The NFL's Smartest Meathead

[@ThinkingFootball]

What do you want us to cover next week? patreon.com/thinkingfootball

[@lumineer_3]

How do you feel about CJ Stroud? 🤘🏽

[@kah8984]

Browns defensive scheme

[@Fireshooterdk]

The Ravens New offence

[@avwholesomegamer]

Omg a typo in the pinned comment, he just like me fr 🗣️📺

[@janderssful]

I want to see the opposite of this video. What is a team that has a terrible line and ineffective weapons?

[@darkhobo]

Man Motown hasnt felt this good about football in decades. Even with Barry and CJ we knew the front office and coaching would mess it up. Now we expect the lions to win. Its honestly kinda surreal.

[@BarrackObamna]

Lmao your hopes will die after week 9

[@chadportenga7858]

@@BarrackObamna Chargers? No juice in their charger. Bears? Couldn't beat their way out of a paper bag this season.

[@civilwarwasaninsidejob7405]

​@@BarrackObamnayou had to edit a single sentence? Jesus.

[@BarrackObamna]

@@civilwarwasaninsidejob7405 KZbin deleted my comment because the world is too soft. 0 is next to 9. It was a typo. Ever heard of one of those? Week 0 doesn’t really make sense does it?

[@granthowes5659]

@@chadportenga7858A wet paper bag at that.

[@20cpmcmahon]

I'm loving all the pre-snap motion this season. It's getting a little iffy at times but it's been so interesting

[@TryPuttingItInRice]

Iffy?

[@janedoe3043]

That's the OC.

[@jackstebner515]

The only time I saw it “iffy” was when we kept trying to have Brock wright run a trap block and he missed for 2 negative plays. Other than that it sets up the offense.

[@jeanfourcade]

As usual, brilliant and thoroughly didactic analysis. Thank you.

[@ThinkingFootball]

Appreciate your love! See you in the comments every week ❤️

[@nahbruhnope]

Prove to me that Dan Campbell isn't Stone Cold Steve Austin.

[@brandonbaty2291]

Stone Cold couldn’t hold MCDC’s jock strap.

[@briandukes1619]

At least his brother

[@danielpatterson1576]

The Lions are just so much fun to watch this season. From the incredible creativity of their potent offense, to the arguably underrated pass defense that shut down an electric Packers offense at Lambeau and made the Chiefs entire receiving core look like highschoolers, they are definitely in the top ten right now and arguably one of the top three most fun teams to watch.

[@DarkLobster69]

Their defense shut down the Packers but I wouldn’t exactly call our offense electric. That being said, even though we are divisional rivals, I hope the lions really sustain this success for a few years, it’s way more fun to have a great lions team than a bad one

[@ManuelCorrea-jr3ds]

Chiefs did win the Lombardi 🏆

[@BLITZSPEIGS]

Great video. You do an amazing job at narrating and editing in a way that is easy for any Joe Schmo to understand and appreciate.

[@ThinkingFootball]

Appreciate that a lot! That's our aim

[@KevinDonlin]

Yeah man you’re outstanding!

[@darkhobo]

12:21 Goff helps sell this play too. He does a little shimmy. A little shoulder pop on his hitch. Mot quite a pump fake Its absolutly what whats the defender fall over so Amon-Ra can get wide open. Its an awesome little move that busts the whole play wide open.

[@luniz4209]

He did that in the first game too, I forget the play but I think it was a completion over the middle. Got his receiver one step and that was enough.

[@bladefiser2242]

Amon Ra reminds me of Larry Fitzgerald, underuppreciated by anyone outside of the organization and fans. Great blockers and always shows up when you need them

[@sparkeyjames]

?? He was 1st team all pro last year.

[@Jayydeen]

The Lions are gonna prove alot of things this year🔥🔥🌚🗣️

[@claylarson3021]

Thanks for the video, it will help me enjoy the Lions glorious season even more!

[@moonjelly5]

I just discovered this video/channel and I want to say that you did a fantastic job breaking down technical aspects in football in ways that are understandable for people who don't watch football (like me). Your use of graphics was also fabtastic. Great job.

