LIONS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR BEN JOHNSON QUOTE SHEET
December 27, 2023
On what he liked about his gameplan for Minnesota and how the players executed it: “Listen, it was a unique scheme and they’ve been a tough nut to crack all year long. And so, our guys were very detailed with the week of preparation, that carried over to the game. And then really, it’s happened a few times where you can just kind of tell in pregame the demeanor, the mindset, the intensity, you kind of knew that they were going to come out and play really well. So, it’s hard to do every week, some weeks are different than others, but you kind of just had this feeling just watching them warm up that they were going to come out and play really hard which is a big part of the battle anyways. But, no, those guys did a great job. I started with (Lions QB) Jared (Goff), we loaded him up and he handled it really well and that trickles down to the skill guys. The attention to detail was excellent and then we knew upfront they were going to generate a lot of one-on-ones and our big guys rose to that challenge, and our backs too. They were singled up in pass-protection more last week than they have been all season and they did a great job.”
On the number of extended drives in the game against Minnesota: “Yeah, truthfully, I didn’t really foresee that to be the case. The one thing that we’ve been consistently good at all year week in and week out is generating explosive plays and last week we were probably at our lowest on the season. And so that’s not necessarily how we want the games to be played. The explosives help to erase some little mistakes that we have when we do play games like that in extended drives, we need to be on our details which we were and excellent on third down, which at parts of the game, we really were. And then we had some big fourth down conversions as well. So, the margin for error goes down a little bit when you’re not quite as explosive, so it’s not necessarily where we want to live, but our guys did a nice job, really I’d say through three quarters. That last quarter fell off just a little bit and there’s a number of reasons for that, but we could’ve ended that game a little bit cleaner than what we did.”
On if long drives can be beneficial to wear down the defense: “Yeah, I mean – listen, I think there’s always something to be said when you have the time of possession in your favor and you’re keeping your defense off the field. The way their offense was playing was almost polar-opposite of how we were playing, just trying to generate chunks throughout the game. And once it gets down to the fourth quarter, normally the team that has been grinding it out a little bit longer, they come out on top, and that’s where it was a little twisted in the game. We didn’t necessarily finish it like we wanted to.”
On Lions Special Teams Coordinator Dave Fipp saying the missed extra point kept him up at night on Christmas Eve and if there is anything from the game that caused him to do the same: “Yeah, are you talking about the delay of games? It’s a nice way of saying it. Yeah, it’s funny because like I said, what a big game, what a big win to seal the division like we did, and you still go to the locker room and I’m over here still thinking about, ‘Man, I wanted to finish the game with the football.’ That’s – really wanted to seal it out that way, and so I’m kind of kicking myself. Like I said, the delay of games, the play-caller’s got to get the play in faster and the guys will make it right. That’s the bottom line. I know (Lions QB) Jared (Goff) said it’s everyone involved, but that’s on me and I’ve got to fix that, and I will going forward. But yeah, those things happen, but it is hard to win in this League, so I always keep that in the back of my head even when things don’t go exactly as planned and particularly in this organization, in this city where it’s been a long time coming to win a division. So, very happy for that, but just like (Lions Head) Coach (Dan Campbell) said, we’re not complacent. I mean he made that loud and clear early this week that our focus is now shifting, and I think our guys are responding the right way.”
On what he learned from losing Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown to injury against Dallas last year that taught him how to adjust as a play-caller: “Yeah, guys always step up. I think it was (Lions WR Tom Kennedy) TK. He was the one that ended up assuming a lot of the reps that Amon-Ra had and had a lot of confidence last year in TK, but it’s funny you bring it up because I was talking with (Lions Head) Coach (Dan) Campbell about this just the other day, just our receiver room going into this game as opposed to last year’s, completely different as a whole. I mean our whole unit is different. We’re a lot healthier right now than I believe we were at that time a year ago. And so, feel really good about going into this game and who we have. In regard to your question, absolutely, you’ve got to adjust when guys go down. That happens each and every week, but hopefully this week won’t be the case.”
On if Lions WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is the assurance piece they were hoping for and if he is ready for a bigger role when called upon: “Yeah, there’s no question. He’s very smart just like we thought and he’s practicing really, really well. It’s hard to – who do we take off the field sometimes? And maybe we want to generate them in a certain personnel group and so we’re a little bit heavier and we have less receivers on the field, so there is a give and take, but the limited reps that he has had, he’s risen to the occasion and last week, it’s a big third-and-8 conversion and then I think the Chicago week, he had a big catch in that one as well. So, it’s – he gets one for us each week that maybe we’re not counting on going into the game, but they’ve been big in terms of the result.”
