LIONS HEAD COACH DAN CAMPBELL QUOTE SHEET
December 22, 2022
On the team departing for Carolina a day early due to inclement weather: “Yeah, we’ve just – made sure we got out, and we’re really getting – the bulk of our work will be done this morning anyway. So, it was just a matter of making sure we beat this storm out, and then we’ll wake up, have our walkthrough in Carolina, last little bit of meetings, so it’ll fall fine. I mean it won’t affect us. We’ll be good.”
On if the League required them to travel early to avoid issues with weather: “No, but we had to make a decision Monday, so just logistically to make sure we were set up if we needed to move. So we had to make a call, and we did it.”
On Lions C Frank Ragnow being named to the Pro Bowl after playing through injuries: “Yeah, proud of Frank, man, it’s well deserved. He embodies everything that we’re about, everything that he does, and everybody knows he’s been playing through some stuff as most guys have, but he just grinds it out. He never complains, and he’s a pro, smart, he’s tough, he’s physical. Obviously, one of our captains, so proud of him. And we had a number of guys that were alternates and just happy for those guys. Look, I can’t vote for my own guys, but we had some guys that should have been up there with Frank, but that’s life, and we’ll move on.”
On the League-wide view of the Lions’ offensive line with one Pro Bowler and three Pro Bowl alternates: “Yeah, I mean it’s kind of what we all know and that’s that they’re a force. It’s a good unit. It’s a real good unit. It’s a talented unit, it’s a tough unit, and it’s a resilient group. And it shows up on tape, and you can’t ignore it, and it’s one of the reasons why we’re winning.”
On if he was surprised Lions T Penei Sewell was not selected into the Pro Bowl: “Yeah or (Lions T Taylor) Decker. Both of those guys have played at a very high level, but that’s – there again, it’s life and that’s fine. We’ll go about our business, and just continue to try to play pretty good football, and I know this, I know I’m glad I got those tackles.”
On Lions S Ifeatu Melifonwu and if he is ready to step up if needed: “Yeah, Iffy obviously has a lot of talent. He’s got versatility, started at corner, moved him to safety, and we like his ability. He’s got some range to him. He’s not afraid to get down there and tackle. Some of the experiences would be the big thing, but we just felt like he’s another one of our young guys, we just let him go because he’s aware enough, and he needs the battle reps, and so, he’s going to get some plays now. I mean he’s going to get to play a little bit. That’s for sure, as will (Lions S) C.J. (Moore), and of course (Lions S) Kerby (Joseph) will be over there on the other side. But yeah, I mean this is – let’s go. He’s been taking enough reps now. He’s been back for a while. It’s about three or four weeks now where he’s been with us, and he’s been practicing and putting some days together, so let it go, man.”
On if Lions C Frank Ragnow missing practice this week is to rest his foot or if he is in danger of not playing: “Yeah, I think the later we go, we’re just trying to be smart with it. He’ll be ready to go. Frank will be good.”
On if he can appreciate how special the 6-1 run is even with more games to play: “Yeah, I think that’ll be after the job’s done because that’s when you can really appreciate it, once you get to where you believe you can go. But as far as special, like I told you, the group last year was special. We only won three games. That was a special group. You continue to pound away like those guys did in the month of December, and early January. I mean we knew we had a special group. It was just about building on top of that, and the same group that was 1-6 is the same group that went 6-1 at this point, so it’s always been special. It’s a different group. It’s a resilient group. Nobody knows adversity like our group, so they’re a special group, and we’re in a moment right now. And let’s see if we can continue to win.” | |
