Detroit Lions: Jim Caldwell, Players Talk About Win Over Eagles
By Zac Snyder
GOLDEN TATE
On if it felt good to contribute on offense after recent struggles: “It felt real good. I needed that, this team needed that. It was good to be found and make a play at the end to help us win.”
On his fourth quarter catch to set up the game-winning field goal: “It was just kind of, it was supposed to be a four-to-six crossing route. I have no clue how I ended up at like 15 yards catching the ball, so can’t wait to see the play. Just kind of fell through I think some linebackers, it all happened so quickly, some linebackers. There was one more linebacker there, and just a hell of a throw by Matt (Stafford). He trusted in me, floated it past the linebacker that I was behind on a dime and just made a play. It’s been a slow four weeks for me, so I just had to dig deep, get back in the Bible, trust in God, trust in how I got here. I just knew at some point this team was going to need a big play, whether it be the first quarter, second, third or fourth, or overtime. I just kind of stayed prepared, mentally just stayed in the game and just trusted that when my number was called, make a play.”
On lining up in the backfield: “It was fun, it was fun being in the backfield. Hopefully I earned some more reps back there. Had some flashbacks to high school. Going into this game, I think we were a little beat up as you guys saw. One of our big-time rookies Dwayne Washington wasn’t able to play, so they draew some things for me, and they kept coming back to it. Next thing you know, it set up a big screen play for Theo (Riddick) to almost walk in. As far as I’m concerned, I just did my job.”
Next: Lions-Eagles Recap and Analysis
On the feeling of taking the field after the fourth quarter fumble recovery: “All these things happen so quick, and I don’t get to see the replays too, too much. From what I remember, Tavon Wilson came humming downhill to consume one of their linebackers, or their fullback, and put an incredible hit on that guy. Kind of made the running back not get vertical, either choose the inside or outside. Next thing you know the rest of the crew got there in a hurry, and ball’s out. Ball’s out, we needed that, that was a big-time play right there. That’s something that we go in every game wanting, to get turnovers, interceptions or fumbles. However you get them, we need to get them, and that was just a key one. On top of that, I think T-Walk (Tyrunn Walker) recovered it on the sideline, so that was big.”