November 17, 2022
Opening Statement: “Alright, heck of a win for us last week, was fun to see how that thing played out there in the fourth quarter. Some things offensively, some wasted opportunities, drive-wise at least to make three-and-outs when you look at it. But really proud of our guys and how they responded there. I want to say like five minutes left, taking it 91 yards and scoring the touchdown, so that was huge. That was huge and our defense playing complementary football with us and huge win for us on the road. It was awesome.”
On the injuries to the skill players on offense and how the unit has been able to perform with other players stepping up: “Yeah, I don’t know if we’ve been playing the caliber of football that we really expect from ourselves right now to be honest with you. Statistically, you can say what you want, but I do think that we are finding a way to stay in these games and these guys are fighting hard together. It doesn’t matter who we have out there, linemen that we weren’t expecting to play during training camp or starting for us, that’s not a problem. Receivers, same thing, they’re stepping up, they’re doing their jobs, they’re executing. Everyone understands their role going into a game, and so I think that’s why we’ve had the success that we’ve had, and we’ve got to continue to focus in on the details to have even more success offensively.”
On where he has seen himself improve as a play-caller throughout the season: “I don’t suppose I’ve had that time to reflect on that quite yet. End of the season I’m sure I’ll be able to think a little bit more on that question, but certainly every week, every week we as a staff, we’ve come up with I think a sound gameplan. There’s only been one week so far this year that I’ve been disappointed with too many of my play-calls. Every week there’s a few that you want back, but there’s only one game this year that I really felt like I didn’t help us offensively enough. And that’s a situation where you acknowledge it, you learn from it and you don’t make those same mistakes again. So, I think I am growing as a play-caller as we go, but like I said, I haven’t really thought about it in-depth beyond that.”
On if there is anything different schematic-wise that the Giants do on third down and in the redzone on defense: “No man, this is – this is a good group now. (Giants Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Don) (Martindale) has these guys going. We played him last year when he was in Baltimore and similarities are there. Personnel’s different, but schematically they’re the same for the most part and it creates a lot of issues for an offense. They put stress on an offensive unit, probably more so than most defenses in this League. So, yeah we carry a lot of burden identifying these looks. We have to be able to communicate, be on the same page in order to execute this week. But third down it is man coverage, it’s fire zone, it’s pressure left and right. They’re loading it this way, bringing it that way. I mean, for an inexperienced player out there you can see where guys would have their heads just spinning. So, that’s our challenge as a coaching staff to try to simplify it for our guys, and then execute there on third down. But we haven’t been great on third down, last couple of weeks we’ve been a little bit better. But it’s still not where we need it to be, so we’ve got our work cut out for us for sure.”
On what he sees in Giants OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux: “I see a dynamic young player right now that’s getting better every week. You see the traits, the twitch as a pass rusher right now where he’s going to be a handle as he continues to get reps and experience – and really, I mean he’s a freak athletically, so you’ve just got to – we’ve got to be aware of where he’s at. And then, it’s not just him because he can feed off of those our guys upfront. They have a lot of really good players on their defensive line that help create one-on-one situations for him right now and he’s reaping some benefit that way.”
On what it was like working with Giants WR Kenny Golladay when he was in Detroit and if he is surprised by his lack of production in New York: “I haven’t followed too much of Kenny’s situation. I just know from his time here, loved him as a player, love being in the meetings with him, practice field, gameday. He was always a good productive player for us when he was here, but I can’t speak on to what’s going on in New York with him.”
On which game he was not pleased with his play-calling and what he did not like about it: “It was actually two weeks ago against – shoot, who did we play? It was Green Bay, it was Green Bay, yeah. I’m getting my wires crossed a little bit there. Yeah, I wasn’t very happy. I mean it started with the first drive. That fourth-and-1 call wasn’t very good by me, and I had a couple in that game that weren’t very good calls. So, learn from it and move on.”
On what he identifies as the problem with his play-calling against Green Bay: “I know exactly what happened, and I just know it’s not going to happen again. I’ll leave it at that.”
On Lions RB Jamaal Williams’ heavy workload and how he weighs it throughout the season: “You don’t know until you start pushing the limits of what someone’s capable of, so just because he hasn’t had the workload that we’re giving, it doesn’t mean that he’s not built for it or he can’t handle it. The opportunities have risen for him and for a number of other guys where they’re getting more reps than maybe we thought going into this season with injuries or they’re playing really well, and so they naturally get opportunities that way. So, he’s reaped the benefits and like we say every week with him, he’s Mr. Dependable, Mr. Steady and we know exactly what we’re getting with him. There is no doubt four-minute offense last week, that third-and-8, that he was going to get the first down and he was going to get down, and he was going to seal the game. We knew that already. That was our plan.”
