LIONS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR BEN JOHNSON QUOTE SHEET
January 4, 2024
On what it means to have a dependable player like Lions T Penei Sewell who never wants to miss a snap: “No, I think he takes a lot of pride in being out there every snap. Both during the game, obviously, but also in practice he’s the same way. He doesn’t want to miss reps in practice either. So, it’s just how he’s built mentally. He knows he’s such a key cog for us offensively. He doesn’t want to let anybody down in that room. So, no, he’s been phenomenal for us just with his availability throughout the last two years.”
On where he falls in the philosophy of resting players in the last game of the regular season to prepare for the playoffs: “Listen, I’ll be honest with you, I told (Lions Head) Coach (Dan) Campbell this early in the week, personally, I’ve never been in this scenario before. This is 12 years in the NFL and I’ve only gone on to the playoffs one time and it wasn’t knowing going at the end of the season that we were going to be in the playoffs. So, that’s where when something like that happens, just a good reminder, yeah I don’t have certain experiences, but I’m surrounded by so many great guys that compensate for that. Coach Campbell’s been in this position before. (Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn) AG’s been in this position before. We’ve got such a robust coaching staff that – with a wide variety of opinions on how we should proceed in a scenario like this. So, I’m trusting. I’m trusting the powers that be and that have gone through this before what the best course of action is to get us ready, not only to win the game this week, but also the future weeks as well.”
On if he views Lions QB Jared Goff being named a Pro Bowl alternate as a snub and if Goff will use this as motivation going forward: “Yeah, listen, it’s mixed feelings on the Pro Bowl. I’m very proud of the guys that did get voted, whether it was on the first team or an alternate. But there’s also a little bit of a popularity contest that goes into that as well. So, some guys probably feel like they played a little bit better than maybe they were recognized and I don’t disagree with that. But that – that’s a little give or take there. But certainly, anybody that was recognized on that list, whether they were on the first team or alternate, they’ve done a heck of a job this year.”
On if he thinks Lions QB Jared Goff was snubbed from the Pro Bowl: “Listen, I mean, any time – all these guys, a lot of people just look at numbers and not necessarily the tape. And so, when you look at it, yeah he’s got some interceptions, but as we talked about it over the last few weeks, some of those have occurred on fourth down and he’s trying to make a play under certain circumstances and scenarios and so maybe the numbers are skewed a little bit. I don’t know – I can’t say for the other quarterbacks that it’s not the same for them as well. But listen, he’s playing really good football for us all year and whether he’s first team, alternate, it really doesn’t matter. We’ve got our sights set elsewhere.”
On if he ever dictates his play-calls to help players accomplish statistical milestones: “I have been a part of that before absolutely, where you are aware if a guy’s close to a certain milestone to try to help them get there and give them opportunities. And, ultimately, they’ve got to come through and make the plays on the field for you. But yeah, that’s something I’ve been around before and it’s – everyone’s got team goals and also individual goals and we as coaches, we’re here to help them achieve both.”
On if the records players are setting make him feel accomplished as a coach: “Can’t tell you right now. It’s too early in the season still. We’re still pushing to win games right now. And like I said, it’s not just about any one guy either. All these guys that are up on game day, they all need opportunities too and so that’s kind of been the challenge each week for us is making sure we spread the ball around and get them all involved.”
On how much he has enjoyed spreading the ball around and getting four different players over 850 scrimmage yards this season: “Well, it’s a unique problem. There’s no question. And that’s the beauty about what (Lions Executive Vice President and General Manager) Brad (Holmes) and his staff have done for us. We were kind of talking about it last week going into the Dallas game, just who we were – who we had available for us last year in the Dallas game versus this year and over the course of now three seasons, how the whole offense has really transformed. We’ve got play-makers all over the place. Every position group, even O-line included. It’s really a testament to what Brad and that staff has done for the roster.”
On what he has seen from the developmental rookies this season to know that they are on track: “Yeah, no, (Lions Head) Coach (Dan) Campbell has a great plan in place for our team to get ready for each opponent, but also for these young guys to develop on a weekly basis. And so, we structure practice in such a way that those guys are getting significant reps, they’re getting coached up really well and from the start of the season until now, or even in (Lions QB) Hendon (Hooker)’s case, just the last few weeks, you see progress each and every day when they’re out there. We take those reps very seriously and we coach them up and they continue to improve, so I think all those young players that haven’t necessarily gotten reps on game day, you see where, hey they’ve got a place in this League.”
