Locker room buzz: Lions frustrated by lack of energy, Skipper's crazy day, corners ready for role adjustment
Detroit — Here’s what I learned bouncing around the Detroit Lions’ locker room following the team’s 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Disproportionate energy
There was a lot of finger-pointing with the Lions, but they weren't being pointed at anyone but themselves, starting with coach Dan Campbell.
“Ultimately, it’s like I told the team, I didn’t have those guys ready to go, not like (Buffalo),” Campbell said. “Not when you’re playing a team like that. That’s with me. We had a number of guys that have played a lot better than that, just overall, and so that tells me that’s me. I didn’t have these guys completely ready to roll.”
Campbell said his team didn’t match the energy the Bills brought into the contest, something their coach, Sean McDermott, also acknowledged.
“I thought they came out ready to play, they really did,” McDermott said. “You could tell there was an attitude and focus about them, even in the week, during the week, and then last night and then in pre-game warmup, you could tell there was something in the locker room. That’s what I’m used to feeling, that’s what I’m used to seeing.”
While Campbell questioned his team’s energy, he was content with the overall effort. But speaking for a defense that surrendered a season-high 48 points, cornerback Amik Robertson wasn't as kind.
“They were the better team, but the defense, we just didn't come to play today,” Robertson said. “I just felt like we could have had more effort, urgency. I love this team, I love this defense, but we know our standards.
“…The offense, they played their ass off, man,” Robertson said. “I don't know if I'm going to get backlash for this or not, but we know as a defense, we didn't play up to our standards. We fought, though. We just have to play with more urgency and effort. We'll fix it because I know what kind of team we are.”