Reggie Bush: 'Without Leadership ... We're Not Going To Go That Far'
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
ALLEN PARK (CBS DETROIT) - The leadership on the Detroit Lions has been a hot topic lately, with the team losing six of seven games to end the 2013 season and with star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh not showing up for the first several weeks of Detroit's offseason program despite his status as a captain last season and despite new head coach Jim Caldwell's obvious desire for Suh to be present.
Other players said they believe the storm around Suh was overblown, but leadership and accountability in general will be key to the team in 2014, according to running back Reggie Bush.
"It's important," Bush said last week. "It's something that have to be ready for, and it's something that we've got to take advantage of, too, because without leadership on this team, we're not going to go that far. We're going to need and expect more out of our leaders on this team this year."
The mandate for players to be accountable comes straight from Caldwell, and players have taken note of his high expectations and what they describe as a championship approach to every game, practice and film session.
"He came here and set his standards early, so you can respect that, and it's going to make everybody fall in line," superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson said Wednesday. "Everybody knows their place."
Caldwell might not be one to yell and scream much - at least not in the practices open to media - but he still commands the respect of the players. The Super Bowl rings do not hurt, of course, but his overall approach seems to impress players most.
"He's treating us like men," Bush said last week. "He's putting more responsibility on our shoulders to go out there and approach the game as men and as champions and as competitors. I love it ... You have to respect his mentality and what he brings to our team."