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Tag: Dave Fipp

  • Jameson Williams Apologizes After Unacceptable Penalty

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    Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams stepped up to the podium on Thursday and delivered something fans weren’t expecting: honesty… and an apology.

    After his 40-yard touchdown against the Eagles, the highlight of Detroit’s night, Williams famously leaped onto the goalpost and slid down it, earning a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty that pushed Jake Bates’ extra-point attempt back to 48 yards into heavy wind. Bates missed, and the Lions missed out on what would have been a 7–6 lead.

    On Thursday, Williams explained the moment, the mistake, and the fallout.

    “I Didn’t Know It Was a Penalty”

    Williams told reporters he had no idea the celebration was illegal.

    “I really didn’t know it was a penalty until I sat down on the bench and I seen the field goal team going out,” he said as quoted by Lions OnSI. “I apologized to Jake, I apologized to Jack, I apologize to coach, everybody. I didn’t look at it like that… I felt like it was my fault in the moment.”

    Williams added that his teammates told him it wasn’t his fault, but the 23-year-old admitted it still felt like it was.

    “We just gotta make plays and have to be smarter,” he said.

    Moving Forward: ‘I Will Move Past It’

    When asked whether this is a repeated issue, Williams pushed back.

    “You think it’s something I do like often?” he said with a laugh. “I feel like I only got it one time this year. It’s something I can control for sure, but I will move past it. It’s a new week, we got a new game and that’s just that.”

    Detroit will certainly appreciate the accountability and the reminder that even explosive playmakers need occasional growth moments.

    Dave Fipp: The Kick Is the Kick — No Excuses

    Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said he didn’t feel the need to address the penalty with Williams. He saw head coach Dan Campbell pull Jamo aside, so he knew it was handled.

    More importantly, Fipp kept the focus on execution.

    “The truth is I saw him coming off the field and I saw Dan talked to him, so I knew I didn’t have to say anything,” Fipp said. “They say ‘field goal,’ then we go out there and kick a field goal. The ball’s on the 30, it’s on the 30… and it really doesn’t matter.”

    He didn’t excuse the missed kick, either.

    “I don’t get too caught up in the ‘I can’t believe that happened to us.’ Our job is to go out there and make the kick,” he said. “If we go out there and make the kick, then we’re not even worried about it… We didn’t execute on the kick and that was unfortunate.”

    Fipp also pointed out that Bates’ late 54-yarder, a tough ask in that stadium, was just as significant.

    Jake Bates Jake Bates 2025 challenge Jake Bates' Heroic Tackle

    Bottom Line

    Williams owned the mistake, apologized to everyone involved, and vowed to clean it up. Campbell addressed it. Fipp downplayed it. And now the Lions move forward.

    Jamo made the play everyone will remember, and the mistake everyone will talk about, but now he has an opportunity to rewrite the story on Sunday.

    If he does, nobody will care about one slip down a goalpost.

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    Jeff Bilbrey

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  • Detroit Lions Coaches Get Candid: 5 Players to Watch After Honest Media Session

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    The Detroit Lions’ coordinators didn’t sugarcoat a thing on Thursday. After a frustrating loss to the Minnesota Vikings, offensive coordinator John Morton, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp each took the podium and made it crystal clear, accountability time has arrived.

    Here are five Lions who must answer the call after their coaches’ brutally honest comments.

    1. The Offensive Line: “Protection is the key to everything.”

    If there was one recurring theme from Morton, it was protection, or the lack thereof.

    “The protection, that was the biggest thing,” Morton said as quoted by Pride of Detroit. “I mean, we draw up all these plays we want, doesn’t matter. That was the biggest thing. Winning our one-on-one matchups; that was big. That set us back. Second-and-long, third-and-long. We had a lot of third-and-longs.”

    The Vikings racked up a ton of pressures on Jared Goff, and it wasn’t about scheme or blitz confusion. Morton made it plain: “It’s just a matter of some guys getting beat. That’s all it is.”

    With Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell, and Graham Glasgow leading the front, the unit must find its rhythm again. Morton’s message? Fix the protection, fix the offense.

    2. Terrion Arnold: “The run game and run support… it’s unacceptable right now.”

    Sheppard praised his young corner for his coverage, especially after his first career interception, but he didn’t mince words about the rookie’s run defense.

