LIONS HEAD COACH MATT PATRICIA QUOTE SHEET
Opening statement: “OK, obviously, I think everyone is disappointed. I’ll say this, I think that team, our team, is one of the toughest teams that I’ve probably ever been around. This team fights probably like no other team that I’ve ever seen. We have to find a way to win and we have to find a way to kind of break through that thing that’s stopping us right now and smash that, so we can get this thing going. You want to talk about a tough team, a team that fights, a team that will try to do everything they can to win – that’s what we got right now. Obviously, the goal is to win and that’s what we have to get done, and we will. We’re building towards that and we’re working towards that every single day. I think when you take a look at today’s picture and see us go out there with our third-string quarterback that we got after training camp, and watch that team fight and rally behind somebody like that, I think you can tell how much all of those men in that room care about each other, how hard they work for each other and how much they’re trying to win for each other. They don’t really ever stop, or they don’t ever give up. (I’m) proud of those guys for that. Obviously, from my standpoint, I always want to do more and want to help those guys win. I have to do more, and I have to just keep pushing that, so that we can break that thing that’s stopping us right now and get going. Once that happens, I feel really good that we’ll be there. We have a lot of good players out there, we have a lot of good veterans, we have a lot of good young players that are getting a lot of playing time right now that are improving. We’ll go back to work. I’ve said it all the time you don’t sign up for one, you don’t sign up for two, you don’t sign up for four of these games, you sign up for all of them. We’re going to go out, and we’re going to compete for all of them and we’re going to work, and we’re going to grind it away. (I’m) appreciative of the fans and their support today. Obviously, (I’m) very thankful for first, my family, the Ford family, this organization, this city and all of the support that we get. I think that’s important for us to remember, obviously today on Thanksgiving just to be grateful for all that we have. That’s really it. Obviously, we’re all disappointed about the game we didn’t win, but I am proud of those guys.”
On what ‘the thing’ they need to break through is: “Yeah, I think a lot of it is – obviously, the tangible things are the mistakes in the game that we have to eliminate. The situations where we have to just push through and make a couple more plays or coach a couple of things better and get that cleaned up. In the end, I think it’s just that situation where we get one of those and that happens, and the confidence that comes with it and all of that, that takes off. I’ve been around a lot of teams, been around a lot of great teams, and I certainly know in all of those teams there is usually something that helps kind of break that and build the confidence, and we just haven’t really had it yet, and we’re still pushing to get it.”
On why this was such an emotional game: “Yeah, all of the games for me are emotional. We put a lot into this, especially on a short week – probably just grinding away trying to do everything we can to keep it as normal for a game plan standpoint. Other than that, I mean obviously, we hurt. We hurt as a team. The players hurt, the coaches hurt because we all just want to win, and we want to do it for each other. It’s an emotional game, that’s why I love it. That’s why I tell those guys I love them because when you’re playing football and you’re putting everything on the line every single week, every single day to get better – that’s the greatest part of this game is knowing that you’re in that situation with guys that care just as much as you do and hurt just as much as you do. That’s why we love each other and that’s why we do it. Yeah, it’s emotional, absolutely.”
On how they balance feeling good about the effort and the end result: “Well, I never feel good about the results when we don’t win, so it’s really two separate things for me. The result is what it is and that’s what we need to address and that’s what we need to fix, but I can still emotionally feel proud of the players for what they do. They put a lot on the line when they go out on that field. It’s a dangerous sport, it’s a violent sport, and it takes special men to do that every single week. I can always be appreciative of them for that.”
On the performance of QB David Blough on a short week: “I think you obviously got a glimpse of him and just what we’ve all seen every single day. His confidence, his ability to go out and compete, and his focus and how much he loves this game and what he does. Never really any question from that standpoint. I knew it was going to be exciting for him, exciting for us from that standpoint. He’s a football player, he just goes out and plays ball, and works really hard at it, and really works diligently to prepare himself. He’s been doing that all year, just like Jeff (Driskel) did before when Matthew (Stafford) was playing. That’s why I said before, maybe I talked about it a couple of weeks ago, about that room and how hard that room prepares regardless of who’s going out and playing. I think you saw that evident out on the field today.”
