Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. says that he has never told a coach who to play. "I do not, contrary to public opinion, interfere with the football side of it," Ford said. "I mean, if so-and-so plays lousy, I'll say 'I think he's a bum.' But, no, I've never said, 'Play this guy or that guy' or "Don't play him.' No, these guys know more about the game than I do by 10 miles. I'm not going to try to second-guess them. Now, if it goes wrong, we'll talk about it."