July 31, 2023
On how Lions LB Jack Campbell’s serious attitude has helped him acclimate to the NFL: “Well, I would say this about Jack, he came from a program that I think he was coached really, really well. There’s some concepts that we do somewhat different than what he’s used to, but he is a very serious operator and he takes his job serious. So, that’s one thing that we liked about him. That’s why we drafted him where we did. His ability, his physicality, his skillset and what he can do for our defense. So, he’s a good player, he’s a good player, but he’s still learning.”
On if it is too early to tell if rookies like Lions DB Brian Branch can contribute: “Well, here’s the thing that’s funny to me, is we hear all the writing that’s going on about guys getting reps with the ones, and just like you said, Branch getting reps with the ones. Listen guys, listen, we’re going to play guys with different – in different packages. We’re going to play guys with the ones, we’re going to play guys with the twos, because you don’t want guys going against the same guys every time. Alright, so don’t get so caught up in where guys are at. That’s been my philosophy for the longest – I learned that from Bill Parcells back in the day, and we’re going to continue to do that. You see that with the offense also. I mean (Lions Head Coach) Dan (Campbell)’s a product of coach Parcells also, so those are the things that we do. We just don’t pick guys in one spot and just let them play, so please don’t get caught up in all of that.”
On how much he thinks Lions DB Brian Branch can contribute: “He’s going to contribute. That’s why we drafted him. That’s the only reason you draft guys, to play. So, every guy that we drafted, they have an opportunity to play, and they decide that, and we’ll see that during camp.”
On his reaction to Lions DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson getting injured and bouncing back: “My reaction to every injury that we have is going to be the same, I hate to see guys go down, because it affects them personally and it affects us as a team. So, I don’t know what reaction that you’re talking about like that, but that won’t change with me, whoever it is. But the fact that he got injured and he came – I mean it’s a part of the game. It’s the biggest equalizer in our game is injuries. So, what the player has to understand is, get back as fast as you can, and if you’re able to do that, man, we’re looking forward to having you back on the field. We want good players on the field.”
On what he expects from Lions DL Josh Paschal this year after returning from an injury last season: “That’s one player that I’m very excited for, for the simple fact of what you just said that he really didn’t get a chance to go through training camp last year. He really didn’t get a chance to go through an offseason program last year and he’s been able to do that, so I think we’re starting to see the fruits of that show up. He’s a powerful, physical man and again, that’s why we drafted him in the second round. We expected those things from him, and he’s going to be a good player. He’s going to be a really good player, and I’m excited to see what he’s going to give us in the season.”
On how much he thinks about utilizing the amount of personnel depth at the edge position: “Well, I will say this, in the NFL, you try to go get good players, and I think that’s every team. So, the fact that we have a good amount of good players at that position is no shock to anyone because that’s what you try to do, especially guys that can go get the quarterback. So – and that’s something I think about quite a lot to be honest with you, like how do you utilize each player and how can you have different packages with those players in, and who do you put together to be able to schematically do things that you want to do. So, we’re going to continue to do that. I actually love being able to do that because I love being able to see how I can get offense to react to certain packages that’s in and we’ve been doing a pretty good job of that with the guys we have.”
On how Lions LB Julian Okwara can take a step forward: “Keep practicing. That’s what training camp’s for. Listen, no one’s grandfathered in here. It’s been like that since we got here. You earn your keep, and I’ve said that before. That’s not going to change.”
On how Lions LB James Houston has handled the challenge to continue his development: “He’s handling it very well, and he has to – he understands that. And, I’m going to say the same thing, you earn your keep and you develop as a player, and our job as the coaches is the make sure we develop that player. And he’s one player that’s been working his butt off too. I give him – he is working his butt off to do the things that we need him to do to improve. So, I like exactly where he’s at.”
On if he thinks Lions DL Brodric Martin has been on the right path to development: “Yes, he has, he has, and that’s the reason why we wanted to see him against some of the ones to see exactly how he was going to operate. That’s not an easy job going against (Lions C Frank) Ragnow now. That’s not an easy job, but the only way to find out is to put his (explicit) in there and see what he’s going to do, and that’s exactly what we did. And we’re going to continue to do that with a lot of guys that we have. That’s why (Lions DB Brian) Branch is getting reps against (Lions WR Amon-Ra) St. Brown. To get better you have to go against good players. That’s what we’re going to do.”
