What do you love about being a Detroit Lion?

LJ - I love playing for a historical franchise, a lot of great players have played for this organization. Seeing their pictures on the wall on the way out to practice makes you think if you are doing enough to be great.

What are your thoughts about the team this year?

LJ - I think we have a chance to be in control of our destiny. It’s a good feeling to go into the game expecting to be competitive knowing you can win if you play Lions Football. We practice hard, the coaches prepare us hard and we play with an effort you can only earn through practicing hard.

What is your favorite thing about playing football?

LJ - I like the connection with the fans. I’m a fan of the game first. So I appreciate the game and feel the same way they do, but, I get to go out there and play the game…its pretty crazy to me.

What is the best thing about playing Defensive End?

LJ - Third Down!!! You get a chance to go one-on-one with a guy to get what he’s trying to protect. When you beat the Tackle and the QB still has the ball….nothing else matters. NOTHING…you zone out and become an animal.

What other Michigan sports teams do you enjoy watching?

LJ - I keep up with the Tigers and the Red Wings will be the opening act on my introduction to Hockey. When I go to a game it’ll be my first live hockey game.

What is your favorite thing about Ford Field?

LJ - The crowd. You know what you’re getting every time. When family comes out to visit, they say man it’s nuts in there… Seattle was crazy but this is something else.

Who is your favorite division rivalry to face?

LJ - I would say all of them, because you play each other twice a year and you know them differently than other opponents. It’s a different feeling than non-divisional games.

What is your favorite non football thing about Detroit/Michigan?

LJ - The deep fried oreos at Ronin by far.

Are you friends with any of the other players on the team?

LJ - I hang out with Suh the most but the team is really close, though you may not hang or talk to a guy a lot. You know you can always go chill with them if you want. It’s a really good team

Who do you look up to in the league?

LJ - Definitely have to say Strahan. The way he played the game was special and I was old enough to appreciate his art form. I don’t really know Bruce Smith or Reggie White the way I knew strahan as a player. He embodied a lot of what D-end is all about. But Larry Fitzgerald, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Demarcus Ware John Abraham and Troy Polamalu.

What are your off the field hobbies?

LJ - Photography, poetry and anything that has to do with watching Wildlife. I love Planet Earth, Wild Russia and Natures most amazing events, you put that on and I stop what I’m doing and watch.

Do you have a message for the fans?

LJ - As a team we feel the energy of this city. We know what good football means to Detroit. Not only do we take great pride in it because it’s our jobs but we feel the connection and know we need to work hard to hold up our end of the deal.