Lions Quotes: Jim Schwartz After Browns Game

by Sean Yuille on Aug 29, 2010 1:23 PM EDT in Comcast Sponsored Posts

For more post-game quotes, visit DetroitLions.com.

On if he saw enough from RB Jahvid Best after two touches

"Well, first of all, he got us off to a good start. Second of all, he was just a little bit tight. He could have continued to play. He didn’t get hurt or anything else, but he just said he didn’t feel loose – just felt a little bit tight, so we just sat him down."

"His legs were just tight. We just didn’t feel like stretching that one of his preseason games."

"Yeah, he’s a pretty good player. He did a nice job on the first play and then really did a nice job on the second one – making that guy miss in the red zone. I thought that was as good a play; maybe he didn’t gain as much yards, but it was as good a play as the first one. But you guys know me: err on the side of caution in a preseason game. If someone says, ‘Hey, he’s having a problem warming up, he’s a little bit tight,’ it just makes sense to sit him down."

On if S did okay

"Yeah he did. He made it through. Played about 20-some snaps. Made it through fine – didn’t have any issues."

On the first-team defense giving up some points

"The first drive – we kept them in it a couple times. Had a missed assignment; I think we had a penalty in that one, but I think the biggest thing there is we didn’t give up too many big plays. What we did is we just stayed alive, stayed alive, stayed alive, held them to a field goal. Sort of the opposite side of what I talked about last week with offense needing to score touchdowns, defense found a way to rise up right there. And it wasn’t a good first drive for us, but there were a couple things: we didn’t give up big plays and we were able to hold them in the red zone and then (only) give up a three right there. You’re going to stay in the game and give yourself a chance to win if you don’t give up touchdowns."

On creating turnovers being something they have to do

"Yeah, we did a good job of attacking the football, stripped some balls out of there. Missed some opportunities for some interceptions. We had some that we honestly should have made; guys just need to play a little bit more aggressive in the coverage that they have and we have a chance to make some interceptions. But we attacked the football good; we were around the football – that’s good to see. Got in the endzone on one, which sort of went 50-50 on them getting a defensive touchdown. But, yeah, the turnovers are always good. It stops drives and puts your offense into scoring position."

On how he evaluates a game where they win, but the first-team defense gave up 20-of-25 from QB Jake Delhomme

"Like I said, if it’s 20-of-25 and they’re all 4-yard passes, not often are you going to be able to do a lot about that. But we need to play better on defense. We didn’t play our best football on defense – we need to play better. Like I said, there are some things I think they did a nice job with: the turnovers, rising up on the field goal on the opening drive – things like that."

On RB not making the running back competition any easier

"Yeah, he did a nice job running the football. Going back, it was probably his best complete game as a running back. I’d like to see him get a little bit more aggressive on some of his returns – he bobbled that one ball on the kickoff return – but (he also) did a nice job in the passing game, did a nice job in the running game running both inside and outside. So I thought Aaron did a nice job there."

On DT

"He was around the quarterback a couple times. It’s hard to really evaluate a defensive lineman until you watch the film. It’s hard to isolate – particularly an interior guy – and be able to see. He’s seen a lot of different things. A lot of different ways people try to attack out defense and getting that experience is good for him."

On how DB did after being "thrown into the fire" at safety

"I’d like to see him make that one play on the sideline. He got halfway in between going for the hit or going for the pick and if he just goes for the hit, that guy never comes down in bounds. That’s something that comes from experience. He’s been a safety for just a few days on a short week, so I don’t want to read too much into that. I thought he did a nice job tackling – it’s alignments and also needing a lot of work. We knew that was going to be the case going in, but we also wanted to play him quite a bit to get him out there and get him exposed to that stuff. The only way he’s going to learn is getting out there and playing.

"We’re a little bit short on time with him. We’ve had a couple different issues. We’ve had some times where our corners have been so limited in practice that we couldn’t get him any safety reps. And there’s been times that, all of a sudden we have safety injuries, and we have to turn around and get him back out there quickly at safety. Hasn’t been the best situation for him. I think he had one play that he really had a terrible missed assignment. The rest of the time, he just needs to tighten up some alignments and just get a little feel. But he’s tough, he’ll tackle, he’s got good range."

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Spievey

“We’re a little bit short on time with him. We’ve had a couple different issues. We’ve had some times where our corners have been so limited in practice that we couldn’t get him any safety reps. And there’s been times that, all of a sudden we have safety injuries, and we have to turn around and get him back out there quickly at safety. Hasn’t been the best situation for him.”
…Sounds like the move to S from CB is more of an injury thing than a black mark on his ability as a CB.
Maybe they’ll move him back to CB at some point?

by RobertPorcher on Aug 29, 2010 1:52 PM EDT reply actions

It sounded to me

like they had every intention of turning him into a safety, but they gave him reps at CB because of all the injuries there.

by metatron5369 on Aug 29, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

that’s the same thing I got out of it too.

by BBlades on Aug 29, 2010 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

+100

RIP Robyn Bailey 1961 - 2010. I love you mum.

by Hyperion Ecta on Sep 3, 2010 6:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Means

He was never supposed to be at CB …They drafted him to play S …

by Libran on Aug 29, 2010 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

From The Schwartz

“Like I said, if it’s 20-of-25 and they’re all 4-yard passes, not often are you going to be able to do a lot about that. But we need to play better on defense.”