[@washburnbilly]

I gotta say that this has been one of the best football videos that i have seen about the plays and how they work. Yes I'm only a novice about football because I'm usually doing stuff in the outdoors. But this was really easy to understand in the way that you explained it. I love watching the Lion's when I get the chance.

[@MarkGardner66Bonnie]

This was excellent... there is a lot about football I don't understand and this was really good...I have been a lions fan my whole life (67) but this team is special...

[@CaptCKernel]

Steelers fans: "Can we have a legitimate offense that uses motion effectively like the Lions?" Canada: "we have jet sweeps and 3rd-and-long draws at home!"

[@ThinkingFootball]

The Matt Canada problem - video next week 👀

[@CaptCKernel]

@@ThinkingFootball prayers he gets his shit together before the bye week, because I never want to wish for someone to lose their job. But, this is a business built on winning and we cannot win with this offensive identity, or at least with that man calling the plays

[@CaptCKernel]

I was at the Houston game and that might have been the worst play calling performance I've ever seen at any level. I've seen Little Gridder coaches call better games than that...can't keep leaving our D out to dry with short fields and 3-and-outs

[@brandonbaty2291]

As a lifelong Lions fan, it is very surreal hearing various fans and players from other teams speaking like they hope/wish to do things “like the Lions”. Either it’s legitimately a new era in football (which it really feels that way for a ton of reasons) or we really do live in a simulation. 😂

[@CaptCKernel]

@@brandonbaty2291 que no los dos? 😂

[@humblelad]

how many big name Wide Receivers are willing to block like St Brown? the man's a workhorse, I love it

[@paultom40]

Been following this team since the Gary Danielson era ... This is the best I have ever seen them play.

[@KevinDonlin]

I’ve been following since the Bill Munson era 😮 Ditto!

[@Paldasan]

Great dissection. One small clarification (not correction) however is that it is the 2022 12th overall pick that returns from suspension, Jamo. The lack of year mentioned might lead non Lions fans to confuse him with this years' (2023) 12th overall pick Gibbs.

[@justinmaitland7335]

I am incredibly happy that the lions are finally getting their due.

[@artmeddaugh6669]

Thanks for this video. As a lifelong Lions fan this offensive coaching staff is the best they have ever had. Yes, OC Ben Johnson deserves a lot of credit for its success, but the position coaches are amazing as well, and it shows. O-Line coach Hank Fraley, TE coach Steve Heiden, WR coach Antwaan Randle El, QB coach Mark Brunell, and RB coach Scottie Montgomery are all former NFL players that have acquired years and years of experience whether playing the game or coaching it. This offense is a total collaborative effort from all of them. They work extremely well together and put in long hours during the week to make this offense click. And don't forget the Head Honcho, Motor City Dan Campbell, also a former player, who is proving to be the real deal not only in scheme, but also in motivating his players, and defining what hard work and grit is all about. He keeps the focus on the small details that show up on this film that makes all the difference on game day.

[@Dakotabrewer166]

Lion players: how we winning this week? Dan Campbell: bite their kneecaps so they can’t fucking run!

[@judeau9151]

I have no idea what you’re talking about half the time, but it’s fascinating and I can’t stop watching +1

[@enry5740]

You're really good at making these videos, keep up the great work

[@micah4362]

This is a fantastic film breakdown. Thanks for the vid!

[@stevenorth1564]

First video I’ve seen of yours. Fantastic explanation and graphics. Thanks! Hope you get a lot more subscribers.

[@AaronMQuantz]

A Wise man said "He (Coach Campbell) strikes me as the kind of guy you run through a brick wall for" and I can't disagree. His "I didn't learn anything, I got confirmation...." quote made ME want to run through a brick wall for him!

[@Harpazoed]

Nice video. We have a lot to be grateful for. Our Boyz are young. They don’t know a losing culture. Only a winning one.

[@ascarinights]

8:15 holy shit laporta is so fast when the ball was snapped

[@tylerwilson8615]

This is an absolute nightmare to gameplan against lol

[@WillieBeamenApex]

this channel should have 1M subs, it's so good

[@benvicks]

Love these breakdowns and videos💪. I’m a falcons fan so if you ever see anything you wanna cover on them that would be awesome

[@ThinkingFootball]

Appreciate the love - So is Thierry, so if they ever exciting we will!

