LIONS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR BEN JOHNSON QUOTE SHEET
October 12, 2023
Opening Statement: “Big challenge this week. This is a really good unit we’re about to face, so I know our players are fired up about the opportunity to play them down in Tampa, and 4:30 p.m. game is right up their alley. So, good opportunity for us.”
On finding the direct snap trick play to Lions RB David Montgomery against Carolina: “Yeah, we’ve got a library of things that catch our eye whether in the NFL, college, that goes back for years now. In fact, I think one of the plays we showed we didn’t actually run was from the NFL, like 2007. Last week we had a play up, it was fuzzy film, and our guys were looking at us sideways. But no, we’ve got a group of guys, all the young guys obviously, they’re a little bit more versed in the college game having been there most recently. And (Lions Assistant Offensive Line) Steven Oliver played a critical role in that play, coming up for us. We had noticed on tape, not to give away too much information, but whenever the quarterback would get up and give some movements, the defensive line might settle back or take a knee or something to that sort. So, we were just looking to take advantage of that and drive off the ball. It was anything special about the play, but just the way to get to it was a good idea there by Steven.”
On if they first saw the direct snap trick play from watching film on Lions OL Colby Sorsdal at William & Mary or if they regularly go through film looking for unique plays: “No, we’ve got cut-ups that we can always dive back into. I mean, shoot, those guys have a million ideas each week that they bring up. They probably miss more shots than they make right now because they come up with a good 12 ideas and maybe we only take two or three each week. But, yeah, that was certainly something that he had in the archive from watching Colby’s tape.”
On how much college concepts influence his creativity on offense: “Yeah, I think it’s – I think we’re kind of in our own bubble in the NFL and you’ll see coaches in the NFL, they steal from other coaches. You’re just watching the same game tape as you’re looking to attack a defense each week. And rarely do you during the season as an NFL coach have time to go back to the college game. There are things that pop up every year when we evaluate the college prospects that, ‘Holy cow, that’s a great idea.’ Chip Kelly, back when he was in New Hampshire kind of used that as his laboratory as he came up with all these cool ideas that he was doing up there, and then as he went to Oregon, to Philly, those things kind of blew up and took the League by storm if you will. So, no, there’s a million great ideas out there and sometimes the college game, there’s – I don’t want to say there’s less at stake, but there’s maybe not as much scrutiny if something goes wrong, so you’ve got the green light to be a little bit more creative. And truthfully, that’s the wonderful thing about our head coach, is he’s not afraid to go ahead and do some things that maybe haven’t been done before in this League.”
On if San Francisco stole the same flea flicker trick play they used hours after the Lions did against Carolina: “No, I’m sure that’s something they’ve been working on for weeks. And we stole it elsewhere. In fact, that’s a play that we had with (Lions QB) David Blough in his rookie year when (former Lions Interim Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Darrell) Bevell was here. I still remember we ran it a couple times that season. I think that was 2020, 2019 maybe. Heck, (Lions TE) Brock Wright scored a touchdown on that one a couple years ago as well. We’ve been having that one – just some weeks are better than others for when we feel like it’s going to be a good one, but that’s also one we took from the college game.”
On being on the receiving end of people’s amazed reactions to the trick plays he calls: “It’s only good if it works, and I know that every time one of these gets dialed up. We spend a lot of time as a staff, the head coach, the offensive staff, on when to pull these things out to give us the best chance of them actually succeeding because if they don’t, then it’s a little bit of egg on your face. So, I can’t say the snap between the legs was really a third down call for us last week, but just within the game, it just felt right and so, ended up working out. But truthfully, we didn’t block it particularly well and (Lions RB) David Montgomery made a great play. So, when the players are believing and buying in, usually good things happen.”
On what gives him the confidence that any player can step in and still produce a successful offense: “Yeah, no it’s practice every week. They’re show team players for us right now on the offensive scout team going against our defense every week that we’re watching every single day. And I know, if they get the opportunity, I know what they’re capable of, we know what they’re capable of. And that’s all they need, is just that opportunity. There’s a million really good players and they just don’t ever get the opportunity. We have a lot of them here now on our practice squad right now. So, yeah, we don’t blink an eye. It’s not lip service when we say, ‘Next man up.’ These guys know. I told you last year, we played 10 receivers, 10 linemen, it’s going to be like that again this year at some point during the season, so they’re ready to go.”
