LIONS HEAD COACH DAN CAMPBELL QUOTE SHEET
January 10, 2024
Opening Statement: “Alright so, obviously first day of the week really, full-speed work, working on base, first, second down. So, just finished our walkthrough, it was good. So, we know the challenge ahead of us with this opponent. Playing really good football, very efficient on offense. The two receivers and this running back make it go and then obviously, (Rams QB Matthew) Stafford, his ability to see it, throw it and – accurate passer. So, it’ll be challenging. And then defensively, this is a young group, led by obviously the Hall of Famer over there (Rams DT) Aaron Donald playing at a high level right now. Run and hit, they’re able to get off the field and give the ball back to that offense. So, this will be challenging.”
On the status of Lions TE Sam LaPorta’s injury: “Yeah, I mean I don’t know if we’re quite there yet. I think the best way to say it because I know it’ll come up every day, but he’s improving. He was out there at walkthrough, and I don’t foresee us knowing anything or feeling like we have a real good picture until probably Friday afternoon, so. But every day we’re going to do more with him, but he’s improving.”
On the balance of having Lions TE Sam LaPorta ‘just there’ versus actually being able to contribute at the level that he has this season: “Well, I just – if we don’t feel like he can help us, then there’s no need of having him. I’d just say that.”
On what he has seen from Rams NT Kobie Turner and what he adds to their defense: “I think what you just said, disruptive, TFLs. In the pass-game, quarterback pressures, sacks and there again, it’s no different than what we talk about (on) defense, if you have to put a number of resources on (Vikings WR Justin Jefferson) 18, well when you do that, somebody else is getting singled up. And it’s no different than him. If you’re going to put your attention on (Rams DT Aaron Donald) 99, then we’ve got to win our one-on-one versus 91. So, he is, it’s challenging. He’s playing at a high level, he’s really coming on and he is, he’s helping them because of that. And the minute you try to take care of him, then Aaron is by himself, and we know what he can do. There again though, I still like our matchup. I love our O-line and we’ve seen a lot of good defenses this year. We’ve faced a lot of good guys, lot of good fronts, and have accepted those challenges. So, this will be no different. This will be a big challenge, our guys accept it and it’s the strength of our team.”
On if there is something that allows Rams Head Coach Sean McVay to find success particularly in the postseason: “Well, I just think for – no different than what they do during the regular season, what he’s always done. They do a good job of finding a weakness in the opponent and attacking that weakness, but also staying true to who you are, what got you there in the first place. Just stay in the same lane as you’re in with asking your quarterback to do what he does well, that O-line, the running back, the receivers, and so he’s always stayed true to who he was given the roster that he has. So, I think that’s what has made him successful. He doesn’t deviate from what they are. Doesn’t mean he’s not going to have wrinkles and ways to attack, but man, they’re very consistent and just efficient. I bring it up again, they do all the little things right. They don’t make mistakes and that’s what happens, you get in games like this, you make mistakes, they’ll cost you.”
On the challenges the Rams’ heavy usage of on-snap motion presents and how much it helps having seen it in practice all season: “It helps and here’s what I’d say, this is – and I know for us, the challenge with it is really not what it does to you defensively from a schematic-standpoint, it’s more about the eye-candy of it. If you’ll just stay true to your rules and understand who’s got that motion, who’s got this turbo motion, and play your rules and don’t let those things – don’t start chasing the butterflies. Man, just, you stay focused on your responsibilities, your keys and don’t – because one step the wrong way with that motion and all of a sudden, we lose a support player and that’s where they get you because this back is patience and when he sees it, he’s able to make the cut.”
On if the team is well-prepared to play under the magnitude of a primetime playoff game Sunday night: “Yeah, we are. I know we are. I’m not worried about that, the stage, all of those things because we’ve dealt with that for a while now and I feel like we’re prepared for that. It’s going to come down to all the same things it does in every game for us, it’s going to be the fundamentals. And I think the other thing, when you get in some of these which is a little bit new is, I said this last week, is players don’t press to make a play go the other way. ‘Man, I’m going to make a’ – and you’re trying so hard to make a play that you get out of position, or you put a teammate out of position and it puts a strain on everybody around you and all of a sudden, everything breaks down. That’s what we’ve got to stay – just stay focused on that. You want to make a play so bad you jump out of your gap and then all of a sudden, they hit you on a run. So, those are the little things, man. Just stay true to what we’ve done and what’s gotten us to this point. We’ve won 12 games for a reason, we’re where we’re at for a reason, let’s do it again.”
On how much Lions QB Jared Goff’s ability to remain even-keeled benefits him and the team in a week like this: “Yeah, I think it’s a ton. I think it means a lot. I think it means a lot. And he’s wired the right way. He’s been through this. He’s been to the big one. So, he’s dealt with this a number of times, not just the playoff wins. And I bring this up again, he came to our place, NFC Championship game and won the game for them. And so, he’s been in the big ones, and he understands what it is. He understands that you can’t get too high or too low, you just focus on your job.”
