Darius Slay Slams Matt Patricia, Discusses Feeling Disrespected
Former Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay will not soon forget how former head coach Matt Patricia disrespected him in front of all of his teammates during a team meeting.
Speaking during the opening night festivities in Arizona, the site of this year's Super Bowl, the talented defensive back shared again with reporters how he felt about Patricia.
Patricia reportedly felt Slay should not have worked out with Richard Sherman and Aqib Talib, seemingly indicating to others that he was not as talented as the other aforementioned defensive backs.
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"He basically just said, 'You are not in that category yet.' At that time, I only had one Pro Bowl but now I’m at five, so I want to know how he feels about that now," Slay said. "I don’t wish bad on him, but as a man, me and him just don’t get along. He’s a smart coach, he knows his X's and O's, but the disrespect is not what I’m with."
Several former Lions have been outspoken regarding how Patricia and the former regime treated the players, as if they had not accomplished anything significant in the NFL.
Prior to his arrival, the Lions had appeared in the postseason twice in four seasons.
With Detroit, Jim Caldwell coached four seasons, and amassed a 36-28 mark, including two postseason appearances.
Members of the roster felt the front office should have done a better job of adding talent to complement the roster, instead of trying to bring in a new type of player.
"I mean, it was weird how he came in like he was just bigger and better than all of us," Slay said. "He acted like we asked to be here. You know, we do get selected. That was crazy. That was a first."
Now, Slay has an opportunity to win his first Lombardi Trophy playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 32-year-old has expressed the coaching staff embraces the personalities in the locker room and allows him to lead in his own unique way.
“It’s different cause we’re winning over here. I mean, just going out here playing, executing at a high level, but it feels good, man. We’re winning. In Detroit, I wasn’t winning, and it’s not because of coaching or anything. But, we just wasn’t winning," Slay said. "And, being on the winning side feels very good, man. Sometimes over there, seasons felt long. This season went by pretty fast cause winning. But, I’m thankful that Philly kind of traded for me. I do love Detroit, I do love them. But, I love Philly, too.”
