DETROIT LIONS DAILY UPDATE FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2005
TODAY'S NEWS
* The Lions completed their sixth-day of training camp today with morning and afternoon practice sessions on the outdoor practice field at the team's headquarters and practice facility. The team practiced in full-pads during the morning workout and practiced in helmets and shorts for the afternoon session.
* Lions Owner and Chairman William Clay Ford visited practice today and addressed the team during the morning workout. He also announced that the contract for Lions President and CEO Matt Millen will be extended five more seasons following the 2005 campaign.
* Detroit Pistons Forward Rasheed Wallace and Pro Boxer Mary Jo Sanders (daughter of Charlie Sanders) visited the Lions' headquarters and practice facility today and attended the afternoon workout. Both were introduced to the team following practice. Sanders recently claimed the WBC Women's Welterweight title and had it on hand during her visit today.
* KR Eddie Drummond is the only player who has not reported to training camp. Drummond has opted not to sign his restricted free agent tender and cannot participate in team activities until signing a contract.
* The Detroit Lions "Black & Blue" public training camp practice at Ford Field will take place Saturday, August 6. Doors will open at 1:00 pm for this one-time opportunity to watch Head Coach Steve Mariucci and the Lions prepare for the 2005 season. Fans will have the chance to get up close and personal with their favorite players during the full-team autograph session, win Lions merchandise, get a look into the game with the on-field action and shop in The Roar & More team store for the new 2005 Lions Training Camp and Sideline gear, along with other Officially Licensed Detroit Lions Merchandise and several Super Bowl XL (40) merchandise items. To accommodate as many fans as possible, there will be a one autograph from each player limit, and due to time constraints, autographs will not be personalized. Fans will be permitted to take pictures, but photos with players will not be allowed. Autographs will be on a first-come basis and are not guaranteed. Players will be located at 20 different locations throughout the stadium. Each station will be limited to the first 300 fans.
* The ninth annual Detroit Lions Kickoff Luncheon presented by Tribute Restaurant and the Wisne Family and hosted by the Detroit Economic Club will be held on Friday, August 26, at Cobo Center in Detroit. Lunch will begin at 12:00 noon followed by the program that will feature Lions' head coach Steve Mariucci and the introduction of the 2005 Detroit Lions team. The entire Lions' team annually attends the luncheon and awards from the 2004 season will be presented. Players receiving awards will include Most Valuable Players Kevin Jones (offense), Shaun Rogers (defense) and Eddie Drummond (special teams). Other awards will go to Fernando Bryant, Donté Curry, James Hall and Damien Woody. Proceeds from the luncheon go to Detroit Lions Charities, the Lions' non-profit foundation that has donated more than $3.2 million to charities in Michigan. The primary recipient of Charities' proceeds from the luncheon will be Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) youth football. The Lions sponsor the Detroit Lions PAL Football League, approximately 3,000 Detroit children playing football in the nation's largest after-school league.
MEDIA EXTRA
There will be a media session Thursday, August 4, at 12 p.m. with NFL Officials at the Lions Headquarters and Training Facility. After a short video presentation, officials will discuss rule changes and points of emphasis as well as field questions from the media.
MEDIA INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC PRACTICE AT FORD FIELD
Media covering the Black & Blue public practice at Ford Field should park in Lot 4 (located on Montcalm), and enter through Gate D. There will be a security check-in and inspection for all members of the media.
Credentials: Media photo identification issued by the Lions Media Relations Department for coverage of 2005 training camp and practices at Allen Park is valid for coverage of the Lions' public practice at Ford Field. Members of the media who have not been issued media photo identification through the Lions should check in at Gate D and receive a day pass. Members of the media checking in should have both government-issued identification and media-affiliation identification.
Viewing Practice: The lower rows of Section 106 will be reserved for members of the media to view Sunday's practice session. Photographers will be allowed on the field in a designated area. Access to the field for photographers will be via the staircase at Section 106. The press box (located on Level 7) will also be open to view practice, and there will be an allotment of pool phones for print media to file stories from the stadium.