On how much Cowboys LB Micah Parsons changes his approach to the gameplan: “Oh yeah, he’s a game-wrecker for sure. I was just talking to the guys upstairs, they move him around so much whether it’s right side, left side, over either guard, over the center, he’s just – every snap he’s almost in a different location, so it’s hard to get a beat a little bit to account for where he’s at. And then, OK, so you know where he is at, they have so many other dynamic guys upfront that are fresh. I mean I think that’s the thing that (Cowboys Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Dan) Quinn does such a nice job of is the rotation and keeping those guys going nonstop and relentless. Today’s our third-down day and you turn on their third down tape and it is just a party at the quarterback for third-and-5-plus. It’s pretty special what they can accomplish with their pass rush. So, Micah is a huge part of the issues that we are encountering here this week.”
On if there can be any challenges from having so many weapons to use on offense: “Yeah, I think that’s something we do every week, is we try to make sure whoever’s active on gameday, there are plays in for each and every guy. Whether they get called, that’s a different story, and whether the defense gives us the favorable coverage, that’s a different story as well, but these guys, they’re all involved. A lot of guys we’ll ask to do some dirty work and we want to reward them with some – in the run game they’re doing some dirty work and we want to reward them with some targets in the passing game because of it. So, there is a little give or take, but I do feel that when a play is needed or if we’re stalling out, there are certain guys we gravitate to. ‘Hey, we’ve got to get it into so-and-so’s hands, or so-and-so’s hands,’ just to get a little spark and a little juice to get us going back on the right track.”
On who sticks out as the reliable players he looks to in order to get the offense back on track: “Yeah, I mean there are a lot of guys, but yeah, the guys that probably touch the ball the most, (Lions WR Amon-Ra) St. Brown, (Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs) Gibby, (Lions RB David Montgomery) Monty, (Lions TE Sam) LaPorta is certainly making the case to be there as well.”
On why Lions RB David Montgomery did not play as much in the second half of the Minnesota game: “It was really kind of just how it went. I really don’t have a great reason for you to be honest with you. It was, we were kind of moving along and talking with (Lions Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs) Coach (Scottie) Montgomery, he’s like, ‘Hey, this will be (Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs) Gibby’s series, this will be Gibby’s series,’ and that’s kind of how we came out of the – I don’t know if the reps were skewed in the first half to where we just wanted to even it up there in the second half. A short week, so we didn’t really revisit that in-depth here early this week.”
On if there is something that is not unlocking Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs to be as productive in space in the pass game: “Each week’s been a little bit different challenge. I knew last week that it would be a little harder against Minnesota. They bring so much pressure that our backs were going to have to be a big part of our pass-protection plan. But, yeah, I would say just each week, each team is adding a different layer of, ‘How can they make it challenging to get him the ball in the passing game?’ Some weeks are easier than others, leave it at that.”
On Lions RB David Montgomery being in for the final series despite Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs performing well in the second half: “Shoot, I thought David did a great job too in the four-minute. So, truthfully, I don’t second guess having David in there at all. Four-minute was going about like we had hoped and then the second-and-7 became a second-and-12 and then threw me off just a little bit, I’m thinking third down next and now I’m second – and so, delay of game followed, and it spiraled out of control. And so, great learning opportunity, but I don’t think the back in the game necessarily had anything to with us not finishing the game.”
On Lions T Penei Sewell’s mindset going against premier pass rushers like Cowboys LB Micah Parsons: “Yeah, I think he’s the same guy every day. So, I’m sure he relishes this challenge, as does (Lions T Taylor Decker) Deck on the other side because like I said, Micah’s going to line up all over the place. But yeah, he certainly loves this type of matchup because it allows him to showcase what he’s capable of.”
LIONS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR AARON GLENN QUOTE SHEET
December 27, 2023
Opening Statement: “Really good week, coming off of last week’s victory, sealed the division. But man, I’ll tell you, just the look on the players’ faces and the coaches’ faces, that man, there’s more work to be done. Won the game, moving on to Dallas. Really good challenge for us overall as a team. And man, we’re looking forward to going down there and playing in Jerry World.”
