Notes: Short free agent deals add ‘chip on your shoulder’ mentality, Dan Campbell says

Culture has been a main theme in this Detroit Lions rebuild since both Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell got to town earlier this year.

How do you set a winning tone, especially in a city that’s... well... accustomed to losing?

As the new regime continues to overhaul the team, part of that plan includes making smaller splashes to set themselves up for long-term success. Of the Lions’ recent free agency additions, eight signed one-year deals: wide receivers Tyrell Williams, Damion Ratley, Breshad Perriman, and Kalif Raymond, quarterback Tim Boyle, linebacker Alex Anzalone, and kicker Randy Bullock.

But Campbell says it’s these players that can make a big impact on the team’s culture.

“The ultimate vision would be, even at the very least, you bring in these guys, and let’s just say they are all one year — hypothetically. Well even there, you get the production out of them, but you get this kind of workman mentality, this chip on your shoulder, this is how you win, this is how you build things, and they’ve installed that in some of these young players,” Campbell said Monday.

He said that that helps set the tone for where the team is trying to go, and the way things are supposed to be done. Another part of building a winning culture, they say, is connecting with players they’ve worked with in the past.

“I thought it was important that we brought in guys that we somehow have a relationship with or that we know somewhat intimately, because you know what those guys are about. All these guys have something to prove — and so do we,” Campbell said.

Holmes once more emphasized his role is a service one — that he’s here to serve the best product to #OnePride and they’re on the track to do so.

“We have stuck to a plan that Dan and I had in place, and the players that we identified and that we’ve selected — they’ve all been very intentional,” he said.

You can watch the rest of the press conference below.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• Mocks, mocks, mocks. Here’’s first one from NFL.com analyst Chad Reuter, another from Pro Football Focus’ Austin Gayle, and another from the fellas over at The Athletic.

• Just a fantastic overview from the Detroit Free Press crew on how life changed for major sports teams in Michigan since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

• Detroitlions.com’s Tim Twentyman is back again with eight NFL pro days to watch this week, and who to keep an eye on.

• Some Hock appreciation.

• Another profile (there can’t be too many) the Lions’ Jessica Larmony and her path to becoming scouting operations manager.

• The Detroit Lions reflect on their community efforts this past year.

• With most of the free agency deals already made, Mlive.com’s Benjamin Raven takes a look at the top 10 remaining fits for Detroit. (Subscription required.)

• Boy, Jamaal Williams is likable.