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Post-Practice Quote Sheet: C Dominic Raiola, 08-03-10

Posted Aug 3, 2010

Comments:
On the intensity of practice
“I was very happy. For a lineman, when you put shoulder pads on versus when you put full pads on, I think it’s the same. But for the first day of tackling full to the ground, I think it went well.”
On whether there is a difference in QB Matthew Stafford’s leadership this year
“It’s a lot different. I kind of put the hat on him at the end of last year and said ‘You’ve got to take this team over.’ Being the most important position on the field, let alone the offense, I think he’s doing a great job of that – leading by example and being more vocal out there. I think he’s coming along.”
On having G Stephen Peterman back and the addition of G Rob Sims
“It’s a big difference. It was very noticeable when Peterman was out of the line-up and then you get an established left guard who has started in the NFL for several years and has the confidence, has the chip on his shoulder – he has something to prove – is always nice. This is my first time in ten years I think I’ve had someone like that.”
On having the same offensive coach and quarterback for consecutive years
“It’s different isn’t it. That’s a given. I think second year with anything: second year with Stafford and second year with (Coach) Scott (Linehan), it’s a big difference. I think Stafford is picking things up a lot better and just his recognition of defenses I think is very noticeable.”
On the excitement on offense
“I think there is a controlled excitement though. You don’t want to get too excited right now but every day we can’t come out and take a step back, not with the kind of offense we have. I think we have a pretty good offense and we have to be that every day and we cannot take a step back. I think it’s more controlled though, to the point where every day we come out, we have to do something good every day and not take a step back.”
On his impressions of the defensive line
“It’s been upgraded 100-percent. You bring a guy like (Kyle) Vanden Bosch in, you bring Corey Williams in – these are established guys. Vanden Bosch has been to the Pro Bowl. I think Corey was an alternate when he was in Green Bay in this system and got paid a lot of money to go to Cleveland. This is a guy who has been around a long time and has been successful in this defense. It’s good to see that up front because I think the guys up front are the catalyst of that defense and it’s going to help out the linebackers and the secondary.”
On whether DE Kyle Vanden Bosch’s energy is contagious
“It’s awesome. It’s awesome. We’re amazed. Every time he shows up on film it’s awesome. The red eyes, the yelling coming off the ball, it’s nonstop and it’s not an act. That’s him. I was his neighbor in college so I know.”
On the competition with the defense line in drills
“It’s good to have that competition, but at the same time, we feel like we have to win more of the time than not because we have weapons like that and we are a couple of years into this system with guys with extra years under their belt so we feel like it’s a burden on our shoulders to win more of the time than lose.” On if the absence of DT Ndamukong Suh has affected the team: “Of course we want to see him in here. I understand the business side of it, but when you’re talking in the 40 millions, you’ve got to get the name signed already, right? The second (overall) pick, I think he needs to go ahead and tell his agents that look, ‘I want to sign and get into camp.’ Forty, 42 million – I don’t know the big difference. Any way you cut it, after taxes that’s twenty million. I think you’ve got to get that name signed.”
On whether players reach out to unsigned players
I think at this point, dealing with these agents, it’s up to what the agent is telling the player. I think right now, I stay out of it. I haven’t even shot him a text. I’d like to say, ‘Sign the damn contract and get in here, you’re missing some good things at practice.’ We’re going to need him. He’s going to be a good player; he’s going to be a great player. But I know when I was in that situation, I told my agent: ‘Get it done and let’s get into camp.’”
On adding players when the system remains the same
“I think it’s easier to add. You can add whatever you want now that we have a solid base going. I think you can add really whatever you need to. If there is a certain adjustment that we have to make, I think that having these guys – playing next to the same guys – having the same quarterback, a quarterback that’s going to be here for a long time, I think you can make adjustments and throw things in (the offense) on the move.”

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