Former Detroit Lions DE Lawrence Jackson Opens Up About Team, Jim Schwartz
By Zac Snyder
Dec 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Lawrence Jackson (94) reacts to play against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of a game at Ford Field. Falcon won 31-18. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Former Detroit Lions defensive end Lawrence Jackson took to twitter today with what started as a response to Josh Sitton‘s comments and turned into a very interesting perspective on the Lions’ inside dynamic.
First, in regards to Sitton’s comments about Jim Schwartz and the Lions defense’s “scumbag” style of play:
In football the QB is the head of the snake...unless you're Flynn in December. Knocking the QB out almost guarantees victory that's goal #1
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) November 27, 2013
I don't disagree with him about Jim, but the other stuff...it's sharks in the water...if you don't want any problems...protect your QB...
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) November 27, 2013
The comment about Schwartz prompted questions from Lions fans, which Jackson responded to.
“@sanman20: @LoJackson94 what do you have against Jim?” I don't have anything against him. I just don't have a ton of respect for him.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) November 27, 2013
@sanman20 not everyone is held to the same standard and things are done because he wants to do them not because they're good for the team.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) November 27, 2013
@sanman20 he will also lie right to your face. I asked a question I knew the answer to and he tried to bullshit me...I saw right through it.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) November 27, 2013
Jackson also commented and criticized the Lions’ style of play.
@QuinSportsDiva good teams don't beat themselves we were like the cheddahbob of the NFL couldn't get out our own way. Great players though.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) November 27, 2013
@QuinSportsDiva they win with that against teams the should beat. It cost them every time vs winning teams and they lose
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) November 27, 2013
Some friction between offense and defense isn’t uncommon in the NFL and Jackson also tweeted about some frustration with the Lions offense and Scott Linehan.
@killernut4 I like Gun a lot. I feel the same way towards Scott that you guys do. For the power of that offense they shouldn't stall often.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) November 27, 2013
@killernut4 offensive 3& outs were frustrating and turnovers were frustrating.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) November 27, 2013
And if you think Jackson’s comments are a result of sour grapes, he addressed that too.
@ShaunMichael80 I have nothing to be sour about, I chose to not come back. And this is stuff I felt when I played but couldn't tweet.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) November 27, 2013
It isn’t often we get a candid set of opinions on what it is like inside an NFL team. Interesting stuff indeed.
Jackson later did a podcast with The Detroit Sports Rag’s Jeff Moss. Listen here (warning: it takes a few minutes before Jeff and LoJack got the phone connection right, the talk begins shortly after the two-minute mark.)