Here is a collection of what was said in the Detroit Lions locker room after their preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in front of over 51,000 spectators at Ford Field.
QB Hendon Hooker
On how big the difference is for him between the start of training camp and today: I made a lot of jump shots, just took command of the huddle and ran the offense fluidly, also just made my progressions and got my checkdowns, moved in the pocket, was smart with the ball and just continued to learn and progress every day from my mistakes like we talked about earlier.
On the question of what was the biggest challenge in the growth process this offseason: I would say the biggest challenge has been not being frustrated with myself and giving myself a little slack. I’m really strict with myself and take my development very seriously.
OL Colby Sorsdal
On playing for a dynamic quarterback like Hendon Hooker: I mean, it’s awesome. You just never know when he’s going to make it or get an explosive throw for us. So it’s really cool to see that. I remember in college when I had a mobile quarterback. I was like, “Oh, heck yeah, we got a first down. Made something out of nothing. So, it’s really cool.”
RB Jermar Jefferson
This is what the next 72 hours will look like: I’m just relaxing and focusing on myself. I’m hanging out. I have some friends from high school here that I’m going to hang out with. I’ll probably go to the movies later. But yeah, overall I’m just relaxing. I can only control what I can control. So whatever happens, happens.
Detroit Lions: Highlights and duds against Pittsburgh Steelers
DL Brodic Martin
Hiring at the start of the 2024 season: I don’t want to think too far ahead, but I guess assuming we’re there, we’ll just take it week by week, and we’ll continue to do it as a D-line and try to dominate, stop the run and attack the quarterback. And just keep doing what we did last year. You know what I mean? Let’s do what we have to do.
LB Ty Summers
To find a rhythm in defense: I guess you could call it getting in the zone. When you get in the zone, you start having fun. Things start, the game slows down a little bit. And that’s really it. That’s all I can say about it. Then when you’re having fun, it’s like you’re excited because the energy picks up and you have a lot of energy, you can’t get tired. So many things come together. And it felt good to feel that again.
DL Isaac Ukwu
Had he already prepared the farewell party or was it spontaneous: Yeah, yeah, I had it ready. I was supposed to do it last week. I promised Coach Cam (Cameron Davis) I would do it last week, but when I got it (the sack), I was a little tired, so. But this time, I had energy, so I had it. I had it ready.
WR Isaiah Williams
This is how he processes squad decisions that the Lions have to make: I’m just going to leave it up to God no matter what happens. My main concern was getting out here and doing everything I can to get on this team. Whatever happens, I have no control over it. I’m going to go home today, relax with my family and have a good time.
If I can do it, let’s go to work, and if I can’t do it, let’s go to work. You know what I mean? At the end of the day, you never know. You’re trying to build a team to win a championship, and you never know what that’s going to look like. But I hope I’ve done enough and shown them that I fit into that winning culture.
Daniel Campbell
On how the fans at Ford Field influenced the game atmosphere today: Listen, unbelievable. Our fans, it was crazy. I told our players before we came out, “You understand, this is easily the best atmosphere you’re going to find in a preseason game? And we’re not even in the regular season yet, folks.” So when you talk about home-court advantage, you can only imagine what it’s going to be like two weeks from now on Sunday night. That’s the best, our fans are the best. We just have to keep doing our job, we have to keep winning and give them something to cheer about because they’re going to do their part. It was unbelievable, really.