Media Availability: Players will be available to the media on the field following practice. Head Coach Steve Mariucci will address media in the Home Press Conference Room.
LIONS HEAD COACH STEVE MARIUCCI
On things looking more on the "upside" since WR Mike Williams' arrival: "He came in two days ago and practiced in shorts. Yesterday he came out with some pads on because he has not had pads on in a long time. Today he banged around just a little bit. It is carrying the extra 22 pounds around that you do not get when you are working out on the beach in Tampa. He is going to have to get back into his pads and play fast with his pads on. It's good to see him out here. He got a limited amount of reps because we have been training these other guys. He has some catching up to do. It was good to see him. He felt better yesterday than he did during that first workout that you guys watched. He will probably have camp legs in a day or two, but it is good to have him in here. The only guy we are missing now is Eddie (Drummond), so everyone else is working hard. How hot is it today, 90-something? They push through it. We had a long practice. I like how we are working."
On seeing the offensive players on the field in pads: "They are spending some much needed practice time together because we are training them at a couple of spots. Roy has to learn 'x' and 'z' and Kevin Johnson is learning a bunch. Mike Williams is really starting at the 'x' spot with his meeting time. He has to learn the third receiver and fourth receiver spot. Scottie Vines is doing a good job - we are training him at several spots. We have a lot of work to do with these guys, but it's good to have them out there. They look good and they are getting better. They are all better than they were a year ago, every one of them."
On WR Charles Rogers: "I think he is feeling good; not that we don't concern ourselves with him, but we don't worry about him every snap. We are not careful necessarily. He is playing. He is practicing like everyone else. I think after another month of that he will feel really confident."
On building on the experience the receivers have: "We have to build on the experience that they have. When you grab these young guys and you play them, and there is a reason for that: A, necessity and B, to train them and put them on the fast track - that adds up. Every practice, every pre-season game, every regular season game will add to their experience level. They are going to get it fast. We are not saving them. They are all going to be out there, and getting as much playing time as possible. They will get better as they go. It will be fun to watch them. We just have to decide and stay open minded as to how we are going to play all these guys and what personnel groups we will use."
On the offense meshing quickly: "We want to get going. Some of the guys you were mentioning are newcomers, but I think we have enough guys that have been around and have some experience in this offense, that we are not completely new at it. We do have quite a few guys that have been around it, and we need to make it better by practicing and training and testing and that sort of thing. I think we are going to be more explosive on offense this year. We certainly have more capable bodies than anytime that I have been here in Detroit. I'm excited about it."
On the running game: "That is such a key. We can sit here and talk about the wide receivers. The running game with Kevin Jones and the offensive line is deeper and more experienced now. That's what I get excited about too. Kevin Jones, Artose Pinner and Shawn Bryson, all of our running backs are so much better than they were a year ago. They are more knowledgeable about what we are doing. They're not youngsters anymore. They got their feet wet. Now they are ready to play and cut it loose. I think they will be prepared from day one."
On the extension of Matt Millen's contract and having stability at the top: "It's great. Matt was brought in here to do a job and build this thing up as quickly as possible. We need continuity here at many levels, from the front office on down to the locker room. That's great. We think we are certainly on the right track, moving full speed ahead, and that will provide us with the continuity that was intended from the first start."
On his relationship with Matt Millen developing over the years: "Before coming here, Matt and I knew each other from a handful of games when he was in the broadcast booth. We never really had a personal relationship, other than when we bumped into each other on game-days or if they did a production meeting. That was the extent of it. We have gotten to know each other here over the last two years. There are a lot of new faces since Matt has arrived in the building in different departments. Matt is trying to get the right people in place from the tight ends to the scouts and to every other area. The continuity is great for any organization, and we are on the right track. We are looking forward to this season. We are looking forward to continuing the acceleration of this young football team. I think Matt was expected, when he was hired, to get into a controlled burn and make sure that the people he wanted in place, came into place. That does not happen over night, it happens over time; over several years really. It's the same with putting a team together. He is certainly well on his way in doing that."
