Sometimes, you have to fall before you can run.
Yes, that has been the Detroit Lions’ mantra for more than a half century.
Only they never got around to the running part.
But this is a positive column. And we will get to the run part of the Lions’ 36-27 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday at Ford Field.
It happened late in the third quarter, after the Lions blew a 22-0 halftime lead and suddenly needed a play on third-and-15.
Jared Goff dropped back to pass, and the Commanders unleashed a six-man rush. Goff recognized it and lofted the football to D’Andre Swift, who had slipped out of the backfield. But Goff barely got the ball off as he was taken to the turf.
“He was – what’s called ‘Hot,’ a hot route, right?” Goff said. “So, they blitzed and he’s uncovered, so he’s who the ball has to go to, and I kind of left it behind him there.”
There was a problem. Washington defensive end Montez Sweat tipped the ball, changing the flight slightly.
But Swift adjusted and fell to the turf as he caught the ball, landing on his butt.
“First of all, I have to keep my feet to get the ball down, but Jared (Goff) did a good job of getting me the ball, I got up, saw an opportunity,” Swift said.
In years past, a Lions receiver might have stayed on the ground and that would have ended the drive. The Lions would have kicked the field goal.
But this is a new team.
With a new vibe and different skills.
And we are already seeing that it has the ability to bounce back. Literally.
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He made a quick cut to his left – the kind that can’t be taught – and avoided the first tackler.
He outran a defensive lineman with ease and cut around a defensive back, who couldn’t even touch his towel.
Then, Swift hit the after burners, finishing a 22-yard touchdown.
“He caught it and fell down,” Goff said. “I’m like, ‘Alright, first down, yeah great, good job.’ And then, just – and that’s what he can do, man, it’s really crazy and I think again, it’s not necessarily my job, but I know (Lions offensive coordinator) Ben (Johnson) wants to get the ball in his hands as many times as possible. And that’s something that we were always focused on and I’m always aware of too, is if he’s in the game and down the field isn’t open, how fast can I get him the ball in space? And let him work and he’s a special player.”
Now, here’s the crazy part.
Swift was playing on a bad ankle.
Swift bounced up and took off in a blink – swiftly, of course (couldn’t resist).
“Yeah, he just had the ankle – he’s a little bit sore,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “But man on a sore ankle that was outstanding. He did a great job, he really did. To fight through that, because I know it didn’t feel great and he knew he wasn’t a hundred (percent), but yet he was saying all week, ‘I’m playing, I’m playing. I’m gonna play. I can do it.’ And he did it.”
Yes, you can build around talented players who say: “I’m playing, no matter how bad I’m feeling.”
To make it even more dramatic, he was playing behind an offensive line missing three starters.
But the Lions ran for 191 yards rushing – Amon-Ra St. Brown had 68, Swift had 56 and Jamaal Williams added 53.
That’s a testament to the Lions‘ depth on the offensive line.
“We will only go as far as the offensive line will take us,” Swift said. “I’m proud of those guys.”
The same happened on defense.
The Lions were missing cornerback Amani Oruwariye, out with a back injury.
In years past, that would have doomed this team.
“We had the built-in excuses,” linebacker Alex Anzalone said. “But it doesn’t matter. This truly shows the depth of this roster and how (general manager Brad Holmes) and Dan built this roster, as far as guys you can just plug in and play.”
Not just plug in, but play well.
So instead of saying: “Man, the Lions offensive line was in shambles and they couldn’t run and couldn’t do anything.” The Lions were getting it done on the ground, averaging eight yards per carry.
And instead of saying: “Man, the Lions fell apart with Swift getting only five carries.”
They found other ways to attack, giving it to St. Brown twice, including a 58-yard end around.
And instead of saying: “Man, that defense couldn’t stop anybody.”
They got aggressive in attack mode. And walked out a winner.
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That’s a testament to the players.
It’s a testament to the coaches.
But it’s also a reflection of the team being built.
Swift’s 87 yards of total offense and a touchdown, despite a bum ankle, is a reflection of the improved talent around him.
But his attitude to insist he would play signifies something far more special.
It’s not just about adding talent. It’s the type of players that makes this so exciting.
Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @seideljeff. To read his recent columns, go to www.freep.com/sports/jeff-seidel.