The NFL Combine has been over for a week.  Dan Campbell has had some interesting takes on the “Underwear Olympics”.

It’s seems is if Dan Campbell loves all things football.  He loves the smells, the sounds, the feeling of game day and practice. But, one football thing I’m learning Dan Campbell doesn’t especially love is the combine.

“You grade them off the tape. You don’t grade off somebody out here in pajamas running around a 40 with no defender around,” Campbell said of players. “But the meetings are great. The meetings are really pivotal. All the other stuff, whatever.”

That’s what makes Dan a football guy. He’s a gamer. He understands film speaks a lot more than any combine could ever.  But he did say he loved the meetings.  Looking players in the eyes and getting to know what motivates them to be great.

Unfortunately, according to Dan Campbell, only about 10% of the guys the Lions interviewed had the “It Factor”.

“Over these 2 to 3 days, lets call it 30-35 guys.  And I’ve check marked 4 guys. To me, they got the “It Factor”. Just when you sit in there and you hear them talk about football, there is a fire burning in them. They cant sit in their seat.  They got to get up to talk….. And you cant fake that.”

That is the type of culture Dan Campbell is looking to continue to build in Detroit.  A 40″ vertical is nice, but do you LOVE the game?  Can you wake up everyday willing to go into battle and get better? Are you someone who cant live without football? If you are, you can be a part of the Brand New Detroit Lions.

While typing that one guy popped into my head, Jamaal Williams. He is the type of guy Coach Campbell was talking about.  Dude loves Anime and Football.  That’s it.  I sincerely hope the Lions resign Jamaal.  He means more to this team than his stats.

My old boss Tony Travatto used to tell me, “Give me good attitude and work ethic, I can teach everything else.”  That is the same message Dan is sending. I love it!

Photo: AP Photo/Paul Sancya