Jim Caldwell's quotes from Friday

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

Opening Statement: "We're going into what would be ordinarily our Thursday practice today in preparation for New York. A lot of situational football and things of that nature and a little bit longer practice than usual. This time of the week the Thursday practice is always a little bit longer. It'll be a good tough day out there for us, it's nice and hot, which we need. I'll open up for any questions."

On his expectations for DE Ezekiel Ansah: "I expect him to improve, he's on that kind of track. He works at his craft and he continues to get better all the time."

On his policy regarding players missing practice and if they will be allowed to play in the game: "It's case by case basis. Some guys have been around a long time and there may be a situation where, certainly we don't think that it's advantageous for an individual not to practice during the course of the week and prefer a certain amount of work to be done, but there are always exceptions. There's some guys that have it down, understand it extremely well and it could be a game where there are not a whole lot of complications in terms of their position. It just depends."

On who replaces S James Ihedigbo if he cannot play: "Did we release the depth chart? Ok. I think it speaks for itself in that regard. The guys that we have back there, we can rotate them, slide them in, but the guys that are there as listed will fall in line. There won't be anybody magical that appears all of the sudden."

On if he feels comfortable with an undrafted rookie (S Jerome Couplin) stepping in: "Anybody that we have on our roster. One of the things we talk about and that we tell them, practice squad or not, is that they better be ready. Year in and year out, typically, someone is going to help you from that practice squad or even not on your squad, which I had mentioned yesterday. Anybody that's out there that will slide up for us, we're going to be comfortable with him, otherwise he wouldn't be there."

On if he gets excited for the first game of the season: "I get excited every day, every day that I can step out of that bed and put my two feet on the ground I am excited and thankful, and look forward to the challenges of the day. At my age, when you've lived over half your lifetime, you don't take anything for granted. You have excitements every single day and let alone, have an opportunity to coach again and an outstanding group of men as well as a great organization. I'm looking forward to Monday night, there's no question about that. I've been looking forward to it for a long time, but it will be here before we know it. We have a little work to do in between."

On what he has seen from S Jerome Couplin that gives him confidence in case he steps in for Ihedigbo: "Heart, tough, growing, developing and certainly an aggressive guy as well."

On the Green Bay vs. Seattle game from last night and what the impact is when a defensive line can dominate the other team's offensive line: "Looking at that game in particular, obviously it was one of those games where the offensive is a tough unit for Green Bay, but Seattle has a very tough and hard-nosed unit on the defensive front. It was a physical game all the way around. I think that's how the game is played and I think our contest won't be any different. You're going to see two able and very tough, hard-nosed groups of individuals on both sides of the ball and in both interiors, which is really going to make a difference in the game, I think."

On how important it is to get an advantage with his front four on defense: "I don't speak in terms of advantages. I can just tell you that our guys are destined to play well. Our goal and our aim is to make certain that every single one of our positions are operating on full cylinders and are focusing in on our job and how we do it. I would suspect that you'll see both of our groups play well on the interior."

On the strengths of his three running backs: "They're all guys that certainly have unique abilities, speed and power. You saw them in different roles, some as pass catchers a little bit more than others, but all three can catch. All three can block. They're pretty versatile guys to be honest with you. There are a lot of similarities. I think shuffling them in and out of there will give you a different view from a defensive standpoint because they give you a one, two, three punch that's pretty unique."

On what it does to a defense when a running back lines up as a wide receiver: "I'm not going to expand on that, but the fact of the matter is, they are capable and we can put them any and everywhere. What you've seen them do in preseason games is what they're capable of doing."

On if this offense give opportunities for the entire depth of the running back position: "It depends on the game. Often times, you'll find that there's certain games that require a different sort of approach. There are some that are just a hammer and nail type of game, where you just are trying to slug it out because of the weather or maybe some other circumstances. There are other games where you have to open it up a little bit more and thus, maybe you're back's not in the backfield as much as you had him previously. Every game is a little bit different. It takes on its own personality just depending on the situation. The thing about us is that we're capable and are ready to do any of the above."

On how much he's let Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi put this offense together: "One of the things I do believe in is the fact that we've hired the guys who are on our staff for a reason. That's because they're smart. They're capable and they know how to do their job. I'm going to allow them to do their job. That doesn't mean I don't have my two cents here and there. I've been on offense, I've been on defense and I certainly operated in the kicking game as well throughout my career. So, there's not going to be anything that I don't have a comment about. There's not going to be anything I don't have a say so on. It all runs through me. It's like the air traffic controller with those headphones on. I've got all three phases. Every single time when you see me on the headset, typically whatever side of the ball we're on, we're usually talking, listening, so that we're involved in everything. That kind of goes with the nature of the position, but we do let them do their job."

On when he will name captains and how he went about the naming process: "We'll probably release that on Saturday. We get channeled pretty quickly. It's our work week Friday, so we'll release it tomorrow. We have so many good leaders on this team that we'll end up picking game captains. That's how we'll work it for the entire year."