LIONS HEAD COACH DAN CAMPBELL QUOTE SHEET
December 20, 2023
On the balance of making sure the players do not put too much pressure on themselves this week while also embracing the moment: “Yeah, I think it’s just important – it’s what we talked about this morning, it’s important to just stay focused on the task at hand. No different than we did last week. We put the work in, we were very detailed, focused, put together a good gameplan. Those guys executed well and it’s the same thing here. Just focus on the job at hand. Don’t look any farther than that, and honestly don’t look any farther than today. That’s what it’s about and we need to go out there and practice here in about an hour and that’s your best chance to win the game is win each day at practice that you’ve got getting ready for it. So, that’s really our focus.”
On if he has to re-center the team’s mindset for the game on Christmas Eve considering the loss they had on Christmas Eve last year against the Panthers: “Yeah, I mean we talk about – people are going to have families in, it is that time of year. But that’s everywhere in the League right now. Everybody’s got mom and dad and sisters, cousins, in-laws and that’s – listen, that goes with the territory. So, you’ve got plenty of time to see them after the game. And more importantly when the season is done. And they’ll all understand and so I think that’s always going to be a focal point. It doesn’t mean it’s easy, but that’s what you have to do.”
On which outcome he preferred for the Seahawks and Eagles game on Monday in terms of playoff seeding and clinching a playoff berth: “Honestly, I – it really didn’t matter to me. I mean, it really didn’t. I was – either way, I mean, to me it’s still we control our own destiny as it pertains to win this division. So, man no matter what happens, we win and we win the division, we’re in and we get a home game. And so, that’s right where I wanted to be, me personally and I know the team, so I – it really didn’t matter.”
On his message to Lions QB Jared Goff to make sure he keeps his composure against the Vikings with the numerous turnovers he has recorded against divisional opponents this season: “Yeah, look, I think the same message that we had, really the last two weeks. And – because honestly, he’s done a good job of taking care of the ball. We had – yeah, Chicago, we came back, won that game. Then Green Bay, Thanksgiving – but honestly, out at Chicago, I don’t count those interceptions, I’m just bringing that up again. And the center-quarterback exchange, that wasn’t just one person there, so he’s done a good job and I think, really the most important thing is, man cut it loose. That’s the message. It’s not the other way because he’s – I go back to this, he’s one of the biggest reasons we’re sitting at 10 wins right now is him playing loose, and man – just trust what your eyes see, play the progression and throw with conviction. And that doesn’t mean something bad may not happen, I mean something may happen. That’s life in the NFL. We’ve got to find a way to overcome it. But I sure – we sure don’t want him tightening up and worrying about all that. So, just go out like you did last week, put the work in and cut it loose.”
On the challenges the Vikings’ defense presents: “Yeah, it’s unique. It’s a very unique defense. And what they ask those guys to do, man there’s a ton of moving parts. And so, there’s – this is one of those where, for us as a staff, the gameplan is not going to end until probably the morning of, as you continue to watch and then you practice and then you solve problems and there’s going to be, as it goes, there’ll be some stuff we cut out, some stuff we add, some stuff that we can add a couple of wrinkles to, to make it better, but it’s – we’re going to have to evolve throughout this week because it takes a while. And so, I think the most important thing is just keeping our players – man just composed and giving them confidence in a plan that they know they can execute. What you don’t want is them being paralyzed because there’s so many different things, so – and I think we’ll be able to do that for them. But it is unique.”
On how much Vikings WR Jordan Addison caught his eye during this year’s Draft and what has allowed him to be successful this season: “Yeah, well confidence, that’s a big part of it, as with any rookie. He’s got a – his confidence is clearly up and you can tell that as an offense, quarterback, all of them, play-caller, that they have confidence in finding ways to get him the ball. And the things that you liked about him coming out of the Draft is what’s showing up, man he is a – he’s a pure outside receiver. He’s a very crafty route runner. He’s got a vast route tree, really good hands. So, he’s just – he’s developing. I mean, if you’re them, you’re pleased with where he’s at right now, that’s for sure.”