On why he chose not to challenge Bears WR Anthony Miller’s 32-yard reception late in the fourth quarter: “We were trying to look at all of the different angles. I was actually looking at the push off. That was kind of the first thing that I saw because Justin (Coleman) was really right on him, and then all of a sudden, the separation came. I look at that as because I’m obviously on one side of it, but I look at that as extension or just kind of a little bit of motion, but they’re really hard to see. So, I was just trying to see if that was part of it and then the bobble, we saw that going through, but couldn’t get a really clean look at it. Look those guys on the field, the officials, they do a great job. They work really hard and they see it, so in that moment we had to go with the calls.”
On if there was anything from QB David Blough that surprised him: “Sure, but you see college tape and the things that he did. He had some pretty big games in college and stuff. No, that’s the thing, none of that really surprised me today.”
On why they decided to use RB J.D. McKissic instead of RB Bo Scarbrough on the third-and-short play in the fourth quarter: “Well, there was a penalty the play before that, right. So, there was a situation where we trying to figure out exactly what the third down down-and-distance was, so we had the personnel out because the clock was running, and they were trying to figure out the spot and everything like that. Once we got all of that organized and saw what it was, we didn’t want to sub late. We have a lot of confidence in J.D. He runs hard, he’s got a great skill set, and it puts the defense in a little bit of a bind as far as what exactly are we going to do with him on the field as opposed to Bo in that situation. Obviously, the guy made a great play. I thought he was out and thought he was going to go, but that’s really what happened on that play. The clock was moving, and we were waiting for them to get it spotted and then made the decision once we headed out there. It was like, ‘We have a good personnel group out there, let’s go.’”
On the defensive coverage they used on Bears RB David Montgomery’s touchdown reception: “Yeah, we were obviously in a call there, trying to get after the quarterback a little bit. And a little bit of, it’s really a front-side play, what I would call off to the offensive right. That’s kind of a primary read. Honestly (Darius) Slay and Justin (Coleman) I think were the two ‘DBs’ over there. They did a great job of playing that play. It was really a very specific deal, and then that’s a late lead coming out of the backside that the quarterback found late and we’ve got to get on it.”
On the decision to settle for short field goals: “Yeah, we definitely go through all those scenarios and situations, and some of those, one of the drives, I think there was a lot of back and forth through the drive as far as penalties and things that were good and things that were not good. So, it was trying to just make sure we get the points, which we knew was going to be important.”
On the onside kick decision: “Well, we were trying to, obviously, do everything we can to win. And they’ve got a great returner, they’ve got a great return game. It’s top in the League. They’ve got a great punt returner, too. So, we knew that we had two problems, special teams wise, that we were going to have to deal with, and they had some really good returns out there and obviously have some great players. So, in that situation, trying to get a little bit of a different kick.”
On why they have not broken through this season: “Well, I mean I think it’s kind of like what I answered earlier, for Justin (Coleman). I mean, you can obviously go back to some of the things that happened in the game that we’ve got to do better, whether it’s things that we’re doing to hurt ourselves, execution, coaching, it’s kind of gone through that. But I think a big part of it too, I think maybe Tim (Twentyman) asked it, it’s important to get one of those wins and build that confidence and feed off that confidence and go. It’s what a lot of teams do and that’s what the teams I’ve been around do. And we haven’t had that, we haven’t had that moment yet, and we’re still trying to switch for it and get it. In the meantime, we’re trying to do everything we can to coach through it, play through it, and execute it until it happens, and then you go from there. But that’s really it.”
On if it is too late to accomplish his goals for the season: “I mean, my goal is that there are one-week seasons and we try to win. So, I mean that’s what we’re going to try to do every single week.”
On Bears QB Mitch Trubisky’s struggles this season except against the Lions: “I mean, I’m trying to remember the first game. I’m not exactly sure, I don’t think he threw for, I don’t know how many yards. I mean, look. He’s a good player, he makes some good plays, and obviously made some great plays against us. So, we’ve got to do better in that, you know to get off the field. Bu, from that standpoint, that guy has started a lot of NFL football games for a reason. He goes out and he plays hard, so they rally around him and they do a good job. Give (Bears Head Coach Matt) Nagy credit, they do a great job.”