On how he has seen Lions QB Hendon Hooker grow these past few weeks: “Oh shoot, it’s now all of a sudden taking it from the meeting room to, ‘I’m in the huddle, I’m spitting out a play call.’ The cadence, the motions, just tying it all together. That position’s so unique and difficult beyond just the throwing ability, which he clearly has that the more reps he gets, it’ll only accelerate his progress.”
On how much variety he has seen in Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores’s defensive gameplan week-to-week: “He’s just like we are in terms of who does he have available. And so, as an example, last time we played them, (Vikings LB Jordan) Hicks was on the injury list. We weren’t sure if he was going to be active or not even and he came out and played almost the entire game and that really dictated how they wanted to play defense that week against us and then last week they morphed a little bit different based on who they had available, so we anticipate the same thing. I know that they probably haven’t been as good the last couple three weeks maybe than they have been the entire year, so they’ll continue to tweak and evolve and look to execute their defense, so that’s what we’ve got to combat here this week.”
On how excited he is to experience a home playoff atmosphere at Ford Field next week: “I’m fired up, I’m fired up. Yeah, it’s going to be special. It’ll be something, probably during the National Anthem just kind of soaking it in for a moment. I haven’t had much time to reflect on anything, but I think I’ll take a second just to breathe and enjoy it with the guys around me.”
On what it means for him to make the playoffs for the second time in his 12-year career and to do it with this team: “Yeah, I mean it’s – like I said, it’s really about the people, it’s about the people, it’s about the coaches that I’m coaching with and it’s about the players too. And so, being able to share that experience with them, seeing how hard they’ve worked, really not just this year, but it’s been a course over the last three years to get to this point. Just really proud of the guys that kind of endured it all. Not only the players and the coaches, but also – we’ve got such an elaborate support staff that they’ve gone through the ups and downs now for the last 20 years that they go unrecognized, and they’ve been through the thick and the thin. And so, for them to go through it, it’s going to be pretty special.”
On how he moves on from tough losses that happen under unusual circumstances: “Yeah, it – well, it’s – you go through the whole range of emotions. It’s anger, frustration and then you come out of it and – end of the day, we’re blessed with such a great leader in (Lions Head Coach) Dan Campbell that we just – he sets us the right way and we all follow and so that’s where everybody in this building, we’re so fortunate to have him because he clearly, he clearly set the table for us early in the week here, ‘Hey, we’re past this thing and we’re onto the next one.’ So, it makes it easy for the rest of us.”
On how many two-point conversion plays he has in his playbook going into games: “Can’t tell you that one. I can’t tell you that one. Listen, we had a number of them. The first one that we actually had, saw (Cowboys Head Coach Mike) McCarthy calling a timeout, took a little while for them to stop the play and so they got to see what it was going to be and so that was really going to be our first choice. And so, yeah you start moving down the call sheet as it goes through that particular situation, which is unique.”
On if he considers seven yards out from the goal line to be a two-point conversion play: “Yeah, yeah. It’s – that one’s a little bit different, but we are prepared for that scenario every week. There are certain situations we’re prepared for. We were prepared for that one.”
On if they will be cautious of Lions WR Jameson Williams’s snap count this week due to injury and if it opens opportunities for Lions WRs Donovan Peoples-Jones and Antoine Green: “Yeah, each week’s a little bit different, but certainly, if we need to limit Jamo here this week then DPJ has, over the course of the time that we acquired him, he’s gotten better each and every week. We’re very comfortable with where he’s at in the offense and his execution. Same thing with Antoine Green. If his number’s called, he’ll step up to the challenge and be in a great spot as well. So, yeah, if we have any concerns physically, those guys normally aren’t out there and if they are out there, they’re full-go.”
LIONS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR AARON GLENN QUOTE SHEET
January 4, 2024
Opening Statement: “Tough loss. One of those things that happens in this League. The one thing that we do a really good job of as a team, man as an organization, is we move on quickly and we go to the next task at hand. And our next task at hand is Minnesota, so all hands on deck. Our guys are looking forward to the challenge. We, as coaches, are looking forward to the challenge. We’ll be ready to go.”