On the stability Lions WR Josh Reynolds provides: “Yeah, I mean he’s played really good ball for a long time, even going back to L.A. Obviously, (Lions QB) Jared (Goff) has a rapport with him. They’re very comfortable together. I love, I love, how smart he is as a play-caller because we can move him to any spot on the field and he won’t blink an eye. And so, we try to take advantage of all his skills and utilize those, but the fact that he can handle being anywhere at any moment, it’s really invaluable to that room because some guys, they really – we try to just limit them to one spot, maybe two spots, he can do it all.”
On if the trick plays provide an element of fun and ease for the players’ mindsets: “I think our players – they totally understand that this game still comes down to fundamentals. Ball security, blocking, catching, run after catch, those are things that we’ve harped on as a coaching staff in the springtime, training camp. Heck, we did early last week, we came back and we spent a significant amount of time just reminding the players how important those key fundamentals are to what we do. Those are the building blocks, so everything else that we do are based on that. So, all the tricks, all the creativity, we couldn’t have it if we’re not playing with good pad level, if we’re not securing the ball properly, if we’re not looking to knife after catch the ball, those types of things. They’ve embraced that and because they have, that allows us as a coaching staff to push the limits.”
On how he would describe his play-calling style: “Calculated. I guess that’s one way to say it. Like I said, we put a lot of time as a staff into building a good plan, putting our guys in the right spots and then Friday and Saturday it just comes down to, ‘Hey, what’s the best spot to call this? Where in the game? What situation? What spot on the field?’ All those things. And then we have – as a staff we come up with plays each week. ‘Hey, we must get this off the gameplan. We must call this at some point.’ And so, we’re always looking for those opportunities to call those, so.”
On how Lions WR Jameson Williams will contribute moving forward: “He’s going to continue to get better every single week. That’s been the biggest issue with Jamo, is the fact that we haven’t been able to stack good days on top of each other since he’s been here. And so, I’m really – he had a great week of practice last week. I’m looking forward to him doing that again this week because that’s the way you get better. That’s the way you gain trust of the play-caller, the quarterback. The quarterback will play faster, have more anticipation of where he’s going to be, and we’ll be able to continue to give him opportunities to catch the ball and be the playmaker that he’s capable of being. The coolest thing that came from the game the other day is, the guy is such a big competitor, you see him block in the run game like he is. If he blocks like that, there’ll be snaps for him every week. There’s no problem there. And then the challenge is, ‘Hey, how do we get him the ball?’ And we’ll keep pushing it that way. But I have no problem with where he’s at right now and where he’s going.”
On how rewarding it has been to work with Lions TE Sam LaPorta: “Yeah, I’m trying to see what he can’t do right now because really he’s been really impressive handling it all. So, he’s done a phenomenal job. He’s a pro, as a rookie, he’s a pro. I give credit every time his name comes up to his position coach, (Lions Tight Ends Coach) Steve Heiden, he’s done a phenomenal job with him getting him ready week in and week out. And Sam is uber-talented as well. You see a lot of young guys in this League, particularly at that position, they’re either really strong pass-catchers or maybe they’re shifted the other way and they’re more in the blocking department and he’s equally good in both ways. So, another member of our unit that is really invaluable to what we’re going right now.”
On if he has found anything Lions TE Sam LaPorta cannot do: “Not yet. We’ll find out, just keep going.”
LIONS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR AARON GLENN QUOTE SHEET
October 12, 2023
Opening Statement: “Really good win last week. Looking forward to this next opponent.”
On what stands out about the Buccaneers’ offense: “I mean just like any team, the receiver position in this League is becoming one where you have at least three of these guys that you’ve got to challenge, so. And I know those guys. I’ve been going against those guys for like six years. They’re really good players, they’re tough, they go up and get the jump ball. So, it’ll be good to get a chance to go after these guys again.”
