Lions Challenge Defense To Contain Trey McBride In Arizona

The Detroit Lions are preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals with defensive issues against tight ends demanding attention. Coach Dan Campbell challenged his players to identify a defender who can contain Trey McBride after Detroit struggled in coverage.

According to sidelionreport.com, Campbell made the challenge after the Lions’ Week 4 loss to the Carolina Panthers, when opposing tight ends repeatedly found space for short-yardage catches and yards after receptions.

McBride has become the focus of Detroit’s defensive preparation because the Arizona tight end has produced 33 catches, 242 yards and two touchdowns through four games, according to roundtable.io. The report also noted he received double-digit targets in every game during that span.

Dan Campbell explained the challenge for his defense while discussing the need for someone to take responsibility for covering Arizona’s top receiving threat.

"You know what I want? I want somebody to come in tomorrow and say, 'I want McBride.' That’s what I want. I want to know who that’s going to be on our defense." said Dan Campbell, head coach of the Detroit Lions.

The Lions have allowed the most receptions and touchdowns by tight ends in the NFL this season, while also giving up the second-most yards to the position, according to sidelionreport.com.

Campbell also addressed the defense’s overall performance after four games, acknowledging that mistakes had contributed to the unit’s struggles.

"There’s been plenty of mistakes by me in the past four games, 100 percent. But for me, that’s in the past. Let’s move forward.

Right now it’s terrible, though. I mean, based off where our defense is right now, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. It’s not good enough.

And it’s not gonna win football games. We’re still 2-2, thankfully to our offense and special teams because they’re playing unbelievable. But defensively it’s not good enough, and that’s everybody in the room.

And it starts with me." said Jack Campbell, linebacker and captain of the Detroit Lions defense.

Jack Campbell is expected to play a key role against McBride because Detroit’s safety group has been limited by injuries, leaving linebackers with greater responsibility in pass coverage.

The Lions’ defensive transition under coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has created coverage challenges, with the team using more zone concepts that opponents have attacked through tight ends over the middle.

According to roundtable.io, Campbell described defenders as having "dirty eyes" when they are caught looking into the backfield during play-action concepts, allowing opposing receivers to gain separation.

The report said Detroit’s possible approach against McBride includes disrupting his release at the line of scrimmage, improving communication in zone coverage and creating pressure against Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett.