Quotes from Ikaika

http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=457987

About how he's always smiling at the Lions facility, Ikaika said:
“You've got to love life (and) I really do – I love life. I'm very blessed just to be here. There are so many people out there who would love to be in my spot and I'm going to enjoy it. I'm going to laugh (and) I'm going to have fun but there is a serious side that you have to have.

When it comes down to it (you need to be serious on) gamedays, during practice (and) zoning in during meetings. But you have to have fun with those too. You can't be all serious. Like it says, it's a game – so have fun." (DetroitLions.com)


About his on-field demeanor, Ikaika said:
"There's no smiling! It's mostly focus. You have a task at hand you're working so hard for every single day. There is an opportunity that comes up every Sunday that you've got to perform. So I just look at it as, that's what I've got to do; every Sunday just got to come out there and play. I'm going to focus in, harness in on it and give it everything I've got." (DetroitLions.com)


About how they held him out even when his injury could have let him partitipate in OTAs, Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry said:
“We were smart with him. You don’t want to risk getting him hurt. But he was there every day; he was in all the meetings; he was able to go through individual (drills) with (Defensive Line Coach) Joe (Cullen) and Coach Marinelli so I feel good with where we’re at with our rookies and I’m excited to get Ikaika into camp just so we can practice and start doing the 11-on-11 drills.” (DetroitLions.com)


Feeling like he missed out when he had to sit out of their practices, Ikaika said:
“Don't get me wrong, I (was) working on the side running a lot – but I just (want to get) the feel of it; just getting used to the plays and the speed of it. I just can't wait to get out there and (practice) with them." (DetroitLions.com)


About adjusting to Detroit's 4-3 defense, Ikaika said:
"I'm getting more comfortable with (the defensive system). Switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 is a totally different scheme. When I first got here (Coach Marinelli) was like, 'Get off the ball!' I thought, 'Oh, no really? Yes!' It makes my job easier – just go get the quarterback. I'm enjoying the new system; I can't wait to play." (DetroitLions.com)


About how he gets so excited before games that he has to work to calm himself down, Ikaika said:
"For myself, I need to relax because I get too excited. When I get too excited I get tired. So I'll pop on my slow jams – 80s music – before the game. It's kind of relaxing. But then it's gameday – it's go time." (DetroitLions.com)


About wanting to give back to Detroit and their fans, Ikaika said:
“I just want to be able to help the community. That's really what it is (about). I mean – it is the people. The people make us who we are and the fans that come out every game; I've heard that Detroit is made up of very loyal fans, you know? Sell out every game. It's for them. So I'm just going to give back as much as I can." (DetroitLions.com)


Asked how he'd respond to their fans, who are known to be tough on players, Ikaika said:
"I'll still be upbeat. I'm going to try and change people's minds about it. I want everybody to be upbeat because when you're happy, you live life better. That's my philosophy. If you're happy and you enjoy what you're doing and you're loving life – what can go wrong?" (DetroitLions.com)