On how Lions DL Isaiah Buggs has responded to adversity being inactive the first couple games this season: “I don’t know if you want to call it adversity, but listen, you earn your right. That’s – I’ve been saying that since ’21 when I first got here and that’s not going to change, and that’s just who I am as a coach. There’s no free rides on this defense, so – and it doesn’t matter if you’re a first pick, last pick, practice squad, it doesn’t matter. Every time you go out there on the grass, you’re earning the right to go out there and play with the other men. That’s my responsibility to make sure because I have a responsibility to all the guys. I have a responsibility to the head coach, to the coaching staff, to make sure that we go out there and play the guys that are going to play to a high level, and Buggs is doing that right now, which we knew that he could do. So, there was nothing against him not doing what he needed to do, there were just other guys that started stepping up.”
On if he can sense a fire has been lit under Lions DL Isaiah Buggs: “Buggs has always had a fire. That’s not his issue. I’m sure you guys have talked to him. That’s not his issue. So, the thing is, I like exactly where Buggs is at and the good thing about it is, man, he has a way that he can continue to improve. And that’s what we’re looking forward to with that player.”
On Lions DL Brodric Martin’s progress and potential to debut in the coming weeks: “Well, I can’t say exactly when he’s going to play, but I’ll tell you what, I like where’s at and I like how he’s improving. And that’s what we talk about with that player all the time, as far as his awareness, as far as how we play defense for the most part. Excited about that player still, I mean he’s still a big body that can move, so each week him getting the chance to go against our O-line is the best thing he can ever have.”
On if Lions DL Brodric Martin’s progress is comparative to Lions LB James Houston’s last year: “Well, I don’t know about that. I think James Houston came out of nowhere to be honest with you. We knew that he had talent, but man, it just – the rise that Houston had from going against our O-line, we were just talking about with Martin, was outstanding. So, we’re looking at it somewhat similar because he’s getting the chance to go against a good O-line and be able to practice those techniques that we’re teaching him.”
On where Lions DL Brodric Martin has improved: “Lateral agility for one, and he’s working after practice on that like every day. Alright, that’s the first thing, the second thing is hand placement. That’s something that’s been different for him on where he’s putting his hands. And just understanding exactly the way that we play defense.”
On why he feels the defense’s performance through five games is expandable despite all the injuries they have endured: “Because we’re in the improvement business and every time we go to practice, we look to improve, so you’ll hear me say that no matter what. We could be the ’85 Bears, and I would tell you that we could still improve. And what you said is correct because you have guys going in and out and that’s just the nature of this League, injuries, and you have guys that have to come in and step up. And they have to end up playing to the ability of the guy that’s been playing at that spot. And our guys have been doing a pretty good job with that.”
On if he did anything different in his approach to prepare the defense this season: “That’s a good question. I would say there were times when I changed the verbiage of what I’m going to say, but for the most part, these guys know exactly where I’m headed to, so – because definitely I don’t want to get stale, so the verbiage can change somewhat.”
On how Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield has evolved: “Very impressed with how he’s looking on tape. Played against him our first year, I think we had two INTs but it was a sloppy game. I think it was raining that game. But I’ll tell you what, he is a big-time competitor. That can hurt you and that can help you, right, in his case. But you see right now, he’s able to use that and bring that time exactly where they are as far as being 3-1. And they’re doing a good job with him allowing him to manage the game. When he can get a chance to take his shots, he’s going to take his shots because he has those two big guys out there. He trusts those guys, he’ll throw it up to them.”
On how Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield is known for trash-talking: “I mean that’s not going anywhere. I mean that’s who he is, and I can appreciate that. I can appreciate that because sometimes people try to put you in this box and try to get you to be somebody else and he’s going to be himself. And that’s what I like about that player.”
On if more trash-talk fuels the defense: “We’re always fueled. Doesn’t matter who we play against, we’re always fueled.”
On if they are skeptic the Buccaneers have not showed all they can do in the run game: “I can’t answer that. I don’t think. I do know they’re committed to it and usually when you’re committed to it, that’s a really good sign for play-action. So, I think they’re doing a really good job with, ‘Listen, it’s not working. We’re going to get away from it now.’ This head coach and this coordinator is sticking with it, what I think is a really good plan on offense.”
On where Buccaneers T Tristan Wirfs ranks among the other tackles they have faced so far: “I’m not one to rank those guys, but I will say he’s a big-time player. In this League, most of those guys that’s out in the edge. Now it’s not just a left tackle, the left and the right tackle have become pretty dominant players in this League right now. So, we’re aware of him. We know what he brings to the table, so we’ll be ready for him.”
