Lions News

[El Axe]

This was one of the better Dan Campbell Press conferences. It opens with some lighthearted moments. He addressed some of his takeaways from the NFC Championship game. It closes with a nice thank you to Mike O'Hara in his upcoming retirement.

His answer starting at 6:55 was really interesting to me -- in particular he talks about the difference between SF & them in the NFCCG and what they need to do to get there. It spoke to me as a coach as I've been in those same shoes where my team lost a big game because the other team was more experienced and played at another level, making more nuanced game decisions.

[-Deborah-]

TWENTYMAN: Minicamp Day 3 observations

Jun 06, 2024 at 04:30 PM
Tim Twentyman
Senior Writer


Role reversal: Thursday felt like the last day of school of sorts for the Lions as it was the final day of mandatory minicamp and the last day for the veterans until training camp. There were a lot of fun periods to practice. The first was a little role reversal at the end of a team walkthrough period early in practice. The offense and defense switched sides for one play. Safety Kerby Joseph played quarterback and tried to throw a deep pass to tight end Aidan Hutchinson, but it was spiked to the ground by safety Jameson Williams. Both sides had fun with it.

Situation work: There was some serious work getting done Thursday too, and it was a tough situational drill for the offense. Trailing 30-21 with 1:59 left with the ball on the 30 the offense had to score twice to win. Here's how it went:

• First team offense vs. first-team defense: Jared Goff and the offense were able to move the ball into field goal range with a little over a minute left to trim the lead to 30-24 as both Michael Badgley and James Turner made 55-yard kicks. They then simulated using all three timeouts to get the ball back, and after a punt into the end zone by Jack Fox the offense started at their own 20 with 1:02 on the clock. Goff got the offense out to the defensive side of the 45-yard line with completions to Williams, Antoine Green and Sam LaPorta, but that's as far as they'd go. Williams had a chance to make a touchdown catch late in the drill but let a deep ball slip through his hands in the end zone. Win for the defense.
• Second-team offense vs. second-team defense: Like Goff, Hendon Hooker was able to move the offense into field goal range on the first possession and both Badgley and Turner made long kicks to trim the score to 30-24. This time, however, Fox dropped a punt at the 3-yard line with just 43 seconds left for the offense to try and go 97 yards to win. A few dinks and dunks by Hooker used too much time off the clock and the offense was only able to get out to the 29-yard line. Another win for the defense in a tough drill for the offense.

Kicker competition: Obviously, the field goal kicking is going to be a big part of the competition between Badgley, Turner and whoever else they might bring, but something also to consider is how well they can place kickoffs into the new landing zone between the 20-yard line and the goal line.

A kick that hits short of the landing zone is treated like a kickoff out of bounds and the ball is spotted at 40-yard line. A kick that hits in the end zone and is downed starts at the 30-yard line. Being able to place that ball in the landing zone away from returners is going to be a critical skill moving forward.

Fun competition: Practice ended with a little punt catching competition. Fox booted the ball way up in the air and three players were designated to catch it. Rookie cornerback Morice Norris couldn't make an over-the-shoulder catch. Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold easily caught his attempt. The best catch came from tackle Dan Skipper, however, who had to run about 25 yards to get to the ball and then made a catch that drew applause from the entire team.

[-Deborah-]

Just making sure everyone sees this. I wasn't aware of this change.

A kick that hits short of the landing zone is treated like a kickoff out of bounds and the ball is spotted at 40-yard line. A kick that hits in the end zone and is downed starts at the 30-yard line. Being able to place that ball in the landing zone away from returners is going to be a critical skill moving forward.

[-Deborah-]

TWENTYMAN: 5 takeaways from minicamp

Jun 07, 2024 at 07:00 AM
Tim Twentyman
Senior Writer

The Detroit Lions completed their mandatory three-day minicamp in Allen Park as the team got a lot of good work in with one more week of OTAs on the schedule for the youngsters on the roster before summer break.

Teams are limited in what they can do in minicamp with some of the rules on contact and intensity, but it's an important time of year for head coach Dan Campbell and his team to get the young players and the new guys up to speed so they can hit the ground running when training camp begins.

Here are five takeaways I had coming out of minicamp:

1. Much improved secondary

GM Brad Holmes went to work this offseason revamping the cornerback room and the very early returns look good for what the team hopes is a much-improved secondary.
The additions of Carlton Davis III, Amik Robertson, Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. completely retooled that room and early observations from minicamp were more hands on footballs and a much more difficult time for the offense to move the ball via the air from minicamps past.

Davis and Robertson got multiple hands on footballs and Arnold had a terrific interception off quarterback Jared Goff on the first day of minicamp Tuesday that ended a situational drill after one play.

When the pads come on in training camp and the physicality ramps up, we'll get a better idea of the gains Detroit's truly made in the back end of their defense, but so far it appears they've significantly improved that room and the competition there come camp should be fierce.

2. Competition at receiver will be fun to watch

Amon-Ra St. Brown has been his steady, playmaking self this spring and Jameson Williams had a good minicamp as he steps in the No. 2 receiver role. What will be great to watch in camp is how the pecking order at receiver falls into place from there.

Veteran Kalif Raymond has had a terrific spring and is a player who stood out to me in minicamp. He's a glue piece on the roster and he has earned the trust of Goff. Don't be surprised if he sees a significant uptick in targets and receptions this season.

After that, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Antoine Green, Daurice Fountain, Maurice Alexander and others will be fighting for a couple spots. Green is one I'll have a close eye on come camp. The Lions loved his big-play ability coming out of North Carolina and now with a year under his belt and the entire route tree at his disposal he could be someone who makes big strides in his second season.

3. Roster is the best it's been in the Holmes-Campbell era

One thing that stood out to me watching minicamp is just how much improved this roster is vs. the first minicamp of the regime in 2021. It's really night and day, and that's a credit to both Holmes and Campbell for having an eye for talent and being able to develop it.

I couldn't help but think by end of training camp there are going to be some really good football players that aren't going to make this roster but are going to be able to help other teams across the league. The competition at cornerback, defensive line, wide receiver and running back will be fierce and there are going to be some good football players at those spots who don't make the initial 53-man roster.

4. Defensive line depth

It's hard to evaluate the offensive and defensive lines in unpadded OTA and minicamp practices, but with the limited contact the NFL allows at this time I sensed an uptick in the pressure Goff, Hendon Hooker and Nate Sudfeld experienced.

We obviously know what Aidan Hutchinson brings to the table and he looks to be in great shape heading into camp. Marcus Davenport hasn't been on the field this spring as he's rehabbing an injury, but he's got a track record of success in this league. Same goes for defensive lineman DJ Reader, who will impact everyone he plays with upfront. Alim McNeill is also poised for a huge year.

Josh Paschal has been disruptive this spring and the Lions expect him to take a big leap in production. James Houston is back healthy, and it was good to see him taking part in the spring. Can he replicate the success we saw at the end of his rookie season in 2022 after he missed almost all of last season with a broken ankle?

Levi Onwuzurike is finally past the back injury that cost him two years. He's gained 15 pounds and was called out by Campbell as a player who impressed this spring. Rookie Mekhi Wingo will be in the mix for a rotational role, and players like Chris Smith, Mathieu Betts and Mitchell Agude have made plays this spring too.

Much like we talked about at cornerback, there will be great competition up and down the defensive line and the Lions think that will make everyone better. That unit as a whole should be much more disruptive in 2024.

5. Continuity makes a difference

I thought Campbell had a good line when he said because of the continuity in the coaching staff and the return of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp, he felt like they were starting the offseason training program at level 401 vs. some other teams who might be starting at level 101.

Because of the improved personnel on defense, Glenn can be more diverse in his schemes and there's been a little bit of an adjustment there. The new kickoff rules will keep Fipp busy figuring out personnel and strategy with how he wants to attack that play. Offensively, Johnson will continue to evolve, but he returns the core of his attack and that has to be comforting. Campbell said there won't be much new install on that side of the ball come camp.

Just the way practice operated and the competition level we saw was indicative of a team that has a ton of continuity from the head coach to the coordinator to the assistants and down the line. It should really benefit Detroit and allow them to hit the ground running for the start of camp.

[El Axe]

Sheila Ford-Hamp is a 2024 Michiganian of the Year (ugh, should be Michigander)

https://www.detroitnews.com/in-depth/news/michigan/michiganians-of-year/2024/06/06/hamps-detroit-lions-aim-to-last-deliver-noble-cause-for-city-fans/73426958007/

[El Axe]

Just making sure everyone sees this. I wasn't aware of this change.

Actually, I'm pretty sure it gets placed at the 35, not the 30 if it is a touchback.

This 1min CBS video explains the rule really well

edit: Apparently it is the 30, so the video got that part wrong. Honestly, making it the 30 will probably make a lot of teams go ahead and go for touchbacks, still. 35 is a better answer and probably the XFL's rule.

https://operations.nfl.com/updates/football-ops/new-nfl-kickoff-rule/

[Forsh]

Glenn will probably become a sought after HC next year cuz I expect the defense to be way improved. Johnson always is but who knows what he wants. As long as Campbell/ Holmes are in Detroit tho ... should be a great future ahead. I guess the only things that could ever deal are future cap constraints (which they'll work around) and Goff eventually regressing/aging or (mannnnn I hope not) getting hurt.

What a great time to be a Lions fan

[Forsh]

Anybody else consistently noticing in the updates that Badgely is missing kicks and Turner misses nothing?

[Blue Lagoon58]

Notices, yes, but don't think it really means much in early June.

Amazing, this roster basically has zero holes. Maybe just a little extra depth in some areas, but not much other than that.

[CGVT]

[BJK]

I still have reservations about the WR depth. I feel like another veteran option is necessary.

[El Axe]

I still have reservations about the WR depth. I feel like another veteran option is necessary.

I get the impression that the Lions like Antoine Green and he and DPJ will compete to take Marvin Jones Jr's spot with Jamo taking Reynold's reps. Probably better shape than last year, but another vet wouldn't hurt.

[DanO]

I get the impression that the Lions like Antoine Green and he and DPJ will compete to take Marvin Jones Jr's spot with Jamo taking Reynold's reps. Probably better shape than last year, but another vet wouldn't hurt.

I think they like Green as well. I know I do.

[Marko69]

I think they like Green as well. I know I do.

Do you mean “pot” , DanO?

[DanO]

Do you mean “pot” , DanO?

Of course!!!