Lions Insider

Because of their game Monday night at Chicago, Lions head coach Jim Schwartz made a few adjustments to this week’s practice schedule. The team did not practice on Wednesday and instead chose to have a walkthrough. Schwartz called it “a mental day.”

On Thursday the team practiced late afternoon.

“There’s a lot of different reasons to do it and I think the players will be a little fresher as a result,” Schwartz said

“Four of our first six were on the road and we had two late trips coming back from Sunday night games and Monday night games. Just like on Thanksgiving week, we don’t go back and practice the next day and we’ve done this before coming back from short weeks and stuff like that."

Schwartz also said the change in schedule would allow the coaches to become more familiar with the Seahawks.

The Lions haven't played Seattle since Pete Carroll took over as head coach in 2010.

“Get acquainted with a new opponent,” Schwartz said. “Get a good chance to get a little extra rest, rest a little bit more (Thursday). Give the coaches a little bit more time too with the turnaround. (We) can concentrate a little bit more because we lost a day.”

The Lions have lost four of their last five games and are teetering close to the point of no return with a few more losses.

“I think it accomplished what (coach) has been trying to get done this week," Lions receiver Calvin Johnson said. "Giving us a little more rest. We did play on Monday. Guys bodies are still trying to get back into as good as it can be for this point in the season. Letting us wake up late again (Thursday), just that extra rest.”

NO QUIT IN THESE LIONS
The Lions have dug themselves a nice size hole to begin the season. But Lions center Dominic Raiola said there shouldn’t be any worry about players getting down on themselves or packing it in.

“I don’t think there should be any worry about guys packing it up early or giving up or quitting on the team because that’s not here anymore,” he said.

Raiola admitted there were players in years past - some of them veterans - that didn't handle early-season adversity well.

“I'm glad those guys aren't here anymore," he said. "Negativity is contagious. It spreads like a fire because you have one guy saying it and then a veteran thinks it. We don't have guys like that. We have good solid veterans and guys that are going to be here a long time."

Raiola said the easiest cure is winning Sunday and taking the first steps at getting back to .500.

ROBISKIE GETTING UP TO SPEED
Newly signed receiver Brian Robiskie is in a crash course to try and learn the Lions' offense in time to contribute Sunday vs. the Seahawks.

“I’m trying to learn every piece of it and it’s just going to be a daily thing to retain some information and move on to some other stuff,” he said. “I’m excited about it.”

Robiskie was signed Tuesday to fill the roster spot vacated when Nate Burleson was placed on the injured reserve after he broke his leg at Chicago.

Robiskie played on the outside early in his career and later transitioned to the slot.

That’s one of the things the Lions liked about Burleson, he was versatile and could play both.