On QB Jeff Garcia: "I think, first of all, that they both (are handling) the situation very well. My hat is off to both guys. Joey knew that we wanted to upgrade our pitching staff, and add a real good player. And Jeff knew that he was coming in as the backup. From day one, when we first talked about it, both men understood the pecking order and the responsibilities that they have, the expectation that we have. I thought they both worked like crazy in the off season. They both have a professional relationship and working relationship. They communicate with each other. Jeff has been in the system before, so they have that sort of exchange in meetings and what not. I think it has been very healthy for this team."
On FB Cory Schlesinger's role on the team (coming into his 11th season): "What is the average life span of a professional football player? Is it 3.4 years or something? Those are the lucky ones because most do not make it at all. To play 11 years, in any sport, particularly football, and particularly his position, is outstanding. His facemasks do not last that long. He's been through a lot of them. He loves to play the game. He's one of our fearless leaders. He has some position flexibility because he is not just a fullback. He is such a valuable guy in the kicking game. He is Chuck Priefer's right hand man in so many ways. He has been a very valuable guy for us; not just on the field, but in the locker room, out in the community, the whole thing. He's the real deal. He is looking forward to having another good year. He is playing with a bunch of new guys that he loves, and they count on him to knock linebackers out. For example, a Will Matthews, Paul Smith and our other young guys; they can watch him play fullback. But, it is much more than that. Our running backs are in with him in meetings and they see how he prepares mentally and physically and trains in the off season. He leads by example. He is not a real verbal guy. He is not going to be the guy that stands up in the meeting room and gives one for the 'gipper.' He is a lead by example kind of guy. He is an amazing guy. I love having him here."
On looking for a certain level of precision and execution in camp: "You hope that you get some of it as you put them in. You would like to have some precision the first time you run a play. Why? Because a lot of this is review from the mini-camp. We get a look or two, at the mini-camps indoors, and then when we come out here, and you start repeating it, and you flip it (the play) to the left, you get different coverages, different looks, and different fronts. It becomes a little bit multiple, even though it is the same play. But the more you do it, the more they understand it completely and the more they understand the concepts. Football is a game of repetition. You just put one more layer of experience on it every time you snap the ball. You expect precision and you hope that you get it. Obviously, it comes to them as they work together. The precision with the offensive line, with the communication that takes place. Precision in the passing game and the timing of the receivers. Something where Mike Williams runs a thousand routes with our quarterbacks because the timing has got to be just right. The communication that takes place with our linebackers and our defensive front, that doesn't happen in a meeting room, that happens out there on the grass, day-in and day-out. All of the work's important and it adds up to be more precise as you go on."
LIONS QB JOEY HARRINGTON
On how WR Mike Williams is adjusting: "Let's give it a day to get everybody on the same page - we're a few days into it and Mike (Williams) is a good athlete and a very talented receiver, but it's going to take him a bit to catch up. From the way that he worked during mini-camp and the way that he studied, along with his attitude coming into now, I know he's going to be ready to catch up with us real quick. I think he's going to be ready to step in and make plays for us, but it's going to take him a couple of days to get on the same page as we are."
On the talent level of this team: "You can tell that we have more talent in here than we've had since I first came. That makes it more exciting. It's still a matter of getting guys on the same page and keeping people healthy, but when we start winning ballgames, that's when it gets fun."
On lining up with the all of the offensive talent: "It's nice to look across (the field) and know that you have options. We had a third-down play at the end of practice where our defense had certain coverage on some of the receivers and I saw that they had given Charles (Rogers) bump coverage on the other side. I said to myself, 'I have no problem with taking a shot with Charles (Rogers).' It gives you options no matter where you go. When we're all on the same page and figuring things out then it's going to be fun."
On QB Dan Orlovsky not having the pressure to come in and start right away: "I would have loved to be in that position. It's a perfect position to learn in a great environment. He's in a position where he can relax and take things in. He has a chance to learn some things in a non-pressure situation. He's doing a great job of studying and learning things in the meetings. He hasn't made every play perfectly on the field, but when he's gotten the chance he's done the right thing; which is great to see from a young guy. He's not making the mental mistakes. He's figured out what's going on so far, which is really good."
