LIONS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOHN MORTON QUOTE SHEET
September 4, 2025
Opening Statement: “Really excited. Can’t wait to get going.”
On how impressed he has been with Lions QB Jared Goff and his ownership of the offense and how easy that makes his job: “It’s made it a lot easier, it’s been awesome. The dialogue we’ve had – we call it RCE – recognize, communicate and execute. We’re just talking all the time because we have to get to know each other. Every day, we learn about each other. And he’s just been awesome. Ideas, what I’m thinking, film, we’re talking on the phone, it’s been awesome. And that’s the way the coordinator and the quarterback should be.”
On his impressions of Defensive Coordinator Kelvin Sheppard as a play-caller and his defense: “Thoroughly impressed. I’m glad we don’t have to go against those guys anymore. I think they do an unbelievable job. They made it tough for us and it’ll prepare us for the upcoming games, so I think those guys are going to be awesome.”
On how his hard work alleviates any pressure he feels going into the season: “Don’t feel pressure. I mean this is my 28th year. Every coach works their butt off. I’ve just been taught a certain way and it’s all I know. I love doing this and I wouldn’t know what else I would do. I just love it. It’s not about me, it’s about the players. But I just love what I do, that’s all I know.”
On what his definition of aggressiveness and aggressive play-calling was before being named offensive coordinator here and how that has evolved since joining Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell’s staff: “No, I mean, we’re going to continue to do those things. I’ve had to learn how they want to do certain things in certain situations. So, that’s not going to change. I like it. If it feels good, let’s do it. I’ve said this before, we’re going to do whatever it takes to win the game.”
On his first impression of Green Bay’s trade for Packers DL Micah Parsons and how that influences the gameplan now: “He’s a heck of a player and we’ll have to be aware of him and where he’s at. We’ll find out how much he’s going to play. We’ll have certain things for him. I’m really just concentrating on our guys and it’s all about us right now, making sure the details, the fundamentals of everything are correct because this is a good defense.”
On the challenge of developing quarterbacks when the team’s QB1 and QB2 need to get reps in and if the emergency quarterback rule is a good thing: “I think it’s a good thing. I mean you’d like to have three. And we saw what happens when you don’t. It’s very important. I think (Lions QB) Kyle (Allen)’s going to do an unbelievable job. I mean you want your backups or your third to be really smart. Because they don’t get a lot of reps, you’d like to have a veteran, and it just totally helps with ease. You’re at ease if something happens and he can just step in and go and you don’t have to change much.”
On if it is challenging to develop young quarterbacks because of the lack of reps that they get: “Yeah, I would agree. No doubt.”
On the challenges a defense presents for an offensive coordinator when their scheme includes a rush four, drop seven approach: “Yeah, we’ve got two pretty good tackles, so I’m not as much concerned about that. I mean, we’ve got some great players here. But, (Packers DL Micah) Parsons and (Packers DL Rashan) Gary, they’re really good. So, we’ll have plans but our two tackles are pretty damn good.”
On the difficulty of the drop-seven type of defense specifically: “Yeah, I mean they’re a zone type of defense. So, we have the gameplan set up to do whatever it takes.”
On if there was a time in his coaching career when he felt pressure and when that changed for him: “Well the first time being the coordinator. That was a little bit of pressure being in New York. That’s a little bit of pressure, but I feel very confident. The coaches here are unbelievable, we’re doing this together, we’ve got great players. I feel really good where I’m at right now.”
On what he likes about being up in the booth during games: “Well I’ve been up there my whole career. So, I’ve always been in direct contact with the play-caller, the head coach. All the head coaches I’ve been around have been the play-caller, so I’ve helped them out a lot. I have certain things that I’ve always done up there as far as tendencies and things and it’s just you take the chaos out of it and it’s very calm up there, I can see everything and it’s very easy to call plays up there.”