On how much he has studied and watched what Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll has done in New York: “I can’t say I have. To me, he does a great job of getting his scheme to fit his personnel, probably more so than most coaches in this League because he can morph from, ‘OK, I got (Bills QB) Josh Allen, and we’re a little bit more spread out and getting the ball to these playmakers.’ And then now, in New York, they’re a little bit more run-heavy, and feed (Giants RB) Saquon (Barkley) it sounds like. Miami, before I got there, was the same thing. They were a little bit more ground oriented. They had (former NFL RB) Reggie Bush, and a really strong offensive line, and that was really what he leaned on, and then he went to the college game at Alabama and was probably more spread RPO from what I can gather. So, he’s been able to really weave in and out and mesh his scheme and philosophy to who he has. And I think that’s a great trait for any coordinator or coach.”
On how the team approaches a quick turnaround with the Thanksgiving game against the Bills: “Yeah, I mean we were conscious of how this works – we’ve got the Thanksgiving game every year, so we’re well aware of how this thing operates, and it’s springtime, it’s training camp, it’s up until the Thanksgiving game that – yep, that’s always in the back of our head every year, doesn’t matter. So, yeah, we’ve got guys looking at that. We always have guys scouting ahead a few weeks, so we’ll be prepared there.”
LIONS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR AARON GLENN QUOTE SHEET
November 17, 2022
Opening Statement: “Obviously, happy and excited about the win that we got as an overall team. Really excited for the opportunity to go out and get our second win, back-to-back wins with this new regime. Excited about the opportunity to go out to another venue and get a chance to get a win also. So, those are things that we’re looking at that we can build on as a defense. And being able to be down by 14 points, going out there playing really good defense to give our offense a chance to get us back in the game. So, I said it last week and I’m going to continue to say it again, man, belief is a powerful drug and our guys are really starting to believe and you see that in their body language. You see it the way they play. It’s important that we continue on that path because you start to see the trend of our guys really starting to really feel it.”
On how validating it was to see the defense on the field and seal the game last Sunday against the Bears: “I think the most important thing is for the players because listen, they hear so much negativity that it’s tough. But again, man, if you just keep yourself in this cocoon like we have done and just go out there and improve and continue to believe in who we are, believe in this team, believe in the defensive players that’s around. Listen, we’re young and we know that, but again like just to get a chance to do that and to feel that, that just breeds winning. I’ve been a part of that. I’ve seen that happen. I’ve seen the change to where, man, once you start to do that and once guys start understanding and believing it, and understanding how to win, those things start to really propel you as a team in general.”
On the last defensive play of the game against the Bears: “Listen, that player, (Bears QB Justin) Fields who I’m talking about is a really, really good player. He caught a lot of flack last year, but man he’s starting to really open up and be exactly who – the reason why he was drafted that high. He’s a lot stronger than I think a lot of teams give him credit for and for us to just get that player down on the ground is a credit to our guys. And I think the one thing that was most rewarding is one of our players who was (Lions LB) Julian (Okwara), he had him initially, slipped off of him, (Lions LB) Alex (Anzalone) had him, but Julian was just relentless as far as his pursuit to get back up and go finish the play and that’s everything that we talk about. And that’s everything who we are as a defense and you’re starting to really see that stuff really start to show up. So, that play was a pivotal play for our guys to see it, just in general overall. To just – this is how we play and that was good to see.”
On the dynamics of the pass rush defense and the secondary working together on the last defensive series against the Bears: “Well, I think we all understand that rushing coverage matches each other and just the coverage aspect of just challenging – having the mentality of, listen my man is not going to catch it and that’s something that’s been preached to each and every one of those guys. And listen, I’ve been hard on those guys and they know my mentality, they know how I am and they’ve been up for the challenge and it’s been showing with those guys. So, just like (Lions LB) Julian (Okwara) said man, it’s outstanding to see those two dynamics really just marry up with each other because we’re going to need it. We’re going to need it, we have another mobile quarterback that’s coming in, not as mobile as (Bears QB Justin) Fields, probably not as strong or built just like Fields. But a good athlete who’s able to make some yards as far as scrambling in these unscripted plays that’s concerning.”
On how Lions LB Julian Okwara has been playing and what he has to do to get more reps: “Well, I’m going to continue to say this, you earn your keep. If you – the way you play dictates the playing time and that’s just what it is. So, Julian has been getting better each and every week. He has some of these soft tissue issues that come up, right, that take him down, but we know how dynamic he is as an athlete and we’re just trying to make sure we marry that up with the physicality part on first and second down and him being able to rush on third down. So, we’ve been looking for that. That’s something I’ve been preaching about him. We’ve been expecting it from him since training camp and that’s not going to change. I’m not going to waver in that because I know how good of an athlete he is.”
