Here are some highlights from the recent press conferences held by Detroit Lions coordinators as they prepare for their upcoming game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. These quotes cover various aspects, from reflections on last week’s game to critical views on player grades and performance metrics.
### 1. **Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson on the Lions Defense:**
Johnson praised the Lions’ defense, saying it’s the “best defense” he’s ever been around. He appreciated their resilience in difficult situations, including turnovers and poor field positioning. Johnson emphasized that the defense’s consistency and ability to “get the ball right back” provide great support to the offense, which he feels needs to step up and match the defense’s level of play.
### 2. **On the Offense’s Performance vs. Texans:**
Johnson did not hold back on critiquing the Lions’ offense, calling the first half against the Texans “some of the poorest football” they’ve played recently. Despite the rocky start and some turnovers in the second half, he commended the team’s resilience, especially in the fourth quarter. This experience, he suggested, may strengthen the Lions in future games.
### 3. **Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn on Jared Goff:**
Glenn gave unexpected praise to quarterback Jared Goff, citing his leadership and resilience, particularly in driving the team to a critical touchdown against the Texans. Goff’s ability to remain composed under pressure impressed Glenn, who highlighted this as a key trait for the Lions’ success.
### 4. **On Josh Paschal’s Growth:**
Glenn spoke highly of Paschal’s development, noting that he is learning to focus on his strengths rather than comparing himself to other players. This recognition of his unique abilities is allowing Paschal to improve and fulfill his role within the team effectively.
### 5. **Special Teams Coordinator Dave Fipp on Jake Bates:**
Fipp acknowledged kicker Jake Bates’ recent success but maintained a cautious approach. He noted the importance of focusing on technique and consistency, as Bates will likely face more challenging situations in the future.
### 6. **On DVOA Rankings:**
Fipp expressed skepticism about the DVOA metric, which ranks teams based on efficiency but doesn’t fully disclose its methodology. He pointed out perceived limitations of the metric, particularly regarding how return yards are calculated, suggesting it might not accurately reflect team performance.
### 7. **On PFF Grades:**
Fipp shared a story highlighting his distrust of Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades, describing how a player considered “the worst blocker” on his team received a high PFF rating due to the simplicity of his matchups. Fipp’s lengthy criticism underscores his belief that PFF grades often do not align with actual player effectiveness on the field.
These quotes reveal the coordinators’ insights into player development, team performance, and the challenges of balancing raw stats with on-field reality.