Darius Slay and Quandre Diggs Explain Why Lions' Strict Regime Doesn't Work
In this story:
Darius Slay and Quandre Diggs remain close friends. And on Friday evening, the duo shared many of its grievances with the Lions during a lengthy Instagram Live conversation.
Both highlighted a well-documented incident that occurred during Matt Patricia's first season when the rookie head coach decided to hold a practice in the snow.
The issue many players had was that the team was set to play its next four games indoors.
Both Diggs and Slay expressed extreme frustration with having to practice outdoors, given the increased likelihood of injury based on the icy field conditions.
Slay openly wondered why that decision was made, especially since the team has an indoor practice facility in Allen Park.
Diggs had a telling comment regarding the team's season finale in 2018.
The Packers fell behind quickly, lost star quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a concussion and the Lions defeated the Packers, 31-0, at Lambeau Field to close out the '18 campaign.
By the end of that season, Diggs expressed he and many players on the team were simply fed up. Players were talking about boycotting meetings, and many simply decided to have fun in the locker room by blasting music and not taking things as seriously.
Diggs noted the result -- a 31-0 victory -- told him that every week should be like that.
But, in Detroit under Patricia, that simply is not the case.
Diggs explained that when he was traded to Seattle, several NFL players reached out to him to express their happiness for him no longer being in Detroit.
What did Diggs do when he found out he was traded?
"I was jumping up and down. I'll go be happy. That sh't wasn't for me," Diggs told Slay.
Slay provided more insights into how mad he actually was when Diggs was traded without his knowledge.
Slay came in to the practice facility, and basically did not talk to many of the coaches.
Former Detroit defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni approached Slay, and discussed with the disgruntled cornerback how important it was for him to display a positive attitude while at practice.
But, Slay was not having it.
He indicated for the next two weeks that he did not speak to Pasqualoni, and he expressed that as long as he did his job, he would continue to be distant.
"I just told you what it is," Slay explained to Diggs when talking about what he said to Pasqualoni after discovering the news of the Diggs trade.
Despite their grievances, both thanked owner Martha Ford, and expressed their love of both Detroit and the fans of the Lions.
Additional highlights of the Instagram Live chat:
- Ex-Panthers QB Cam Newton got under the skin of Diggs when he uttered, "That's all you got little boy," following a nice play.
- Slay expressed praise for emerging wide receiver Kenny Golladay. "When he polishes up his routes, he will be a dog."
- Both Slay and Diggs were highly complimentary of Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
- Former Lions wideout Calvin Johnson hurt Slay's confidence early in his career based on the sheer number of times Johnson burned Slay in practice.
- Slay expressed that Lions running back Kerryon Johnson doesn't care about maintaining his hairstyle.
- Early in Slay's career, he was scared of running backs Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson, Jonathan Stewart and Steven Jackson.
- Diggs credited veteran Glover Quin for saving the duo from reacting more strongly towards things said by Lions coaches.
Related
Lions Draft QB Jordan Love in Dr. Roto's Latest SI Mock Draft
Where Does Matthew Stafford Rank Among Best QB's in NFL Today?
Matt Patricia and Detroit Lions Provide Food Trucks to Feed Hospital Workers