On if he likes Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown carrying extra motivation with him after not being selected for the Pro Bowl: “Well, I’m glad, because you know, he needs something to motivate him. Look, Saint will always find – he’s going to find that and that’s what you’ve got to love about him. That’s why he’s the ultimate competitor because he can look at something and say, ‘You know what? Alright, well if you don’t think it’s good enough, watch this.’ So, yeah, I mean there’s a reason why he’s who he is and it’s because he’s wired that way. There’s nothing fake about that. That’s exactly how he thinks. Watch him in practice. He works like that every day. He works like he wants to be the best and he believes he can be the best. And so, man, you can’t have enough of those guys. I mean how do you fail when you have guys like that.”
On his assessment of the safety rotation last week after watching it back on tape: “Yeah, I thought it went well. I thought all three of those guys handled it well. All three of them produced and it’s good to have them.”
On why he has more trust in Lions WR Jameson Williams to utilize him more at this point: “Well, he’s earned that. He’s making plays and he is, he’s much more consistent. And all he’s got to do is exactly what he’s been doing every week. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. He’s getting better.”
On what Lions Chief Operating Officer Mike Disner brings to the team and why he is worthy of being considered for general manager positions upon reports he is being requested for interviews: “Yeah, well I mean there’s a number of things that he’s dealt. Two years ago, a ton of it dealt with the cap, structuring of contracts, free agency and then it’s just grown from there. Certainly, (Lions President and CEO) Rod (Wood) has groomed him to be a little bit more and he’s got oversight in a lot of the administrative portion of what we do here. But he’s been outstanding. I mean he’s worthy of a shot. And so, we’re happy for him too, but there again, the focus is on us right now and I’m not going to go off of that and look, as long as Rod’s here, we’re golden. So, life’s good.”
On if he sees Lions QB Jared Goff carrying an extra chip on his shoulder playing against his former team: “Well, look, I don’t think you’re going to see anything different than what he’s been. I don’t think he’s going to say anything different. I mean it’s human nature to feel a certain way when – you’d feel the same way, and that’s just human nature. But I think he’s handling it all well. I don’t think this is going to be something that he loses sleep over, that he loses focus on. He understands this, if you really feel that way, the best way to do it is to play the very best football you can play, and for, that means, ‘I’ve got to go back to the walkthrough, the meeting rooms, the walkthrough, the practice. I’ve got to be on point. My footwork, the run-checks, I’ve got to read the coverage, I’ve got to read this top-down, I’ve got to get the progress.’ All those little things that come with playing the position, he’s got to be on it, and that’s the best way to get what you want.”
LIONS QB JARED GOFF QUOTE SHEET
January 10, 2024
On how much his mindset and routine changes in the postseason: “To be honest, not much changes. Obviously, these games are win or go home and we all know the magnitude of them. But your weekly process doesn’t change. The way you watch film, the way you prepare, there’s a reason you got here. Trust that and prepare the same way.”
On how the offense has to avoid playing ‘too tight’ with the numerous young players who do not have playoff experience: “Yeah, no, I don’t think we will. We’ve played in a lot of big games, a lot of them. And a lot of these guys have played in big games in college, and yeah we’ll be ready, we’ll be ready. I don’t worry about that for a second. We’ve got a lot of primetime experience under our belt at this point and understand the magnitude of it.”
On how challenging it will be to face interior pressure with Rams DT Aaron Donald and Rams NT Kobie Turner playing at a high level: “Yeah, it’s hard. They’re both good. Obviously, Aaron is as good as anyone’s ever been on the inside and Kobie’s having a hell of a year man, he really is. For a rookie, he’s playing really well and we have our hands full there, but our guys will be read y.”
On if Rams DT Aaron Donald was as intense on the field in practice as he was in the game during his time in Los Angeles: “Yeah, he was, he was and got a ton of respect for him and the way he works and learned a lot from him.”
On his feelings about Rams Head Coach Sean McVay: “Yeah, Sean and I are good. He’s – I think he’s a great coach. I think he’s – obviously, we had our differences there at the end, but he’s a great coach. He’s done a lot of great things and he’s a guy that taught me a lot.”
On if he has extra motivation for this game playing against his old team: “No, no, yeah, I think – no. I mean, obviously there’s a personal connection there and there – not just for me, but for a lot of our players and some of theirs as well. But, no, I think – I so badly want to win a game for this city and win a playoff game for this city that hasn’t had one in so long. We’ve got a home playoff game for the first time in so long and that’s so much more important than anything personally for me. I want to be a part of this win and do my job to the best of my ability.”
On his initial reaction when he found out the Rams would be their opponent in the NFC Wild Card Round: “Yeah, it was kind of tracking there for a few weeks, so wasn’t surprised or anything. It’s just something that we knew could happen. Obviously, it was probably either them or Green Bay going into that last week. And yeah, when it became them, we said, ‘Ready to go and let’s go do it.’”