On how critical it is for a defense’s overall performance to take away an offense’s best weapon: “Well, everyone has a different philosophy on that, and my philosophy is always to try to do that. But here’s what I do know, I am a realist and I do know some of these guys are going to – they’re going to make plays. I mean, you look at what (Vikings WR Justin) Jefferson did, man we had him doubled on a number of occasions and he just went up there and he made the play. We talked about that the last time we played him. You look at (Cowboys WR) CeeDee Lamb, and listen I know everybody sees the 227 yards, but there were 92 on one play that shouldn’t have happened. We missed a tackle on another one which resulted in 30-something yards. So, a lot of his bulk yards came in that situation. And then we have to win our one-on-ones, alright, because the thing that I do know, we’re best and we’re just going to try to be aggressive on people and I think that’s when we play our best. And our guys like playing that way. So, listen, we’ve got to win our one-on-ones, but we also – when we’ve got a guy doubled, we’ve got to take him out.”
On if being more aggressive means they need to be more physical at the line of scrimmage: “All the above, all the above. Physical at the line, be attacking with our play-calls. And also, when we are just playing true full-man rush, man just being attacking with our full-man rush and guys beating one-on-ones. And then guys going up there and challenging receivers.”
On the risks of challenging a player on the line of scrimmage from his perspective as a former NFL cornerback: “Oh, getting beat. Yeah, I mean that’s any receiver. I mean, listen, in this League, when you play aggressive, I mean some people call it risk-reward, but it’s a fact that you went all the way to have that mindset. And listen, as a corner, man things are going to happen out there. You’re going to get beat. But man, it’s how you react to the next plays that come up, and to me that’s the most important thing. And our philosophy has always been, man we want to limit points. And I thought we did a pretty good job of that against Dallas. And we want to continue to do that. That’s the number one thing we try to do for the most part. And listen, we know there are some good players in this League, and we do everything we can to take that player out. And our guys just have to go up there and just get this job finished.”
On what has fueled the six takeaways the defense has had in the last two games: “Yeah, listen, you’ve got to credit our players on that. They’re understanding exactly what’s coming to them. They’re being aggressive like we just talked about as far as attacking the football. They’re looking to punch the football out at any given time. And it’s a mentality. And I told our guys the other day, man it’s becoming the DNA of ours because it happened last year, probably about mid-season. Now, we started a little late, alright, it happened about the last five games, but man our guys really understand that. And it helps us as a team, as far as wins and losses too. So when we win that turnover battle, usually we come out with a win, so we want to continue to do that.”
On how well Lions S Ifeatu Melifonwu has been performing at the line of scrimmage and in the backend: “Well, listen and I said this the last time we talked about this player, coming from corner, to being safety, man that’s a transition and there’s a number of things that he has to learn. And I think he’s starting to really understand that position in totality. So, not only is he understanding from a backend perspective, but he also understands where he fits in the paint, also. And man, with the help of (Lions LB) Alex (Anzalone), (Lions LB) Jack (Campbell), (Lions LB Derrick) Barnes, all those guys, all those guys are working together, he really understands that. And he understands exactly how to blitz also, and that’s really one of the strong points. You see it happening in practice and he’s just transitioning that from practice over to the field.”
On what the sacks Lions DL Aidan Hutchinson has gotten in the past few weeks does for him moving forward: “For you guys to stay off his back. That’s what it does. Because the things you guys really don’t look at, we see as coaches, so kudos to him.”
On if he thinks Lions DL Aidan Hutchinson has been pushing to record sacks these last few weeks: “Aidan was being Aidan. He was being Aidan. And he’s going to do things with the defense for us to be successful. And sometimes, he has to be a guy that’s going to have to take up blocking for somebody else to go. And sometimes, we’re going to put him in a position for him to go and go make his plays. And that’s what’s so good about that player. He’s selfless and he’s going to do whatever it takes for us as a team to win. And he doesn’t listen to all the outside noise. He gets that. I mean, I told you, once you get in this League, especially the pick he was at. Two things he is going to have to worry about, those expectations are one of them and he gets it.”
On what he thinks the team has in young players like Lions DL Brodric Martin and Lions CB Steven Gilmore: “Developmental players. That’s exactly what they are, that’s exactly what they are.”
On what specifically he has seen from Lions DL Brodric Martin and Lions CB Steven Gilmore in their development: “In practice, that’s exactly what we’re looking for in those guys. I mean, the one thing about Gilly, and I think we all saw this here in training camp, he’s a guy that can get the ball back and he’s doing that in practice also. But, man, there are other guys that we have that are playing. I mean, it’s hard to just play everybody. Same thing with Brodric. I mean, he’s a guy that came from a smaller school. And man, I said this before, the things that he has to understand, man how to use his hands, how to – pad level and it’s hard for a man that’s about 6’ 7” to do that. So, he has to continue to work on those things and our coach is doing a good job of working with him on that.”
