ALLEN PARK - As the man who recorded the interception that sent the Lions to the NFC Championship Game earlier this year, Derrick Barnes has heard plenty of love from Lions fans since January.

He's happy about that. But he also wants to be known for more.

In a conversation last week in the Lions' locker room, the Lions' linebacker reflected on that pick, a position change, becoming a father and more.

Here's our weekly five questions feature with Derrick Barnes:

What's been the process for changing linebacker positions over the last year from middle linebacker to strong-side linebacker?

"I wouldn't say it's too much different. When you're playing inside, which I still do from time to time, but when you go from playing inside to the SAM your eye progression changes. When I'm inside linebacker, you can see the whole field, you can see the motions and turbos. I feel like playing the SAM, you have to key in on your keys. I feel like last year when I first started playing SAM, I kind of caught myself trying to see the whole field. SAM position, you can't do that. You have to focus on your job and the man that's in front of you. Keying in on the line of scrimmage, that's going to tell you everything you need to know at that position. I think (Aaron Glenn) does a great job with the scheme as far as allowing the SAM to do that and not have to see everything at once."

You're doing more pass rushing in this new role. How much do you enjoy being able to get after the quarterback?

It's awesome. It takes me back to my college days. I kind of got away from it for a little bit, but I can just feel that I'm getting back into it, getting back into the motions of rushing, what am I keying, what can I work on. I took my reps from last week and watched them to see what I could have done better. So I'm trying to correct what I did last year and hopefully get more hands on the quarterback this game.

I love it. The pass rush thing, for me, I'm a guy that definitely wants to go downhill and straight ahead and not so much backwards, which I can do, is my main thing. Going to get the ball."

How much different does the NFL feel for you now in year 4 compared to when you first got into the league?

I would say honestly, really just the speed of the game. Everybody is as athletic and strong as you are, so that's when it comes down to executing your techniques and things like that and taking what you've learned from the coaches into practice and onto the games. That's a big thing, when I was in college I know I relied a lot on my athleticism and my strength which helped me a lot to get to where I am now. But all of these guys are strong, all of these guys are fast and athletic. What separates you from the others? What they say is true, it's not always about the talent, it's about who works harder. So I try to do that each and every day, get extra work in, anything I can do to kind of get an edge on my opponent."

How often do you hear from fans about your playoff interception and what types of things do they tell you?

That's definitely the thing I'm remembered for here in Detroit, which is beautiful. I'm glad that I can bring joy to a lot of people from Detroit who are waiting for moments like this. But like I said, I want to kind of shake that off. Obviously it was a big moment for me, but it doesn't matter unless I obviously do it again or continue to grow and continue to be a good player. I'll leave that in the past. I'm glad fans are still enjoying that but I'm moving on from it and it's time to elevate my game.

You became a father during the playoffs last season. How is being a father and an NFL player different?

I would say work is a lot easier...nah I'm just joking. It's amazing. Somebody told me this, they were like 'Your mindset and your drive will change.' Even though I had a strong drive for the game, but right now I want to do everything I can to make sure that he's OK and make sure he has everything that he ever need and wanted. For me, growing up and coming from where I come from, I obviously want better for my child. I had amazing parents, we weren't the richest. Some days were kind of a struggle. But I just always told myself that I want to make sure that my son grows up and is able to enjoy things. I obviously work for it. I'm going to tell him when he's older that nothing's ever given, everything's earned. I just want a different lifestyle for my children and my wife. I love football and it's brought me a lot of joy, and them, too."