LIONS HEAD COACH DAN CAMPBELL QUOTE SHEET

LIONS HEAD COACH DAN CAMPBELL QUOTE SHEET
November 17, 2023        
On Lions G Jonah Jackson’s status after not practicing this week: “Yeah, don’t see him practicing today. He’s another gametime decision, or at least we’ll find out more today. That’s probably the best way to say it. He just went through walkthrough and – but I don’t see him practicing today.”
On how much comfort he has knowing the offensive line reserves have in-game experience this year: “Yeah, a lot of comfort because those guys have time-on-task. They’ve played with the other guys. We’ve got some guys that can play over there, (Lions G Kayode Awosika) Yode, (Lions OL Colby) Sorsdal, (Lions T Dan Skipper) Skip. So, we’ve got options here.”
On if Lions G Jonah Jackson’s injury happened in the Chargers game: “Yeah, it was – something happened in the game the other day. He was able to get through it and then it just kind of got irritated after the fact.”
On Lions DL Isaiah Buggs not being at practice this week: “Yeah, he’s got a couple things going on.”
On if Lions DL Isaiah Buggs will be at practice today: “No, he won’t be here today.”
On if Lions DL Isaiah Buggs still has a role on the team: “Not today he doesn’t. He’s not in the building.”
On if Lions DL Isaiah Buggs still has a role on the team for the season: “Yeah, no, I mean like I said, he’s got a couple things going on medically and so I don’t know. I don’t know for sure. I don’t know how long-term this will be.”
On if there is an opportunity for practice squad players like Lions DL Quinton Bohanna to be elevated: “Yeah, we’ve got (Lions DL) Brodric (Martin), we’ve got Bohanna. Those guys know they’ve got to earn their reps and we say early in the week, ‘Man, you’ve got to earn it and you’ll get an opportunity. And if you prove that you’re worthy of it, then we’ll put you in the game.’ So, yeah, all of those guys know that are on the vet squad, that they’re going to have an opportunity, and most of those guys are ones that have been here for the duration. There’s a little turnover that happens, but ultimately, we think it’s important to have guys that we trust, know our system, we understand what kind of people they are and their teammates, they’re around them, they see enough of them to where there’s a trust level once they go and it’s time for them to help us.”
On what the defensive focus of practice was this week and if he saw what he needed to see for preparation: “Yeah, communication. I think that was to me the biggest piece of it. It’s – I just go back, it’s not about the plays that are being made when they happen. Just like last week, we know that’s a good offense, that’s a good quarterback. It’s just you want to know, if something comes up, it wasn’t because of us, a communication error on a few plays. And so, that was a big piece. And then understanding who we’re getting ready to play now. This quarterback brings a whole other element to the game that we haven’t see in a while. So, that’s the big thing, but our defense has stepped up, played big games. And listen, man, it happens. You find ways to win. Offense had the big hat last week and found a way to win. This week, there’s no telling what’s going to happen. I mean this could be a 10-6 game. So, I expect the defense to show up and play well, just like they have, other than a couple of times. And the offense has played well. They haven’t played well at times either. Special teams have played pretty good, at times they haven’t. But ultimately, we’ve been able to complement each other, and that’s what good teams do, man. You find a way to win.”
On if Lions DL Bruce Irvin needs more time to get in ‘football shape’: “Yeah, I mean look, I think he’s going to need just a little bit more, being totally honest with you. Man, he’s moving good, he looks pretty good. We want to be smart about this, and let’s see where he goes. But certainly, I think just getting in football shape is important. I don’t think you want to throw anybody out there and then you set them up for disaster with an injury or something when they’re just not quite ready. So, I don’t see him being up this week.”
On if the comparison of this year’s Bears team to last year’s Lions team in terms of being better than their record shows is accurate: “Yeah, I think that’s fair. They’re trying to build their program over there. They’re kind of going from the ground up. They’ve drafted well, they’ve made some big free agency acquisitions, good players, they’ve got their system in, this is year two and – but their foundation is built off playing hard, sound football, play hard, finish, and it always has to start there. It doesn’t matter what you do, what the pieces are, if you don’t play a certain way, you’ll always be inconsistent. So, they’re close and we can’t let them, man, find their footing versus us. We can’t do it. But we know this is going to be a test. This is a big test for us.”
On if Texas A&M approached him about their head coaching position: “Maybe, but that’s all good. And certainly, I know some people there and I love my school. It’s my alma mater and I want to do anything I can to help them but coach for them, so. And I’ll do that.”
On what he would like to see Texas A&M do to build the program up: “Well, I mean look – I don’t want to get into all of that. Certainly, the hire’s important and it needs to be somebody that understands the state of Texas, understands the history of Texas A&M and can communicate with young people and develop them. I think that’s where it starts, man, strong leadership.”