On how difficult it is for rookie tight ends to produce like Lions TE Sam LaPorta has this season based on his experience as a tight end and if they expected him to produce in big ways this soon: “Look, I just go back – no, it’s not easy all that he’s been able to do to grasp and produce this fast in all the areas, honestly. I mean, I just go back to this, his run blocking and pass blocking has improved significantly on top of what everybody sees, the catches, the routes, the run after catch. And no, I mean, I think you’re always – you would love to say that every rookie’s going to come in and fill that vision immediately, but that’s not the reality, that’s not the truth. Everybody grows at different rates. Some of them, it does happen fast, some of them, it’s late in the year, some of them, it’s year two, some of it is year three, which we’re seeing with a couple of our guys right now. And so, no, but I think, overall, that vision was going to be where he is. That was what we – we saw a complete tight end that had a ton of versatility. And no, it’s come on pretty quick.”
On what they can learn from the two games they played against Minnesota and Vikings WR Justin Jefferson last season to prepare for this year: “Look, there’s nothing easy about going against him and now that you’ve got (Vikings JR Jordan) Addison on the other side. You’ve got (Vikings TE T.J.) Hockenson, obviously at the tight end position and they’ve got a run game, so that makes it difficult. I just go back to this, the resources you’re going to use to try to slow him down and then it opens up other avenues, here. And there again, if you’re going to do that, that means the other guy’s got to be able to win their one-on-ones, you have to. So, there’s nothing easy about it. I mean, I think – I know this, we can’t let him have 200 yards again. I mean, that’s the most obvious. So, we’re going to have to have some answers. He’s getting back in the flow. The other day he’s – you can start to see that he’s getting back and he’s going to be even better this week. They’re going to want to get him the football and he is, he’s a dynamic football player and if he’s not the best, he’s one of the best at the position. So, it’ll be a challenge. It’s going to be a challenge.”
On the message he has for fans with the increase in ticket prices for the 2024 season: “Yeah, don’t put me in that spot. Look, I’m not in marketing. I don’t deal with ticket prices. I’m just trying to win games. And so, I don’t know – it is what it is. And I hate to say that, but I have no – there’s nothing I can do about anything other than just try to coach and give us a winner.”
On how they have to prepare for Vikings QB Nick Mullens with Minnesota having started multiple quarterbacks this season: “Well, I think he’s a facilitator. He’s the guy that’s going to get them in the right play. He’s going to be able to read the coverage, get it in the hands of his playmakers, (Vikings WR Justin) Jefferson, (Vikings WR Jordan) Addison, (Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson) Hock, the back. He’s able to – he’s a very efficient quarterback. I would say he’s not as mobile as (Vikings QB Joshua) Dobbs and so there’s a little bit of that to where at least you have a pretty good idea of where he’s going to be. Now, they’ll move the pocket a lot, a lot of boots, keepers, but he’s – look, he’s an efficient quarterback and that’s – really, if you’re able to run it and you’ve got weapons, you can certainly win that way. And he played better than he did the week before, and man he made some really good plays in the game against Cincinnati, he did. And I get – there were a couple of interceptions, but overall, man he’s played, he’s had success and he understands that offense very well. So, he gives them a good chance and that’s all you can ask for at quarterback.”
On if he purposefully chooses to not single out Lions QB Jared Goff’s performance in bad games and how important it is for a quarterback to feel supported by their head coach: “Well, I think that I don’t really do – I try not to single out any one player and just go after them. And – but it is what it is. I don’t really treat him any different than anybody else and just because I don’t openly go after a player in the media, doesn’t mean we don’t talk behind the scenes and in my office one-on-one about what we need to do better, the details of it. And I think everybody can kind of see what is and what isn’t and so, look I think at the end of the day, as long as you’re open and honest with the player one-on-one and they know that you see them for what it is, or see the performance for what it is, good or bad, you can respect that and that’s how you get better. And that’s what we’ve been able to do and that’s what I’ve been able to do with him. And that actually gives him confidence and he knows that there’s still a trust and a belief in him and that is important.”
On if being in first place in the division has brought any additional pressure on the team: “No, I mean, no. I mean, I would say, certainly we go into places, you’re going to want to play well against us because we have won games, we are playing pretty good football and so you’re going to get – most teams are going to want to put their best foot forward. But I don’t feel like there’s any – the pressure, I mean, look – I just go back to this, the more you win, the more the pressure goes up, but you can’t let that – you should enjoy that. I mean – and I think that’s kind of where we’re that. I mean, I think we – it’s when we’re at our best is when you have people gunning for you and we have things at our fingertips here and it doesn’t always go your way, but you find a way to bounce back and I just think that’s – that’s a good thing for us. We’ve done well with that.”
