19 Comments

Now there's talk of Engstrand going to the Jets. Might have been a factor already known to the Lions, but gosh I hate this kind of silly season stuff. Many fans prefer front office gossip to the actual games, but it all feels like a colossal game of liar's poker between the execs, the agents, and the media outlets trying to garner a few extra clicks. And really, nobody knows anything.

Expand full comment

Welcome back #87! (jk lol)

Justin does it again — producing the best, most in-depth pieces on the Detroit Lions, bar none!

Expand full comment
2dEdited

Completely trust the hire, but he sure has had a lot of stops...

I know non-HCs move around frequently and commonly, but do his constant moves raise any red flags about the potential for at least some continuity (assuming he does a good job) on offense for at least a few seasons?

Expand full comment

Possibly the Engstrand angle re-emerges here, if he could continue to grow/develop under Morton and eventually be considered for promotion as Ben Johnson 2.0.

Expand full comment

Great article, Justin. Secondary upside is we’ll likely retain/promote Engstrand. Seems a bit odd that we didn’t promote from within, as that’s the team’s MO…prepare people to step up when called. I hope bringing in an outsider for such a large role won’t have negative impacts on culture and we can keep this train rolling….

Expand full comment

Valid point, but my personal take is that he's not so much an outsider as a returning known commodity, both amongst the coaches and players.

Expand full comment

So, do we feel like this means Goff was asked and gave his thumbs up?

Expand full comment

Am I the only one who knew there was a John Morton on the staff a couple of years ago and thought it was Johnnie Morton? I am, right? (Hangs head.)

Expand full comment

I wondered if Dan would have been uncomfortable promoting Tanner Engstrand and having two first-time coordinators start the same year. Don't know if that was a factor here, because Dan sure seems to be pretty high on this Morton guy.

Expand full comment

I don't understand this sentence in paragraph 8: After two seasons as Carroll's offensive coordinator, Morton got the bump to offensive coordinator.

Expand full comment

Thank you, should say passing game coordinator. I will adjust.

Expand full comment

Surprising to me they didn't promote from within, but noticed this fella was on staff a few years back so not so surprising in that regard. I mean, Jared must have green-lit the hire, and hopefully it works out in spades. I also will be curious what happens with the other offensive assistants (outside Fraley).

Expand full comment

Thank you, Justin, for once again giving me everything I need to know to discern that everything should be alright in Lionsville! Your insights are invaluable to us fans

Expand full comment

In Brad and Dan we trust, his resume is pretty good

Expand full comment

I enjoyed learning more about him. I think it leaves some questions to be answered, but the short stints as USC's and New York's OC are easily explained away by circumstance when evaluated more closely. And as I've said elsewhere, the fact that Harbaugh, Payton, Gruden and Campbell hired him multiple times says something.

Expand full comment

How he got McCown to play at that level in 2017. That’s something to consider. It was with a backfield platoon of Bilal Powell, Matt Forte and Elijah McGuire. A record 5-11, not good but also not inconsistent with modern Jets teams.

Expand full comment

The haters on social media that don't like this hire clearly are not DFN subscribers and need to be. 😅

Expand full comment

A 32-year-old Forte in his final season. One who averaged 3.7 yards per carry in 2016 and 2017.

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
3d
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

Source?

Expand full comment