On if there are similarities between his first playoff game with Los Angeles and his first playoff game in Detroit breaking droughts for each team: “No, I don’t know. I think that year we were – it would be more similar, I think, to last year’s team for us here because the year prior to going to the playoffs in L.A., we were 4-12 and struggling and then the next year we bounced back and made the playoffs, and it was all kind of really quick. I think last year, we kind of established ourselves as a team that was one game away from making the playoffs and then this year, winning the division, so it’s a bit different.”
On his message as a leader to his young teammates who do not have playoff experience on handling this week and its intensity: “I don’t have the message for them. They’re good to go. I get that question a lot around here because of how young we’ve been in the past, but I’ve kind of answered it the same every time. We’ve got guys who have played in big games. We’ve got guys who have played in big college games. (Lions Head Coach) Dan (Campbell) does a great job getting guys ready. It feels like I answer this question every year, we were on primetime against Green Bay last year and, ‘How are these guys going to be ready for a game they haven’t played in?’ And we go out and beat them in their place. And then we do the same things against Kansas City early in the year, ‘How are these guys going to be ready for a game like this?’ It’s like, they’re ready, we’ll be ready.”
On last season feeling like a playoff year similar to the 2017 Rams and if that would make this year’s Lions team similar to the Rams team that made a Super Bowl run: “Yeah, I don’t know. The parallels are too hard to draw. It was so long ago. But I think the progression of a team, sure, from year one to year three it kind of does that, but no, the comparison of the teams is impossible to make.”
On how it feels to be the quarterback of the team that led the Lions to the playoffs for the first time in a long time: “Yeah, it feels good. It’s exciting. It’s been a goal of mine since I got here. Seeing the opportunity to be a part of something that’s from the ground up and to be able to be where we’re standing right now and have the chance to win the Super Bowl is pretty exciting. We’ve got a long way to go, and the Rams are the first team in our way and we’ve got to go handle business. But yeah, it’s been a long road to this point and it’s a long road ahead as well.”
On if there were moments during his 2017 playoff run with the Rams that surprised him: “Yeah, I think the first time you play in the first one, I remember the speed is just a little bit ticked back up. I think the first game of the season, the speed is really high and then as the season goes on, there’s injuries and there’s lulls in seasons and it can get a bit slower, I mean just a hair. And then I think I remember in that first playoff game for me, I’m like, ‘Oh boy, OK it’s back to the speed of the first game.’ And now does that affect you winning or losing? I don’t know. You kind of adjust pretty quickly but knowing that heading into a game can help.”
On how much better he thinks he is now compared to his last three seasons with the Lions: “Yeah, yeah, a ton better. It’s just reps, man. It’s just reps, reps, reps, having guys here believe in me and trust me and kind of let me do my thing and growing as a person, as a player, as a leader. Learning what works for me, what doesn’t work for me. How to handle certain situations. And then yeah, getting on the football field, just reps. Just seeing things over and over and over again and knowing where to go with the ball.”On if getting Lions WR Josh Reynolds his contract incentives on Sunday started with him: “Yeah, well yeah, (Lions Offensive Coordinator) Ben (Johnson) was pretty aware of it early on in the week. He was really thinking about how we can get him the ball in a variety of ways, throughout the week. And really, on game day as well, really trying to get him the ball. It was frustrating at some points because we were calling plays for him, and the coverage would dictate the ball to go elsewhere and so it was bit frustrating trying to get it to him based on what they were doing on defense. So, by the end, it was good. I’m glad he got that. I know he’s happy about it. And yeah, it was a fun moment.”
On his confidence in the offense being able to adjust if Lions TE Sam LaPorta is unable to play against the Rams: “Sure, yeah, I think back to last year, what we were able to do without Sam and having (Lions TE) Brock (Wright) and (Lions TE) James (Mitchell), and even (TE Shane) Zylstra at times there last year and the creativity, getting those guys in the right spots, getting them open and their ability to make plays. I think James is ready to go if his number is called. I think Brock’s ready to go if his number’s called. Those guys are our playmakers and rise to the occasion pretty consistently, so yeah. If Sam can’t go, they’ll be ready to go.”
On if he has confidence in the offense if Lions TE Sam LaPorta cannot play because of their experience adjusting to games without Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: “Yeah, no, I think we’d like to have him out there, but I think it’s a credit to – yeah, those guys upstairs getting us a good plan and guys rising to the occasion, like I mentioned. I think we’ve got a great support group here that understands when their number gets called, it’s time to go. I think about guys all year this year. I mean, even (Lions WR) Donovan (Peoples-Jones) coming in halfway through the year now and it seems like every time we’ve asked him to kind of get himself open and make a play, he’s done it. (Lions WR Jameson Williams) Jamo, obviously feeling – doing some great things now. It’s all – the tide is rising everywhere and it’s fun.”
On how seeing the NFC North banner at the stadium and having an opportunity to add more this season adds more fuel to the playoff run: “Yeah, we want to continue it. Seeing that banner is exciting. It’s an NFC North banner, it’s a division title, but we’ve got a lot more we’re working for, and ultimately the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal and winning a championship around here and something that hasn’t been done in a long time and we’ve got a great group who can do it. And it happens one week at a time and got to out and handle business this weekend.” | |
