DETROIT (AP) — Dan Campbell’s passion has been on display since he was hired as coach of the Detroit Lions, memorably stating at his first news conference nearly three years ago that his players will kick opponents’ teeth and bite their kneecaps.
Roughly 36 hours after a controversial call in Dallas cost the Cowboys a chance at the NFC’s top seed, Campbell said he had moved on and that his teammates would do the same as they prepare for the regular-season finale.
“I’ve got pure octane right now,” Campbell stated. “I awoke. I’m ready, therefore we’re going ahead.”Looking back was not part of Campbell’s goal at his weekly news conference.
In a 2-minute, 10-second opening speech, he made no mention of offensive tackle Taylor Decker’s negated 2-point convert against the Cowboys.
Officials ruled Decker was an ineligible receiver because they said offensive lineman Dan Skipper reported in as eligible when he met referee Brad Allen with offensive lineman Penei Sewell prior to the critical play.
Decker informed reporters in Dallas that he reported as qualified, but Skipper claimed he didn’t say anything to the officials.Campbell said he didn’t know if Skipper wiped the numbers off his shirt, which might have confused officials who may have assumed he was doing so to register as eligible.
Following a succession of penalty-related inquiries, the typically outgoing and accommodating coach became surprisingly upset by the media.
“Why do you guys want to talk about this?” the man questioned.
Campbell said he was unaware of the NFL’s response to the team’s concerns regarding the conversation, and that team president Rod Wood is in control of league communications.
“Until you guys asked me the questions, I’m over it,” Campbell remarked. “I just don’t want to deal with it. Rod is handling it all, man. He has it, and I don’t want to deal with it. I am done. I’m good. I just want to go and prepare for Minnesota, and our players will be ready to play.”Wood was not available to reporters on Monday, and the NFL has not commented on the call.
The NFC North champion Lions (11-5) now have
Detroit has the opportunity to improve their playoff seeding with a win. The Lions presently rank third in the NFC.
Campbell said banged-up rookie tight end Sam LaPorta is “good,” and receiver Jameson Williams departed the game against the Cowboys with an ankle injury, which was not serious.He hopes defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who returned from a torn pectoral muscle in the season-opening win at Kansas City, will play against the Vikings, as will defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who has been out for a month due to a knee ailment.
Campbell did not want to discuss the call against the Cowboys, but he believes it was a blessing.
“We were in a tight game, had the opportunity to