[@maskedman5657]

That thunbail tho

[@dtfech]

This is amazing analysis! Everyone who worked on this should be proud

[@James-ll3jb]

Lions' Oline is awesome! Reminds me of the '61-'64 line with Gonzaga blocking for Lewis, Watson, and Petriesonte!

[@EJD339]

I think Dan surrounds himself with a lot of great personnel and credit to the GM. That dude has done so well so far.

[@calebkoilpillai2251]

That OL breakdown is a football nerds dream. Great video

[@professorjaybee]

The best description of this Ben Johnson offense is “Every move has a Purpose”…from the formations, motions, play calls and knowledge of defense keys he has built an offense that gives lots of eye candy for the defense to process while at the same time building in multiple answers into a play to have an effective counter punch no matter how the defense responds. The overall effect is when this offense is clicking it makes defenders hesitate just a lil on the presnap side and react just a lil late on post snap action!! As the great street philosopher Avon Barksdale once said…”Ain’t nothing more dangerous than being A little late or a little slow!!” 👊🏾🦁 #GoLions

[@joshuafinnerty7670]

Incredible video. Oline analysis was so fun to watch

[@dudleydooright803]

Best film breakdown video I've seen on youtube.

[@chainz983]

so... what happens with the offence when Ben Johnson leaves in the off-season? are all these plays from his mind or the mind of Dan? theres a lot of stuff idk when it comes to all the coaching stuff

[@jamesarthur298]

O-line is underappreciated. nice to see this breakdown!

[@edquinn7135]

That’s why we call him meathead . All in the family. 😂

[@wkeyspider6664]

Cover Zach Wilson’s struggles

[@ThinkingFootball]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gafEXqCug812aZY - The reasons havent changed

[@dynomar11]

​@@ThinkingFootballokay but if he succeeds then a vid might be necessary. That'd be wild if he somehow becomes the guy

[@jeremymason604]

@@dynomar11not a chance

[@jameswalden1579]

He just has to play like he playing the Chiefs every game

[@t4d0W]

@@dynomar11 He would have to do it 15 more times like he did against the Chiefs the rest of the way into the season. This isn't the first time Zach had a decent string of games then play like crap. Just look at his last 2 years.

[@johndeer9460]

What type of role/fit do you expect from Jamison Williams in this offense?

[@ThinkingFootball]

He'll probably take a lot of the Kaliff Raymond role - but I'm looking forward to the bunch set with Jameson, Ra and Kalif - thats a deadly combo of speed, and if they tight bunch like they like to do, they can pretty much guaranteee getting one on a linebacker.

[@johndeer9460]

@@ThinkingFootball awesome, thanks for the answer!

[@paulmayer8654]

@@ThinkingFootballand with St Brown out this week Raymond could fill that slot role and let Jamo take over his role.

[@mitchcumstein9808]

If Jamo has been watching these games best way for him to get more snaps…block on running plays

[@alrifr5786]

Jamo loves blocking. Jamo is a total baller and it irks to me no end all the Jamo bashing by local media.

[@jesse8458]

@@alrifr5786bingo. Jamo was frequently a gunner on Bama’s punt coverage and loved doing it. He’s a dawg and people soured on him way too easily. But they’ll learn.

[@mitchcumstein9808]

@@alrifr5786 I’m not bashing him, I want him to succeed are you kidding? He will be our number 1 if he plays like Brown

[@mitchcumstein9808]

@@jesse8458 i haven’t soured on him in the least, he got raw deal from NFL, so much so I think they changed the rules because his suspension was so over board. You got a guy that commits criminal assault and gets 2-3 games and dude that is just placing a bet on a team not even related to his team get 6 ridiculous. I wish he would have appealed. But fir what ever reason he took the medicine and as fate would have it worked out

[@mitchcumstein9808]

He showed up blocking Sunday. Lol

[@undrachevr]

Your breakdown videos are fantastic.