On where Lions LB Jack Campbell needs to grow in order to take the next step: “To me, it’s similar to what we were just talking about with (Lions DL Isaiah) Buggs, it’s not the fact that he’s not growing, it’s the fact that guys in front of him or behind him are playing well too and they deserve to play. (Lions LB Derrick) Barnes for example, (Lions LB Malcolm Rodriguez) Rodrigo, he didn’t get as much playing time, but man, that room has a lot of talent. I mean they practice their ass off. When they get a chance to get in the game, they play at a high level. So the thing is that as Jack continues to grow, and it’s not like he’s not – playing bad or anything like that, it’s just the other guys are playing good too. And as he continues to grow, man, just like any of the other guys you can continue to get more playing time.”
On Lions CB Steven Gilmore’s progress and the potential to play soon: “Well, we’ll see. We’ll see. He’s a part of the plan that we have. We call him Gilly-Lock because he has lockdown potential, so he has some of that from (Cowboys CB Stephon Gilmore) his brother. But he’s a good one to have, we’re excited about the player and at some point, he’ll be on the field helping us.”
On Lions CB Jerry Jacobs being tied for the League-lead in interceptions: “That’s good because that’s exactly what he’s done throughout his career is earn his keep. And man, I’m happy for that player because of that fact. He wasn’t a player that actually intercepted a lot of balls and now he’s worked on that this offseason and it’s starting to pay off for him. And man, he’s catching it with his hands, alright? That’s a huge deal for a defensive back to be able to go up and pluck the ball out of the air and he’s done that a couple of times. So, I’m excited to continue to see his growth as far as where he is going, as far as his interceptions are concerned.”
On how proud he is to have the trust in Lions CB Jerry Jacobs to make the right read in zone coverage: “I will say this first, any guy that we have on the field, there’s a trust factor there. So, Jerry has earned that trust once he started to play the way he’s been playing. And he actually earned that in practice. So, it’s no surprise why he’s a starter for us, it’s no surprise why he’s playing the way he’s playing. But in this League, as a corner, you just can’t be a one-trick pony. You have to be able to play multiple coverages and he’s able to do that and he’s been progressing at that level, playing zone and playing man. And I think it’s starting to pay off for him.”
On his defense’s reaction of the direct snap play to Lions RB David Montgomery in the Carolina game: “I can recall seeing that play. My mind is so into what’s going on with the defense that I really didn’t even see the play when it happened because I think I was talking to some of the DBs at the time, but it’s pretty unique, it’s pretty unique. And I forgot where he said he got it from, but I mean (Lions Offensive Coordinator) Ben (Johnson)’s the type guy that he’s not afraid to try things and I think that’s a really good trait of his because some guys are stuck in the mode just doing one thing and he’s a guy that’s not afraid of trying things.”
On if he finds unique defensive concepts at the college level: “Well, I’ll tell you what, these concepts that these college coaches have are pretty unique, offensively and defensively and on special teams. So, man, just to be able to watch those things and see exactly how they coach, and defensively how they’re defending certain things like these RPO games because they see that a lot. It’s pretty unique and I try to, for the most part, go and visit a college coach in the offseason as much as I can. And I really do enjoy those conversations because I learn a lot just in the college game of how they see things and how those things can actually translate to the NFL because that game is actually coming to the NFL. And it’s helped me on a number of occasions of how I want to scheme some things.”
LIONS SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE FIPP QUOTE SHEET
October 12, 2023
On if he saw Wyoming’s onside kick during their game on Saturday: “Oh no, it was good? Surprise onside kick? I thought the guy last week’s onside kick was pretty good.”
On if he takes inspiration from college games to use on special teams: “Yeah, I think if I see something, I would definitely be intrigued. Obviously, things like this happen, or somebody tells me here and there like, ‘Hey, did you see that?’ And then I’ll look at it. I don’t comb as much college film as maybe some of these guys do, but yeah, it’s good. Good question, yeah. I’m going to take out Wyoming. We’ll run it next week. I didn’t win the Powerball. I still believe that I’m going to sit down with (Patriots Head Coach Bill) Belichick one of these days. And I still believe I’m going to win the Powerball.”
