LIONS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR BEN JOHNSON QUOTE SHEET
January 5, 2023
On if the Packers’ recent turnover production is due to scheme or talent: “I think it’s a combination of both. I think both (Packers CB Jaire) Alexander and (Packers CB Rasul) Douglas are playing at a really high level outside the numbers right now. I think they’re extremely well-coached. For the most part they’re playing with vision on the quarterback, so that’s what helps lead them be in the right spot. I mean, shoot Douglas we played him last year and he’s a guy that’s bounced around with a few teams, but he’s really come on since he got to Green Bay, got a lot of respect for that. I mean, you saw what Alexander did last week with (Vikings WR Justin) Jefferson, absolutely shut him down. So, they’ve got two really good players playing at a high level and really the – they understand where their help is, and so it makes it hard to find windows as a quarterback and a receiver. So, we’ve got a challenge ahead of us, there’s no doubt. They’ve changed a little bit since the bye week just in terms of what they’re majoring in. So, we’ll see what they throw at us.”
On if there are disguises within the Packers’ defensive scheme that lead to turnovers: “Yeah, no they do a great job. I mean, (Packers Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Joe) Barry has them – he wants to hold shell for the most part and then it’ll show on the snap what they’re getting into. We’ll have to try to replicate that here this week and give (Lions QB) Jared (Goff) and the crew the most – the best chance at success.”
On what Lions RB Jamaal Williams means to the offense and what it would mean for him to break personal and franchise records against his former team this Sunday: “Yeah, he’s been a bell cow for us all year long, really it’s been the steady three, four, five-yard gains for the most part. And then, he does have the ability to break some tackles as well and I think he’s had a couple of 50-yarders as well this year. So, we think extremely highly of him, he’s been consistent for us as a runner and just really happy to see that run game pick up again last week. It was a lot easier as a play-caller to call that game. But for him there’s no doubt, I’m sure 1,000 means a lot. That’s certainly the most he’s had in his career, and then against his former team, I’m sure that would mean something to him. But I think it’s really kudos to our O-line, our receivers, our tight ends, they’re doing a nice job opening up running lanes for him and he’s taking advantage of it.”
On how much more versatile the offense is when Lions RB D’Andre Swift is feeling like himself: “We can call some draw plays on third-and-long and they can work, and so that’s the difference. He’s electric, certainly felt that last game. It felt back to where he was when he started the season. So, it’ll be great. Great to get that version of Swift again this week and it makes it – like I said, a lot easier for us calling plays and staying on schedule.”
On how he plans to incorporate Lions WR Jameson Williams in the offense in different ways: “Yeah, I mean it’s – each week we’re trying to push the envelope a little bit and maybe learn a couple of different routes that he hasn’t been taught yet or put him a little different spot. So, yeah each week we’re trying to do that and it’s just how fast can we get him along, feeling comfortable with it and it’s been – I hoped it would click just a little bit faster than it has, I think we all have. But that’s – it takes time sometimes and we’re not losing faith, we’re going to keep pressing it and it’ll end up clicking. At some point he’ll have a big game and be like, ‘OK, that’s why. That’s why we took him where we took him.’ And that’s why he can help us so much.”
On Lions QB Jared Goff running to block on Lions WR Jameson Williams’ 40-yard run: “Did Jared actually block somebody? He did not? Yeah. Yeah, it’s lot of hot air. Jared was not going to touch anybody, but no, he was hauling. He was there as part of the celebration. I thought more impressive was (Lions T) Penei (Sewell) out in front of it. Like he was getting a big block for us, and shoot, I know (Lions WR Jameson Williams) Jamo wishes we would have ended up in the endzone. We were really close to having that sucker pop.”
On the importance of Lions QB Jared Goff having fun and celebrating big plays with his teammates: “Yeah, I think we can’t – this week in particular kind of shines a light on it with what happened on Monday night, but it’s a game, and these guys are out there, and they’re risking their health. But at the end of the day, we’re out there having fun, both as coaches and players, so to see Jared go out there and kind of lead the way, I think it’s important that all of our guys feel – I’ve been part of teams where it’s felt like work, and those have been on some teams that weren’t very good, but as we’re hitting a stride here, the more it feels like fun from the top down with (Lions Head) Coach (Dan) Campbell. I mean he always makes meetings fun, but he knows when to make it businesslike as well, so it’s a fine line, but when you’re scoring points, you’re moving the ball the way we were, then it certainly makes smiling on the sideline a lot better.”
On Lions WR Jameson Williams’ pass-catching abilities after a couple of drops this season: “Yeah, I think the first one we threw to him was a little bit behind. (Lions QB) Jared (Goff) I think wishes he had gotten it just a little bit further out in front. But no, for us, we still labeled it as a drop because anytime it touches one of our pass catchers’ hands, we have high standards in them. So, I know Jamo wishes he would have caught it and then Jared needs to put that ball out in front so it’s a two-way street there, but no, we really don’t have concerns with drops or anything. I think early on in the season, we probably had more drops as an offense, and then I think we’ve cleaned that up. We still have the occasional one or two, but as an offense, we’ve done a much better job.”
On if Lions QB Jared Goff has answered questions about his ability and if he has sent a message about his future: “That’s a reflection question. I’m not there yet, but I am really proud of how he’s taken the coaching this year from (Lions Quarterbacks Coach) Mark Brunell, from (Lions Senior Offensive Assistant) John Morton, from (Lions Offensive Assistant) J.T. Barrett, myself, and he’s taken any criticism we’ve had about his game, and he’s worked to improve those. And that’s been on a weekly basis. So I’ve seen growth from him as a player, and like I said to start the year, as long as a player’s still growing, it’s very encouraging as a coach.”
On if he plans on emptying the playbook and using different plays he has stockpiled from throughout the season in the finale: “Are you trying to get me to call a quarterback sneak? I called one for you last week. There you go, there we go. No, every week we look at opportunities that we could have to attack the defense, so this week’s no different than any other week. But no, we feel like we might have some shots here or there, and we’ll see if we can dial them up at the right time.”
On how he will approach head coaching opportunities in the offseason: “We’re looking to beat the Packers. Yeah. Not talking about that.”
LIONS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR AARON GLENN QUOTE SHEET
January 5, 2023
Opening Statement: “I want to start in regards to what happened Monday night with (Bills S Damar) Hamlin. I mean, that was a terrible, terrible thing to actually witness it, actually see it and I’m actually talking from a player’s perspective now of seeing your teammate in that situation. And being on the field, being in the locker room not knowing what’s going on because when you go to battle with somebody all through OTAs, all through training camp and then you have a thought in your mind, ‘I wonder what’s going on with this player.’ It’s always tough and the reason why I relate to that so well is because it happened to me. I think it was ’97 it was actually here, my former teammate in college (former Lions LB) Reggie Brown. His career was ended on a play like that and we were on the field for quite a while and I was there to actually see it and witness it. And to see my friend lay down there and notice his career’s over with, but not just that he’s – you don’t know what’s happening. Only thing I do know is I saw him, and he was purple and blue and that was as scary as it can get. And he pulled through as we all know. But man, that’s a – it’s tough. It’s tough and man, there’s a lot of communication, there’s a lot of things that can be said one way or another, but the fact of the matter is we’re talking about him and his family and his livelihood and to me that’s as far as it should go. So, all prayers to him and his family and man, we’re hoping and we’re praying things go well for that player. In regards to the game last week, man, all credit goes to the players. They understood exactly what we were trying to do, the discipline, the technique, the execution was on point. The coaching staff did a really good job during the week of getting the players prepared and I think the most important thing that I get out of this last game is just the character of our team in general. And just defensively speaking, the character of our defense because that’s another thing that I challenge our guys with. You guys know, I’ve been talking about this for a long time of breaking barriers, and this was one barrier that we just haven’t had a chance to face of man, getting your (expletive) whooped by a team and how do you come back from that? Now, we lost. We lost against Buffalo and we came back, but we got beat pretty bad and man, those guys came back and they performed. To me, that shows the growth and maturity and where we’re going as a team and as an organization, so I was really proud of that.”