On the upcoming games and what is next: “Football season is rolling, so we’ve got to get back to work and do all that. Obviously, I’m very blessed and thankful for my family, so I’m going to spend some time with them, take a little bit, have some dinner or something. But then get back to work.”
On if he has received any assurance that he will be back next season to improve the team: “I mean, again, for me, we’re just pushing forward every single step of the way. So, go back to work next week and try to do a good job at building on this week, and try to go win. Everything we can. We’ve got a big one coming up, Minnesota, obviously it’s a big game.”
LIONS QB DAVID BLOUGH QUOTE SHEET
On the start of the game with his two touchdown passes: “I think going into it, I felt comfortable and prepared, and we had a great plan. On the short week even, we had a great plan going into the game and to take our shots. We were hoping they would think a guy like me would come in, throw some check downs and so, we were going to throw it around a little bit, credit that to (Offensive Coordinator, Darrell) Bevell. You saw how open Kenny (Golladay) was. It made great plays. I think that’s where a lot of the credit belongs and the quick start for us.”
On when he knew he was going to start: “We knew Jeff (Driskel) was pretty banged up, but it wasn’t until last night that I was told I was a starter. The Lions announced it and all those things. I had been getting a lot of the reps in the walk- throughs and practices leading up to this week. I was ready to go, prepare every week to play on the field. Just so happened that it was done on a short week, Matthew (Stafford) has been out, all that stuff. Just a couple different twist and turns, but they told me last night and I was pretty excited.”
On how he thought he performed: “There’s always some, I think, as a guy who wants more, and (to) stand up here after a loss that you wish you had back, especially, there late. Some good obviously, but go back and watch the tape like you said and learn and keep moving on and improving.”
On how he found out he was starting: “Yeah, they told me – we always come back for the meetings. They told me right before the team meeting, the squad meeting. That was Bob (Quinn) and (Head) Coach (Matt) Patricia. They sat me down and made sure I was ready to go. It’s pretty exciting.”
On the range of emotions he experienced today: “Yeah, this is what you dream about as a kid. I’m thankful for it all, the ups and downs, and I knew there was going to be some. I wasn’t going to be perfect. I just wanted to give everything that I had and the guys lifted me up. It was incredible to have the veterans, to have (Danny) Amendola, the guys just come around me and, ‘Hey, we have your back.’ That was encouraging to me as a guy whose just been here 10 or 11 weeks or whatever it is, to know that I had those guys in my corner. That was special.”
On what the Bears defense did to prevent more scores after early success by the Lions offense: “I think, you can put it on lack of execution, some missed checks in the run game by me, just some drives that stalled out on some close ‘bang-bang’ plays that unfortunately we didn’t make all day long. I think it shows you kind of, the story of our offense for the whole story. We’ve been explosive and had a lot of success against a lot of great teams. No matter who the quarterback is, and sometimes we struggle – shooting ourselves in the foot. We have some penalties. We struggle with that. I think, although we struggled there, I think we picked it up and helped our defense out in that third quarter and had that long drive after we put them on the field quite a bit to start the third (quarter).”
On what happened on his first throw to TE T.J. Hockenson: “Yeah, just a low ball, safety was a little low, but just a low ball. Didn’t come out pretty. He ran a good route and was open, and I just missed him. Then, Bev (Offensive Coordinator, Darrell Bevell) did a good job dialing it up on the next one.”
On his confidence after missing his first throw of the game: “I’m a pretty confident guy. I know I can make all the throws. I know my coaches and teammates believe I can make all the throws. Sometimes it happens, it really does. I think it shows something when you can bounce back and hit the next one.”
On when WR Kenny Golladay was open on his first touchdown throw: “We knew it, based on film, based on our last games. We’ve been running that concept a lot. (Offensive Coordinator) Darrell Bevell had a great idea to kind of pump it against the coverage that we expected to get, and sometimes the stars just align, and he’s 10 yards open, and you can throw a lollipop to him and he can score.”
