What They're Saying: 'We're Not Here by Accident'
Here is a collection of postgame quotes from Detroit Lions players and coaches after their 31-23 divisional round win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On maintaining the identity of Detroit: "It's important. I don't know if it's, it's not the first thing you think of when you go to L.A. or just in general. You've got the sun, you've got the beach, you've got plenty of other things going on. And here, man, it's harsh winters, auto industry, blue-collar. Things aren't always easy, and I think that's what we're about. You want something the city can be proud of. You can look at those guys and say, 'Man, I can back that guy, I can back that team. I can resonate with those group of guys. They're kind of salty, they don't quit, they play hard.' And so, I feel like we've done that. I think these guys, they have a kinship with this city, this area. And they love it."
On the resolve of this year's team: "It's a credit to all the guys in there. We've said this a million times about how it's the same group. It's not like we've added a ton. It's a lot of the same guys, and (Lions GM) Brad (Holmes) and Dan have been very intentional about bringing in those type of guys who can handle moments like today and moments like last week and the ups-and-downs of a season. I think it's all been intentionally done by them, and we're not here by accident."
On securing the divisional round win : "Yeah, it's incredible. You just reflect on, me specifically, my career and all the tough days and the frustrating seasons where I'm home by now already for two weeks. To be here today, when we're in victory formation and looking at the crowd, it's hard to describe."
The impact of Dan Campbell on the organization's turnaround: "I would say first and foremost, to make a change like we have, it has to start at the top. And, you have to have a leader that goes about things the right way. Man, he's just a genuine person. We trust him and we love him. There's the clips from 'Hard Knocks' or something where he said, 'Guys, just trust me. I'm doing everything I can to put you guys in the best position possible. I'm not crazy, just trust me and just follow the plan.' That's what we've done. We believe in each other, we believe in our coaches and it's turned into something pretty (expletive) cool."
How it feels to be going to the NFC Championship Game: "Got a good ring to it, don't it? It definitely does. I feel like the best thing I can say is what coach Campbell told us two weeks ago. We're scarred to perfection, man, and I feel that."
How he would describe the emotions of winning Sunday's game: "It's very hard to (describe). This fan base deserves all of it and guys on this team, we've worked our (expletive) off all year long. So proud of what we've been able to do, the adversity that we've been able to overcome and we've got another obstacle in our way with San Francisco."
His thoughts after his game-sealing interception: "What the hell just happened? I just sealed this game. First career interception. My son's first game. A lot of emotions going through, I can't really explain it. It's amazing."
On the defense creating two takeaways: "The first one was huge, it set the tone for the game. This game's about turnovers and when the ball was in the air, that was two times we were able to make plays on it and at the end of the game, Derrick made a really good play. It's funny, on the mic, AG made sure to remind me that it was time where we do get this interception. It's funny, he kind of predicted it. Derrick got it, made a great play and great catch."
What is motivating the team: "I think for us, it's just one game at a time. I think a bunch of guys are motivated by different things. As a team, I feel like when you're on the Lions (in) previous years, you tell your friends you're on the Lions, (they say) 'Oh you guys aren't no good, you're not gonna do anything.' So we know that, we know what the perception is of being on the Detroit Lions. But we feel like we have a chance to change things not just for this year but for years to come. It's right in front of us, it's in front our hands, we've got to go take it but we've got to prepare the right way."
