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The Detroit Lions first-team drill on Wednesday was a one-on-one tackling drill, setting the physical tone for practice. It’s not often that you see tackling live so early at camp, but it’s clear the team are trying to build that culture as a strong, physical team, and they weren’t going to wait. preseason game 1 next week to get there.
And the live tackle didn’t stop there. Throughout practice there were times when either live tackling was allowed or the players took it upon themselves to give hits.
Of course, physical training comes with bumps and bruises for players, and Wednesday was no exception. Several Lions players would sit down the last reps, head to the locker room early, or spend a minute or two with the coaches.
Here is a recap of the practice of the seventh Lions training camp.
Injuries
Here is a list of players who did not participate at all beyond the warm-ups
- G Evan Brown (NFI)
- LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (reserve / COVID)
- LB Reggie Gilbert
- CB Quinton Dunbar (personal issue)
- CB Alex Brown (injured in Tuesday practice)
- DT Michael Brockers
- LB Derrick Barnes
- OT Tyrell Crosby
- RB Dedrick Mills
It’s a long list, but only the last two names are new to the list. Neither Crosby nor Mills finished Tuesday’s practice with a notable injury. Obviously, it’s hard to ignore the business talks looming over Crosby’s head, but at this point no transactions have taken place.
It should also be noted that although Levi Onwuzurike was dressed, he did not participate in any team drills. Likewise, Austin Bryant was fully dressed and even did his 40 climbs and descents during training, but I only saw him participate in one or two team rehearsals.
Here are the following players who appeared to be suffering from an injury at one point during Wednesday’s practice:
- CB Jerry Jacobs left with sneakers.
- RB Jermar Jefferson appeared to be walking with a heavy limp and pointed at his left heel with sneakers. However, he returned to team exercises.
- WR Kalif Raymond spent time with coaches to bandage his right ankle. He also came back. Other reporters noted that after training he had difficulty walking.
- EDGE Julian Okwara left training early and came back without pads. As he left training at the end, I could see a significant amount of ice wrapped around his left hip.
- Both DT Levi Onwuzurike and John Penisini returned from training without pads. I didn’t see them go to the locker room so it’s hard to know what happened there.
- RB D’Andre Swift left training late and didn’t appear to be back. He ran into the locker room, so it’s unclear what’s distressing him. This isn’t the first time Swift has missed a session or two, but earlier in the week running backs coach Duce Staley said he was fine.
So, yes, it was a physical day at the camp.
Quarterbacks
It’s been another forgettable day for the Lions offense, and some issues are starting to become regular. Jared Goff seems reluctant to take the cover and is clearly more comfortable checking out. The best example came during a full team exercise. Goff secured one side of the ball to fall into the box, leaving Breshad Perriman in the thick of head-to-head coverage. He didn’t have much separation, but it was a favorable look for the offense. Goff, instead, opted to check with Jamaal Williams for a short payoff.
Tim Boyle was on the second team’s offense today and was facing unusual accuracy issues.
Competency position players
Amon-Ra St. Brown kicked off practice with a movement that drew a roar from the crowd. During the one-on-one tackling drill, St. Brown passed the defender for an easy win. Unfortunately no one took the defender’s number but we all hope it was Ifetu Melifonwu due to their current rivalry.
During the one-on-one, St. Brown lined up against Okudah three times. St. Brown caught all three assists, but two were short with Okudah draped over him. Third, St. Brown had a clean exit that didn’t allow Okudah to get close to the road in time for a quick 8-yard gain.
Breshad Perriman put in his side’s best play on Tuesday, hitting a double hit over Jeff Okudah that resulted in a big play. Overall, Quintez Cephus had a strong day, but posted a significant drop after creating several meters of separation. A few minutes later, Cephus went to the video screen to toss that coin and see what he had done wrong.
It’s always difficult to have a good read from the runners hall with most of the reps not including live tackles, but it was another good day for Jermar Jefferson, who had plenty of opportunities with limited reps by Swift.
TJ Hockenson continues to be the center of the attack, and he had another big play on 11-on-11. During a Goff play action rollout, the quarterback found Hockenson who beat Dean Marlowe on a cross road, then tiptoed up for a big win. Alize Mack also had a big game, although this was more the result of an all-out blitz that left him wide open. Boyle found it quickly with plenty of room to run.
Offensive line
Without Tyrell Crosby, the reserve’s offensive tackles looked a little different. Matt Nelson and Dan Skipper were the left and right tackles respectively. While Skipper passed to the left with the third team, Darrin Paulo took over on the right.
The offensive line spent much of the day on the other side of the field today, making observations a bit more difficult, but I tried to focus on Penei Sewell when possible. On one play, he let Romeo Okwara run right next to him as the Lions sent a blitz down the middle. But in the next rehearsal, he fought against Okwara to get him out of harm’s way. The Lions throw a lot at Sewell, and he continues to seem like he belongs.
Defensive line
With Penisini out for most of training, rookie tackle Alim McNeill has saved more playing time than any other defensive lineman. While McNeill shone in practice on Tuesday with his quick first step, it was his strength that impressed me. During a full team exercise, McNeill absorbed a double team and was still able to maneuver his body in the intended rushing lane. He didn’t pull off the tackle, but he got a big assist on the tackle for a loss.
Elsewhere, Nick Williams continues to have a very strong camp. Towards the end of practice, he managed to completely lose a block to meet the running back on the line of scrimmage. Every day it seems like it shows up on my notebook with at least two or three + dots.
I know everyone is looking for sightings of Levi Onwuzurike, but he still hasn’t participated in team exercises with the pads.
Newbie Bruce Hector had the game of the day on defense, sneaking into the backfield, detonating Godwin Igwebuike and forcing a fumble.
Linebackers
The Lions keep trying to generate a lot of pressure from the second and third levels, and that day it was Shaun Dion Hamilton who was the benefactor. In one play, he widened the A gap, crushed the ball carrier completely and managed to get in front of the quarterback for a “sack”.
After a few great days at camp, today was a small step backwards for Anthony Pittman. On two occasions during team exercises, he was only one step behind on a road. On one play, he bit the playing action, allowing fullback Jason Cabinda to slip out of the backfield and catch a pass with room to run.
Secondary
There was a drill early in practice where offense and defense clashed, but with no receivers or cornerbacks. It seemed to be designed to work on the running game / running defense. If I mention it here, it’s because I found it interesting that in safety, CJ Moore replaced Tracy Walker in this exercise.
Where was Walker? With the other defensive backs head to head with the receivers. Just another sign that the Lions appreciate Walker further from the line of scrimmage than he is.
Ifetu Melifonwu won his first camp interception during these head-to-head. During the performance, he waited patiently for Tyrell Williams to take his break. When he finally did, Melifonwu showed good reaction time and short court speed to get past Goff’s pass.
Special teams
If you’re dying to talk about the punt, here it is! The Lions worked to immobilize opponents deep in the crease, and Jack Fox was nearly perfect at knocking every punt inside the 5-yard line. But here’s the catch: The Lions took off from the opponent’s 42-yard line. I hope they don’t intend to jump from that spot on the field very often.
When it comes to gunners looking to drive the ball deep, Mike Ford has once again proven that he is perhaps the best on the team to do so.
St. Brown and Victor Bolden both had muffs on the punt return drills, but both looked otherwise clean.
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