On how long an incident like what happened to former Lions LB Reggie Brown stays in your head as a player: “Well, that’s the nature of this game first and foremost that you just don’t know. We know it’s a violent sport. We know it’s a tough sport, but I will say this, that play will never go away. The fact that it was a close friend of mine, the fact that it’s a brotherhood so regardless of who it was. And the fact that every time I saw him after that, that conversation came up. So, and anytime you just think about your career like things like that will always flash, so that will never leave me at all. And I know those players for Buffalo and Cincinnati that will never leave them too because that’s a critical, critical moment in their career that they had a chance to – that they were a part of that. So, tough.”
On if wanting to continue the game was in the back of his mind after what happened to former Lions LB Reggie Brown when he was a player: “You know what, it’s hard to say to be honest with you and I’m going to say this again, that wasn’t even important to be honest. It was the fact that I didn’t know what was going on with Reggie at that time. I think this was the same situation, I think the NFL handled it perfect of getting the players off the field. Man, the first responders and the medical people, I think they did an outstanding job. They just – they gave him another chance and I know that’s what he wants another chance.”
On if he ever laid a hit on somebody hard enough to cause a severe injury: “Did I ever lay a hit on somebody like that? I tackled. I tackled, I don’t know if I hit anybody hard enough for something like that to happen. I don’t know. I don’t know.”
On if he believes games should be played this weekend after what happened to Bills S Damar Hamlin: “You know what? And you’re right, that’s above me. And man, it’s so much that we don’t know. There’s so much that goes into that, that really the jargon that goes into that to me is ridiculous. It’s ridiculous to even talk about it because you just don’t know everything that goes along with that. So, man, I’ll leave that up to the people that gets paid millions of bucks to make that decision, but I do – I will say this, I thought it was the right decision (to postpone play Sunday). Yeah, I thought it was the right decision.”
On how confident he is in the team going into Green Bay on Sunday night: “I’ve said this on a number of occasions. I know what this team is about, I’m talking about our team. So, when it comes to confidence that’s never an issue. So, I go in each week confident that we’re going to out there and execute the way we need to execute. I have total belief in these players, have total belief in the coaching staff, I have total belief in myself. And each week, we put a plan together to go out there and win. And the players buy into that and does it always happen? No, but for the most part we’re confident in what we’re trying to do. We’re confident in our players and we’re confident in the ability to go out there as a team to try to play complementary football to go win a game.”
On the challenges that the Packers offense presents: “Well, this team is a challenge in itself especially with the two backs that they do have because they both give you something different scheme-wise. The thing is we know exactly what they bring to the table as far as that. Alright so, (Packers RB Aaron) Jones is a good speedy back that can really hit it downhill. (Packers RB AJ Dillion) 28 is a pounder, we know that so we have to get all hands on deck to make sure we get him down. And then, we’re aware of what the quarterback can do. So, he’s a future Hall of Famer. Alright so, this team is always dangerous. The guys went out there well and executed the first time we played them and I expect the same thing.”
On the takeaways the defense had in the first game against the Packers and how Green Bay’s offense has done a better job of taking care of the football: “Well, I don’t know what they’re doing on defense. But I know us for example – I know for us, to me I always think anytime you get a takeaway, anytime you get a number of takeaways, usually a number of takeaways come behind that if you’re hunting the ball. And our guys try to do that and we say they come in bunches, so that’s a good statement because we got them then. Then they started just coming behind each other each game, so that’s one thing we try to do anyway and that’s when our philosophy – for the most part, is we’re attacking the football. And that’s what our guys do even last week you saw that happen with our guys. So, hopefully we can go out there and get a couple of more because we know it’s going to be crucial as far as us getting a chance to win this game because again, we know what those guys bring to the table.”
On if the Packers do anything differently in terms of taking care of the football: “Don’t throw it to the other team and hold on to it. That’s as good as I can tell you. And so, I think everybody preaches that. So, there’s nothing new, I mean, that’s just football 101. I mean, offense they’re trying to protect, the defense we try to take it away. So, there’s nothing magical about that. It’s just – what team intentionally tries to do and what team really tries to hold on to it? So, I think we take this more than what it really is.”