On if he saw USC try to throw Arizona’s punt returner on the ball during their game on Saturday: “No, I didn’t see that play, but I have been a part of a play that I feel like sounded like what you’re talking about and it’s incredible. One of the guys in the building was talking to me about all the rules and penalties and what’s on the film this week from the officials and – anyways he was talking about one of them – we had one where (Lions CB) Chase Lucas kind of got close to the returner on a fair catch, but he was also being hung up with the gunner a little bit, or the jammer, and they said that they blocked us into that guy a little bit, so I think his arm grazed him or something like that, but anyway. But there was one where it was like the guy clearly grabs us and then because we’re getting grabbed, he starts pushing back and they’re like, ‘Well, no because you were blocking him. You were pushing him back.’ But it’s crazy, anyways, so long story short, yeah that rule, I mean it is crazy.”
On if he will check out the USC versus Arizona game when USC tried to throw Arizona’s punt returner onto the ball: “OK, yeah, I’ll check it out. I’ll see Arizona. If it’s got Arizona in it.”
On how he envisions Lions CB Khalil Dorsey fitting back in on special teams when he returns from Reserve/Injured this week: “Yeah, obviously Dorsey did a great job for us on that first game. He was out there against Kansas City and really, he played in all four phases in that game. I think the first step is getting him back on the practice field. He’s been working out without us the last handful of weeks but getting him back out there and then just seeing how it goes, hopefully he progresses to the point he can play, but we’ll see how the week goes, I guess.”
On how important it is to be one of the few teams to not have punted for a touchback this season and keep teams inside the 20-yard line as a result: “Yeah, it’s a good pick up by you because it is really important to me, actually. And it’s something that we haven’t been great at the first few years I’ve been here, I don’t think. And sometimes, the snap by itself is like any of these stats. It could mean something, but it could be not as meaningful as some people think. If you’re taking a touchback and you’re punting from your own 40-yard line, then the ball was a 60-yard punt. Some people call it 60, 40, 60-yard punt, 40-yard net. Well in the old days, 40-yard net was good. 40-yard net’s a little more common nowadays, but you kick from your 35 and it’ll be a 45-yard net and you’d say that’s a great play, so even though there is a touchback on a punt like that, maybe that is a good punt. So, that number by itself is not necessarily totally meaningful, but when you’re punting in that midfield range and you’re having touchbacks, you’re obviously giving away a lot of field position. We had the one punt last week where we were punting in that plus area of the field and the guy took a fair catch, or we pinned him down on the 10, so it was a positive play. But yeah, so it’s a big deal. (Lions P Jack) Fox has done a better job with that, I think I said that to you guys a couple weeks ago, or month or so ago, when you asked about how he’s done and his progression and what he’s done better, that’ll be one thing.”
On if it is the location from where Lions P Jack Fox punts from or his accuracy that eliminates the return of a touchback: “Yeah, I think just being more consistent as a punter, accuracy, ball placement, width of the punt has a big effect on downing the punt. You can make the gunners look a lot better the wider that punt is. The more it’s down the middle, obviously they’re lined up with width. They have to come back to the middle of the field, makes it harder on them and takes longer for them to get there, obviously, they’re running a longer line. But, so, there’s a lot to the play, but yeah, mostly accuracy, consistency.”
On the areas in which he is looking for improvement: “Yeah, I think – I mean I feel like we can improve, really in all areas. And I think that’s really what this season is. I tell these guys every week, ‘You’ve got an opportunity to learn from the last game and get better and really, that’s the goal is that get better and better. And if you’re going to be a good football team, you’re playing your best football down the stretch and so you’ve gotten better every week. I mean we’ve been covering kicks well, but for example, in the last game, there was one kick that got out past the 30 and it was just kind of a little misfit, you know what I mean. And so, it was an opportunity for everybody to learn, OK, how to fit that play if you’ve become the guy who’s in that position, which may happen to somebody else this week, we don’t know. So, it’s just – there’s a million learning examples and ways to improve from every single rep. I mean I always say that game tape is gold to us, man. I mean it’s just an opportunity to teach and grow and develop and learn and it’s not only the guys out there on the field playing the plays, but as you’ve seen this happen to us, there’s been a lot of turnover and we’ve played a lot of different players due to injury and guys up and down on gameday. And so, it’s not only the guy who’s getting the physical rep learning, but it’s also the guy sitting in the chair thinking, ‘Well, yeah, I can’t wait to play, or I hope I–’ and then all of a sudden that’s you and you’re out there and you’ve got to make that play and you find out. Was he really paying attention? Were you focused? Were you engaged? Were you believing that you were going to be in that position at some point and having a chance to affect the outcome of the game?”
