Here is a collection of quotes from players and coaches of the Detroit Lions and New York Giants following Detroit’s 14-3 preseason loss to New York.
Head Coach Dan Campbell
This is how he assessed Nate Sudfeld’s performance: “Yeah, I’ll watch the video, but there are some decisions in there that I want to get better at and that I expect from him. You know, I’m not really worried about accuracy right now or yet, as far as the ball goes, this and that. There are some decisions in there that I know he can get better at. But like I said, I thought he played a lot better when he came back. I thought he got into a rhythm, kind of got us going, that was good to see.”
Quarterback Nate Sudfeld
His assessment of Hendon Hooker’s debut appearance: “Yeah, I was super proud of Hendon. I hope he gets better, but I thought he brought some power and he looked athletic, strong arm. All the things I know. Yeah, it was really nice to see him out there and spin a little bit. But it’s also just nice to get that first win, no matter how old you are. I was really proud of him, I hope he gets better.”
Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw
This is what it felt like to wear the Lions uniform for the first time in a game: “It was a good feeling. Football is something I’ve always wanted to do. Seizing the moment and finally wearing the NFL logo that I’ve dreamed of my whole life was a real revelation for me. I’m the kind of guy who blossoms as soon as I see the stadium and the stage.”
This is how he assessed the secondary school after its performance on Thursday: “I would say we’re going to be OK, we’re going to be great. We’re going to be everything we want to be and everything people expect us to be. We’re just taking little steps day by day, getting better every day. This loss doesn’t define any of that, so that’s how I feel.”
Cornerback Amik Robertson
What he tries to bring when he is on the field: “I know what coach Dan looks for. He looks for grit, energy and details. When I’m out there, that’s what we try to do and so do the other guys. Unfortunately, we didn’t win tonight, we still have room for improvement. I can’t wait to get back out there. I was only there for a limited time, but I try to make the most of my time out there because I always enjoy the game when I’m out there.”
His advice to newcomers Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw before they enter the field: “Energy, man. We’ve got to be the guys out there. We know who we are, we’re the dogs. So, we’re going to take over the team in this secondary, if the secondary is good, the team is good. I just told them when they’re out there, be themselves. Play with confidence. At the end of the day, we’ve all been playing this game since we were young. It’s just football, man, so always have fun with it.”
Wide Receiver Isaiah Williams
This is what it felt like to make his NFL debut: “It was a great feeling. Honestly, I was a little nervous at the beginning of the first half. But then I got a kick return. After I got the kick return, the nervousness kind of went away. After that, I was ready to go. After that, I thought, ‘I’m going to be in the right place at the right time.’ And if I get the ball, I’ll get it. If not, coach will see that I’m in the right place. I got the ball and I just thought, ‘If I get it, I’m going to make a play.’ It felt great.”
His preparations for the rainy conditions at Thursday’s game: “That’s one thing. So we didn’t have a single practice in bad conditions before today’s game. But I think that goes back to my college days when I played for coach Bret Bielema at Illinois. If it was raining or whatever, we would practice outside. So we took those reps and let them sink in and also understood, man, I’m out here, I’m just letting God work. I’m just trusting in his plan for me. It’s already written, so I’m going out there confident and just letting the cards fall as they fall.”
New York Giants
Head Coach Brian Daboll
His assessment of Tommy DeVito’s performance: “He’s getting better. He’s got a tight grip on the offense. I think the guys have a lot of confidence in him. I have confidence in him. I think he’s come a long way since he’s been here. It’s been good for him to play so much, so keep developing him. Quarterbacks are hard to find in this league. Undrafted free agent, won three games, played in a couple of games for us last year. Still knows he’s got a long way to go, but he’s smart, accurate, makes good decisions, good young player to work with.”
Quarterback Tommy DeVito
On the question of whether he had a good chance of being included in the Giants’ squad behind Daniel Jones: “Every day is a step in the right direction. I try to build on that every time I get on the field and have the opportunity to be on the field. I noticed a few things, but I’m sure when I look at the film I’ll notice a few more things that I want to correct and get back. But I’m just trying to keep taking advantage of the next two games to do my best.”
On the question of whether training with the Lions had better prepared him for the pre-season game: “Yeah, it definitely helps. In practice, it’s a little different, you get some more exotic looks, some crazier stuff. Same thing for us, we run some different plays and then we go out here, it’s a little more boring, if you will. Yeah, you get to play them, see what their personnel is like, how they play certain things. But sometimes you get paralyzed by the analysis, you just go out there and play.”
Running back Eric Gray
How scoring two touchdowns gave him courage after his strong start to training camp: “Yeah, definitely. I just wanted to do my best. Like I said, I just want to be Eric Gray, just be myself. Last year I made football more than it is. At the end of the day, it’s just football. I’m just being myself.”
