Try what you want, Dan Campbell, but Detroit Lions aren't good enough. That's on Brad Holmes

There was an interesting, if not telling scene, during the Detroit Lions' run on “Hard Knocks.”

Lions coach Dan Campbell was explaining to his players why they were going full contact during training camp.

"All I think about is you guys," Campbell said. "That's all I think about, man. That's all I (expletive) think about is you guys and how I set you up for the best (expletive) possible, the best possible advantage I can give you to have a season. I swear to you. I just need you to trust me. Please."

The scene drew national buzz because it was so passionate and entertaining. But the substance behind the quote might have been lost. Campbell was trying to create a tough, physical team.

Then, everything switched after the season started. Campbell eased up the contact at practices because so many players were hurt, which was understandable.

But after starting the season 1-4 and having a bye week to analyze what has gone wrong, Campbell is going back to his old ways.

More intensity at practice. More contact. More competition. More “good-on-goods” — first-team offense against first-team defense. And more one-on-one drills.

“We’re a young team,” Campbell said. “You may put a strain on other groups because you’re light in that area, but man, the rest of your team needs that work. And so, I just felt like we’ve got to get back to those things we were doing in camp.”

In some ways, this is encouraging. At least he’s doing something, right?

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So give him credit.

But I’m not sure having more intense practices will change anything. Because they just don’t have enough playmakers. They don’t have enough difference makers, especially on defense.

And the blame starts with GM Brad Holmes.

What's he done, exactly?

While Campbell has faced criticism for his in-game decision making, Holmes should also be taking some heat for the Lions 1-4 start.

Yes, he took over a team in disarray, so this goes back to former GM Bob Quinn.

But Holmes has had two drafts and two free-agent classes to start to fix it, and I’m not so sure how much he has improved the roster.

In the NFL, you should be able to completely flip a roster in four years. This league is built on the idea of quick turnarounds.

So the Lions are halfway to what, exactly?

He has had a chance to upgrade the defense through free agency. But he decided to stand pat. And the defense has been awful.

Who are his great draft picks?

Amon-Ra St. Brown has been fantastic. And Malcolm Rodriguez has been a nice find.

So give Holmes credit there.

But what’s the strength of this team?

It’s offensive line, most of which was built by Quinn and Matt Patricia.

And Holmes decided to add to it in the first round in the 2021 draft, taking Penei Sewell.

I have nothing against Sewell. He is, by most measure, a fantastic tackle. And he has played a role in the Lions’ high-scoring offense.

But do you know what would have been more visionary? Drafting Micah Parsons, who has turned into an absolute stud.

Who suggested taking Parsons?

Well, me. As I wrote before the draft, detailing why most Super Bowl winners don’t invest so much on the offensive line: “I’d be fine with a corner but I'd prefer linebacker Michal Parsons. He is an absolute beast and has the highest upside of any defensive player in this draft.  He can help fix the Lions two biggest needs, shoring up the run defense and giving the pass rush a boost as a blitzer.”

Ironically, the Lions will see Parsons this week — the centerpiece of the Cowboys' defense.

“It’s a good defense,” Campbell said Monday. “They’re talented, they play hard, they’re good at what they do. Multiple fronts, good disguises in coverage, and so, yeah it’s a good unit. It’s a good unit.”

Playing the long game?

It’s almost like the Lions have found a creative way to tank. Draft several injured players. Don’t upgrade the defense. And beg for patience, hoping the injured players return, unconcerned if it creates more losses while they are out.

Actually, that’s exactly what Holmes has said through his actions, even though it hasn’t worked yet.

Holmes drafted defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike in the second round in 2021, a guy with a back injury dating back to college. He missed most of training camp his rookie year, has not played this season and just had surgery — a “last resort,” Campbell said — and is done for the year.

This year, Holmes drafted injured wide receiver Jameson Williams in the first round and took defensive lineman Josh Paschal, another injured player, in the second round.

And yes, you can be critical of that, too.

The Lions have had a horrible kicking game because the guys Holmes has brought in (and let Matt Prater walk). Holmes has tried to build up the defensive line. But to this point, the Lions don’t have much of a pass rush. Nor have they gotten much from wide receiver DJ Chark, this summer's free-agent signee.

All of that has contributed to the bottom line: This team could go into Thanksgiving Day with one, maybe two wins.

The Packers don’t look formidable but neither did Seattle or the Patriots. I don’t see them beating the Cowboys, Dolphins or Giants. Then, they will get crushed by the Bills on Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, if the season ended today, the Jets and Giants would be in the playoffs.

Ugh. So don't tell me turnarounds take forever.

To be clear, I’m not calling for Campbell or Holmes to be fired.

But they are setting up a make-or-break season in 2023.

This season will tell us a lot

Now here is the sliver of hope: The Lions offense should get a boost with the return of a healthy St. Brown and D’Andre Swift — another Quinn pick.

Both the defense and special teams should be aided with the return of Jerry Jacobs.

“He brings value to the roster at a minimum just to have on gameday because he does so many things,” Campbell said.

Technically, this is not the halfway point of the season.

But it feels that way.

This is the time for the Lions to show improvement. To show growth.

And so much is riding on the return of these injured players.

If Paschal can be a stud and if Williams regains his speed and is the legitimate downfield threat, it will be a massive boost.

All will be forgiven and forgotten, and the number of wins won’t even matter.

But if they are just OK, if the Paschal and Williams can't contribute due to injury, Holmes’ seat is gonna get hot. Really fast.

All we want to see is progress.

But all we’ve gotten is more frustration.

Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @seideljeff.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' Brad Holmes deserves criticism for 1-4 start, too