On if anything about today surprised him: “I don’t know. I’ve been playing football my whole life. I think one of the coolest things, honestly, was the amount of support I had. When everybody found out last night, it was just – I had to turn my phone off because there were guys, family, friends, everybody, teammates from the past, saying they believed in me, and that – then the guys on the sideline, Matthew (Stafford), Jeff (Driskel), being able to be there and encourage me and support me. Not that I didn’t expect it, but they had my back. Everybody did, so that was special.”
On QB Matthew Stafford coaching him on the sidelines: “I think since Day 1, since I got here, I’ve tried to be his shadow as best I can, and just pick his brain as well as I can because I think the city of Detroit appreciates it, but when you can emulate that guy on and off the field, you’re going to be better for it. When Matthew offers something to me, I’m going to take it hands down.”
On his talk with Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy after the game: “He was just proud of the way I played, and said it was impressive. It was cool to talk to Mitch (Trubisky) and Chase (Daniels) and all those guys. The quarterback community is a small one, so to have their support was cool too.”
LIONS DE TREY FLOWERS QUOTE SHEET
On his reaction to today’s loss: “Yeah, it’s definitely frustrating. Obviously, you put a lot of energy, time into a week to come up short. We just have to try to find a way to finish, finish out games.”
On if plays were not called defensively to get more pressure on the quarterback: “I mean, he was throwing the ball fairly fast, got rid of the ball. They out-executed (us) on a lot of different things like that. We just wasn’t able to bring him down a lot of times. He’s definitely a guy that’s dynamic with his feet, so he’s able to make a few plays, escape the pocket and continue to scramble.”
On if there is enough talent on the team and what has been the cause of disconnect: “Yeah, we do (have talent). We do. We just have to finish, got to make plays and finish.”
LIONS WR KENNY GOLLADAY QUOTE SHEET
On if he was surprised by QB David Blough’s performance: “No, even though it was a short week, we all had a lot of confidence in him. He had a chip on his shoulder during the week. He was very confident. He even told (Head Coach Matt Patricia) ‘Matty P,’ ‘I’m ready to rip it.’ He definitely stepped-up to the challenge. I’m proud of him.”
On what changed offensively in the second half: “Too many three-and-outs, penalties, just everything that kills a drive.”
On the next step needed to finish a game strong: “I think learning how to finish. We just can’t finish right now. It shows. We just have to keep going.”
LIONS CB DARIUS SLAY QUOTE SHEET
On what the Bears were able to do offensively in the second half that they weren’t in the first half: “The quarterback kind of extended a lot of plays and made a lot of plays on the run. We have to do better in the back end, extending plays, finding our guys, plastering around. What they did was extend plays, and they overall just were controlling the game almost.”
On how they can improve going forward: “Just keep working. You know we’re fighting hard. We’re a hard-working group, and we will continue to keep working and keep trying to push this team forward.”
On his interception: “It was great. It was a great feeling. Shoot, that is like the only route people can catch on me really – overs – and I finally got one and I picked it. It felt good, it felt good. I got there and used that 4.3 speed that I still have, if you want to know, and I got there and picked that thing.”
LIONS DB TRACY WALKER QUOTE SHEET
On why the team cannot find a big play late when the game is on the line: “It’s really hard to say, especially right after the game. I feel like we are just leaving a lot of plays out there, for me, just going off of what I saw. The film will tell us a whole other story, but as of right now I just feel like we are leaving plays out there and just not capitalizing.”
On Lions Head Coach Matt Patricia’s message after the game: “We just have to continue to make the corrections, and have to continue to fight and get better, period. We can’t settle for it. We’re not going to settle for losses, so we are just going to continue to try to improve and continue to correct the mistakes we made.”
On how difficult it is to be eliminated from playoff contention: “It’s tough, but I’m still going to go out there and compete. We still have four more games left, so we’re still going to go out there and compete and fight in all of those games, no matter if we can go to the playoffs or not.”