On his expectation for the offense after Lions QB Jared Goff commented that it is hard to get an offense firing on all cylinders in Week 1: “Yeah, I mean, like I said, we’re going to continue to do what they’ve been doing. So, coming off the ball and running it all starts up front, that’s what we’re going to do. And then we’ll take advantage of however they’re going to play us. And I don’t feel it’s like that but it’s – being a new coordinator, being new here, that getting to know each other and how things work, I think we’ve had so many reps. (Lions Head Coach) Dan (Campbell) has done an unbelievable job in training camp getting us ready to play this game. And we’ve had a ton of reps going against our defense, which is a little bit different than this defense. So, I feel very confident where we’re at.”
On how Lions OL Tate Ratledge and Lions OL Christian Mahogany developed throughout training camp and the expectations for them: “Again, just going against our defense with all the different things that they do. It’s been beneficial for those guys because it’s been hard and seeing these different type looks – now, Green Bay does an unbelievable job up front too with all their packages that they have. So, I think we’re going to be great because we’re preparing these guys, we’re in practice, we’re giving them the hardest looks, so when the game happens it’s a little bit easier.”
On how much it helps to have someone that he knows down on the sideline in Lions Passing Game Coordinator David Shaw: “Yeah. It helps out a lot because if you don’t have anybody down there that you can trust, then I probably would go down there. Like I said, our coaches are awesome. (Lions Head Coach) Dan (Campbell) and (Lions Passing Game Coordinator) David Shaw and all of our coaches. It’s been great, the communication, we’ve learned each other in the preseason which was really good. So, I think it’s awesome to have him down there. He’s done it, he’s been the head coach, he’s just another pair of eyes that can help (Lions QB) Jared (Goff) during the game and Dan, so I love it.”
On how he balances players using the outside narrative for fuel versus focusing on the task ahead: “I don’t pay any mind. I don’t listen to the media. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t read articles, I was taught early on don’t read things. I don’t. I’m not on social media or anything like that, I don’t hear that stuff, I just concentrate on what I’ve got to do. That’s the most important thing is to get these guys ready. You know what I mean? So, I don’t buy into any of that.”
On what stood out to him schematically about Green Bay’s defensive film under Packers Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley: “I mean they’ve got some different looks. It’s a zone type of defense. I’ve gone against this defense multiple times. It’s all 11 eyes on the quarterback, they want to see everything and get you to third down-and-long. They do an unbelievable job. They’ve really got good players, they’re disciplined in what they do, they surround to the ball. It’s all going to be about the turnover – taking care of the ball in this game. We have to take care of the ball and run the ball and that opens up other things.”
On what it is about the combination of Lions WR Kalif Raymond and Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa that gave him confidence at the WR3 position based on what he saw in training camp: “Yeah, I think TeSlaa did a great job in training camp, here in practice, and he made plays. He got better every single day, carried over to the game, we thought he did an unbelievable job. He’s a smart kid, he’s tough, there are some good things that he can do that’s going to help us this year. He took advantage of the opportunity when (Jaguars WR) Tim (Patrick) was out. Tim will be missed. I was around Tim in Denver, I love him. He was an unbelievable teammate and wish him the best.”
On what Lions Passing Game Coordinator David Shaw is looking for on the sideline to relay to him in the booth: “He’s just another pair of eyes at the quarterback. Just looking at the quarterback, any ideas. During in between series, he’s over there with the quarterback, they relay it to me things that he is seeing, so that’s kind of how that goes. But all the coaches are doing that.”
On if he envisions an equal workload distribution between Lions RB David Montgomery and Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs: “We’ll see.”
LIONS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR KELVIN SHEPPARD QUOTE SHEET
September 4, 2025
On what his excitement level is heading into his first regular season week as defensive coordinator and how he maintains being level-headed at the same time: “Well, I take myself out of that equation. I’m excited for the players and the opportunity that these guys have to go out. You hear all of these different narratives and all that stuff and that’s fine and dandy, but I know when we sat in that room this morning, when we conveyed on Monday, the things that those guys talked about. The standard that we set. Coaches, players, players, coaches and the level that these guys expect to play this year. So, that’s what I’m excited for. I’m a very selfless person. I’m not in this to like, ‘Oh, this is my first game.’ No, this is their first game to go out and display what we’re going to look like and what’s to come in the 2025-2026 season.”