On if he likes the futures of Lions DL Brodric Martin and Lions CB Steven Gilmore: “Absolutely, absolutely. You’re looking at the same thing with (Lions S Ifeatu Melifonwu) Iffy. I mean, Iffy is what? Three years and now you’re starting to see the fruits of his labor starting to show up. And listen, everybody’s timetable is different. Listen, we all wish that guys can come in as a rookie and they could hit it like (Lions TE Sam) LaPorta did, they could hit it like (Lions LB) Jack (Campbell) did, but sometimes it takes a while. And listen, we love those guys. And we think those guys are going to be good players and we’re going to continue to work with them.”
On what the team has gained from having Lions CB Emmanuel Moseley around while he rehabs: “Man, let me tell you something, that player – that person, take the player out, that person is a really caring person. He cares about his teammates. He wants to see his guys do well. Man, you sit there and you watch him in the meetings and how he talks and how he interacts with everybody that, man you want that guy to be around because he’s a vet and he’s been around. He’s been around winning. He’s been around winning, and that’s huge for us, as an organization to have guys like that around in the building even when they have these injuries. So, man, I’m so appreciative of that player always wanting to be around, and then imparting his wisdom into some of the young guys that we have. (Lions CB Steven Gilmore) Gilly, for example, because he latches on. Gilly has latched onto E-man quite a bit.”
On what Lions CB Kindle Vildor did to catch his eye in practice weeks ago to earn the opportunity to play these past few weeks: “Yeah, the thing is, he’s competing his butt off man, he’s really competing. And that’s what you want as a corner. He understands the defense. Listen, when he got here, it took him a while to get it down, just like anybody. But once he got it down, man he knew exactly what we were looking for and he’s out there competing his butt off.”
On how he thinks Lions CB Kindle Vildor has performed these last few weeks: “He’s been serviceable, man. Listen, the thing is he’s provided us with a veteran that’s been around that’s played. I mean, he started in this League for quite a bit, alright, with Chicago, so I look forward to seeing him get better each week.”
On how he makes sure Lions DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson remains patient throughout the time he has missed due to injury: “Well, he has no choice. That’s what he has to do. So, listen, we know that player wants to go out there and play. I mean, even when he was down and he was hurt, he wanted to go play. That’s just how he’s wired. But he understands the process also. So, obviously you have to talk to him and keep him at bay, but he gets it, he gets it. And when he gets his chance to go out there and play, he’s going to do a good job for us.”
On how Lions DL Tyson Alualu performed against the Cowboys and how valuable it has been to have a veteran like him on defense: “Thirty-six years old. Listen, he did a really good job for us. You’re talking about somebody that’s going to go in there and battle and fight. That’s who he is, that’s who he’s been. He’s been on a number of teams. He’s able to impart his wisdom on some of the young guys that we have, so I’m glad that we have him. And I look forward to him continuing to teach some of these guys. I mean, the thing is, I’m glad that (Lions DL Alim McNeill) Mac’s going to have a chance to play next to him and those guys will go out there and battle. That’s what I’m looking forward to seeing.”
On if it is important to give Lions DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson reps this week along with Lions S Ifeatu Melifonwu and Lions S Kerby Joseph so they can figure out everyone’s roles: “Listen, I agree with that. And listen, all three of those guys are going to play because they’re all good players. And the one thing that we try to do as a defense is make sure we have our best players out on the field. Will they all three be on the field at the same time? Possibly. Will somebody be down? Possibly. But they’re all going to play, and you’ll see that.”
On if Lions LB Derrick Barnes was worried about a roughing the passer penalty on his blitz in Dallas’s end zone against the Cowboys: “Did you ask him? Ask him. I didn’t do it. Ask him. You’re asking me something that he needs to tell you.”
On the coaching point on Lions LB Derrick Barnes’s blitz against the Cowboys: “Go finish the play.”