On the team's rushing game with Kevin Jones: "That's what is going to make our passing game. You saw evidence of that last year the last six weeks of the season when Kevin (Jones) was running the ball so well; we threw the ball for 250-300 yards a game. When Kevin (Jones) is running like that and the offensive line is opening up holes, it creates short yardage situations in which we have the advantage. If we are sitting with second-and-three, then you can take a shot downfield knowing that the defense has to play for something short. If you don't convert then you're still at third-and-three. It gives us the upper hand. That's my favorite part of this. Kevin (Jones), at the end of the season, developed into a great runner, and if he can continue that then we'll be just fine."
On the depth at the wide receiver position: "That's great from my standpoint, to have a bunch of guys running around for me. In years past, we've had problems with injuries and with guys staying healthy through camp and until the end of the season. Now we have a good core group of guys that are very deep and talented - if we can keep those guys healthy, then we'll be alright."
On the competition at the quarterback spot: "I love competition. That's why I play the game. Every one of us loves to compete out here. When you have someone pushing you it adds a little bit of extra fun to it."
On what he has learned from QB Jeff Garcia this year: "It's been great for me watching Jeff (Garcia) because he has been where I want to go. He's been to the playoffs. He's been on a winning team. He's been on top of his division. He's been to the Pro Bowl. He's gotten the things that come from winning football games. Being able to watch how Jeff (Garcia) practices and how he prepares, the checks he makes at the line of scrimmage, and how he handles the huddle and the play calling has been great for me. I've definitely picked up a few little pieces on how to make myself better."
On if the players talk about where they want to go as a team: "Everybody knows where we want to go, there's no secret about that. We want to be better than Chicago, Minnesota, and Green Bay. When you win the division, you put yourself into the playoffs and that's where the fun starts. We want to win the division, which puts us in the playoffs and gives us a shot to make it to Super Bowl XL in Detroit."
On WR Charles Rogers and if he should be protected during practice: "No. he's had his red jersey on for a while and I'm sure that he wanted to get it off more than any of us wanted him to. It's been great to see him playing so well. He's done a great job. He's worked really hard; he's running great routes and he's catching the ball. He's done the things that he has needed to do to improve. He's worked on what were his short-comings and I really do think that he's improved this year. That's exciting from our standpoint."
On how it feels to have his receiving corps: "It's always good to see guys healthy around you but like I said, Mike (Williams) is just getting into the mix around here and we're hitting that point in camp where it's beginning to be a grind. If we can push through the next couple of days and get some guys on the same page then we'll be fine."
LIONS WR MIKE WILLIAMS
On his first practice with pads: "First time in pads was yesterday. I worked out with Coach in pads yesterday, which was good because when I got here today, this was not as big of a deal for me, as it probably would have been. We basically did everything we did today. I had a full hour and a half practice by myself, just trying to make up for the days I missed. They helped me get caught up. It is kind of weird at first when you put them on and you are hitting people again and people are hitting you. But it is kind of like riding a bike. Coach Mariucci was joking with me like 'it's been awhile!' It is like getting back on a bike. If you were an accountant or a lawyer, and you leave it alone, it does not mean you don't know numbers, or you don't know how to yell or how to lie to people - my mom is going to kill me because she's a lawyer."
On wanting to go all out right away: "There are some things I learned from the guys I have worked out with that I look up to. They told me, you don't need to come out on the first day or the first week of camp and just go all out. You need to come out and do what you are supposed to do and work hard and try to get better every day. I think the guys in my group do that Roy and those guys can play a lot harder than what they are doing for the duration of practice. Every day you just want to get better and learn more plays and learn more in the book than you do trying to come out here and try to catch the ball with one hand or diving and all that stuff."