On what Packers WR Matthew Golden brings to their offense with his speed and the value of practicing against the similar speed of Lions WR Jameson Williams: “Yeah, it’s crazy how this unfolded because I actually did look at him. (Lions Head Coach) Dan (Campbell) had me evaluate a handful of offensive guys this offseason during the Draft process, and he was one of the guys on the list. It’s a unique thing we do here, and just another part of coaching development. Just expanding your horizon beyond your position, beyond your side of the ball, wherever that may deem he thinks you can get ready for. So, he fell on my list, so I’ve seen him as a player. He’s a very electric player. We’ve got (Lions Running Backs Coach Tashard Choice) T-Choice here that came from Texas that was with him there, and I mean, it’s a no-brainer. He’s one of the fastest guys in the League. I believe he was the fastest guy this year coming out, and he’s a very explosive player. He’s a big component of their offense, I already know that without seeing a clip because of the dynamic he provides. And then you’ve got that monster in (Packers RB Josh Jacobs) number eight in the backfield. So, whenever you’ve got somebody that can take the top off, and you have one of the top five rushing attacks in ball last year, that provides a challenge in itself. But, we do have the luxury here of practicing against a very similar offense. Having (Lions WR Jameson Williams) Jamo and the double-headed monster that we have to see all camp, so it’s prepared us. But, we understand the challenge at hand. But, number one first and foremost it starts with stopping the run and Josh Jacobs.”
On how he prepares for the chess match of Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur’s play-calling: “Just not getting caught up in it’s me versus LaFleur. It’s us versus the Packers and making sure we go in, we understand the plan, and we don’t deviate from it no matter how the game goes. That’s what me and (Lions Head Coach) Dan (Campbell) talked through last night. We can start out shedding them out two, three, three and outs in a row. Or, they can come out and score in the first play of the game. That can’t change or alter the plan we’ve set in place, the plan I’ve told the players that we have. And it can’t dictate our emotions of the game. We have to stay very even-keeled throughout this whole process, never too high, never too low. And I do have the upmost respect for Coach LaFleur. Obviously, I haven’t been a coordinator, but I’ve been watching across the sidelines now for a few years. And he’s always had a top offense. Points, rushing, passing, it’s a high-prolific offense. It’s a system that’s generated from that whole (Rams Head Coach Sean) McVay, LaFleur, (Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell) KO up in Minnesota, it’s all similar. And all these guys are very, very, very high thinkers, they adjust on the run, and I have to be ready to counter everything he’s ready to throw at us.”
On what he expects to see from the film of Lions DL Tyleik Williams after the game on Sunday: “I’m expecting to see a violent, physical, big man striking and knocking people back. We know his playmaking ability, but I just keep reminding him, D-tackles don’t necessarily make plays that show up on the stat sheet. And you have to remind him of that, because he was a dominant player at Ohio State and he’s used to racking up stats on the stat sheet. Just understanding what we need from him, and that’s to be who he is within our system and what we’re asking him to do. But first and foremost, if you play on our defensive line, we expect you to knock people back violently, be able to sit down against double teams, hold in there thick and firm. And he’s shown that all camp, I’m very excited for that player and to see him out there in Lambeau.”