LIONS SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE FIPP QUOTE SHEET
January 4, 2024
On the difficulties of playing the same team twice in three weeks: “Yeah, it is kind of strange I guess. Feels like you just played them and you’re coming back and playing them again. I’ll give you one other on top of that with Minnesota and Dallas and then Minnesota again. Well, (Vikings Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels) Minnesota’s coordinator, he came from underneath (Cowboys Special Teams Coordinator John Fassel) Dallas’s coordinator for a number of years. So really, what they do on special teams is extremely similar. So, two weeks ago, I said to our team, we’re about to play Minnesota three weeks in a row or Dallas three weeks in a row, however you want to see it. But anyway, yeah, it is a little different. It’s obviously different players and the truth is, they’re playing with different players in this game probably than they did in the last game at a number of spots I feel like. And we’re a little bit that way, not probably as many I don’t think. But anyways, it’ll be good. There’s familiarity to it. You know what they’re going to do. You know they’re going to do something a little bit different. They learned from the last game, so did we. So, there’ll be a little bit different gameplan I think going in on both sides, but also probably a lot of carryover.”
On what it means to have Lions LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin be named to the Pro Bowl as a special teamer: “Yeah, I mean obviously, individual things – the most important thing to me is always winning the football game, and I really mean that. But I would also say that part of you being a coach is you want to see these players accomplish their dreams and their goals and that is a huge part of it. It’s a lot of the reason of why you do it. So, to see him get that, I was obviously thrilled to death for him. I will tell you that I’ve had two other players that I think were definitely deserving of getting that and they never got it. And it’s a credit to him, but the process is you have to become a known player and so not only is it a credit to what he did this year, but really to what he’s done in his seven years in this League. And he’s earned notoriety, and everybody out there knows who he is and then on top of that, he goes out there and plays really well and then has a great year, so he’s able to get that. But yeah, I was distraught for these other two guys because I think they were deserving as well and then – so to see him finally get that, to me, was outstanding for him personally. And it definitely is a reflection of the whole unit and what all those guys have done. But yeah, I’m definitely happy for him for sure.”
On what Lions LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin means to the special teams unit: “Yeah, he does do everything for us, and more importantly to me, he really – he takes guys aside when he needs to. I think I spoke about how he’s really kind of a leader by example. A lot of what he does is how he leads, but he also has a subtle way of grabbing a guy and giving him some advice or a pointer and really taking the leadership of the whole group under his hands. And he’s done a great job with that. I mean we’re lucky to have him, I know that for sure.”
On how he would grade Lions LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin’s throw on the fake punt play against Dallas: “God, the throw was incredible. And I mean that really is the thing right there, it’s the throw. I mean it was the throw, it was the catch, there was definitely great protection. Those guys all did a good job and – but it was an incredible throw and that’s really what all these plays come down to. I think I’ve said to you guys before and I fully believe this with everything in me, is that this game is ultimately a player’s game. That’s what the NFL is, and it’s also what makes it great is your matchup of your players, their players and these guys in the heat of the moment being able to make plays. God, my high school coach told me one time, a long, long, time ago, we were watching a baseball game at our high school and this kid turned a double play. He snared a ball, turned a double play just out of nowhere and he looked at me and said, ‘Hey, David, I’m just telling you that guy just made a play. One day, you’re going to be asked what happened and you’re just going to have to say the guy made a play.’ And that’s really what Germ did in that moment. I mean he just made a play. He just threw a great ball. (Cowboys WR
Jalen Tolbert) 18 wasn’t terrible in coverage for them, he wheeled back around and then (Lions CB Khalil) Dorsey made a great catch. He saw the ball all the way in with his hands, his eyes, he locked it away on the way down. So, it was a great job by those guys.”
On if a run-fake punt play or a pass-fake punt play is more difficult to execute than the other: “Not that I’m aware of. Yeah, I feel like they’re all – they all have their components, difficult parts or whatever. Some things are easier, some are harder, but ultimately, it’s a lot of execution. It takes a lot from a lot of guys, and I would credit our players. I mean I think it helps they know the (Lions) Head Coach (Dan Campbell) is going to call these things and run them. And when you have a head coach like that, the players are, ‘Hey, man, we’re going to run this thing.’ It just puts an emphasis on it when you’re practicing it or working on it. And so, there’s an urgency to making sure that these things come to life the right way that they have. And I think that’s a credit to the head coach.”
On if there are any tricks to successfully executing onside kicks: “Yeah, I think I said it last time, that the guys who do it really good are the ones that come down with the ball. A few years ago, we came down with a bunch of them, right? Everyone said, ‘Man, you guys are great at onside kicks,’ and it was like well, yeah, I mean we’ve been fortunate. The ball bounced our way. And I’m not saying it’s all luck, but there’s definitely some strategy behind it, but yeah, there’s a lot to it that is uncontrollable.” |