On what he sees in his crystal ball: "I don't have one! This is all new to me. Charles has been here and they know this group better than I know this group as far as playing with them on Sunday and going through the season with them. When the guys that have been here are excited about the group - and these guys are still new to me because I have not played a game with them -that just says a lot. I know Shaun (Cody) and I, all we know is winning. That is all we know. When we first got drafted we were like, 'It is not going to be like it used to be,' but at the same time, when we came in, the excitement to win was here. We are both going to try to be a part of the rebuilding process. Same thing when I got to USC, and Shaun was there the year before me, so we are just excited and we just want to win. I watched the video about Matt Millen and what he said to the team opening day when I was not here and he was talking about how 6-10 was not good, and how this team is better and the guys know it is better. We are not going to say what we are going to be or who we are going to be, we just want to do really well. I think attitude is most important going into the season."
On watching video of the first team meeting: "Yes, it is mandatory. I do not know if it was really mandatory, but Coach Mariucci made it mandatory. It was good for me to watch. I watched it this morning. It was kind of a kick off for camp and for practice and for the season. Matt Millen talked about accountability and responsibility and about what makes a championship team - so it was good for me to watch it. One of the things I missed that I am trying to catch up on."
LIONS OWNER & CHAIRMAN WILLAM CLAY FORD AND PRESIDENT & CEO MATT MILLEN
On President and CEO Matt Millen's contract extension and the time frame of announcing the deal:
Matt Millen: "There really wasn't any secrecy. I just didn't want it to be a focus or anything. That is what we talked about before. Let it die and concentrate on (football); this stuff will take care of itself. We talked about it a while ago."
Mr. Ford: "Yes - for a month or so, roughly."
On Millen committing himself for another five years:
MM: "Because there are other commitments. I am just a small part of it. There is a commitment to what we have done on the field. There's a commitment with what (Mr. Ford) has done with the (facility and stadium). Everybody is throwing their hat in the ring. On top of it, I think we have started something here. I think we have a pretty good team together. We want to see it come together and do what we started to do in the first place. You do not want to stop right in the middle of it."
On whether the contract extension is signed:
MM: "We signed (a contract). It is a combination of both."
Mr. Ford: "He notarized where I x'ed."
On Millen feeling more "presidential" than he did four years ago:
MM: "I feel a lot more comfortable in the role - there is no question about that. (Mr. Ford) has helped a ton, as has his son. It helps that they are running the largest automobile company in the world. There are a lot of things that can bounce off a guy in terms of how things are going, and when to stay the course and what to push and what not to push. I have had a good mentor, both of them actually. I feel a lot more comfortable; but you do not feel comfortable until the job is done and obviously it is not because we have work to do."
On Millen feeling comfortable or satisfied:
MM: "No. You feel satisfied after you have a Super Bowl ring on your finger. And that lasts until about after the ring ceremony and then you start to feel uncomfortable again. That is something we have to do."
On when Millen started, if he considered doing it longer than five years:
MM: "Mr. Ford and I, when we first met, and this is a true story, he said, 'I want you to consider doing this,' and I turned to him and said 'Mr. Ford, this kind of thing happens to me all the time.' We just kind of laughed. To be honest with you, no I had not thought of it. You know what, we are here, we have a lot of stuff invested in it; a lot of time, a lot of effort, a lot of people, a lot of lives, and we are going to see it through."
On focusing on the future:
MM: "We have talked about it before."
Mr. Ford: "Just to elaborate a little bit more on what Matt said, we want continuity in here, and as I mentioned earlier, I think Matt has built a great foundation for us to move forward. I cannot think of anybody better to see it through than Matt."
On having another person at the top to have the last word:
Mr. Ford: "I think a lot depends on the individual. I think if you look at Matt's background and what he has done and his knowledge of football and football operations, I think he is more than competent to be able to handle all of that."
On coaching staff changes:
MM: "Every offseason we talk about that. Those guys have all been addressed and they have all been satisfied. We are in good shape."
Mr. Ford: "You have seen changes in the coaching staff this year, and that is Steve's input with Matt's collaboration."