We better figure out something or 4 wins is going to be a stretch.

Lions fans deserve better than being the laughing stock of the NFL. Lets all hope they are heading in the right direction finally.

by joshsun on Aug 29, 2010 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

Patience

There are so many positions on D where young players have a big learning curve,
we all have to be patient. I know some of you want BIG results now. Not going to happen.
With the development of better communication in the D backfield and LB corps, our
boys will play better but, don’t expect a top 10 defensive team yet. It is what it is.

Barring major injuries, we should be able to keep even the good teams under 30 points.
That might seem like an awful lot, and it is but, we should be able to score over 30 points. Our offense is going to be awesome. That’s the scenario I see against the good teams. The weak teams, we should dominate!

There are going to be a lot of close games. Maybe this year, we can win some of those
instead of giving it all up in the 4th Q. Our much weaker D last year held us into a lot
of games until the 4th, where we ran out of gas and talent. This year’s D will do much, much better!

Once Spievey gets to play in one position, he’ll progress nicely. He’s got the tools.

Mayhew, Schwartz, Linehan, and Gun have and are, doing a great job. We added a lot of good talent, and many of you because of that, want to see big things now.

Patience!

Expectations don't produce!

by 2manyears on Aug 30, 2010 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

Your Kool-aid is way better than mine

Patience yes, we all need to have it.

Lions fans deserve better than being the laughing stock of the NFL. Lets all hope they are heading in the right direction finally.

by joshsun on Aug 30, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Good Point

Just look at the Saints last year. As good as everybody said they were, they were giving up over 21 points a game about half the time. They gave up 27, 34, 27 in consecutive weeks to the Giants, Dolphins and Falcons respectively. I’m not saying we’re as good as the Saints, but even the good teams can have issues.

by BBlades on Aug 30, 2010 10:37 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I'll say this again and again and again.......

Every team in the NFL has weaknesses and issues with some part of their team. It is the nature of the salary cap and competitive balance in the league.

Our weakness is in the secondary. If we get lucky this year and Phillips and Spievey [at least one of them] pan out we may be set at Safety for awhile. Corner will have to be addressed in the 2011 draft and offseason……unless Mayhew pulls a rabbit/shutdown corner out of a hat before the season starts.

This organization chose to build up the offence and the D Line [and some on the Special teams] this offseason. Right or wrong, agree or disagree that is their strategy. Our secondary and LBs will have to muddle through until we can upgrade that part of our team later.

I can’t believe how much some people on this site continue to whine about it. Really, what did you expect them to do?

by NorthLeft12 on Aug 30, 2010 10:59 AM EDT reply actions

Bottom line

When we win 4 or 5 games this season, the reason for those 10 or 11 losses will be that pathetic secondary and no depth and rather weak LB core.

Lions fans deserve better than being the laughing stock of the NFL. Lets all hope they are heading in the right direction finally.

by joshsun on Aug 30, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

So we should not have drafted Suh or Best? Made some ridiculous trade?

joshsun, you are constantly whining about the secondary, what would you have had Mayhew do? Please, tell us what your offseason plan for the Lions would have been.

I find it hard to understand why some Lions fans, you for instance, are so comfortable focusing on the negative aspects of the team. I can speculate, but since I don’t know you that would not be fair or in keeping with the rules of conduct that were recently reprinted for all of our education.

Keep smiling!

by NorthLeft12 on Aug 30, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

lets see.....

I am keeping my reality and expectations in check and posting how i feel about this team. people saying 8-8, 9-7. utter crazy talk, 4-6 wins max for this team, you don’t like my view on it.

Too bad.

When a QB picks you apart for a full half, a QB that could not get out of town fast enough for his last team, you have serious issues. Anyone that wants to live in kool-aid drinking fantasy land. Cool.

Lions fans deserve better than being the laughing stock of the NFL. Lets all hope they are heading in the right direction finally.

by joshsun on Aug 30, 2010 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

js, I keep asking you what you would have done differently and you continue to dodge the question.

I have no problem with your prediction of four wins;pessimistic, but entirely defensible. I just wonder about you and others who complain endlessly about how Mayhew and Schwartz have blown it by not upgrading the secondary. I am not hearing any ideas for how they could have managed the offseason differently to acquire better CBs and Safeties. Although they have almost completely turned over the secondary from last year. Delmas, Simpson, and King are the only guys back from last year. The latter two guys only playing half or less of the season.

Like you said you have every right to moan and bitch all season, enjoy!

by NorthLeft12 on Aug 31, 2010 6:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Mayhew is a minor god

what he has done so far has been nothing short of amazing.

That said, the Secondary blows. One injury and we are looking at what happened in Cleveland but all season long. It is reality. Injuries happen and even more so in the secondary.

Lions fans deserve better than being the laughing stock of the NFL. Lets all hope they are heading in the right direction finally.

by joshsun on Aug 31, 2010 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Good answer.....[snark].

by NorthLeft12 on Aug 31, 2010 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Defense

Yes we do have some secondary weaknesses but with a really good defensive line we will get a lot of pressure on the quarterback, and Delmas and Houston can then capitalize on some inaccurate throws.

by Detroitsportsfan3 on Aug 30, 2010 11:20 AM EDT reply actions