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Lions say they still have something to prove
Web-posted Dec 28, 2006
ALLEN PARK (AP) - With one game to go in another lost season, the Detroit Lions are still able to find motivation.
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Detroit visits Dallas on Sunday in a game that could be important to the Cowboys but will only affect whether Detroit picks first or second in April's draft.
According to Lions quarterback Jon Kitna, though, the game can be meaningful in the long run.
"Beating Dallas would be a nice reward for all of the work we've put in," he said. "That's the thing we're proud of here - no one has stopped working. Finishing with a victory would show that the work was worth it."
Terrence Holt agreed.
"Winning this game would be a big boost," he said. "It would show us that we can match up well with a playoffcaliber team. We showed some of that Sunday when we had a chance to beat the Bears, but we couldn't finish it off. We have to show that we can play that level of football and beat that caliber of team."
For tight end Dan Campbell, there's the added enjoyment of returning to his home state and to Texas Stadium.
"I'll have a lot of friends and family there, and the Cowboys are playing well, so it will be fun," said Campbell, who played for the Cowboys in 2003-05. "I know what those guys are going to do, and they know what I'm going to do."
The game is also a homecoming of sorts for Roy Williams, who played his college ball at Texas after growing up in Odessa, Texas, but he was subdued about the situation.
"It's just another ball game for me," he said. "The only difference is that people in Texas will get to see me play on TV. They don't get to see too many Detroit Lions games on TV in Odessa."
Williams started the year as the team's most optimistic player, even making an ill-fated guarantee of victory before an early season visit to Chicago.
Now, after 13 losses in 15 games, he is the first to acknowledge that the season has taken an emotional toll. It showed when he was asked about the turmoil surrounding the Cowboys.
"I don't know what they've got to be angry about - they are going to the playoffs," he said. "When the game ends on Sunday, they'll be getting ready for another opponent. We'll be going home. Why should they be upset about anything?"
Lions coach Rod Marinelli said he is disappointed that the season is ending.
"Every moment I get to coach these men is precious," he said. "A lot of coaches might have cut back in this situation, but I'm not one of them. I'm still working these men hard, and they are doing every bit of it."
Notes: The Lions held a lengthy afternoon workout after getting a two-day break for Christmas. ... Detroit placed cornerback Fernando Bryant (concussion) on injured reserve Wednesday. ... Defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, who missed the final 10 games of the season due to a drug suspension and a knee injury, was in the locker room Wednesday but declined to speak to the media. ... TE Casey FitzSimmons (shoulder) and G Ross Verba (leg) are both doubtful for the Cowboys game.
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/122806/spo_2006122829.shtml
Web-posted Dec 28, 2006
ALLEN PARK (AP) - With one game to go in another lost season, the Detroit Lions are still able to find motivation.
Advertisement
Detroit visits Dallas on Sunday in a game that could be important to the Cowboys but will only affect whether Detroit picks first or second in April's draft.
According to Lions quarterback Jon Kitna, though, the game can be meaningful in the long run.
"Beating Dallas would be a nice reward for all of the work we've put in," he said. "That's the thing we're proud of here - no one has stopped working. Finishing with a victory would show that the work was worth it."
Terrence Holt agreed.
"Winning this game would be a big boost," he said. "It would show us that we can match up well with a playoffcaliber team. We showed some of that Sunday when we had a chance to beat the Bears, but we couldn't finish it off. We have to show that we can play that level of football and beat that caliber of team."
For tight end Dan Campbell, there's the added enjoyment of returning to his home state and to Texas Stadium.
"I'll have a lot of friends and family there, and the Cowboys are playing well, so it will be fun," said Campbell, who played for the Cowboys in 2003-05. "I know what those guys are going to do, and they know what I'm going to do."
The game is also a homecoming of sorts for Roy Williams, who played his college ball at Texas after growing up in Odessa, Texas, but he was subdued about the situation.
"It's just another ball game for me," he said. "The only difference is that people in Texas will get to see me play on TV. They don't get to see too many Detroit Lions games on TV in Odessa."
Williams started the year as the team's most optimistic player, even making an ill-fated guarantee of victory before an early season visit to Chicago.
Now, after 13 losses in 15 games, he is the first to acknowledge that the season has taken an emotional toll. It showed when he was asked about the turmoil surrounding the Cowboys.
"I don't know what they've got to be angry about - they are going to the playoffs," he said. "When the game ends on Sunday, they'll be getting ready for another opponent. We'll be going home. Why should they be upset about anything?"
Lions coach Rod Marinelli said he is disappointed that the season is ending.
"Every moment I get to coach these men is precious," he said. "A lot of coaches might have cut back in this situation, but I'm not one of them. I'm still working these men hard, and they are doing every bit of it."
Notes: The Lions held a lengthy afternoon workout after getting a two-day break for Christmas. ... Detroit placed cornerback Fernando Bryant (concussion) on injured reserve Wednesday. ... Defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, who missed the final 10 games of the season due to a drug suspension and a knee injury, was in the locker room Wednesday but declined to speak to the media. ... TE Casey FitzSimmons (shoulder) and G Ross Verba (leg) are both doubtful for the Cowboys game.
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/122806/spo_2006122829.shtml
