LIONS HEAD COACH DAN CAMPBELL QUOTE SHEET
September 28, 2024
Opening Statement: “Alright, red zone day. We had a really good practice yesterday, guys were flying around. Cleaned a lot of stuff up from base day, first, second down, so this will be a good day for us.”
On how many gameplan contingencies they have to incorporate with Seattle’s injury situation: “Yeah, I think where they’re at, it’s – this is not a week where that plays into it. We’re assuming they’re all up, and so we have to be able to – we know what they’ve got over there with (Seahawks DE Leonard) Williams, with (Seahawks RB Kenneth) Walker (III), with – and they’re playing, as far as I’m concerned, they’re all playing, and we’ve got to be ready. And then, if they don’t, then we’ll adjust from there. But we’ve got to assume that their guys are going, no different than they have to assume ours are.”
On if he has concerns about Lions TE Sam LaPorta’s availability for this game: “No, he looked really good yesterday. That was good to see, so he’s bounced back quickly, healed up nicely. So, no, he’s good.”
On if Lions C Frank Ragnow will go on Reserve/Injured: “I don’t feel that way, I really don’t. And Frank heals up really quickly, normally. He does, he heals pretty quick. I mean, he’s already – like I said, he’s starting to feel a lot better. So, I don’t feel that way, but it’s – we’re still early here.”
On if the secondary is playing more how Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn wants them to play now that they have been able to gel together: “Yeah, absolutely. I mean, this is – those guys have gotten better every week, and I knew they would, we knew they would. The more time on task, playing with each other, they’re only going to get better and better, and I think what you see is, man, we’re playing pretty sticky coverage right now. Man, we are – you talk about challenging, man, we’re challenging receivers, line of scrimmage, sticky in coverage, that’s allowing the rush to get there with those guys we’ve got up front and it all works hand-in-hand. You hear it all the time, but rush and coverage. And so, the back end is playing well, they continue to play well. (Lions CB Carlton Davis III) CD, I feel like, is playing really good, (Lions CB Terrion) Arnold gets better every week, he’s not frazzled by anything, which you love for a rookie, (Lions CB) Amik (Robertson) is getting better at the nickel, and then, obviously, (Lions DB Brian) Branch and (Lions S) Kerby (Joseph), they’re doing well, and it’s still – we’re still in the early stages of this right now. I anticipate them to grow even more, continue to get better and better.”
On if there is a clear picture on Lions S Ifeatu Melifonwu’s injury and potential for return: “No, there’s really not.”
On if Lions OL Christian Mahogany and Lions DL Brodric Martin will be activated soon: “Yeah, (Lions Executive Vice President and General Manager) Brad (Holmes) and I will talk about that, but they’re – I know Mahogany’s very close. He’s very close for us to have that conversation of, what time is it to begin to start his clock? But obviously they’re both doing well, healing up, getting better, and I would say Mahogany’s closer than Brodric is.”
On his relationship with Hall of Fame Lions WR Calvin Johnson Jr. and what it means to the organization to induct him into the Pride of the Lions: “Yeah, look, I’ve said this I don’t know how many times, but I’ll continue to say it, I just think what’s unique about Calvin is – I was fortunate to play with him, it wasn’t very long and he was a pup, but man, when you have the ability that that guy has, the things that God gave him, and then he gives everything he’s got, he works, he worked at his craft, he was an unselfish player, he was a great teammate, then it’s no wonder he’s a Hall of Famer. Those guys – and they’re kind of rare, they’re very rare. And so, I just think – and he was the total package as a player, as a teammate, as a person, and I think it speaks volumes for the team, the organization, to be able to have him back in the fold and to be able to honor him because he deserves that, he’s earned that and he’s just – man, he’s a hell of a dude.”
On how much he liked Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon as a prospect in the NFL Draft: “Yeah, we really liked him a lot, and I would say what you see on tape is exactly what we thought he would be. He is a competitive, feisty, tough, football-playing dude. Plays the corner, plays the nickel, active player, ball guy. Now, that being said, I would take (Lions DB Brian) Branch, (Lions TE Sam) LaPorta and (Lions RB Jahmyr) Gibbs for that. So, whatever that combination was, had it been him you’re losing out on one of those players. You don’t get the combination of three. But he’s a heck of a player. We liked him a lot.”