On how everything he did in camp calling plays in situations set him up to feel comfortable for calling for the first time in a regular season this weekend: “Absolutely, because I know the big question is that this is my first game calling it. But, that’s not how I’m thinking or preparing for this. I’ve been calling defenses for the last six weeks, and more importantly, for the last two years on my own in my mind. The day before the game, if (Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn) AG got sick the night before, how would I see myself calling these games? So, it’s the first time others are going to see me call games, call plays and things like that. But, as far as defensive players and myself, I’m going into this deal. I know the D’s and D’s, I know the plan, I know what we’ve said we’re going to do here, I know what we’ve said we’re going to do there, and not deviate from it no matter what. It’s the same thing we do in call-it periods in practice. I go against one of the most high prolific offenses every single day for the last six weeks and I’ve had that task at hand. (Lions Head Coach) Dan (Campbell) has put me in in-game situations already, and that’s just a credit to him. I’m going in Week 1 – guys, I’m not BS-ing you at all. I’m not nervous at all. I’m very anxious, but I’m not nervous. There’s a big difference. Someone is nervous, you’re not prepared. We are prepared and we will be prepared, and we’ll let the chips fall where they may on Sunday.”
On what D’s and D’s are: “Downs and distance.”
On how his playing career helped him prepare for this role as defensive coordinator: “Oh, absolutely. The highs and lows of my career, and I open the floor and I explain that to all the players when we had a 90-man roster here back at camp. And that’s why I feel like I’m able to adapt and touch so many guys. Because I’ve been that higher draft pick that went in started my rookie year. I’ve been that guy got traded, I’ve been that guy that got cut, I’ve been that guy that had to go back and get it out the mud and resurface yourself. So, I’ve seen from every aspect in this deal. And then being right there with (Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn) AG these last couple years, I’ve also seen it. I’ve seen people calling for his job years ago, to calling him one of the best coordinators in the League. So, that to me is why you can never get too high or too low because in this business that we’re in, things happen overnight, and things change drastically week to week. So, you never get too high or too low and that’s where I kind of get that motto from is dating back to my playing days.”
On where he has seen Lions CB Terrion Arnold grow the most heading into year two: “I would say from the mental standpoint. He’s always had the physical gifts in twos, but it’s the mental standpoint. Him doing the extra meetings with (Lions Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs) Deshea (Townsend) and myself, wanting to understand the game of football, not just play it. Those are two different things. And being able to play with anticipation. When you’re out there on those islands, your talent can only take you so far because the guy you’re matched up against is just as talented as you. You have to be able to play with anticipation, understand the stems of receivers, what routes they run off certain stems, certain formations and things like that. That’s where I’ve seen the growth with him, and Deshea has done an unbelievable job with that player just kind of finding that fine line because he does have this kind of kid personality. Kind of understanding how to wire his mind and when you’re out there, look man, you’ve got to lock in here. We understand you’re going to talk trash, you’re going to joke around, but there’s a time and place for it and knowing when to lock in. I’ve seen that from him in these past six months.”
On what Lions CB D.J. Reed has meant for Lions CB Terrion Arnold and for the defense as a whole: “Not just Terrion, he’s meant everything to our defense. He’s been a plug and play guy not only on the field, but in the classroom, in the locker room. D.J. Reed, I can’t say enough about him. I know that (Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson) Hutch and (Lions LB Alex Anzalone) Anzo were voted captains, but he would’ve easily been a guy that would’ve earned the right to wear that patch. Everything he does is by his work, all you have to do is watch him. Watch his attentiveness in meetings. He asks me the most questions of anybody. Like, sometimes I’ll stop the tape and say, ‘Shepp, I messed up right there.’ I’m like, ‘Damn, you’re telling on yourself?’ But, just his level of accountability, the level of trust not only myself but this unit has in him. And those guys follow him, so it’s been very good having D.J. here.”
On what excites him the most about this defensive unit and their potential this season: “Just the togetherness we have right now. Understanding we have ups and downs. Like, (Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson) Hutch spoke the other day. Not going to go into super details about it, but essentially he said we’re going to go through ups and downs. But the bond that we’ve built, not only over the years. Because we just brought in D.J. Reed – you kind of pick and pry these pieces that you bring in year to year, and all these guys fit. And we mesh well, and it’s more of a brotherhood, and it’s a family. We’re not friends, I tell them, ‘We’re not friends here, we’re family.’ You’re going to go through things together, and we’re still going to be family after. Friends, you kind of separate and it is what it is. We are family here, and that’s what you’re going to see displayed on the field is a family out there fighting together down in and down out.”
