Jim Caldwell's quotes from Wednesday

Below is a look at what Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell had to say on Wednesday. (Quotes provided by the Lions.)

On the practice squad expansion: "I think it's a good thing.  I think it gives more opportunities for guys.  Oftentimes, you end up releasing players that you'd like to keep around in your organization, so this will give us a chance to tap a couple more and obviously it gives a little more flexibility in at least two of the 10 than we've had previously, so that's a good thing."

On how different the third preseason game is for him: "Same thing, for the most part.  It's a bit different from a playing standpoint because of the fact that we've been going through the entire game still conducting as if it were a regular season game, except for some scenarios that we tried to create.   We won't be trying to create scenarios in this game, we'll be trying to put points on the board or stop them.  Part of it is it's a bit different because you get a chance to at least see how they responded to the way in which we organize the week, because it's different for them.  It's different for the great majority of the guys on our staff, except for the guys who have been around us that kind of know the routine.  Probably over 85-percent of them don't know the routine that are just going through it for the first time.  Although, albeit most of them are similar throughout the league, there are still some slight things (that are different)."

On how the transition has been for the team: "Well, that's the thing about marveling at the players, the fact that they've been able to adjust so easily to change, which has been remarkable actually.  Typically, you find a situation where there is somewhat of a snag here or there and we have not experienced that as of yet.  They have been able to adjust smoothly, they have responded to most of our challenges and I think it's been good thus far."

On DE Ezekiel Ansah and his adjustment and potential to play Friday: "He's responded well and we've gotten him in more scrimmages and plays in practice.  We increase them on a daily basis, so hopefully we'll be able to check with the doctors after today's practice and see where he is and hopefully he'll be able to get some snaps."

On how much QB Matthew Stafford will play: "He's going to play a decent amount of time.  The only thing that could change that is depending on the course of the game.  If he's really rolling along, you could see a little adjustment in our thought process.  Other than that, he's going to get a good dose."

On both coordinators and what has impressed him: "I've known Teryl (Austin) a long time. He was a graduate assistant at Penn State when I was coaching there on the staff and he went with me to Wake Forest when I first went there, so I've known him quite some time.  I'm certainly aware of his ability and that's why he's here because of the fact that he is sharp, he is smart, he is demanding and he understands the game extremely well.  You'll find the same thing with Joe (Lombardi). He and Joe are guys that came up in the same era.  They have a lot of similar beliefs. Joe is very capable, as you can see.  He handles himself extremely well, relates to the players and is schematically strong and both of them believe in large families.  One has five kids and one has six and they're family men.  Nevertheless, it's a great group.  I'll tell you guys this and I tell the players all the time- Teryl and I have been through wars together. ‘When I say wars,' I'm talking about games.  You learn more about people in the heat of the battle. Like I tell our players, they don't know me yet and I don't know them.  When things get a little tight, you're going to have some rocky roads during the course of the season and they'll get a chance to get a feel for one another and for all of us, the entire staff.  I think that part is important because oftentimes it's what you find in adversity which is like a landmark and certainly determines your functions and reactions - the difficult situations more so than when things are going good.  When things are going good, everybody's happy."

On S Jerome Couplin and his impression of him so far: "He's a classic example.  Oftentimes as coaches, we'll make assessments of individuals while they're playing in shorts and that's the wrong thing to do.  You have to see guys playing the game the way that we play it in pads.  In shorts, he didn't stand out quite like he does now in pads.  He'll strike you, he's got a good balance.  You can tell he's got a good football sense and he's a competitor. That's the big thing, I think his length - and he can do a lot of things smoothly.  You may look at it and you may think that it's possibly a lack of effort, but that's not the case.  He's got a long stride, he moves to the ball with efficiency and when he gets there he certainly knows how to lower his pads."

On if Couplin's leaping ability transfers to his ability to play: He's got length along with the leaping ability, so he can do a lot of things for you back there and I think that has a lot to do with how much ground he can cover. How quickly he can turn his hips goes into that as well.  A lot of things he's still working on from a technical standpoint. He has not arrived by any stretch of imagination, but he's certainly a good prospect."