On where he wants the team to improve in field goal blocks and rushes: “Yeah, no, I mean, yeah, to your comment last week, what’s out there that the other team’s looking at and that’s what you’re always looking at and you say field goal, field goal block. I mean this morning, we met with field goal and field goal block and that’s kind of what I was thinking like what is on that film that they’re looking at saying, ‘Hey man, there’s a weakness.’ Or, ‘You guys aren’t doing a good enough job.’ And I think you’re always looking for that stuff. But – and that’s really what it is. You’re just trying to make sure you’ve got everything covered and you’re trying to get better and play better.”
On the starting safeties having prominent roles on both special teams and defense: “Yeah, it looks that way and it’s really much of just kind of how the game’s played out so those two safeties, really, they play – there’s really kind of what I call the ‘four-cores teams.’ So that’s your kickoff, your kickoff return, punt, punt return and then you’ve got field goal and field goal block, to me that’s a little bit separate. But anyways, those guys, the two safeties, what’s happening to them is they play on kickoff and they play kind of a lower impact position. There’s safeties for us on that kickoff. And so, it’s a little bit slower play, little bit easier play for them. So, I don’t see it as kind of as demanding, what we’re asking them to do. Obviously, it could be, but it’s definitely important, that’s why they’re out there for it. They can erase something bad that happens in front of them. But so, they’ve played on kickoff, well we’ve scored a bunch of points and we’ve kicked off a bunch, so that’s one and then two is they play on field goal block and so then their rep count, when you just look at it at the end of the game, rep count looks high and it’s like they’re not playing that many plays. But yeah, so I would say that’s the two safety things. That is two – I think the last two weeks I think is we’ve played them out there on the kickoff and that’s a little bit different, some of that’s due to who’s up, who’s down.”
On the field conditions of Raymond James Stadium that could potentially impact special teams: “Yeah, I played there a handful of times. It’s always been a nice play to play, I think. It’s supposed to be pretty nice out there, I think this weekend. Sunday afternoon, I don’t know, 80 degrees, 13 mile per hour winds, gusts in 10-20, something like that. It’s not like I don’t check it every day. If you want to know the weather, just ask a special teams coach, but yeah – or the kicker, or the punter, those guys all know. But no, it’ll be fun to play outdoors. You get totally spoiled playing inside. Everything’s just so consistent, which is nice. And there’s some advantages to that and there’s some disadvantages, but it’ll be fun to play there. I do think that every time I’ve been there, it’s been what I would say just a fairly friendly place to play in terms of conditions and weather and I think I said this to you guys the last year when we were talking about Carolina, but the ball tends to travel well both directions, the way I see it. And then when you look at the breakdown on the field goals and whatever, the one end zone versus the other end zone is pretty similar. In totality, it’s the same, basically.”
On if Lions WR Jameson Williams could potentially see action at kick returner: “We’re going to play him at gunner this week. But now we probably can’t because if you guys create an uproar, then it’s out – no, yeah, no. I think the priority for him right now is to get him up and going on offense. But I think at some point, you’re always looking to put your best players on the field, or in a position to impact a game the most you can, so I think that’s always an option. There’s something to always keep in mind, I think about him, (Lions RB Jahmyr) Gibbs, all these guys. I know Gibbs has been down, or was down last week, but those guys you’re always looking to see if there’s an opportunity or a position you put them in. I still think it’s awkward to me because it’s like it’s one play a game, maybe. We’ve had two returns on the season and it’s like you play that guy 60 plays, you want to try to get him out in space and here’s a chance to get a guy out in space in one play and or two plays in five games and I don’t know the whole injury thing, that’s like a totally different conversation, but yeah, I mean I don’t know. I haven’t seen our returner get hurt yet, so.”
On if Lions WR Jameson Williams’s gunner days are over: “Are his gunner days over? I say never say never, yeah.” | |