On where he sees Lions DB Avonte Maddox making the biggest impact on defense: “Avonte Maddox provides us a huge depth piece that we’ve been thriving for for two years here. He’s kind of a chess piece that you can play at multiple spots, very similar to (Lions DB) Brian Branch. So, hopefully we’re not talking about that this year, but somebody always says they have to tie their shoes or forgets their mouthpiece in the locker room, it’s a guy that you kind plug and play in multiple spots and I have 100 percent trust in that player. That’s another guy, just like (Lions CB) D.J. Reed, that we’ve added. And I mean, you’re talking about a perfect fit to the culture and everything. He embodies being selfless, he’s willing to go play corner, safety, nickel, linebacker, and he knows what to do at all of these spots. So, he’s going to be critical throughout the whole portion of this season and the duration of our success this season.”
On if they lean on the experience of adding older players to the defensive backs room: “Absolutely, because you look, before (Lions CB) D.J. (Reed) and (Lions DB) Avonte (Maddox) got added, it was really a bunch of kids back there, you know? And for all it’s worth, yeah they’re All-Pro players, but I’m telling you all right now, trying to coach these players day to day, you never know what you’re going to get sometimes. But, that’s our job, meeting them halfway, and now having players there with them because that’s when the message is really sent. You say what you want as a coach. Yeah, they respect us, but a lot of it kind of falls on deaf ears sometimes when you’re preaching the same thing over and over. But when they’re hearing it from their peers, and it’s kind of they’re the coach through the player kind of deal, and then they get that from them, it kind of hits a little different. So, having those two vets that understand what we’re looking for, what I’m looking for, and kind of have them convey the message as well, kind of doubles down on everything that we’re saying.”
On how much he is creating sub-packages to find room for versatile depth players like Lions CB Rock Ya-Sin, Lions DB Avonte Maddox, Lions LB Trevor Nowaske and Lions LB Grant Stuard to play on Sunday: “Yep, and that’s a credit to our front office. The depth that they do, because now, kind of that player, we know we have (Lions LB) Malcolm (Rodriguez) out for the first couple of weeks here, but now a player that’s been plug and play kind of in that fourth LB spot has been (Lions LB) Zach Cunningham. To me, this is a starter in this League. I have no idea what he did before he got here, or why he wasn’t starting or playing credible snaps the last two years, but this player, what he’s shown on our field, he’s a starting caliber linebacker in this League. But again, credit to our front office. And it’s not trying to force these guys in the game, if we see in the gameplan there’s a role for you, we’ll plug and play you in that role. But we’ll never force anybody on the field, it’s just a credit that we’re able to have that kind of depth going into the season knowing what we endured last year as far as injuries are concerned. Having those depth pieces there to where you’re not changing your gameplan. The gameplan can stay the course, and those guys plug and play in those different spots that we have them in.”
LIONS SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE FIPP QUOTE SHEET
September 4, 2025
On how difficult it is to evaluate college special teams players given how different the college special teams game is from the professional special teams game: “No, it is a good question. The punt’s totally different. I mean, darn near everything, which is weird. I would say from an evaluation standpoint, not as hard. I mean you’re still looking for guys who, in coverage, can they find the ball, can they get off a block, do they see the field well, do they kind of know space and speed and all that type of stuff. In terms of return game, returner, catch ball, make guys miss. So all that stuff, kind of the attributes or traits you’re looking for, still shows up. I think the harder part is when they get here, teaching them how to play this new game. So, that to me is more of a challenge than evaluating the talent, is more of like, ‘OK, now we’ve got to get this guy to learn all the rules of these plays.’ They learn all the nuances that go along with it. And they used to kind of be taught that before they got to us and now not so much.”