On what makes Dallas so difficult to stop when they play at home: “I just think for them, in general, they’re in their comfortable surroundings of their home, first and foremost. I think also – I mean it’s just something about them as far as man, listen, our tempo, our execution, the plays that they have because you told that – that shows up when you watch them on home games and away games of how they attack you. And I think it’s because of the way the crowd responds to them in those situations. I’ll tell you what, they’re a very explosive team, and we have to be on our P’s and Q’s to start this game off. And that was what our defensive-must (is) for the most part is man, how we start this game. And then also, how we come out in the second half against this team because you’re absolutely right. I mean they have been on a tear at home, especially starting the game. That’s one of the keys that I’m sure that their team in general – because once you do that for them, man, it allows that defense to get going and that’s something that you don’t want to do.”
On how Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has grown since last year: “Man, he seems so comfortable in this offense. Listen, obviously you had (Chargers Offensive Coordinator) Kellen Moore that last year, and a head coach that wants to call it, and you just see him growing as a quarterback in that system. Listen, I think he’s smart, I think he’s tough, I think he brings a different aspect as far as him being able to throw it with pinpoint accuracy and know where to go with the ball, but also have the ability to run with the ball and be able to make plays with his legs. And listen, he’s not like (Bears QB Justin) Fields and these other guys, but he can make some plays with his legs.”
On where the secondary needs to tighten up to prevent the number of explosive plays that were allowed against Minnesota: “Here’s where my confidence comes from, demonstrated ability. And we’ve been one of the best teams as far as explosive plays throughout the season. And man, we had that one hiccup against a really, really good player that actually made a lot of those plays. So, our guys are showing that they can do that. So, what we do is we go back to the drawing board, make sure we finish those plays, especially when we’re in position to make those plays, and we just have to do that, and those guys know it. Listen, we were in position to make a lot of those plays and we went against a damn good player, and he made those plays. And we just have to go out there and make them.”
On if there needs to be more production from the pass rush when playing against a strong receiver: “Well, I think we hit the quarterback maybe 12 times and we had four sacks on him, so those guys did a good job of getting to the quarterback. The thing we’ve got to do is just finish like I said before.”
On what he is most proud of about Lions S Ifeatu Melifonwu’s performance since becoming a starter: “Iffy understands exactly what he’s doing now, and I’m not saying he didn’t before, but man, he’s just so comfortable in that position of being safety. That’s what I mean when I say now, because that transition is not easy for everybody because now you go from a single-focus guy to, ‘Man, I’ve got the see the field.’ And that’s what he’s done a really good job of. And I’ll tell you what, if you watch this player in practice when we go through some of our blitz looks and things like that, man, he does a hell of a job blitzing. And you see why he has the sack production he’s had over the last couple of weeks. So, hopefully he can continue that trend and hopefully for us as a defense, we continue to trend of getting takeaways because you see them coming in bunches now. And I think they’ve been keys to how we’ve operated throughout the games as far as getting these victories. So, excited for us as a defense to continue to do that.”
On if takeaways ‘snowball’ and come in bunches: “Generally, it does. So, I’m hoping that it continues that way.”
On if Lions S Ifeatu Melifonwu’s unique skillset opens up the defensive playbook more: “You know what, he’s – and I think you guys know this, my background with safeties has always come from a cornerback room, and when you’re able to do that, you’re able to show different looks as a defense to where you don’t have to run your corners all the time and you can just put them on the slot and we’re all good. And answering the question you just asked, absolutely, and he does that. Now, he’s not going to lose that corner skillset, but he has to make sure that he has a safety mentality.”
On if having a number of players who can effectively blitz expands his ability as a play-caller: “It does, and the ability to blitz from different spots on the field. I mean you see (Lions LB Alex Anzalone) Anzo, he blitzes from the interior, then he gets on the edge and blitzes. It’s the same thing with (Lions S Ifeatu Melifonwu) Iffy. Iffy had a couple blitzes from the interior. (Lions S) Tracy (Walker) had a blitz from the interior, but Iffy’s been making a lot of hay from blitzing off the edge now. So, just being able to do that, it allows us to give offenses different looks so they just can’t say, ‘OK, this is where this guy’s going to come from for the most part.’ So, you’re absolutely right when you asked that question.”
