ALLEN Park Following a tremendous season for the Detroit Lions, Brad Holmes gave an unforgettable year-end press conference that was full of assurance, receipts, and substantial context.
In an introduction that lasted more than eleven minutes, Holmes made a strong impression by calling his work as general manager “intentional” in both the decisions they make and the ones they don’t. The general manager was also fierce in his defence of his 2021 classes, which include numerous staters and two All-Pros.
ALLEN Park Following a tremendous season for the Detroit Lions, Brad Holmes gave an unforgettable year-end press conference that was full of assurance, receipts, and substantial context.
In an introduction that lasted more than eleven minutes, Holmes made a strong impression by calling his work as general manager “intentional” in both the decisions they make and the ones they don’t. The general manager was also fierce in his defence of his 2021 classes, which include numerous staters and two All-Pros.
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Key statements and responses from GM’s news conference are listed below:
Brad Holmes said in his message to the supporters: “Observe; things will only get better. Alright? Alright, we’re only going to get better. I don’t want anyone to believe that this was a wonderful, one-time event akin to Cinderella. No. It is true. This was indeed the exact event that was intended to occur. I realize that it’s easy to feel like this was a one-shot, miraculous, lucky, cute story—which I’m tired of hearing—based on history, from what’s happened in the past, like I understand that you have a season like this. None of that applied. It’s easy to believe that.
However, no. Dan and I have been moving toward the sustainability of what we are creating with every step we take. Every action we take—in fact, every action we do not take—is intended to support the progress we have been making. It is true. See, it’s all intended to normalize our actions. This is to make it more common.
Regarding Dan Campbell’s success as head coach, Holmes said, “I think the world of Dan.” In addition to being a unique coach and leader, he is also a unique human being. There is a lot that goes into it—just our entire coaching staff, really—the endless hours they spend in preparation, player development, and instruction, as well as the weekly game preparations. Many thanks to them.
Holmes on what Jared Goff has demonstrated thus far and his extending ideas: “Look, when it comes to Jared, I’ve always believed in Jared. I’m sure you’ve heard me before. From a performance and leadership perspective, I’m not sure what more needs to be said or done on his part. I was baffled as to why his career was characterized by the Super Bowl he attended in his second season as a full-time starter (in Los Angeles). We weren’t surprised by his actions this past year or even the year before when he first came to us, since I always had faith in him.
“Over the next few months, don’t get spooked this spring by speculation, negative talk, or the entertainment newsfeed,” said Holmes in regards to what he wants the fans to know ahead of the offseason. That shouldn’t scare you into believing that we can’t continue to construct what we’ve been building. This shouldn’t scare you. I get it completely. Many are speculating and voicing their ideas about what will happen over the following few months. But all I can hope is that they understand that neither Dan nor I have misled them each year. We’ve communicated with everyone in an open and honest manner.
“Look again; everything you do is deliberate. Again, every action we take and every inaction we take is deliberate.
Holmes on his feelings regarding the way things went with Gibbs, LaPorta, Branch, Campbell, and Co. and the initial response the country received to the draft class of last year: “I’m not up here to tell you what I told you.” The “I told you so”s, in my opinion, came about when we chose the player. You may rest easy knowing that Dan and I made the right choices in choosing these athletes. And after we decided on those players, we fell asleep like babies. You can’t stay a prisoner of the moment when it comes to all the criticism that surfaced the day or week after the draft. That cannot have an impact on you. All you have to do is weather the post-draft storm by going through it. As I mentioned to you all following the draft, “OTAs will be here soon.” The draft is forgotten by many. The training camp is almost here. People tend to overlook the draft.
However, Dan and I were really confident in those players. They carried out our expectations. Our favourite draft picks were the ones that we ultimately chose.
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