Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings Post-Game Comments

Waiting for the Detroit Lions to become available for the media is not a rewarding job. The mood is morose, and mostly depressing. The Detroit local media are pals and get along rather well, but even they find it hard to joke around as they wait to ask another round of questions to a 1-8 team.

I recognized the usual faces. Tom Kowalski is, literally, the size of many NFL linemen—just not as wide. John Niyo, in person, looks nothing like Rob Parker. Brian VanOchten is quiet and unassuming and just tall enough to have the top of his head at eye level.

As the locker room opened, one could still hear the random noise of athletes tossing chairs or equipment across the room in frustration. As a veteran of a few losing locker rooms, it was easy to assume that this would be a fruitless enterprise.

Schwartz was the first to step up to the podium.

The first question, and much of the press conference, centered around half time adjustments and the Lions play right after the half. This week, a fumble killed any momentum the Lions had gained with a late first-half touchdown.

Schwartz, protected his quarterback through much of the press conference. When asked how Stafford handled the pressure of the touch (and loud) Metrodome crowd, Schwartz begged off the question and answered that his whole team didn't handle pressure well.

When asked about late game inaccuracy by Stafford, Schwartz answered instead about late game protection issues. Schwartz explained that you cannot expect accuracy when a QB is getting hit on three-step drops.

Schwartz shed light on why Louis Delmas, Aaron Brown, and Cliff Avril didn't play this week.

Louis Delmas was in so much pain after warmups, that his infected tooth/jaw left him unable to speak, run, or hit. Schwartz explained that Delmas, one of the toughest guys he knows, would have played if he was able. He simply was in too much pain.

As for Avril and Brown, they were simple, healthy scratches.

Schwartz declined to critique the play of the men as they sat. It was a "game plan decision." As the Lions wanted to activate Vinny Ciurciu and Melvin White to help contain Percy Harvin on kickoffs. Harvin finished the game with one return for 29 yards.

Stafford was next to the podium and took much more credit for his play than Schwartz would assign to him—a credit to his character. Stafford, for a rookie, is a leader on the field and is the first to take blame that perhaps would be better pinned on one of his linemen or receivers.

"I didn't play as well as I probably could have."

Stafford also gave credit to the Vikings who are "good up front" (understatement of the year) and also came with numerous unexpected stunts and blitzes to harass the rookie.

Tom Kowalski again pressed on Stafford's inaccuracy—again asking why so many balls in the second half were low, seemingly one-hopping to his receivers. Stafford didn't want to answer, saying "every situation is different."

The next quote, from Killer, was priceless—"Why do you always blow that question off?"

Stafford chuckled and repeated himself, offering to sit and review tape with Kowalski later and explain every situation.

Stafford put on his Detroit Tigers hat and got ready to load up.

Stafford's linemen repaid the favor, refusing to assign blame to the rookie and taking it on themselves. Gosder Cherilus called Stafford a "tough kid" and Raiola praised the rookie saying, "That's why he's the first pick, that's why he's our future."

Calvin Johnson, who caught eight balls on 13 targets, declined an interview with Niyo, Kowalski, and myself. "I got nothing for ya."

All-in-all this is a team that, compared to other years, is very accountable for it's actions. There is very little blame being shuffled around and, in my opinion, that starts with the coach and the quarterback.

Opposing quarterback, Brett Favre, tried to be complementary to the visiting team, but it was clear that this was an easier game to win. Favre explained that in several situations he saw the Lions in pass coverage, situations where he normally would check to a run. This game, he didn't.

Even with the Lions loaded against the pass, Favre slung it anyway, to a tune of 344 yards—many of those to Sidney Rice who had a phenomenal game.

Clearly the Lions have a lot of work to do.

More game recap, analysis, and quotes from the Metrodome, Monday morning. Check back then, and on Wednesday when I will be interviewing former Lions Tight End, David Sloan.

Michael Schottey is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and the producer and host of The Average Joe Sports Show on 860AM KNUJ (New Ulm, MN). He is also an NFL Analyst and Senior Writer for DraftTek.com. Follow Him on Twitter.