On if the key for blitzing effectively is disguising it: “Somewhat disguise and somewhat a knack. Sometimes you just have it and (Lions S Ifeatu Melifonwu) Iffy’s the type of guy that just has it. And I will tell you this, he’s learning to understand exactly how to blitz on a back because they’re certain things that a back would do when you’re barreling right at him. You have to understand that, and you have to be able to read it quickly to be able to understand how to make your moves.”
On what intangibles he looks for to decide who will play at the safety position if the competition in practice is close: “The best guy plays. And listen, there will always be opportunities to get all those guys on the field. And I know I’m saying it as a joke before, but listen, man, we want to get the best players on the field as much as we can. And that’s my job to do that. And I promise you this, that will get done. It’s just making sure that you don’t disrupt the defense the way that we’ve been playing it. And listen, I’m honest and upfront with every player that we have, and I will always be that way. Coming from a former player, that’s what you want from a coach, and every player knows that, so. But every player also knows that I want to make sure that we get the best players on the field too, so I’ll make sure that happens.”
On if he is enjoying the brainstorming process of having so many defensive weapons to mix and match looks: “Yes, you do. When (Lions DL Alim McNeill) Mac comes back, when (Lions LB James) Houston comes back, when (Lions DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson) Ducey comes back, all those guys. The thing is that you want to make sure that you don’t go too crazy to where guys end up having issues remembering, memorizing. You want to be more concept-based. But we do a really good job defensively to make sure that happens.”
On Lions Coordinator Ben Johnson saying his name should be talked about for head coaching opportunities and how he blocks out the outside noise: “Guys, listen, man, it’s as tough as it is, especially when you’re at this point to where – I talked about this to our defense to be honest with you. Man, at this point, you’ve created something for yourself. We’re 11-4, we’re winners, and winners talk, walk, practice, go through walkthrough – they do things different. And I’ve been a part of that for a long time in my career as a player and as a coach. And so, the most important thing you have to do when you become a winner, you focus at the job at hand and what’s in front of you, and everything else is going to take care of itself. And I believe in, you doing things you have to do, the by-products will be there for you. And if that’s becoming a head coach, man, listen, I’m grateful and I’m with it. But I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, I’m enjoying my time being the coordinator here in Detroit. And I want to see this thing through, I want to see what we can do, and I appreciate Ben saying that. I mean obviously, he’s done a hell of a job with the offense, and I’ll tell you what, to be able to get the ball to all those pieces, I mean that’s a task in itself. So, hat’s off to him and how he’s operating with those guys.”
On the concerns about the Cowboys’ run game despite it differing from a long history of Dallas offenses that were built around the offensive line and ground game: “No doubt, since my days of playing. Man, you have to consider the last couple of years, they’ve had probably one of the better backs in the League that was running the ball for them, and when that piece is gone, I mean there is something that’s going to be missing. Obviously, you want some guys that end up taking the slack, but that was an important piece for that team for a number of years. But man, when you have an O-line like that and the backs that they still have, I mean they do some things that’s pretty unique as far as the run game is concerned. And we know that they’re going to try to run it on us. I mean that’s just who they are, that’s how they’re built, but we also know (Cowboys QB) Dak (Prescott)’s going to use his arm in this game, so we’ll be ready for it.”
LIONS SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE FIPP QUOTE SHEET
December 27, 2023
On his assessment of Lions K Michael Badgley’s performance these past two weeks: “Yeah, he’s been solid, but obviously we’ve had him the year before. We didn’t like the protection on the blocked PAT, obviously, but really had nothing to do with Badgley, or really the operation. We had a guy not execute, really his job. It’s not a rush we hadn’t seen or anything like that, but obviously not good enough.”
On what happened with the blocked extra point against the Vikings: “Yeah, I’m not going to get into it in detail, but we had one player who didn’t execute exactly how he should’ve. The first rep of the game was perfect and then didn’t do his job the way he was supposed to do on the next one and so that happened.”
On the illegal formation penalty on a punt against the Vikings and the uncharacteristic penalties special teams has committed this season: “Yeah, penalties, I think we have 10 on the season. Some of those though are – that’s always hard to look at, that statistic because if we take a delay on purpose on punt or something like that or try to get someone to jump offsides and take a delay, that adds in there. But yeah, we had the illegal formation, (Lions LB Trevor) Nowaske was off the ball on that punt. I thought our punt team did a good job handling it and came back out, clutch punt in the end, good coverage. But yeah, obviously we’re not looking at penalties, that’s for sure.”
