Lions want to move past Dominic Raiola suspension

Allen Park — Lions coach Jim Caldwell talked one last time about the Dominic Raiola one-game suspension and then moved on. And he wants his team to do the same.

Raiola lost his appeal of the suspension for stepping on the foot of Chicago Bears defensive lineman Ego Ferguson during the Lions' 20-14 victory Sunday in Chicago. Rookie Travis Swanson, a third-round Lions pick, will replace Raiola.

Caldwell said it did not surprise him that the appeal was rejected.

"When you look at the film it fully supports what they said," Caldwell said. "It is tough to tell what is in a man's heart. But I take his word. If they rule what they rule, that is the way it is."

Almost immediately, Caldwell moved on when he was pressed for more comments.

"Don't lament at all. It creates issues we are trying to stay away from," he said. "Giving it energy does us no good. I am not going to talk about it much longer."

He was asked about Raiola one more time.

"I am not going to talk about it any longer," he said.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is not concerned about Swanson's lack of experience because the Lions have given him first-team snaps in practice to give Raiola, a 14-year veteran, some time off.

"He (Raiola) is an intelligent player," Stafford said. "But Swanny has had time to learn under Dom. From the mental aspect there are fewer guys smarter than Dom, and Swanny has a bunch of knowledge built up. I am not too worried about that. We will be fine."

Raiola is not allowed in the dressing room while he is suspended. However, he apologized to teammates Monday before the suspension was announced.