On if he ever sees rugby-style concepts from high school or college in players coming into the NFL: “Yeah, that’s funny you say that. Yeah, so I don’t know. Back when I was in college, which now as you guys well know is a long time ago – I’m proud of that, the gray hair, I’m good, I mean I feel good with everything. But, yeah, we used to rugby punt. This is way back in the day, I think we were like the only team that was doing it. We’d roll out to the right, we had a punter who could punt with his left foot, we’d roll out to the left, he’d hit it with his left. So it’s been around forever, they obviously do more of it. A lot of their players are coming from overseas, Australia and all that where that’s kind of traditionally how they punt the ball. When I had (former Eagles P) Cam Johnston, we punted them a lot that way because he was just better at punting the ball that way in the beginning, and then kind of over time we started to develop him into a little bit more of a traditional punter. Yeah, I think at the end of the day you’re just playing to what they do best.”
On what stood out to him about Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa on special teams: “Yeah, he’s a good body type, he’s got some size and some length, he’s got some speed, so that’s huge. I mean for us on special teams, sometimes there’s just nothing you can do if a guy can just flat run and a guy just can’t run, it’s hard for the guy who can’t run to match the guy who can run. And he can run, so that gives him a chance to play some of these positions on the outside, gunner, hold-up guy and some of that stuff. And then I would say competitive spirit, like he’s not afraid of contact, he likes using his hands, he likes being physical – we saw that with the block there during training camp, blocking on offense. So definitely a guy that obviously we’d like to get involved.”
On how much this week has been a crash course on Lions S Thomas Harper and Lions S Daniel Thomas and figuring out how to fit them into the team’s scheme: “I think the best thing for me with those guys is it would be much more difficult if those guys were rookie players that came in from somewhere else and didn’t have as much film. But, I always feel like if a guy’s got film on himself playing in this League on special teams in those positions, I mean you can learn everything you need to know from how they’ve played in the past. And you may ask them to do something different, but you can see what he does well, what he doesn’t do as well and then you get them in the building, you’ve got a chance to talk to them and ask them, ‘Hey, how do you feel best playing? What positions do you feel best playing?’ Not that you can necessarily play them there, but – and see if that kind of agrees with the film that you were watching and kind of the opinions you have. But yeah, I’m excited to get those guys. Obviously they fill a void that we kind of had there for us and they’re both good players, I think, and they should both be able to help us out.”
On why the new kickoff rule creates such a big difference by moving the ball from the 30-yard line out to the 35-yard line after a touchback: “Yeah, I don’t know a good way to put five yards in perspective. But, I mean ultimately in this game you’re fighting for every inch. And I think a year ago, you were looking at a half-a-yard difference, well half-a-yard covering a kick, for a half-a-yard. It’s hard to make a case for that with the potential of popping, there’s going to be a big one, and that’s still out there. It’s an explosive play. I mean the bottom line with the play – we were just talking to the players about it – on kickoff coverage, if you’re not using the kicker in coverage, then you’re minus one guy on coverage. Well on defense, you’re actually plus one guy and if they use the cornerback, then you’re even, you’ve got a guy for every guy. But on this play, the kickoff team is short a man because they’ve got the returner and another blocker back there deep, plus nine guys up front, so they’ve got 10 on your 10 and a ball carrier – not counting your kicker. So, the play is inherently difficult for the kickoff team, which teams have done a great job of covering the field, but there’s still that volatile component of you’re a man short and if they can find that spot where you’re a man short, the ball’s going to go for a little while. So ultimately, five yards though, and the risk – we’re trying to minimize those big plays for five yards. Five yards every kickoff, you know you add it up, kickoff five times – I’m not sure what five times five is but whatever that is, it’s starting to add up on you – 25 yards, 30 yards, 40 yards, and in the course of a game, it’s huge. And then I think the other thing is if you said nowadays with these kickers, ‘We’re giving you the ball at the 35-yard line,’ well your first down doesn’t go for 10 yards, it goes for 12, 13, 14 yards. I mean, you’re getting first down-and-a-half, you’re almost in field goal range now which is what the League knows when they made the whole rule. I mean, they’re trying to get more points on the board, they’re pushing the drive start out, in essence, another five yards or two-and-a-half-plus yards on the drive start. And the drive start you’re probably looking at the 33-yard line, by the end of the season 32-and-a-half, something like that. And now it’s like, man, you’re getting points on the board. It’s going to change the game. It’ll change the way punters play – punters are going to be playing midfield a lot, it eliminates a lot of the punt return game when they’re punting towards midfield, so there’s a lot to it.”
