September 12, 2023
On what it will be like to play at Ford Field this Sunday: “Yeah, it’s going to be fun, it’s going to be really fun. Obviously, the first home game, but we’re coming in there 1-0 and with some excitement and hopefully can go 2-0 in front of our own fans.”
On the difference between the passion the fans have shown two years ago compared to now: “Yeah, the passion’s always been there. I think we’re giving them a little more to cheer about now, but the passion’s always been there and I’m excited to see them have fun with us and hopefully we can give them a W.”
On how they plan to build off the momentum of beating the defending Super Bowl champions: “Sure, yeah, we’ve just got to keep winning. You’ve got to keep finding ways to win and keep playing well and practicing well and fixing our mistakes, and there were plenty of them in that game, and finding ways to win and I think that’s what we’ve done well over this little stretch where we’ve been winning. It’s just late in the fourth quarter, making plays, need guys stepping up. We had a rookie make a pick-6 the other day, stuff like that helps you win and we’ve got to keep doing it.”
On what has allowed him to maintain a streak of 359-consecutive passes without an interception: “It’s a lot of things. No, it’s not on my mind at all. It’s really not. It’s been a lot of things. Obviously, we’ve been playing well, taking care of the ball and then there’s a lot of luck in it. We have balls batted that hit the ground that doesn’t always happen, so yeah there’s a lot of a few different things, but if I’m taking care of the ball, we’re usually win games, so I’ve got to keep doing that.”
On what has allowed the team to make clutch plays: “Just maturing, yeah, getting a little mature and getting comfortable with our system. Sure, knowing when those moments are and showing up and I think that’s what good teams do. You find guys – every week you’ll have a different guy step up and this week it’ll be no different for finding a way to win, someone who can step up that you’re not expecting and make a play and it tends to happen that way.”
On what it was like seeing the 2023 rookie class perform in their first NFL game: “Yeah, it was fun. It was good. It was really impressive to see them all have really no flinch. And I think I tell people all the time, ‘Are the rookies going to be nervous?’ It’s like, well they’ve played in big games. They’ve played in national championships. Of course, that was a big game the other night, but these guys have played on big stages and you can tell.”
On playing with the full starting offensive line for the first time since they have been on the team: “Yeah, it was fun. It’s a cohesive group that’s really come together. And I know they’re as critical of themselves as anybody and they played well. They did a good job.”
On how he feels his game has improved compared to the past two seasons with this franchise: “Yeah, I wish I could give you exactly something. It’s just, overall, just working, working and doing my job, really one play at a time. Taking the shot when it’s there and when it’s not, checking it down. Being careful with the football and not careless, but at the same time, being aggressive when the shots are there and making those plays that we have to make, so just finding that balance and I’ve found a good place in that and want to keep going.”
On how his performance and mindset have changed with the more experience he has gained: “Yeah, it’s – a little bit. I think as you get older, you realize when the shot is there and when it’s not and I think that’s something that I’ve kind of learned as I’ve gone through the last two-to-four seasons is it’s not – just because the shot’s called, doesn’t mean a shot taken. But then also knowing when it’s there and pulling the trigger and making those tight windows close and finding that balance and as you get older, I think it’s something you learn.”
On how it feels being in a category with Jets QB Aaron Rodgers and former Buccaneers QB Tom Brady for most consecutive passes without an interception: “I haven’t thought about it once. It’s cool, yeah, it’s a cool thing and look back on it one day, but if you told me it kept going and we’d lost games, I don’t care. I’m just trying to win games and being a part of that formula, sure, it’s helped, but it’s not by any means the focus.”
On how much the team has focused on his streak of not throwing an interception in the last 359-straight passes: “Yeah, they’re not aware. We don’t talk about it at all, really. We talk about winning and again, it’s become a byproduct of taking care of the ball and typically it always is, but yeah, there’s a lot of luck, there’s a lot of those guys making catches, a lot of the defense not making catching, so yeah, it’s been a good thing, but not on my mind.”
On the trust he has in Lions WR Josh Reynolds to produce in tough situations: “Yeah, yeah I trust him, I really do and I’ve played with him for a long time now and we have a good rapport and I know where he’s going to be, when he’s going to be there. I’ve got a good feel for his body language in-and-out of routes and he’s got sure hands. He’s very reliable at the catchpoint, so I trust him a lot and can throw with some anticipation to him.”
On the Seahawks being the team he has competed against the most throughout his career: “Yeah, probably them and Arizona, probably been the most two, but yeah, we’ve played some out both years here, so yeah, we’re very familiar with each other and it’ll be a fun one.”
On how executing game-defining plays gives the team momentum throughout the season: “We’re completely different. We’re a different team, we are. We’ve got to find a way to keep winning games. Last year is last year and this year is a complete different team with different players and different plays, different scheme and we’ve got to find ways to win.”
On how the success the team had last season gives the team momentum this season: “Similar, yeah, I think there’s a lot of our players that are still here, but I don’t think we’re trying to go – I don’t think we’re thinking, ‘OK, now we’re 10-8, because last year we finished 9-8.’ No, that’s not the mentality at all. We’re trying to win each game this year and last year we did some good things, didn’t make the playoffs and now that’s our goal this year.”
On how tough Lions C Frank Ragnow is to play through his toe injury: “He’s very tough. He’s tough as heck and you may not give him enough credit at times how tough he is and how badly he’s wanted to be out there with us. I know last year, it was much worse than it is now and then him battling through that for us and being out there, I believe almost every game, is a testament to who he is and yeah, he wants to be out there, but he’s done a good job of getting himself in a better place, healthy and I think he feels pretty good.”
On how much the loss to Seattle last season is on his mind as they prepare for their next game against Seattle: “Sure, yeah, absolutely, yeah. We remember and really two years in a row, they’ve beaten us two years in a row and yeah, we remember and want to get our shot back, but they’ll be ready. They’re coming off a loss and have a lot to play for as well, so we’ll be ready for a good fight.”
On whether he thinks Ford Field can be louder than Arrowhead Stadium: “Absolutely, yeah. We’ve got some loud fans.” | |
