Detroit Lions Head coach Jim Schartz talked to the media for a few comments today after practice about the 15,000 fans that stood out in the rain today to get a chance to watch the Lions practice, "Yeah, I heard about it too when they were coming up (to get his autograph) - there were a lot of wet people. You know what? It says something about this city's love for football. You can get 15,000 people standing in the rain for two hours to come in and sit through practice like this. There are some parts of practice that aren't viewer-friendly, but they stuck with it and you know there were a couple plays in here. It was probably louder than a preseason game and it was 15,000 people so this is going to start to build. I appreciate them and I think we got a good thing for them today, but I would like to do some more of that. I would like to have some more of those people out at Allen Park."
Schwartz goes on to talk about the annual tradition of the Thanks Giving Day Game here in Detroit, "I just said anytime I hear somebody around the country talk about taking that game away from Detroit, I am going to remind the commissioner about 15,000 people standing in the rain for two hours to see a practice. I think that says something about our fans. I think that says something about our tradition here and that needs to be remembered and that needs to be rewarded."
As for possible starting line up Schwartz says every spot is up for grabs, "I'm sure there is an idea on some (positions) but we are only on Week 1, there is a lot to be done. There are a lot of preseason games. For me to close my mind right now, that's unfair to the guys that have worked hard every day."