On if he thinks there will still be a lot of chaos in kickoff returns because of the acclimation it will take teams across the League to adapt: “Yeah. I think teams have gotten a pretty good handle on it, but there’s going to be explosive plays for sure. What’s going to happen is teams aren’t going to just kick the ball into the back of the end zone and give them the ball at the 35. And because of that, over the course of the season, there’s just going to be a lot more volume of plays. Anytime you have more numbers, there’s going to be more big returns. So, throughout the course of the year, there’s going to be some big returns and then inevitably some of those are going to come up in critical situations in critical games, and then it’s going to make a major impact, which I love. I mean that’s what really we want. We want to be a part of the game. And I also love it. I think I hit on this one of the times I talked to you, but it’s going to force teams to start saying, ‘Hey, man, we need to put a lot of resources into this area of the game and we can’t just push it off to the side and say just get through these downs.’ It’s going to be a factor. ‘Who’s returning the ball and who’s covering the kicks? Is it just backup players? Are you putting starters out there? And do you have starters return the ball?’ I think all those conversations. By the end of this season, there’s going to be a lot of teams having a lot of those.”
On what circumstances would cause him to use starters for special teams roles: “Yeah, I think it’s definitely a conversation people have to have. I’m not going to get into all of that for us necessarily, but I think you’ve definitely got to consider it. It’s going to be impactful plays and even if it’s not every time, is it in big moments? Is it – I think we’ll find out.”
On what he likes about Lions WR Dominic Lovett and what his role can be on special teams: “Yeah, so Lovett’s the same type of thing. I mean, he’s got speed, he was a gunner at Georgia all last year really – his last year in college, played well for them as a gunner. Anyway, he’s got speed, he can run, he can find the ball in coverage, make tackles. He’s a little bit smaller body type, little bit different than (Lions WR Isaac) TeSlaa. TeSlaa’s a little bit bigger, little more physical, so maybe he plays more perimeter positions, not quite as far inside in the return game, hold-up game. He’s got return value as a punt returner and a kick returner, obviously, so he brings a lot to the table. It’ll end up being, kind of like it comes down to every year is here’s the whatever, 48 guys you get to work with on game day and then how can you make the best group out of those 48, managing their volume on offense and defense and making sure you’re not wearing anyone out.”
On what progress he has seen from Lions K Jake Bates on the kickoff: “Yeah, definitely much better at it. And then I think part of the whole process is finding out what does he do well, what’s he most comfortable doing and then us kind of adapting our game to that too. But, he’s definitely much better than he was a year ago, that’s for sure. I feel good about it. I would just tell you in general, the strengths of his game are, man, big leg, pound it, drive the ball. Not necessarily place it as much and this is a little bit more of a place it game, so it’s inherently a little more difficult for him. But, all that being said, I mean this guy’s an exceptional talent and he’s worked hard at it. That’s the one part about all those specialists, man they have a tremendous amount of pride in what they do and their craft and work very, very hard at being great at it. And so he’s done that. I know he’ll continue to improve throughout the year. And I would say that for him in general, there’ll be ups and downs on the thing. And this whole season for our whole special teams unit team is going to be about just moving forward, just growing, just getting a little bit better each week. So like I told some of the guys this morning, ‘Don’t focus on the outcome or the result. Just focus on the execution, on doing your job, the technique of that, the execution of it, how you do it, with the mindset, the mentality, the energy. If you focus on that, the results will come. But then you also have something to build on for the next week and the week after. If you just stay focused on results and big picture stuff, it ends up being difficult for you.’”