[@janedoe3043]

Dan Campbell does not deserve the credit. Brad Holmes deserves it .All he says are things other coaches like Marinelli have said. He also makes horrible calls in game in terms of bad time outs, challenges, and very questionable fourth down conversations. Now while going for it has worked and his cheerleading attitude is very important in energizing the team and the fan base, it's not what has made the team good. It's 100% the draft picks. When you come in and get 50% of your picks to contribute then your team gets famn good. He has basically hot on about 90% since joining and also not given out any horrible contracts. The team didn't even take off until he gave up play calling to a very good OC. People who keep going on about this man as a genius are basically cultist at this point. He definitely contributes to a good ship, but he isn't the captain of the ship. Honestly I would credit Brad, Rod, Shela, Ben, Chris, Jared, Amon-Ra, Penei, Ragnow, Adrian, Alim, Sam, Arron, Jonah, Kirby, Derrick, and Malcolm, David and some former players more than Dan Campbell at this point. I will definitely agree he is a meathead. Half the stuff he says is the dumbest statements i have ever heard. I wouldn't trust him to watch a potted plant for me. But he definitely is what the Lions needed in the job right now. If you watch enough behind the scenes stuff you see that he doesn't do anything when thr game starts and basically just goes around and says, "hey brotha, is everything good?" He is basically thaat good kind of boss that checks in once a day to see if the employees need anything and then just leave them alone to work as they see fit. Which is a perfect boss when you have a good crew. All he has to do in game is yell at refs, throw a challenge flag, tell Ben we're going for it in every situation, and pat players on the ass. I wouldn't be surprised though if he blows a couple of super bowl runs with a bone headed decision and ends up being fired and replaced with a better coach who takes the team the rest of the way. I also wouldn't be surprised if he wins one himself. But regardless if he does or doesn't he did contribute to the change in culture and that is extremely important. I am not saying he is a bad guy, bad boss, bad coach, or bad to the point of being hated for anything. I am just saying there's a lot of nuance in why thr Lions were bad then and good now. And I am saying the type of people who are saying Campbell is the greatest coach ever are the type of people who don't like or understand nuance. They're the type of people that only vote a president and think ignore all the other people in government that are often even more important. All i am saying is Brad Holmes is the number onr guy you want to give credit to in Detroit. Don't give credit to a rock for making it rain.

[@Tiglath-Pileser3]

Lured me in with a Lions video, but the delivery and quality will have me staying for more.

[@playgroundchooser]

Those linemen must be having a blast with their movements. It's gotta be hilarious when you realize you don't even have anyone to block so you go shit can a safety. 🤣🤣

[@t4d0W]

The funniest part with the overall improvement on the offense is the Lions ran more stuff from the Stafford Rams playbook and made it work. Good for Goff since he's been playing more shotgun and not so much play action. So in pass plays along with the motion, he's got a better read on the coverage and knows when to get his. But that O-line is a weapon in of itself with their ability to run *ANY* run scheme they want to great execution. At baseline its their trench giants/speedsters vs whatever rinky dink D-line the opposing defense has.

[@ManuelCorrea-jr3ds]

😆🤔🤫😂

[@etmmlopez]

I feel like Dan Campbell just understands the tempo of the game so well. He just knows when to go for it on 4th and you can tell in the play calling. You can see when they start a series and they've already had the conversation "on this set of downs you have 4 downs to get the 1st" and it frees up Ben Johnson to reach deeper into his bag and really get creative. It's made the Lions must watch football now.

[@t4d0W]

I mean the fact they have an immediate plan on 3rd and short with a quick huddle means they have prepared well for that contingency given the strength of their talents (especially the O-line that can push). So Ben Johnson like many great play callers are always looking to bypass 3rd downs anyway but have an immediate and clear cut answer in obvious late and short situations where they know they can win and keep moving. Its the complete opposite of when Joe Lombardi was calling late down plays for the Chargers offense (and frequently since at times he kept arriving at late downs) and it was the same lame stuff that wasn't even going to convert half the time.

[@standoughope]

The last time I was this excited about The Lions was when Barry Sanders was playing, can't wait to see their potential! (Chiefs fan, week 1 hurt so good)

[@mikeharmon145]

I don't watch college football, so the only thing I know about prospects is what I read when the draft rolls around. I remember being so happy when the Lions made the smart choice to take Sewell instead of something more flashy like they've been known to do. Dude is an absolute monster on the line.

[@terry7907]

Outstanding analysis.

[@MWBowen403]

Lions and Dolphins run game this year is a thing of beauty.

