Lions’ Trick Play a Brainchild of QB Coach Ben Johnson
Lions head coach Dan Campbell attributes the team’s successful trick play in their latest game to the creativity of quarterback coach Ben Johnson. The play, which was rehearsed all week, was originally conceived by Johnson and saw quarterback Jared Goff fake a fumble and then pick it up, while wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (known as Gibby) pretended to dive on the supposed fumble.
According to Goff, the play was originally even more intricate, with the quarterback considering fumbling the ball and then picking it up, but he eventually suggested a fake fumble and a fake dive by Gibby. This variation was deemed more effective and was executed successfully on first-and-10 from just outside the red zone. The Bears’ pass rush slowed down, allowing LaPorta to streak past the secondary and score.
Head coach Dan Campbell praised the play, saying it was executed better in the game than in practice. The successful play helped to lift the team’s spirits after a tough stretch of games, with a string of bad luck, including injuries, weighing them down. The coaches and players’ hard work paid off, making it a great sight to see.