    “I absolutely see growth with the player in Terrion, absolutely,” Sheppard said. “In pass coverage, it’s been outstanding… But the part of TA’s game that I need to see improve is the run game and run support. It’s unacceptable right now, and he knows that.”

    Arnold’s been a revelation in coverage this season, but if he wants to become a true lockdown defender in Detroit’s system, Sheppard made it clear, tackling and physicality have to match the ball skills.

    Terrion Arnold Detroit Lions Terrion Arnold injury update

    3. Arthur Maulet: “If the game’s on the line, it’s going to be Arthur Maulet in press man.”

    After giving up the game-clinching catch against the Vikings, corner Arthur Maulet caught criticism from fans, but not from his coordinator.

    “Since we’ve had that player, Arthur Maulet, (he) put his head down and done everything we’ve asked,” Sheppard said. “He stood up when asked. I mean, he made a tremendous play in the Tampa game, everybody was talking about him like he was Deion Sanders. Then he gave up the pass, I’m seeing, ‘Why you do this, why that?’ No, if the game’s on the line, it’s going to be Arthur Maulet in press man.”

    It’s a powerful show of faith, but also a challenge. Maulet’s experience and effort are clear, but now he needs to deliver when the lights are brightest.

    4. Jake Bates: “Blocked field goal was just a low kick.”

    Fipp didn’t dodge the question when asked about the blocked 45-yarder in Minnesota.

    “Blocked field goal was just a low kick,” Fipp said bluntly. “There’s people who could’ve protected maybe a touch better, but at the end of the day, the ball just came off low.”

    He explained that Bates’ foot “caught the turf a little bit before the ball” and that the kick “probably hit off the ground and ricocheted up a little bit.”

    For a rookie who’s been one of the NFL’s breakout special teams stories, this is the type of bounce-back moment that defines kickers, respond quickly, and restore trust.

    5. Isaac TeSlaa: “We’re going to get him the ball more.”

    Morton didn’t shy away from admitting Isaac TeSlaa deserves a bigger role after barely seeing the field last week.

    “We’re going to get him the ball more,” Morton said. “And that helps with the other guys, so they’re not always playing 65, 70 plays. But we’re real happy with where he’s at.”

    The rookie wideout has flashed potential in limited snaps, and now it sounds like his time is coming. Detroit’s receiving corps could use fresh legs, and TeSlaa’s physical style may be exactly what Morton wants injected into the offense.

    Isaac TeSlaa Sundae Isaac TeSlaa Touchdown Isaac TeSlaa Detroit Lions

    The Big Picture

    The message from Detroit’s coaching staff is simple: no excuses.

    Execution, toughness, and attention to detail are the themes this week as the Lions prepare to face the Washington Commanders. The staff made it clear they believe in their players, but belief only goes so far without action.

    Now, it’s up to the Lions to turn accountability into results.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Dan Campbell Hands Out 2 Game Balls After Dominating Win over Titans [Video]

    Dan Campbell Hands Out 2 Game Balls After Dominating Win over Titans [Video]

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    Following the Detroit Lions’ impressive 52-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans, head coach Dan Campbell made sure to recognize some standout performances with game balls in the locker room. In an emotional celebration, Campbell acknowledged the efforts of his coaching staff and players, handing out two game balls to cap off the commanding win.

    The first game ball went to Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp, whose unit played a huge role in the blowout. Fipp, who has been instrumental in elevating the Lions’ special teams performance, humbly accepted the honor, crediting his players for their relentless work ethic and execution on the field. Fipp acknowledged that the Lions have built a deep and talented roster that allows the team to dominate all phases of the game, a testament to Campbell and the organization’s efforts in constructing a competitive squad.

    The second game ball was awarded to wide receiver and punt return specialist Kalif Raymond, who electrified the crowd with a stellar performance in the return game. Raymond totaled five punt returns for a staggering 190 yards, including a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown that had Ford Field roaring. During his acceptance, Raymond praised his teammates for creating open lanes, singling out linebacker Alex Anzalone for a crucial block that helped him find the end zone.

    With this win, the Lions (now 6-1) remain in first place in the NFC North and are set to travel to Lambeau Field next week to face the 6-2 Green Bay Packers in a pivotal divisional showdown.

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    W.G. Brady

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