On Lions DL Romeo Okwara coming back to practice yesterday: “Man, I wish I can tell you that because I don’t know when he’s going to be back. But I do know it was good to see him out at practice yesterday. So, I mean he’s going to be a guy that’s going to give us pass rush also, we know that from his past. So, and the thing is we haven’t had a chance to really get to utilize that. So, I’m looking forward to him getting back, so we can utilize that.”
On what he has learned about the secondary the past two weeks: “They’re young. They’re very young, but they’re hungry. And there’s an understanding of what it takes to be a good secondary and I’m going to continue to push those guys. With (Lions CB) Jeff (Okudah), I mean his ability to go out there and cover and compete one-on-one. (Lions S) Kerby (Joseph), his ability to get the ball back for us. There’s some things that he has to improve on, he knows that. (Lions S) DeShon (Elliott) got hurt last week, but he’s a guy that does a really good job in the paint as far as making tackles and playing out on the edge. (Lions CB) Mike Hughes and (Lions CB) Jerry (Jacobs), good to have Jerry back. Man, he’s a dog. Excited to have that player back and get him more playing time. Then, Mike Hughes of getting a chance to play him at nickel, get a chance to play him outside. So, all those guys, they understand exactly what we’re trying to accomplish, they understand exactly how the rush and the coverage marries each other. And we’ve got to continue to improve, alright, because we had some issues back there that we shouldn’t have had. And then with (Lions S) C.J. (Moore) coming in, alright, when DeShon got hurt. Those guys got to be ready to play and the thing is you don’t get a lot of reps. I mean, that’s just how the NFL is, so you’ve got to mentally be on top of your game.”
On what sets Giants RB Saquon Barkley apart from other running backs in the League: “I would say this first, every week you’re dealing with really, really good players. And the thing you do for the most part is understand exactly who are the elite players and what do they do best, and how can you neutralize them? And how can you make them play left-handed? Harder done than me sitting here saying it. But man, you talk about vision, you talk about being able to break a tackle and take it the distance. That’s the one trait that you see with him that’s unlike any other back that we’ve went against. So, the ability to make sure we get the ball down is important with that player. Population to the ball is important with that player. This jump cut, his ability to burst is probably the best I’ve seen this year as far as a running back. Even the ones, the good ones we’ve been against. And I think he’s on pace to – I think he’s leading the League in rushing, so that tells you the story of who this guy is. So, it’s a hard job, alright? But I think our guys are up for the job and each week we have to go against a good player and it is what it is.”
On how Giants QB Daniel Jones’ mobility strains a defense: “Man, it’s the nature of this League now. Everybody wants a quarterback that has a chance to make some things with – done with their legs and again, he’s not (Bears QB Justin) Fields, but he’s a capable mobile quarterback. So, we just have to make sure that we’re good on these quarterback run plays that they give him. And again we’ve got to tackle, we’ve got to tackle.”
On what Lions DL Isaiah Buggs has meant for the defense in the middle: “Buggs is one of the funnier guys on the team. Really good personality, tough, tough as nails, can strain. Exactly what we need with our interior guys, and I think he’s showing that, showing (Lions DL) Alim (McNeill) actually, how to actually get that done. Alim can do it, but Buggs has a history of doing that. So, just him and his professionalism as far as man, how do you play D-line? How do you strain? How do you come out your hips? How do you shoot your hands? Things like that because he comes from that system. That’s really what my background is. He’s able to show that to the other D-linemen, so he’s been a really, really good addition for us. And I think he’s in a really good place right now being here in Detroit.”
LIONS SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE FIPP QUOTE SHEET
November 17, 2022
Opening Statement: “Outstanding, this day actually is big. Big day in the Fipp household. Again, I’ll give you my Alabama updates. So, our oldest daughter’s back in town tonight from Alabama, first time, coming back for Thanksgiving, so big night in our house. My wife’s pumped, and I’m excited to see her too.”
On if his daughter attended the right school after the Alabama football team recorded two losses this season: “Dude, I know. She’s definitely wondering. I mean Tennessee is looking better.”
