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On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions will don pads for the first time at training camp. Before we get to that, it’s a good time to reflect on everything we’ve learned from the team’s first five practices at Allen Park. Obviously, without pads, it’s hard to make definitive statements about offensive or defensive linemen. Likewise, for most positions, it’s far too early to declare who won a camp battle given that we’re not even into the first preseason game yet.
Still, here are my eight biggest takeaways from Detroit’s first five training camp practices.
The defense is clearly ahead of the offense
Maybe that means the defense is significantly better. Maybe that means the offense is much worse. More than likely, it’s a combination of the two. But regardless, the defense played the entire offseason with a lot of broken passes and a few steals.
This is really highlighted in the red zone, where the defense was turned off, and the offense really struggled to come into play.
Remember, this is all without the advantage of a running game so far, but when it comes to the passing game, defense has been king.
Jared Goff was specific, but undecided
You can’t talk about the passing game without talking about Jared Goff. It was a soft start for the new Lions quarterback. He doesn’t miss his target very often, but it’s clear he’s still working on chemistry and finding comfort in the system. While last week he said he enjoys throwing the ball deep, his first week of training at training camp was more defined by dumps and checks. It’s probably worth noting that he also said this.
“Chess is my friend. ”
Maybe it’s Goff playing it safe after returning the ball a lot over the past two years. Maybe he’s having a hard time keeping up with his progress. Or maybe…
Lions need a large receiver to step up
There just weren’t any big plays made by wide receivers at this camp, let alone the first two presumed from Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman. For the first time in the entire camp, Goff found Perriman for a big game on Monday, but it had been extremely quiet for the Lions wide receiver before that.
Williams has been a bit more consistent and is clearly the Lions’ best wide receiver, but it remains to be seen if he can really take on his number one duties. For now, cornerback Jeff Okudah has got the better of him.
Detroit will turn up the hot hand in running back, but we could finally see two on the pitch at the same time
D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams shared the load of first-team representatives in the semi-finals, and there doesn’t appear to be a strong preference either way. In fact, head coach Dan Campbell specifically said that during the game they would often roll with whoever has the hot hand at the time.
“We’re going to use these two guys, they know that,” Campbell said. “A guy with a hot hand, he rolls.”
For those worried that Swift won’t get enough touches this year with Williams winning some playing time, Campbell also noted that Swift wouldn’t sit idly by if Williams felt it.
“If Jamaal is in there, we roll. Jamaal is going to ride and we’ll be using Swift for other things, which is good, ”said Campbell. “It’s a good problem to have.”
During Monday’s practice, Swift didn’t do much work in team drills, leading many to speculate that he may have had an injury. However, assistant head coach / running backs coach Duce Staley quickly put that to an end after practice.
“He’s fine, he’s fine,” Staley said. “Today has been set up for Jamaal and a few other full backs.”
Guess Williams was the hot hand Monday.
Jeff Okudah and Tracy Walker Watch Online
It’s easy to notice the drastic changes in the way Jeff Okudah and Tracy Walker behave in training. They have a lot more energy on the pitch, they’re smiling and they’ve clearly boosted their confidence too.
It also led to many improvements on the pitch. Okudah participates in almost every coin that goes his way. Of course, he won’t face Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. this year. Still, it’s hard not to notice his self-confidence.
As for Walker, he hasn’t performed as many plays as Okudah, although he hasn’t been beaten much either. However, an impressive moment came during Monday’s practice. In the second repeat of the 11-on-11s, Walker came close to a TJ Hockenson crossing route, forcing Jared Goff to throw him to the tight end’s back shoulder. The pass was a little out of step and fell incomplete. After that 11 out of 11 streak, Walker ran to the video screen, loaded this readout onto a tablet, and watched the replay about half a dozen times.
It’s a testament to both Okudah and Walker’s work ethic during the offseason. While many players spend special teams drills catching their breath, these two players have spent that time alongside a coach or going through reps with Aaron Glenn or Aubrey Pleasant.
Some recruits are accelerated, others could look to 2022
As for first-round pick Penei Sewell, third-round pick Alim McNeill, and fourth-round pick Amon-Ra St. Brown, these Lions rookies will likely see the field on Day 1 – maybe Play 1 – of the regular season. All three players have first-team representatives in their respective positions on a regular basis, and none seem to want to give up that position.
On the other hand, the Lions took it very slowly with second-round pick Levi Onwuzurike and third-round pick Ifeatu Melifonwu. Both players are dealing with a fairly large roster at their positions – the defensive tackle and cornerback respectively – and may not see much of the field immediately. That being said, Onwuzurike has a better chance of making an impact simply because of the amount of rotation a defensive line goes through.
Derrick Barnes has only been doing light work lately, potentially due to injury. So it’s hard to get a reading on his track.
The specialist battles may already be fought
Both long snappers Don Muhlbach and kicker Randy Bullock entered training camp as the clubhouse’s alleged leader, and there were no signs that would change.
I haven’t seen Bullock miss a basket at camp yet, although I haven’t seen him attempt one beyond 50 yards either. Fellow Matthew Wright had a tough session on Saturday, converting just three of six field goals, with all attempts coming from 45 yards or less.
Muhlbach showed Scott Daly the ropes of the long snapper trade, but there’s no reason to believe Daly will really push for the starting job.
Aubrey Pleasant is a stallion
There is no coach who seems to be having more fun than the Lions defensive back coach. He’s clearly very good at motivating his players, as they all seem to be looking for him individually during downtime.
“Every opportunity we have, we try to pick the brains of Coach Pleasant,” Amani Oruwariye said Monday. “He likes football, he likes to study the game”
As a former DB himself, he’s still very involved in every exercise, showing off his own footwork and hand placement.
“He’s a hell of a teacher,” Campbell said last week. “He’s engaging, he’s thorough, he’s interactive, he’s energetic, he’s dynamic, he understands. There’s a reason he’s good at what he does, and he’s coached great players and developed great talent.
The work Pleasant did in Los Angeles speaks for itself, but seeing him do the actual work is something to see. The future is bright for Pleasant.
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