[@Dboyer1971]

Enjoyed this. Well done

[@jacejenkins8085]

As a Michigan and lions fan this year is almost to much lol. So much success for both teams.

[@Piratesaregay12322]

Detroit lions have always been my NFC team, I love underdogs and the Lions are the best example of that.

[@skepticalmonkey7263]

You can really see why Lions brass wanted Gibbs. He is a stud. I am impressed with Amon Ra's blocking. He thinks he is a tight end.

[@ThinkingFootball]

He'll take on anyone in a block - plays so fearlessly even if the guy has 80lbs on him - probably whilst hes nicked up

[@iitstre_4550]

Dan with long hair might be the scariest thing I’ve ever seen 😂

[@penskedan]

Dog who are you, what's your background? this is top level analytic stuff. Good shit man

[@sunshinedesign]

Very nice commentary and analysis.

[@_hayziebone_6355]

Jonah Jackson is slept on. Straight dawg!

[@mcsweatshop]

Great breakdown. Subbed

[@matthix2678]

Best breakdown I've heard !

[@kristopherloviska9042]

Great breakdown and analysis.

[@SluSharkND]

Outstanding work, Sir! So good a meathead like me can understand it!

[@chadportenga7858]

"Motown ain't felt this good about football in years" SO TRUE! Not since the Barry years, and even those years, we felt as though Willie Ford was dangling a carrot in front of us. We would trade away good players and good picks and draft players we didn't need, so the team remained mediocre at best. Not since 1957 has anyone felt that we truly have a chance at a great season (I won't jinx it by saying more than that!) I think the best thing that's happened to the Lions is that management is letting the coach build his team (unlike prior years where management picked "good" players and said, "Here's your team, now win games.") A great 4-1 start may still be too early to predict the whole season, but looking back to Nov 2022, the Lions are 12-3 in their last 15 games. Dan Campbell just might have figured it out.

[@cgpapineau]

Man, after watching this, I have that much more respect for Ben Johnson.

[@adnanhussain4098]

can listen to this guy talk football all day

[@fredricclack7137]

DyNasty Bginz ⚒️🦁💙

[@venod3134]

Just need a playoff win! We need it badly in the city! A home win!!

[@1TotalJabroni]

As a lifelong Lions fan who's been watching since I was a kid during the Barry Sanders era, trust me it has never felt this good. The Stafford years were a step in the right direction, and the 2013-15 teams were very talented on both sides. But the roster got blown up and it was never built to last. That's the main thing. It feels sustainable because of how Brad Holmes is drafting. As long as they keep drafting good players, they'll always be able to reload when they inevitably lose some of these young studs once it comes time to pay up (😢), but that's football. Worst case scenario, absolute worst case, is that Holmes has been getting lucky in the draft which seems ludicrous given 3 consecutive years of solid drafting. But even then, they have a 2-3 year window to contend. It just feels like it's going to last for as long as Brad and Dan have the reins. EDIT: I guess we'll just pray Ben Johnson stays for a couple more years but that also seems impossible, that's obviously a big factor. I don't know a lot about offensive schemes but here's hoping when Ben Johnson inevitably takes a head coaching job somewhere, they have a good guy who can step in and take his place.

[@SneakersFootball]

I do love myself a good play action pass. Go Lions!

[@uriamudeltoro5075]

Great breakdown. Lions are serious this year....

[@jakereib4192]

Demeco Ryans video would be great! He’s really turning the Texans around

[@edwardkelly3280]

I’m not a Lions fan but I had a feeling that they would eventually become a very good team when I saw Dan Campbell first NFL game.

[@breezyjr]

This is really interesting... I don't know much about the how tos of football, and this was neat.

[@rx1026]

Now show what happened in the Ravens game

[@jookya2]

compared to watching barry sanders runs its a world of difference the support our RB's get now

[@dpscribe]

If this season continues to produce positive results Ben Johnson will get the headcoach job from another team. That Charger job would be enticing with Justin Herbert would be nice to have.

[@dodecahippo6378]

Great breakdown 👍🏻

[@stevesherman1743]

“Ahhh jheesh, you Meathead you !!” - - Archie Bunker

[@josephpenderson613]

All the literal years of Lions fans screaming to “build the trenches” and look what happens when they finally fucking did it!