On how difficult it is for a punter to have executed a clutch punt and then have to redo it due to a penalty: “Yeah, punting the ball is difficult period. These guys make it look pretty easy, but yeah, I mean, it’s definitely not easy in that situation. You know it’s a big moment in the game, which is really kind of what you live for, I think, if you’re a true competitor, but this is like two and a half minutes on the clock, your first punt was a successful punt, and then you’ve got to come back and redo it. They’re putting a lot of pressure on you. They had eight guys in the box, they were rushing us on really both of them. I thought the protection did a nice job and then obviously (Lions P Jack) Fox did a great job hitting the ball, especially the second one. And then (Lions CB Chase) Lucas, our right gunner down there, he did a real nice job kind of holding that guy up from getting started. (Vikings WR Brandon Powell) Number four is a competitive returner for them, Powell. And then the rest of the coverage did a nice job covering down the field, so it ended up being a good play.”
On the challenges Cowboys WR KaVontae Turpin will present in the return game: “Yeah, he’s a good, competitive player. I would say, really at that returner position, one of the first things that makes a guy good is just being competitive, wanting to catch the ball, wanting to do something with it after the play, trying to do something with it no matter what the picture looks like as a punt returner. Is there a gunner in your face, but you’re still catching it and trying to make a guy miss and go? Were you taking the easy fair catch? And this guy, he wants to return every ball he can return. So, he puts pressure on you that way. And then he’s not a real big guy, but he’s definitely quick and shifty. He does a great job of setting coverage, making guys miss. He can really stretch you and make you feel his speed, quickness and then he’ll put his foot in the ground. He’s kind of a quick one stop, start stop, one-cut type guy. So anyways, he creates space for himself, like all the great returners do. He helps the blockers in front of him look good by setting those blocks up, making those guys really look better than maybe they are without a good player back there. So, he definitely does a really good job. We played against a handful of good returners the last few weeks here, so this’ll be another one, good challenge for us.”
On if he can appreciate Cowboys K Brandon Aubrey’s story and what he has done for Dallas’s special teams unit: “Yeah, it’s crazy. I’m happy for the guy. I didn’t really know much about him. I actually went to one of those USFL, or whatever league he was in, XFL, USFL, whatever that was here when they were playing, I don’t know, the Michigan (Panthers) team in Ford Field. I went to the game, watched the guy play, thought he did a good job. He’s friends with (Lions LS Scott) Daly, our long snapper and they went to Notre Dame together, and so he ended up being at the game also and told me about him, so we’re sitting there watching him play, and yeah it’s obviously great. He told me the story. He’s a soccer player, converted and then it’s good to see him obviously have the success he’s had. He’s done a great job.”
On the story of Cowboys K Brandon Aubrey having a background in soccer and becoming a kicker in the NFL: “Yeah, it’s awesome. I mean, good for him. And then he’s played great. And it’s not only – I mean, he’s hit some tough kicks too, he’s got a 60-yarder, he’s eight-for-eight from 50-plus. He’s 33-of-33. I think he’s hit, I don’t know, 13 30-39s and maybe it’s six 40-49s, but good numbers.”
