Dan Campbell had quintessential quote to show how he feels about Lions' schedule

On their way to a 15-2 record last season, the Detroit Lions had a lot of nice advantages; just three outdoor games, playing the lackluster AFC South, etc. This year things have flipped the other way, with seven outdoor games and a total of 11 games against teams who made the playoffs last year. On paper, it's one of the toughest schedules in the league and it takes some digging to find advantages for Dan Campbell's team.

In a sense, a far tougher regular season slate will sharpen the Lions for the playoffs after last year's disappointing one-and-done. That's surely how the coaching staff will see it, led with the long-running consistent message from Campbell starting right now during offseason work.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Campbell freshly put out that broader message.

"We’re excited", Campbell said. "You know, the message is the same as it’s always been, man. There’s no room for complacency. So, we’re not going to deal with entitlement (or) complacency.”

Campbell then went right into talking about the schedule the Lions have this year.

“I love the schedule we have this year because this is the type of schedule that builds you for the postseason", Campbell said. "Like, man, you better be on it, and we’re going to get tested early and often and all year long. And it’s freaking awesome. It’s it’s really how you want it. So we’ll be ready to go when the time’s right.”

Dan Campbell welcomes tough Lions' schedule with open arms (and a fantastic quote)

Later in the press conference, when the schedule came up again, Campbell took the opportunity to add to his already lengthy list of memorable quotes.

"It’s awesome, man,” Campbell said. “I mean, to me, by the end of the year. We should be scarred up and ready to go, hardened for battle and ready for the playoffs. And there’ll be nothing easy about it. Just to get through our own division is going to be brutal, but it’s the right kind of brutal.”

The quote is note enough to get the full effect of what Campbell said. Thanks to MLive for the appropriate clip from Friday's press conference, which ends with the quote.