
The pads aren’t even on yet, and the Detroit Lions are already setting off alarm bells. Two practices in a row had to be stopped by head coach Dan Campbell—not because of injury, not because of weather—but because tempers flared so badly that the team lost focus.
Reports say Amon-Ra St. Brown and Brian Branch got into multiple scuffles during non-contact drills. Add in more pushing and shoving between big men like Giovanni Manu and Brodric Martin, and you’ve got a team acting like it’s Week 15 instead of day two of camp.
Sure, you want passion. You want edge. But there’s a thin line between intense and undisciplined. And right now, Detroit’s dancing on that line without much balance. Campbell’s decision to halt back-to-back practices should be setting off internal alarms—not because it shows weakness, but because it shows this team is struggling to stay composed before real football even begins.
This was supposed to be the year the Lions took the next step. But if they can’t keep their heads in camp, how are they going to survive the playoff push come winter?
Dan Campbell loves grit. But he also preaches control. And right now, Detroit’s not showing much of either.