On how he reflected on the NFC North division title after his experience winning the Super Bowl in Philadelphia: “Yeah, so, I appreciate you asking the question because you guys kind of asked me a similar question a week ago and I really wasn’t prepared for that very well. And so, I hadn’t really thought much about it and I really think that – so, since then I’ve thought a lot about it because it’s bothered me. You guys got me. But it has bothered me, but – and I think, really, I really feel – and I kind of mentioned it a little bit, but as a coach, you are definitely so worried about the next thing and it is very, very hard to reflect and realize any good during the season. And so really, what we’ve – I don’t even know what we’ve accomplished. We’re trying to win the next game and that’s like coach-speak, but it is definitely how we feel. It’s definitely how I feel. I know that for sure. And really, the plays that stick in your mind, I think the older you get and the longer you coach, the plays that stick in your mind are the negative plays, so the blocked field goal or the extra point from last week. And it’s Christmas Eve, you can’t sleep, you wake up on Christmas morning, you’re still frustrated. And then you’re thinking about, ‘OK, now what are they going to do to us this week? How are they going to attack us? We’ve got that on film.’ And really – I really do think that in the moment, as a coach, I think most of us really are just so focused on the next play, the next opponent, the next game that it really is hard to put it into perspective. I really do think that at some point, when you’re able to look back, you’ll realize what you did and all of that. And I think over time, for me, the Super Bowl, you’re able to look back at that a little bit more the longer it gets, or further it gets away. And you know that you did something good. And I think – the most important thing on all that stuff is probably the people that invested so much in you along the way, whether it be your parents, or your high school coach, or whatever, that you made them proud and you made them feel like, ‘This guy actually did something.’ And so anyway, I don’t know. I really do know that obviously the Cowboys are a good football team. They play well on special teams and so it really is – as soon as that last game was over, I mean those guys are all celebrating in the locker room, so my kids tell me they’re on whatever the live feeds of whatever these apps are and they’re like, ‘Where were you?’ And I was like, ‘Well, I was changing and getting ready for the next game.’ So that’s just how it is. I wish I could sit in there and celebrate, but really, it’s their day anyways. I think that’s how a coach sees it too. It’s like, you’re happy for the players, you love it for them, that’s why you do it. It’s really not about you, or me, or I. It’s really more about them. And so, you’re happy for them for sure. But for you, you’re getting ready for the next thing.”
On if he woke up on Christmas morning thinking about the blocked extra point during the Vikings game: “Well, I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about it. I woke up – yeah, I mean, a million times you think about those plays. The negative plays stick with you much more so than any of the positive plays. In my time, we’ve made a lot of plays too, but the ones that really stick with you the longest are all the negative plays.”
On how he makes sure the players stay focused on the big picture and do not get caught up on the negative plays: “Yeah, I think the key to that is basically just bringing the focus back down on each play. Make them realize, for us, that blocked field goal is an opportunity to talk about, ‘Hey man, you can’t let your guard down in this game.’ It’s just like life, I know I say that all the time, but it is like life. And I think what happens to people is there is – head coach used this word with us, but complacency sometimes sets in and you think, ‘I could give maybe just a little bit less and get the same result, or the same reward and I don’t maybe have to – and maybe the longer I do it and the more proficient I become, like with your job or my job. Maybe I don’t have to quite do that anymore,’ or ‘I deserve to not maybe have to put as much in as I used to when I was young coming up.’ And I think this game will humble you that way and as soon as you give it a little bit less or less than your full attention at times, it’ll – you’ll pay the price for it and that’s really what we did on that field goal block and it’s what you love about the game as a coach is it takes everything you’ve got every single game, every single play. It means so much. It’s why you’re focused on the next play all the time. But it truly is and it’s a challenge and it’s what’s great about it. But I think, really grounding the players and getting them to realize, ‘Hey man, this game’s going to come down to execution. It’s going to take every play for 60 minutes and it’s going to take every guy’s best.’ And really, it comes down to probably the team that makes the fewest mistakes.”
On how Lions S Tracy Walker has handled his change in roles on the team and how valuable he has been for special teams: “Yeah, I think – it’s a really good question because I think, what happens – it’s easy for us to sit here and say, ‘Well, it’s no big deal. He’s not starting. Well, he’s been asked to do this.’ And I always say, well yeah, it’s not that big of a deal but if they came and told me next week that they want me to load the plane instead of coaching special teams, I might feel like, ‘Hey, that’s not really what I signed up for.’ And I think that’s hard to deal with emotionally and I think there’s a real component to that, or you’ve got to be cognizant of. Now that being said, at the end of the day, they’re paying us to get a job done and whatever they ask us to do, we’ve got to do and we accepted that when we came here. And so ultimately, what – if you accept that role, then it’s your responsibility to the rest of the team and the players and coaches and people around you to give everything you’ve got. I think that Tracy’s done a great job with that, and I really respect and admire it. I know it’s what he’s supposed to do, but it’s not easy. He does it with a smile on his face. He’s into it, he’s trying, he’s trying to get better. And I definitely appreciate and respect that. I don’t think it’s easy for him. I think playing on special teams is difficult. I think there’s some startup time for it. And I think the more you play at it, just like anything, the better you get. So obviously, he’s new to it. He hasn’t done much of it throughout his career. But I definitely admire and respect what he’s done for us.” |