On if Lions CB Jerry Jacobs will not practice today due to injury: “Yeah, Jerry’s not practicing.”
LIONS QB JARED GOFF QUOTE SHEET
December 20, 2023
On the hallmarks of Minnesota’s defense: “Yeah, it’s – they try to create turnovers. Obviously, they do a good job of it and it’s a different scheme than really anywhere else in the League and it’s effective. They’ve done a really good job teaching it and learning it and it’s very effective and he does a great job.”
On the process of breaking down a scheme that he has never seen before like Minnesota’s defense: “You’ve seen bits and pieces of it. I think it’s rare for it all to be in the same defense. You see a lot of defenses try different parts of what they do, but for them to do all of it is impressive. And again, it’s effective and it’s worked for them and it’s certainly a challenge.”
On if the maturity level of Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs and Lions TE Sam LaPorta is consistent with the other rookies Detroit has brought in that can handle big moments: “Yeah, I think I said it there too of just a credit to them for finding guys like that. It’s not easy and they’re not the only ones. I mean those are the two guys that you’re seeing on the field right now, but we’ve got a ton of rookies who are mature and understand the moment and are ready to step in and play if needed in certain scenarios. But yeah, it’s a good group and those two guys are kind of leading the charge offensively, certainly.”
On how important it is to have rookies that are able to handle the moment in the midst of a playoff push: “Yeah, it’s very important. It’s very important. You always kind of in the back of your mind wonder if things could be too big, but for those guys, it isn’t.”
On what the word of the locker room is this week after it being ‘urgency’ last week: “Still the same. Yeah, still urgent, still understanding what our goal is, what our mission is and not much has changed. I think last week – it’s not the worst thing in the world to sometimes get your ass kicked a little bit like we did in Chicago. So, it created that and it continues on.”
On how good it feels to have Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell instill confidence in them by not becoming conservative down the stretch: “Yeah, that’s the farthest thing we’re from here is conservative, and Dan sets the tone on that, certainty for our whole team and his attitude. And yeah, we follow suit.”
On the challenges Minnesota’s unique defense presents: “Well, I think that’s it right there, is the uniqueness, is it’s different. Certainly, challenging when you play a defense that doesn’t have much overlap from other teams that you’ve played. Often times this late in the year you have some overlap from teams you’ve played so you’re able to carry some of the same stuff with you. But yeah, they do a lot of things different, it’s very unique and something that’s a challenge, but we’ll be ready.”
On if he watches tape up until the day of the game: “Not usually day of, but yeah, up until the night before. I know the coaches often do and are continuing to come up with ideas or different tweaks and stuff and they do a great job of getting it to us on time, but sometimes late in the week, it’s the stuff that works.”
On his mindset knowing that a win would clinch the NFC North: “It’s really just that, is that a win gets us the division and we understand, we understand, we get it. I think I’ve said this before, but we don’t carry the weight of the last 30 years here, we don’t. It’s the 2023 Lions and we’re different than last year’s team and the year before and 30 years before that. So, we’re trying to make our mark this year and we have a chance to do it this week. But yeah, it’s been a long season, we’ve had some success and hopefully can get it done.”
On if realizes how special it would be to win the division: “I understand how special it’ll be for the city. Absolutely, we understand that and how long the fans have waited and all that, we certainly understand that, but I think we have to focus on what we can control and that’s this week right now.”
On what it would mean to be a part of the team that clinches the NFC North for the city of Detroit: “Yeah, it would be extra special one day looking back on it. I think if we’re able to get it done, it would mean just what it means, which is winning the division and that would be it. Now again, we’ve got to go play well and figure out a way to do that this week, but I don’t think we’re by any means considering the magnitude of what it – how long it’s been or that stuff. We’re trying to do our best on Wednesday and Thursday and Friday to find a way to win games.”
On how important it is to know he has the full support of the team’s leadership and front office: “Yeah, they’ve been a lot of fun to be with and this is my third year with them. And (Lions Head Coach) Dan (Campbell) and (Lions Executive Vice President and General Manager) Brad (Holmes) have always been great with me. They’ve always been open and honest and that’s all you can really ask for.”
On how often he pays attention to media headlines: “Try to never. Try to ignore all of it. Sometimes you end up seeing stuff but yeah, you try to ignore all of it and be the same guy every day.” |
