Detroit Lions' X-factor isn't a player, or a coach, you may be thinking about

You can’t help but smile around Detroit Lions special teams coach Dave Fipp.

“That's my man,” Lions cornerback Chase Lucas said, sitting at his locker and breaking into a wide smile. “I love Fipp. He's just a high, energetic person. He’s gonna be the same way on Mondays as he is on game day. He's ready to go man.”

If Brad Holmes is the brains of the Lions organization, and Chris Spielman is the soul, and Dan Campbell is the heart, then Fipp is a full can of Red Bull optimism.

Because he is a fun, energetic, charismatic, infectious, music-lovin’, wisdom-droppin’, storytellin’ dude.

“He loves ball,” linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez said. “You can tell he loves his job. He's one of the best. He knows what he's talking about. He's a smart guy.”

While so much focus has been on the Lions' versatile, multipronged offense and its improved defense, the special teams unit, at some point, is going to be the difference in a huge game.

There is reason to be optimistic that Fipp’s unit can flip a game at a clutch moment. It might be Jack Fox pinning the ball deep. Half of Fox’s 22 punts have pinned teams inside their own 20-yard line, which is tied for fifth in the NFL.

Or it might be Kalif Raymond busting a huge punt return. Raymond has averaged 11.7 yards per punt return since 2021, which ranks fourth in the NFL.

Or it might be the kickoff coverage unit making an impact on field position — Detroit is holding opposing kickoff return teams to the 22.9-yard line, best in the NFL.

Or it might be putting linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin in position to make a hit — he has seven special teams tackles, second most in the NFL.

"Fipp has a lot of information in his head," Reeves-Maybin said. "He's able to draw on that, and I think it helps him. He sees stuff on the field and he can predict how the play is going to play out."

MORE FROM SEIDEL: Lions fans deserve to go crazy now, but check out what's happening in locker room

Or maybe it will be pulling out a trick play — the Lions are 7-for-8 in fake punts under Fipp.

But there is reason for a level of caution because the Lions lack a strong-legged kicker. Placekicker Riley Patterson has proved to be consistent from close range (7-for-7 from inside the 40) but he hasn’t made anything longer than 38 yards. Shoot, he has only attempted one kick beyond 40 and he missed it, last weekend against the Bucs.

At some point, in a close game, the lack of a big leg could hurt the Lions.

And that is even more obvious this week because the Lions are playing the Baltimore Ravens, who have Justin Tucker, Mr. 66-Yard Doinker — just an incredible threat who changes how the Ravens approach the middle of the field.

“Special teams is important,” Fipp said. “When you get into these bigger games, man, it’s going to take all three phases and at some point you’re going to have to come through and make some plays."

'A great coach'

When you study the timeline, there is no coincidence on when Fipp was hired.

The Lions announced Campbell was hired on Jan. 20, 2021. Six days later, in one of his first moves, Campbell hired Fipp, who came to Detroit, after eight seasons in the same job with the Philadelphia Eagles, with the reputation of being one of the best special teams coordinators in the league; He has done nothing to change that image.

“He's a great coach,” Fox said. “He's a grinder. People might not know that. He's like one of the hardest workers that I've seen in the building.”

As a special teams coordinator, Fipp is the one person on the coaching staff, other than Campbell, who is involved with players across the entire roster.

He uses players from both offense and defense. But Fipp also has an interesting perspective about other teams because he studies the back end of every roster.

His take on the Ravens?

"They’ve got a bunch of guys with good skill sets and they’re all a little bit different,” Fipp said.

Fipp talks about having elite skills. If you aren't elite-level fast, you'd better be elite-level physical.

And the Ravens have players who can fly. And some others who are powerful.

Which makes Sunday's matchup for the Lions so difficult.

X-factor for success

Once a week, Fipp talks to the media, and those appearances have turned into must-see events. A discussion about a single play can morph into a discussion about the Marines, which can morph into a discussion about country music.

"I love music, man," Fipp said. "My favorite part of music is the stories. It’s the same thing I love about these players, all these stories.”

His own story is interesting. How he went from a walk-on at Arizona to coaching in the NFL.

But he still carries the attitude of a walk-on.

Full of humility and motivation. Never taking anything for granted.

“He’s hilarious,” linebacker and special teamer Anthony Pittman said. “He brings the juice every day. He's always got a random story to tell. But there is always a lesson behind it, too. The lesson is just being grateful for where you are. Never take anything for granted. Remember where you came from."

Much has been made about the new culture around the Lions.

But it was created in a series of moves that all add up.

Like the moment Campbell brought in Fipp.

CARLOS MONARREZ: Jared Goff has become an elite QB and deserves a big, new contract from Lions

He’s one of the X-factors that has changed everything. And his unit is an X-factor on how this season will play out.

"Ultimately, man, we’re here, blessed, and feel good about it, so we’re excited," he said Thursday. "This is really why you coach, there’s an opportunity to go play against Baltimore in a big game where they’re good on special teams and all that stuff, so it should be fun."

And when Fipp wrapped up his remarks on Thursday — when he was basically pulled off the mic by a PR staffer who had to set an alarm to end it — all the reporters kind of exhaled and sat back.

And smiled.

Yes, everybody was smiling.

Contact Jeff Seidel at jseidel@freepress.com or follow him @seideljeff.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' X-factor: Dave Fipp is a can of Red Bull optimism