On if he has liked the results of Lions DL Brodric Martin and Lions DB Brian Branch with the ones so far: “Yes, I have liked them. Some of them did and some of them I didn’t, but that’s just how it is as a coach.”
On his excitement when he sees Lions DL Brodric Martin beat Lions C Frank Ragnow in a play: “That’s exactly what I just said. So, some good, some bad. He got his (explicit) kicked on some of them too, so. That’s the NFL.”
On his impressions of Lions DL Levi Onwuzurike returning this season after missing a year of football: “I’ll tell you what, man that is – take coaching, take all of that aside, now this is – take the coaching hat off, this is a former player. To see someone be able to have the injury, especially a back injury, at that position, to come back and be able to just fight, strain and grind, man, it feels good for him. It feels good for us to see that. I mean practice the other day, he had a situation where he got bent back quite a bit and my first reaction was like, ‘Whoa,’ and man, he just got up, got back into the huddle and got to the next play, and I felt really, really good about that. The fact of the matter that he can go through that, it tells me, it tells him more than anything, ‘I’m OK. I’m OK.’ We had a conversation this offseason, I said, ‘Levi, listen, if you’re going to do this, then let’s go all in. Let’s go all in. Let’s go play,’ and he said, ‘I’m with you coach,’ and that showed up in practice, especially on that play.”
On if Lions DL Levi Onwuzurike had thoughts of not returning to football: “I don’t know, I mean in every player’s mind when you have an injury, especially that, I’m sure you think about it. I mean it’s just part of life, but the fact of the matter is, he’s out on the field for us and he’s playing.”
On what Lions DL Levi Onwuzurike can provide the team when healthy: “Interior pass rush. Levi’s naturally strong as a player. Obviously, he didn’t get a chance to do all of the weight room work that you want him to do, so I will say that player is still in the developmental phase also, because he didn’t really get a chance to do the things that’s expected of a defensive lineman coming into the NFL, so he still has a ways to go, but I like exactly where he’s at.”
On how much Lions CB Emmanuel Moseley has to make up when returning to training camp: “Well I will say this, Emmanuel has been in every meeting, not physically, but mentally. So obviously if you’re not practicing, if you’re not actually, physically out there, there’s going to be an adjustment, and once he gets back, I’m sure – because he’s a pro. He’s an absolute pro, so I have no issue with that player on understanding exactly what we’re doing. It’s just the fact of getting back there as a defensive back and doing all the movements and things like that to get back into the groove.”
On if Lions CB Emmanuel Moseley has been in meetings via Zoom: “Yes.”
On what it has been like adding Lions Defensive Line Coach John Scott Jr. this year: “Well, I would say this, John Scott was at the Jets when I was there as a scout, so we knew each other then. (Buccaneers Head Coach) Todd Bowles is a really good friend of mine, really good friend, and he was there with him also as a coach. And then (Buccaneers Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach) Kacy Rodgers is another good friend of mine, and as you look around, you start to ask these coaches about D-line coaches. I mean that’s a job that you want to pick the right guy, like the right guy. O-line and D-line, you want to make sure you have the right guy, the right mentality, the right type of grit to you to coach those guys, so he fit the bill on all of those things. And, he is a technician, exactly what I’m looking for, and there’s a certain way I want our D-line to play and he knows exactly what that is because I’ve seen him do it and I’ve seen him be around other coaches that coach like that so, once we got a chance to sit and talk to him it was a no brainer, alright to pick that guy up, so he’s doing a heck of a job for us.”
On what he has seen from the undrafted free agents like Lions CB Starling Thomas V: “Listen, I think the first thing that I will say about that is, man just, our personnel guys do a heck of a job of finding these type of guys. I guess it’s starting to be a trend of us finding DBs, so I appreciate what those guys do and the work they put in. So now Starling, he is physical, he can run, he’s highly competitive, he’s raw. Those same things I told you about (Lions CB) Jerry (Jacobs) when he was here, and our guys do a really good job of understanding those traits that we need as an undrafted free agent to be able to come and compete to be a part of this team. Now, he still has a ways to go, and we’re not locking him in on as a guy that’s going to make the team or whatnot, but again, to see if he can play, you have to let him play with the first team so please stop writing he’s with the first team. Please, alright. He’s getting his reps.” |