On if he has any Thanksgiving food staples: “Thanksgiving, yeah, actually that is a great question, so a long time ago, I was a graduate assistant at the University of Arizona, and a buddy of mine, (San Jose State Head Coach) Brent Brennan, who is now the head coach at San Jose State, great guy, one of my best friends. And his dad came into town, and we were both GAs at Arizona. His dad comes in town. I think we played Friday after Thanksgiving, something like that, and his dad comes into town, and his dad fries a turkey. And I’m like watching this process like, ‘This is incredible. Let me see this thing.’ So, I would say ever since then, I don’t know, it was 20-something years, 22, 21? Twenty-one years I’ve fried a turkey. So, yeah, it’s been good.”
On if he cooks the turkey in the backyard: “Yeah, deep fryer. We don’t do it around any wood, not near the house, away from everything. We defrost the bird before we put it in there, but yeah.”
On what Giants CB Adoree’ Jackson offers in the punt return game: “Yeah, so obviously explosive player, they’ve got (Giants WR) Richie (James) too back there, 80, and Adoree’, who they put back there most recently, but two really good players catching those punts. They’ve had some challenges I think catching them a little bit and holding onto it after the catch a little bit throughout the year, but with the ball in their hand and making a play, these guys are explosive. Man, they’re good, so explosive players, we’ve got to take care of that. Obviously, we’ve got to protect first and then punt the ball, but yeah, two good players back there. And their kick returner, (Giants RB Gary) Brightwell, younger player out of Arizona, strong, tough, physical, similar to the guy we played against last week who obviously we didn’t play perfect against. So, we’ve got our challenges.”
On if Lions DL Charles Harris got a thumb on the extra point kick the Bears missed in the fourth quarter: “I don’t think there was a thumb, but golly, that thing took a right-hand turn after it came off his foot. No, those guys for us have rushing hard all year long. I really do think that our field goal block has done a good job of putting pressure on those guys, but man, it is a crazy game. It came down to a kick, and we were obviously fortunate to be on the right end of that.”
On the punt return unit allowing larger returns than they have in the past: “Yeah, so I would say two things. One is when you say a punt return, I would say, return yards are not a huge stat to me. We talked about this I think a year ago, like we could hammer the ball 70 yards down the field and give up 20-yard return, still have a 50-yard net, it’d be a good play. But I would say to answer your question, the net would be important to me, and our net has down, so I’m not side-stepping the question. I totally get that. Yeah, our net’s definitely not been where we want it to be. It’s not up to really where I want it to be. I know (Lions P Jack) Fox too, and I would say, it really probably does start with the punter. We’ve got to punt the ball a little bit better. He hasn’t played quite up to his standard the last couple of weeks. Now, that being said, we haven’t had a huge sample size. Some of our punts have been in the plus-50 area. We’ve hit a couple touchbacks, so that brings the net down too. So, I think there’s some other things going on kind of to the point of never too high, never too low. It’s somewhere – the truth is kind of somewhere in between a little bit, but definitely we can improve in those areas. I’ve got to do a better job, and we’ve got to execute better.”
On if Lions K Jack Fox’s recent struggles with punting correlate with his new responsibility of handling kickoffs: “Yeah, people love to say that. We all want to look for one thing or the easy answer to point to, and I would say that would definitely be something easy we could point to, but personally, do I feel that way? I don’t at all. I feel like he’s managed that fine. I don’t think it affects the way he punts the ball, but I mean it does add something to his plate. I’m not naïve about that, but I don’t think that’s the reason why he’s punting the ball the way he’s punting it.”
On the comfort Lions K Michael Badgley has provided at the position since joining the team: “Yeah, I mean I’ve really enjoyed being around him. I would say that, and really the biggest reason why I say that is because he’s very confident in himself. And he knows who he is, and he knows the kicker position. And what comes with the kicker position is the highs and the lows, and everyone wants to make a huge and awful and great and terrible, and he is like just right down the middle all the time. And he could miss a kick in practice, and like he won’t even blink. He’ll act like he made it, or like, I’ve looked at him for a response and you get nothing. And he’s like, ‘Yeah.’ And it’s like, ‘What am I going to change?’ He’s like, ‘Nothing, I just mis-hit the ball a little bit.’ And there’s some guys who mis-hit it and then they start walking back their steps, and looking at the hold, and it’s like, dude, it really had nothing to do with that. You missed it by a fraction, and so it pushed outside the uprights. And he knows that. He gets it. He’s like, ‘Yeah, no big deal. I missed it a little bit, I’m going to come back. I’m going to hit the same kick. I’m not going to change anything. I know who I am. The next one’s going to go through.’ And it does, so he’s never chasing himself, which is really good at that position obviously. He’s definitely a great guy to be around. He’s a talented player. He’s very, very consistent, and he’s been around long enough in this League to know just control what you can control. Don’t worry about all the outside noise, and just do your thing.” |
