SmashMouth

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, who spent seven years as an assistant coach with the New Orleans Saints, said he's tried not to get sentimental as he prepares to play his old team on Sunday.

The Saints (2-3) and Lions (4-2) kick off at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday.

(Read a profile of Joe Lombardi from earlier this week.)

"The quarterbacks told me that I get fined for every hug, so I'm going to try to keep those to a minimum," Lombardi told Detroit media on Thursday in quotes provided by the Lions. "I'll just try to wave and shake hands."

Lombardi spent the last four years of his Saints tenure as quarterbacks coach, working closely with Drew Brees.

"I was his coach, but I'm sure I learned more from him than he probably learned from me," Lombardi said.

"I think the more time you spend around him in the meeting room, at practice and away from cameras you understand just how focused (he is) and the mental energy he has to give to his job. It's really something that's fun to watch."

read more

Attached Thumbnails