For the first time since padded practices began on Monday, the Detroit Lions decided to shake the shoulder pads and go with a more up-tempo, less physical session on Saturday. It was an opportunity for attacking midfielders and defensive backs to shine, and both managed to do so on another hot day at Allen Park.
Of course, without pads on, playing some units (especially offensive and defensive lines) will be a bit harder to evaluate, but I will do my best to give at least one observation per position based on what I saw Sunday.
For an update on the Lions injury situation, view our Saturday participation report here.
Offensive
Quarterbacks
The Lions celebrated their first set of two-minute drills this camp on Saturday. The first-team and second-team each ran one row using the following situation: five points down, 1:23 left in the game, starting on their own 42-yard line. I believe no time-outs were allowed. Here are the play-by-play results for each unit.
Matthew Stafford:
- Short finish across the middle
- 10-15 yard win to Marvin Jones Jr.
- Incomplete
- Incomplete
- Go to Kenny Golladay for 12 yards
- Deep pass to Kerryon Johnson for what looked like a touchdown (arranged on 1-yard line)
- Incomplete
- Incomplete (Marvin Jones caught right out of the back zone)
- Incomplete
- Touchdown to Jones after a long shrink by Stafford (could have been a case)
Total: 5-for-9, 58 yards, TD
Chase Daniel
Total: 3-for-3, 58 yards, TD
David Blough got his own chance to simulate a drive of the late game, but the scenario was a little different. Starting on his own 33-yard line with 1:14 left, the Lions only needed one field goal. Blough went 4-for-6, bringing the Lions to the opponent’s 33-yard line. The Lions simulated the field goal only (no actual kick), but head coach Matt Patricia called it good.
Running rain
With D’Andre Swift and Bo Scarbrough still out, it was Kerryon and Ty Johnson again with the official of the first team. Kerryon had the game of the day with a catch over the shoulder on the aforementioned two minute long bore deep pass. However, with no full contact drills, it was difficult to evaluate this group.
Also a quick remark about Jason Huntley. After hitting all three of his point-return reps on Friday, he kept the ball off the ground for all three of his attempts on Saturday.
Broad receivers
Marvin Jones Jr. still has a phenomenal camp, catching just about anything that gets thrown at him. But his performance today may have been overshadowed by rookie Quintez Cephus, who looked good with the official of the second team and absolutely dominated with the third team. During the two-minute drill, Cephus pulled a nice catch over Daniel’s shoulder, and when he had a ridiculous catch with the threes on a tip ball intended for Tom Kennedy.
Tight agrees
I must always remember that TJ Hockenson looked this good in last year’s camp, because he looked absolutely unstoppable for the third practice in a row. If there is one difference compared to last year, it is that he is a little more physical with his body, after he has gained some strength in the upper body.
Hockenson Vs. Tracy Walker reps have become football. Hockenson re-emerged today in her one-on-one meetings, resulting in a visibly frustrated Walker.
But where Hockenson did the most damage was in the red zone. He pulled in two touchdowns with drills from red areas, and hit Amani Oruwariye first in cover (followed by his best impression of Gronk Spike). A few plays later, he beat Jayron Kearse by a step or two for an easy score of 5 yards.
Hopefully, the injury to Hunter Bryant turns out to be minor, as he really started to look. Even at the game he was injured, Bryant ran a beautiful route and had at least a few steps on Jalen Elliott before giving up his legs.
Matt Sokol, who is still in a no-contact jersey, made a game like two, including a touch zone grab of red zone.
Offensive line
As mentioned at the beginning, it was difficult to draw real conclusions about this unit from the current drills. However, it is worth noting that Oday Aboushi and Kenny Wiggins alternate sides (from left to right) in drafting the official of the second team, as the Lions continue to train their players. The first team’s line remained unchanged, with rookie Jonah Jackson still waiting on the right.
No Beau Benzschawel during team drills meant Logan Stenberg was back at center with the second team. The rookie had no noticeable problem with catching the ball today.
Defensive line
Early this morning, I mentioned how we had not heard much from Trey Flowers because of Taylor Decker’s dominant performances all week. I finally saw Flowers clean a rep on Saturday when he dumped around the corner … only to find out it was against Tyrell Crosby.
Linebackers
Jahlani Tavai, who started camping very slowly, almost had a candidate for game of the day. Tavai completely turned Matthew Stafford’s eyes off zone coverage and jumped a Marvin Jones Jr. route perfectly … only to get the ball straight through his hands … and somehow still in the hands of Jones.
In other Tavai-related news, we saw the Lions raise a few flashbacks with both him and Jarrad Davis that, without giving away too much strategic information, would be exciting to watch on Sundays.
Cornerbacks
With Jeff Okudah and Desmond Trufant out of team drills, Saturday’s practice was a chance for reserve corners to impress. Darryl Roberts mostly got the action next to Amani Oruwariye during first team reps and looked relatively comfortable in the spotlight. He was in several decks against Jones on several reps and had a good shot at an interception (on a poorly thrown ball), but fell it down.
Deeper down in the depth chart, I thought Dee Virgin had a solid day. He blanks Jamal Agnew neatly in one-on-one drills, and lodged at least one pass breakup during team drills. It’s still an uphill battle for Virgin, but with Agnew on offense now, there could be a spot on the roster for a backup nickel and staff of special teams.
Safeties
For the second straight day, the Lions will pass Will Harris with Duron Harmon for the defense of the first team. Before you start panicking about Tracy Walker not expanding, this seems more likely about giving Harris some chances to play closer to the line of scrimmage. Like Harris along with Jayron Kearse, Harris typically plays the deep safety, but his talents are probably more focused on playing in the box. Given how well Walker has already camped, there is no legitimate reason to believe this is a demo.
Special teams
Of note, Victor Bolden took some time off from the practice bike to field points with Jamal Agnew, Danny Amendola, Jason Huntley and Marvin Hall. As for # PunterBattle2020, if you read a lot in order of reps, Jack Fox was the first to score on Saturday.
