Frenchy Fuqua
Footballguy
Sure sounds like these two will be heavily involved the rest of the way.
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Martz refuses to back down -- Lions will throw downfield
Posted by Tom Kowalski October 18, 2007 12:55PM
Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz addressed the media this morning and here are some excerpts from that interview:
On whether opponents are taking away the deep pass and the Lions need to start throwing the ball shorter:
"I don't necessarily agree with that. If you go back and look at what we did, I don't think that's accurate. Here's what you all need to understand - and you do need to understand this - I trust and believe in these players and we will not not do something because we stop trusting or believing in them - whether or not they fail or succeed. The way we do things is our way of empowering them to play at a high level. Because somebody stumbles or fails at something momentarily, it does not mean that we quit doing what we do.''
Will you still challenge defenses?
"Darn right, darn right. That's the kind of guys we have. If we didn't have those people, then maybe we wouldn't do that. But that's the type of people we have and they're excited about it. By doing those things, it empowers them and keeps them excited and it's fun for everybody.''
Do you have the confidence in yourself and does head coach Rod Marinelli have confidence in you?
"Let me tell you something about Rod, he's a special man. Like I've told you many times, he's why I'm here. I came here because of Rod. The way he's treated me since I've been here is truly remarkable. The confidence he has in me ... so when you don't play well, it really hurts to let Rod down. That really does hurt. You want to make sure you play well, for his benefit as well, and you coach as well as you can for his benefit so it reflects very well on him.''
Do you have the same confidence in yourself?
"Absolutely. I've been doing this too long. It's not so much about me, it's about getting guys in position and giving them opportunities to make plays and getting them excited about playing this game. That's what we do, that's just what we do.''
About the return of Kevin Jones to the starting lineup:
"The thing that's remarkable about Kevin is that last year we weren't very good in the offensive line and what he was able to generate as a runner and a receiver was pretty remarkable. I think he's a special player and having him close to 100 percent at this point will impact us. It'll be a good shot in the arm for us.''
What did you concentrate on during the bye week?
"We had to address some issues in terms of our focus from an X's and O's standpoint. We're always trying to take advantage of the talent we have and put the ball in their hands so they can make the play. We went back and reviewed our tendencies because, as a playcaller, you have to be careful of that. We looked at all phases of our game so we could improve it.''
On Detroit's run-pass balance:
"We're pragmatic. You try to take advantage of what you have and the ability to move the ball and score points. The run-pass ratio, I've never been concerned about really. We need to throw it well and run it well. If you run it well, you go with that because it's going good. If you're throwing it well, you go with that. If you're not doing either one of them well, it doesn't really matter.''
Do you want to run it more?
"Absolutely. There's a patience involved there, too. It's a Catch-22. How many times you run and pass the ball really isn't the issue. The issue is how well you do these things.''
Are you impatient my nature?
"It depends. You analyze the best way to win with what you have. In the past, I'd come out and run the ball 12 or 13 times in a row. And, certainly, Jon against the Bears only had 24 passes or whatever that was. You do what you have to do to win the game. The run-pass ratio shouldn't be the concern. What needs to be the concern is how well you're doing those things. We didn't do either one of those things in that (Washington) game. We've resolved some things and gotten better and we just weren't playing with a whole lot of confidence for a couple of games, really. There are a lot of reason for that and I think we got that resolved.''
How much did Calvin Johnson's back injury put him back?
"Right up until now, he wasn't 100 percent so the things that he can do well we're a little less effective. It was hard for him to change direction. Right now, he's 100 percent.''
On whether the rib injury to Jeff Backus affected his play?
"No question about that. Jeff injured was still the best tackle we had there. I don't think I fully appreciated how much (the rib injury) affected him, I know I didn't. That's one of the things I looked at real hard. I think Jeff feels great now and he's excited. The first couple weeks of the season we really thought he was playing on a Pro Bowl level, we really did. We'll get him back in that respect and he'll do well.
"He doesn't want to let on at all about (how bad he's hurt). He's a prideful guy and a competitive guy and I think that he doesn't want to feel like, because he's nicked, it's going to affect his performance. You don't want to admit that as a player.''
On the team failing to meet Martz's expectations so far:
"I've been here too many times. I think the Chicago game was a good game for us, we were trying to develop a running game and mix things in there. I was excited about our ability to come back with a flurry like they did. It means they're tough and they're competitive and that's what I care about. This last game, I think, was an anomaly. I think you need to put those things behind you and move on. I've been through these things too many times. We're a good football team.''
What about the offensive struggles, scoring touchdowns in just one of the last 10 quarters?
"I think third-down conversions are a concern and there are a lot of reasons for that. We have to manage that. The biggest issue is that, early in the season, we were making plays that we haven't been making lately, plays that we made with ease. I think we resolved that. This is a game of attitude and passion and if you're a little tentative or a little unsure of yourself, then you don't play as well. I'm excited about the week we've had at practice.''
and last year he did too about KJones. What happened? He finished #7 PPG (even with a 8 rushing yard game included)And...you think this was an anomaly.
