective manner. He views himself as rebuilt after dealing with issues last season.
"Rebuilt. I like that term better. I had to go through some things," Davenport stated. "What's most important is I was able to keep on playing and now I get to build myself for another offseason without surgery. I like this better."
The experience has been a trying one, but one that Davenport believes he has learned plenty from as he looks to reach his previous form with the Lions.
"That's cool and all, but I even think back to the next year and what happened that year. I was telling Dan that, that year, I feel like my process was right. I didn't get the right results, but I really feel like I learned. 2022 I needed, 2023 I needed. I didn't get to play as much as I wanted. I wasn't there to be able to help my team and help the guys I've grown close to. It's a step, and those are steps I had to take. Just with that behind me, I'm trying to use that to catapult me into greatness. It's the Year of the Dragon, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, so blessings and prosperity."
Though the setbacks were trying for the UTSA product, he has maintained a positive outlook on his situations. In a conversation with Lions' GM Brad Holmes, he outlined his feelings.
"Brad said, 'We don't always get what we want in the way that we want it.' In those years, I didn't get exactly what I wanted. But I was able to have great connections, my daughter was born, I got married. I've been able to live life, and I only think it's made me better."
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