On the balance between playing fearless and loose with knowing the quarterback they are about to face: “We respect all our opponents, but we’re always going to cut it loose. I mean, that’s just what we try to do. So, we don’t take this more from what it is. We look at these guys and we say nameless faces, but we know this guy’s name and we know his face. But at the end of the day we’re after the football, at the end of the day we’re trying to win a game and that’s what this is. It’s either win or you lose in the simplest terms and we do everything we can to try to go win a game regardless of who it is. Again, we respect our opponents, but we’re also trying to beat the heck out of our opponents too though, so.”On if he sees Lions LB James Houston’s reps increasing against the Packers on Sunday and what has he shown the coaches in practice: “Well, I don’t think that’s anything new from what we’ve been talking about from the beginning of making sure we save that player from himself of making sure he understands exactly what we’re trying to do on a down-to-down basis. And he’s doing a really good job in practice and I’m going to continue to say this, you earn your keep and he has earned the right to play on first and second down. He’s earned the right to play on those third down situations and he’s continued to earn the right. Just like every other person on our defense. When you go out and practice the way you’re supposed to practice and you show that you know what you got – what’s going on, you’re going to play.”
LIONS SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE FIPP QUOTE SHEET
January 5, 2023
On the challenge Packers CB Keisean Nixon presents as a kick returner: “Yeah no, we look forward to the opportunity to play against him. He is playing great right now for them, been really productive. He was back there in our first game against them. We didn’t have our best play a week ago against Chicago. Number 12 got outside on us on the one, so for us, we’re looking at this as an opportunity to go out there and get back on the right foot. But anytime you play in cold weather, I know like they signed another kicker going into the last game against the Vikings there, and then that guy got hurt, I guess, pregame, but anytime you’re in colder weather, it’s supposed to be colder – should be really nice there. I think 20s and a low wind for Lambeau. But anytime you play in cold weather, kicking the ball just out of the back of the endzone is not as much of an option. So, we know we’re going to cover some kicks. They know they’re going to have to cover some kicks no matter who’s kicking for them, and I think our guys are excited for the challenge ahead of us.”
On if it is his directive to kick the ball to the back of the end zone against a special teams unit like the Packers: “Oh no, we haven’t done that. No. I’ll stay away from strategy, but yeah, no.”On the spark Packers CB Keisean Nixon provides for their special teams unit: “Yeah, I would say that’s a great question because I really think that he’s given their whole special teams unit a huge spark. The guy’s – he’s a confident player. He plays with some swagger, and you admire that from afar, and he’s made some plays for them. And so, I think he’s brought a lot of confidence to their whole unit, so we’ve got to make sure that we go out there and do what we try to do every single week and cover the kick with 11 players. And it’s a team game. It’s going to take all 11 of us. We know that, and we’ve just got to do a good job of executing our job.”
On playing in primetime on the big stage as a young team: “Yeah to me, it’s incredible. I mean going to Lambeau, I don’t know why, I don’t know if it’s from me growing up watching (former Packers QB) Brett Favre play there, and then obviously, (Packers QB) Aaron Rodgers and all those guys. I mean they’ve always had a great program and great team and played great football, and then you know the Lombardi era, and you know as a kid, looking at all his quotes, and the man in the arena and all those things, but given an opportunity to go there anytime is always special, and then getting an opportunity to go there at the last game of the season with a lot on the line for both teams – really no matter that happens before our game’s played, there’s still a lot on the line, and so I think we’re excited. I know (Lions Head Coach) Dan (Campbell)’s talked about treating it like a playoff game. I see it that way for sure. It’s a great atmosphere. I mean it’s really why you coach football is to be in situations like this, and I know that our guys are really excited and ready to play, so should be fun.”
On how previous experience in meaningful games on a big stage helps: “Yeah, I think it is a really good question. The way that I see the game is the team that executes the best is going to end up winning the game. And the experience, it may help, it may hurt. The bottom line though is it’s still going to come down to the 11 guys on the field on any given play and their ability to go out and execute the play at hand, and really, I think in the bigger moments, the simpler you want to be, and you just want your players to go out and focus on their job, one guy, one play at a time, do it for 60 minutes and to the best of their ability. And I know if we do that, we’ll be in great shape.” |