[@SeedsTV300]

haven't felt this good about football ever

[@SeedsTV300]

great vid btw

[@jgray2718]

One of the things the Lions are doing a lot better than McVay did with the Rams is playing to Goff's strengths. Goff has some limitations _(long sideline throws, athleticism)_ but the Lions do a great job of playing into his strengths _(play action, mid- to long-range middle field throws)._ With their excellent run game, Goff has been able to take advantage. It's been great play calling and great game planning from the Lions so far this year.

[@t4d0W]

Also taking stuff from the Stafford playbook from McVay too. More pistol (obviously to mix the run game well) and more shotgun so Goff isn't trying to read the defense again post snap which were one of his weaknesses. If he can see the defense in front of him the same way pre-snap to post snap and recognize coverages faster via motion, more than likely he's more confident to make the deeper throw than to default to a checkdown.

[@avwholesomegamer]

All these offensive highlights against the Chefs, Seahawks, and Packers, not so much from that Falcons game 😅

[@paulmayer8654]

They didn’t need much offense 😂😂

[@fredricclack7137]

Slang that Thang! 😂

[@himratio]

Bengals video please. Gotta know what’s going on. Our city needs it.

[@Thepessimisticoptimist28]

It doesn’t hurt that the lions defense is scary too 😂

[@RJ-gk4rt]

I just want this man to stop treating Jahmyr Gibbs like a 2nd class citizen. Imagine if they actually had some big play ability

[@RJ-gk4rt]

I guess he’s just not familiar with his game

[@t4d0W]

If Gibbs was any better in short yardage/red zone situations, maybe he'd convincingly take snaps away from Montgomery whose great in those situations. Just sucks for fantasy owners who were drinking too much Gibbs koolaid and not understanding how things actually are.

[@RJ-gk4rt]

@@t4d0W yea that’s not an excuse for the lack of creativity in getting Gibbs the ball in the open field/receiving game. Short yardage/redzone obviously Monty is the guy and I have Monty on my team so trust me I’m not complaining about it related to fantasy

[@geemac7267]

Dan Campbell is smart in this way: he knows how to delegate to qualified coaches. Campbell is good motivator and he brings the right attitude to his players. Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn are getting their players in the right positions (the players are really good btw) to win. He will lose both of them to head coaching jobs after this season, so it remains to be seen whether he'll be able to keep it going. Ask Sean McVay how easy it is to replace your coaching staff after a successful season. Detroit fans deserve a good Lions team and now you've got it. I hope the best for you guys.

[@fredricclack7137]

Frank tha TANK! ⚒️🦁💙

[@chrishoward7645]

St Brown didn't cause him to slip, Goff did that with a shoulder fake that he bit on, and he then feel trying to recover.

[@preachaman2005]

I like to tell other teams, "Our coach can beat up your coach!"

[@hopecore267]

This was a beautiful video.

[@FredFruehauf]

What an awesome overlook

[@clearr4016]

watching this immediately after week 7

[@elblouses128]

Great vid!

[@lazywallstreetnews7234]

I love football, but never played it organized (from a Hispanic country where it wasn't a popular sport).... Anyway my mom used to get me Madden games for holidays and I'd play the game and I figured a lot of this motion, running, creating angles and stuff and to tell you the truth, I didn't realize that this was good strategy lol I thought I was cheating the game by doing audibles, pre-snap motions or any other pre-snap adjustments with either offense or defense because in the game you could control both. For some reason I saw it as if I didn't run the play in the boring vanilla way, where you just call a play and run it with no adjustments, you weren't winning the 'right' way. It just now dawned on me that I just figured out the nooks and crannies of football without even realizing it because I have no formal football knowledge so as a result, I also have no real context to contrast it with 🤣 See. This is a great example. I wrote this comment before getting to the 'trap' concept in the running game portion of rhe video. I LOVE running the 'trap' concept on running plays in Madden because it clears out the DT and gets blockers on LB's so if you can juke a safety, you might break free for a TD if run right. Then this video quickly goes into explaining that exact concept in actual football terminoloy and I'm sitting here like 'OHHHHHHH, so THAT'S what that's called!'