Dan Campbell Dismisses Tush Push Concern as Lions Ready for Eagles
Lions head coach Dan Campbell recently spoke on 97.1 The Ticket about the upcoming matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. He emphasized that his team’s preparation will focus on more pressing concerns than the controversial “tush push” play. Campbell stated, “The tush push is the least of my concerns,” highlighting the range of challenges his team faces.
Understanding the Tush Push Concern
The “tush push” play has sparked debates in the NFL. It was a topic of discussion during the offseason when teams voted on whether to ban it. The Lions were among the 10 clubs that opted against the ban, contributing to its narrow retention. To enforce a rule change, 24 teams needed to approve the ban, but only 22 teams voted for it.
Preparation Strategy Against the Eagles
- Campbell intends to focus on broader defensive strategies.
- He acknowledged the effectiveness of the tush push but sees other areas as higher priorities.
- The Lions plan to emphasize technique rather than full-speed practice of the play.
“There’s nothing easy about defending it. It’s hard,” Campbell said, expressing awareness of the potential threat the Eagles pose. He noted that the Eagles do not shy away from using the play, which makes it easier for the defense to prepare, as they know it’s coming.
To efficiently counter this tactic, the Lions must aim to prevent the Eagles from finding themselves in short-yardage situations. Campbell emphasized that the focus should be on leveraging technique and understanding rather than executing high-speed repetitions of the tush push in practice.
As the game approaches, the Lions remain committed to adjudicating their defensive strategy against a formidable opponent like the Eagles, ensuring they are prepared for any challenges ahead.
