Lions special teams coordinator: 'There's no heat'

Danny Crossman says he isn’t feeling heat after the Detroit Lions gave up four return touchdowns in the last two games – two kickoffs and two punts.

The special teams coordinator has come under fire even if coach Jim Schwartz has attempted to diffuse some of the criticism. The returns directly led to losses to the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings for the Lions (1-3), who are now in last place in the NFC North.

“I’m a teacher,” Crossman said, according to Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press. “If you’re a teacher, and half the kids are flunking your exams, you’ve got to find a way to teach the kids better. They’re your kids. Teach them better. Find a way to get it done, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Crossman said there is no added pressure from Schwartz.

“There’s no heat,” he said. “The heat is to win games. The heat is outside. We’re going to get it done. End of story. I don’t worry about anything else. I worry about finding ways to win games. Whatever we have to do to win games, that’s what our job is.”

Crossman will face heat to find a new job if the Lions cannot find a way to improve their performance on special teams.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune