Lions training camp: Tuesday's quotes from Jim Caldwell, Teryl Austin

Below is a look at what Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin had to say on Tuesday. (Quotes provided by the Lions.)

LIONS HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL QUOTE SHEET

Opening Statement: "Another day of good work, the weather has been cooperating with us. We practiced in the morning yesterday and it rained in the afternoon, rained this morning and we practiced this afternoon. So it's kind of working in our favor and certainly that's been good for us. Had an opportunity to get out here on the grass and got a lot of real good work done. We got everything done that we wanted to get done. Lot of different situations today was predominantly a red zone day, and the guys I thought functioned well. We put them in a couple awkward situations, very, very tough, some second and third down situations that were difficult for the offense and the defense. I think they both did a great job of adjusting. Guys are getting better, we've still got a long way to go"

On DE Ezekiel Ansah: "Not worried about him, he's progressing well, he's working, they keep ramping up his activity. He hasn't had setbacks, so we feel good about where he is. Power, speed, athleticism, and experience he's got it all."

On his philosophy of giving veteran players the day off: "I just think that at some point in time you have to be prude, particularly with guys who have played in this league for a long time. We just think we need to periodically give them a little time off, particularly those guys that are getting in that 30 year-old range. Even though chronologically it's not very old for the most part, but in this game you have to really keep an eye on them and take care of them where you can. From time to time we will do that for a number of guys. You'll see the number of reduced reps that a number of guys that have been around awhile have had thus far."

On the depth of the defense: "Potentially, I think we have a real good situation up front. You know this game, one day you're in great shape in terms of depth, the next day you're having some difficulties. At this point we have some guys that we like what they're doing out there on the field. We can rotate guys in and out. We don't have to have guys in there for an inordinate length of time because we do have guys that are in a backup role that can play, we are excited about that."

On how he's preparing for Browns QB Johnny Manziel: "We're not. We're preparing for ourselves right now. We're getting ourselves ready and are focusing in on us. It's our offense against our defense at this point."

On the toughest thing about being a rookie cornerback in the NFL: "Facing the speed, the experience, particularly the guys out on the outside have been playing a while. They know every certain trick in the book, but they're also very skilled. Playing the corner and getting matched up against some of the best athletes in professional sports is difficult. Particularly, you get left on that island out there quite often, in man-to-man situations. It'll really test you in a number of different ways."

On if he's noticing any certain personality with his defensive unit: "I think it's developed over time. You can kind of sense it and see it, but I really do think it's developing. They're getting a better feel for the system, they're functioning within it better. They're getting a better understanding where they're reacting more so than thinking. This is going to be our first game really working against the opposition, so I think we'll be able to tell quite a bit about where we are in that regard. I think you'll start to see the way the defense plays start to take shape."

On QB Dan Orlovsky: "Dan is working well. Dan is a pro's pro. He has a really good knack for being able to come in and function within a system in a hurry. He's smart, he's highly competitive and he's a very fine leader. I've had some experience with him before. We just think he's really doing a great job at this point running the second unit."

LIONS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR TERYL AUSTIN QUOTE SHEET

On the cornerback situation, what he likes and the key to development: "When I look at the group, they've come a long way. They're really working hard. I think the key to it is that they've really got to learn how to play together, play with the safeties (and) figure out what they're doing coverage-wise. I like the way they compete, they study hard and do everything that you want a young secondary to do. So now it comes down to getting game reps and seeing how we can improve."

On LB Kyle Van Noy and his role and development: "He shows us the pass rushing when he's got an opportunity to do it. He's very smart, understands in terms of the run fits and getting in the pass coverage. Again, it's just going to be live game reps and seeing how far we can bring him."

On chemistry between S Glover Quin and S James Ihedigbo: "We have two high-character veterans and so they know, for us to play well, they have to play well. They have to be communicating and they have to be problem-solvers in the back. They've done that with the young guys and it helps. What that'll do is cut down on big plays, cut down break out runs, all those different things, getting lined up wrong, not getting the call. That's what they're working really well at right now."

On his reasoning behind bringing S James Ihedigbo: "Absolutely. I know what Ihedigbo brings to the table and not just because I know him, but because it benefits us. That's why we brought him in."

On DT Ndamukong Suh's progression and the value he brings to the team: "Outstanding. He's outstanding. I remember being in the league, all you can think of is a great player. When you get here, you have a chance to work with him, you see why he's a great player. He works his tail off, he's a true professional in every sense of the word and every time he comes out here to practice he practices like he's supposed to. "

On what he's seen from the defense that has impressed him: "I really like the group's competitive spirit. When we get out there and have a drill against the offense, they don't like to lose and that's something (that) a lot of times you can find throughout the group. Even when we've gone six days in a row, whatever it is, they've done a great job in terms of really competing, working to get better, helping each other out and that's really a great sign, I think."

On how he feels about the blend of rookies and veterans: "Yes, I do think we have a nice blend, because our older guys they are really good professionals. So, as a young person you may come in and think you know how this league works, but you have to have the right veteran leadership to help you get going."

On what he thinks is the hardest part about being a rookie cornerback in the League: "You better have a short memory, because once you get beat teams will come after you. They'll find a way to get after you with that same concept and same route in different ways and different formations to make it tough for you. So, you've got to have a short memory if you want to be a good corner. Eventually if you do, you'll fight through it and if you're talented and work hard enough, you'll be a good player."

On his emphasis with new rules pertaining to the defense: "Yeah, when we had the officials here last week, one thing we wanted them to do was call it like you're going to call it when we get into the preseason. So, there were a lot of flags flying last week on our guys. We have to learn how to play with the rules. Whatever they are, whether we like them or dislike them, they're the rules and that's what we have to play with."