Pressers and scrums: Jack Campbell proves swag by poking fun at his lack of swag

Allen Park — Jared Goff talked Friday, but the Detroit Lions quarterback exhibited one of his greatest skills, not saying anything worthy of a headline. Not going to lie, you’ve got to respect it.

So let’s pivot to today’s most compelling media session, in something of a stunner: Linebacker Jack Campbell.

In his group interviews as a rookie, Campbell could best be described as dry and serious. Very serious. It might not even be a stretch to say the most serious. Of course, being careful with your words as a rookie, at least until you have a better feel for the landscape and knowing who you can trust, is smart. And without hesitation, I can tell you Campbell was easier to talk to in a one-on-one setting.

Friday wasn’t the first time Campbell has talked this offseason, but, man, there’s a clear shift in his comfort level in front of the microphones and cameras in Detroit.

Now, I wouldn’t be surprised to see his first answer taken out of context in headlines elsewhere. Campbell was asked if the defense has a different confidence/swagger this training camp.

“I just feel like going back to spring, OTAs, we’ve jus been working on the mentality, how we approach everything,” he said. “I feel like every day, we’re just taking steps in the right direction. Obviously, we have a long ways to go, but I feel everyone talks about, ‘Oh, I want to be a top-10 defense.’ Well, everyone out here on the defensive side, we’re going to be the best defense in the NFL.”

That makes it sound like the boldest of predictions, but Campbell clarified his answer, noting the unit needs to set its goals to be the best, not settling for the lesser aim of being top-10.

So this is what he meant: “Well, everyone out here on the defensive side, we’re going to (aim to) be the best defense in the NFL.”

Sticking with the swagger theme, which has been a big buzz word with reporters this week, Campbell took the chance to poke some fun at himself.

“Well, if you’re talking about swag, you’re not looking at me, because I’m literally the lowest swag on the team,” Campbell said.

Who has the most swag? This shouldn’t surprise anyone.

“Just because I see him wear a bunch of cool stuff that I can never wear, just because I would look terrible in it, but Jamo (Jameson Williams),” Campbell said. “Jamo's got a lot of clean shoes. I mean, everyone's got so much cool, like, cars and everything. I don't got that.”

Campbell’s car? A 2015 Dodge Ram pickup.

“Gets the job done.”

Goff was also asked about which player has the most swag and the first name that he mentioned was center Frank Ragnow. OK, Jared.

● Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley also talked today, but I caught up with him earlier this week. You can double back to that story if you missed it, where the veteran corner talks about his rehab from his second ACL tear and his new role playing nickel corner.

● Most of Dan Campbell’s morning briefing focused on Michael Badgley’s season-ending injury and the future of Detroit’s kicking position. There was some interesting stuff in there about what Campbell wants from a kicker, and whether having a guy close to automatic from 50 yards would result in an increased commitment to taking the “guaranteed” three points.

“Not necessarily, only because there’s still that you can get four more. You can squeeze four more out of that drive potentially, depending on where you’re at,” Campbell said.

If you were expecting something different, you don’t know your head coach.

● Campbell also confirmed what most of us expected, based on observable evidence: The team’s backup quarterback role is up for grabs between Hendon Hooker and Nate Sudfeld.

Campbell praised Hooker’s slow but steady improvement, but noted Sudfeld remains firmly in the mix.

“We like both of those guys, but there is a reason Nate’s here,” Campbell said. “Nate has played before, he’s got a lot of experience and he’s just — that’s what he’s got. He’s got more years and a little bit more experience, certainly than Hooker does. But this is a competition. At the end of the day, both of those guys are going to roll between the twos and threes, and by the time we get to the end of camp, we need to know who our two is. We’re not going to have our two be somebody we don’t trust in the moment.”

● The Lions formally announced several changes to their front office and scouting staffs on Friday. Many of the additions had been leaked earlier in the offseason, but those hires now have official titles. At the top of the list is new director of scouting Dwayne Joseph and senior director of football administration, Charlie Adkins.

Joseph has been around the block a few times, most recently serving as the Las Vegas Raiders director of scouting. Before that, he was the director of pro personnel for the Eagles for five years.

Adkins comes from Arizona, where he previously worked with Lions chief operating officer Mike Disner. Adkins effectively replaces Brandon Sosna, who took a promotion from the Washington Commanders in May.

● Former Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs is joining the Los Angeles Rams. If he makes their roster, he’ll come to town to face his former team in this year’s season-opener.

Good for Jerry. He was a great story, going from undrafted rookie to starter in his first season, and later overcoming a torn ACL. During his time in Detroit, Jacobs was always approachable in the locker room, offering authentic insight and opinion, often with a heavy dose of humor. You can’t ask for much more as a reporter.