Detroit Lions Update 11-15-17 Stafford on Playing Chicago Bears this Weekend
LIONS QB MATTHEW STAFFORD ON…
What the toughest part is about playing quarterback in the weather conditions at Chicago: “I played in a bunch of games there. I played early in the season, played late in the season. Like you said, you never know what you’re going to get. That’s how we’ll prepare. You got to go out there and see the way the game’s unfolding, see the way the weather is either affecting the game or not affecting the game. But our biggest opponent is their defense. From our offensive standpoint they’re really talented. They’re big, physical guys up front. They can get after the passer, stop the run, and their guys on the outside do a really nice job of keeping everything in front of them. So, we’ll have a good challenge for us to go with whatever the weather brings.”
If he has a sense of what to expect with the Bears defense: “Yeah, I think so. And I think being a division opponent or a familiar opponent, I think not only are we familiar with them, but they’re familiar with us. That’s when it comes down to guys going out and doing their job better than the guy across the ball from them. So, that’s the way we’ll go into this game with that attitude and just go out there and execute.”
His interception at Chicago last year and on what he remembers about the game: “Yeah, watched that game Monday, just at home and not a fun one to watch. We played about as poorly as we can play. Their defense played well. We didn’t execute really at any position at a good enough level to probably win the game, so it’s a motivating factor looking at that tape. As far as that play, I tried to give some signal out to Golden (Tate), we were on different pages and the guy picked it.”
How important it is to establish a consistent run game at Chicago: “It’s important. It’s something that we strive for. Like you said, not only the explosive runs. Those are great to have and really give you a big boost, but at the same time trying to avoid the negatives and the zero yard runs as much as we can. We probably haven’t done as good a job as we’d like over the last three, four weeks at that. So, it’s something we’re striving for. It’s just getting the runs started and then letting the big ones happen.”
The talent of Chicago’s front four defensive linemen: “Yeah, and really, it’s almost five or six of them at times they can put in there. But yeah, they do a great job of stopping the run. They’re big and physical inside. They got some edge rushers with a ton of talent. They’ve got really everything you’d want in a defensive line. They’re big, and physical, and fast and athletic. A really good mix of players.”
Chicago generating pressure with blitzes: “They have unique blitzes just like everybody else, but they have a really good group of four or five guys up front that they like to turn loose.”
If he knows Bears OLB Leonard Floyd from Georgia: “Not really, he was after me. Just watching him being in the division and he’s a really young, talented player.”
TRANSACTIONS
- The Detroit Lions announced today that they have been awarded LB Kasim Edebali via waivers (from Denver) and have waived DE George Johnson.
INJURY REPORT
- The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions’ Injury Report today: DE Ezekiel Ansah (knee) and RB Dwayne Washington (hip) did not practice. S Don Carey (knee) and LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (ankle) were limited in today’s practice. G T.J. Lang (concussion) participated in a full practice.
- The following players have been listed on the Chicago Bears’ Injury Report today: DB Bryce Callahan (knee), TE Dion Sims (illness), and LB Danny Trevathan (calf) did not practice. LB Sam Acho (shoulder), OL Tom Compton (ankle), OL Kyle Long (finger), CB Sherrick McManis (hamstring), and DL Roy Robertson-Harris (hamstring) were limited in today’s practice.
Detroit Lions schedule