Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson has a few things to say about the Lions in the aftermath of the disappointing season. He did so this week on “NFL AM” on the NFL Network.

 — On coach Jim Schwartz staying: “I wasn’t surprised just because he has brought so much to this organization. He has created a different type of attitude. For so long the Detroit Lions were somewhat the armpit of the NFL and nobody cared. Now people are starting to take notice.’’

— On the 4-12 season: “We’re still as hungry, we’re still as passionate. We didn’t become complacent in where we were, it’s just that we didn’t finish. That’s a big deal in this league.’’

— On firing of the wide receivers coach: “I was surprised  that we fired our receivers coach Shawn Jefferson. He’s a big-time coach, a great asset, a guy who can come in every day and motivate the best player in the game in Calvin Johnson. I was surprised. The team’s going to make moves, you just have to go with the punches.’’

— On difference from 2011 to 2012: “The type of games we won so often in 2011 we couldn’t do this year. The third and fourth quarters there seemed like there was always one play that shut us down and we couldn’t overcome. So we’ve got to come back this offseason as leaders and figure out what it is, how to bring that fight back, that dog back, that tenacity, that enthusiasm that  we played with. In 2011 we felt like we were backed into a corner in every game. In 2012 we didn’t have that, as leaders we have to figure that out.’’

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