Story by
How an ex-Lions coach helped set up Frank Crum’s touchdown
- Story by
- How an ex-Lions coach helped set up Frank Crum’s touchdown
The Denver Broncos came up with the perfect play against the Buffalo Bills for their first touchdown of the game, and a former Detroit Lions coach helped dial it up.
Last week, former Lions assistant John Morton was spotted at Broncos' practice prior to the Bills game. Morton coached under Sean Payton in Denver before leaving for Detroit in 2025, and he returned to the team in an advisory role after being fired by the Lions. Morton apparently helped set up Frank Crum 's touchdown.
Advertisement
"So, 'Johnny Mo' (John Morton) was just working with us, consulting," Payton said. "Detroit ran that play against Buffalo in the regular season last year. I am going to be respectful of all the linemen in the world who get to catch a pass. But Frank is extremely athletic. The tackle, the jumbo for Detroit, would be on the other end. There's nothing to do with visibility, but on the other end of that spectrum. When we saw that, we saw it as a short-yardage play, but we saw it as a short-yardage red-zone play... that's one of those Rudy plays. Your whole team goes crazy when that happens."
Crum also commented on his first pro touchdown. "It was a dream come true for an o-lineman," said Crum. "I don't think I even scored a touchdown in backyard football. So that was the first ever in my life."
Crum has had quite the season; in addition to a touchdown in 2025, Crum has regularly been used as an extra blocker in "jumbo" formations, and he blocked an extra point attempt .
Advertisement
"(Crum is) very athletic, and sometimes you don't get the look you want," Payton said. "We got the exact same look Detroit got. Ours scored just like three seconds quicker. Their guy took a while to get in."
Good Morning Football's crew gave Crum a game ball for his touchdown.
And CBS did a hilarious cinematic look at Crum's celebration, setting it to a song from the movie Titanic :
Be sure to look out for Crum during the AFC championship against the New England Patriots on Sunday. Payton will surely throw the garbage disposal at Mike Vrabel and his defense.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X ! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans .
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: How ex-Lions coach helped set up Frank Crum's TD
