QBs:
Stafford threw a TD to Riddick: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
Stafford had a redzone pass broken up by Greenwood: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
It was another strong day for quarterback Matthew Stafford. He made some really nice deep throws down the sideline, hitting his targets in stride. He also rolled out to his right under duress and connected with Calvin Johnson, coming back to the ball: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_camp_notes_1.html
Dan Orlovsky did not have a strong night. He appeared to be telegraphing throws to defenders all night. He had passes picked off by Palmer, Isa Abdul-Quddus and Cassius Vaughn, and would have had two more interceptions on the stat sheet had cornerback Bill Bentley been able to finish plays where he got a hand on the ball: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_camp_notes_1.html
Orlovsky struggled, but did throw a bullet to Broyles for a TD. He threw 3 interceptions: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
Moore had a pass broken up in the endzone by Hester: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
James Franklin got no reps. In fact, I never saw him with his helmet on. The QBs were easy to spot wearing neon green jerseys made from recycled material. All the fans got a matching towel, which was nice: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
RBs:
Reggie Bush didn't stand a chance at blocking Levy: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Defense-eager-to-show-identity-Saturday/aec7ba1b-ae49-40fa-9a04-6457bea0a217
Bell scored a TD on a long catch and run play: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
Joique Bell and Brandon Pettigrew really stood out for the offensive group in the RBs vs LBs pass protection drills. Bell dominated James Ihedigbo on a snap, frustrating the veteran safety, then the running back recovered nicely on a spin move by Ashlee Palmer to plant the linebacker into the ground: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_camp_notes_1.html
Mikel Leshoure also had some impressive reps, building on what Kent Lee Platte and I observed over the weekend. If the offense does indeed mimic New Orleans, he’s more than game for the 40-50 touches he’ll see as the fourth RB. The long speed isn’t there but he’s running with power and confidence. Leshoure is also working with the 1s in all the special teams units, something he hasn’t done in prior years: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
Leshoure got grabbed by Suh in the endzone on what would've been a Safety: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
Riddick got nailed by Whitehead in 7 on 7 drills, but Riddick still hung onto the ball: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_camp_notes_1.html
Riddick caught a TD from Stafford on a wheel route behind Stephen Tulloch: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
Steven Miller or Golden Tate are the fastest guys on the team: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
George Winn isn’t going to make the team, but he’s sure putting some positive impressions on his teammates. He ran right over Don Carey like Bo Jackson through Brian Bosworth on an early rep. Winn also showed his muscle in the pass protection drill, though he must learn to keep moving his feet. He never hesitates to attack the hole, and he can bounce off contact effectively: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
FBs:
Chad Abram held his ground early to stonewall Tulloch: http://www.freep.com/article/20140807/SPORTS01/308070043/
Jed Collins had a mixed day, overpowering Abdul-Quddus but getting out of position while trying to block Travis Lewis: http://www.freep.com/article/20140807/SPORTS01/308070043/
WRs:
Golden Tate or Steven Miller are the fastest guys on the team: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
Tate had a red zone slant knocked away by Greenwood. Greenwood jumped in front of him and broke up the pass from Stafford: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
Ross had a pass intended for him intercepted: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9647/lions-camp-report-day-9
Broyles had his best day of camp. He caught a couple of TD passes in struggle. The first was a bullet from Orlovsky: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
Corey Fuller blew past Chris Greenwood with an outside release, which highlights Fuller’s best and Greenwood’s worst attributes. Fuller’s straight-line speed is fantastic, and he can get to full speed in two steps: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
Edwards had a pass intended for him broken up by Hester in the endzone: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
TEs:
Brandon Pettigrew is one of the better blockers from the tight end position in the league and it’s easy to see why after watching him in RB/TE vs. LB/S drills. He won all of his matchups, including the final one vs.
Pettigrew had a nice block on Jones to help Bell to score a TD on a long catch and run: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
Joseph Fauria and Chris Greenwood almost got into a scuffle, but they both walked away after a couple of seconds: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9647/lions-camp-report-day-9
O-line:
Hilliard earned first team reps at RT, but Waddle looked better in one on ones: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
Waddle looked better than Hilliard in one on one drills. He blocked well against Van Noy and Fluellen: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
Rodney Austin started in place of Rob Sims: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9647/lions-camp-report-day-9
Travis Swanson continues to struggle at center. He botched one exchange and made the QB work extra for a couple others. From my vantage point, it appears he’s not getting the ball up high enough, quick enough. He had three bad ones in Saturday’s practice too: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
Garrett Reynolds got pushed through by Reid: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
Michael Williams was back at practice after missing the last several days due to injury: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Defense-eager-to-show-identity-Saturday/aec7ba1b-ae49-40fa-9a04-6457bea0a217
Defense:
DTs:
Suh grabbed Leshoure in the endzone for what would've been safety on a play that started on the 2: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
DEs:
Jason Jones spent at least half his reps at defensive tackle, including some reps with the first team as Fairley rested. He nicely split a double team, getting up into Corey Hilliard’s inside shoulder and pushing him backwards to clear himself a crease. Jones continues to look very impressive and shows no signs of any lingering knee trouble: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
Jones got blocked by Pettigrew and gave up a long catch and run TD to Bell: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
Reid used his power well to push right through Garrett Reynolds: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
Larry Webster also showed the ability to plant hard, turn the corner and accelerate to the point of attack. He didn’t make much of an impact in team drills, but it’s still encouraging to see his rather rapid development and his impressive athleticis: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
George Johnson delivered once again. He got what would have been a sack in team drills. During position drills, his initial burst really stood out. He was often doing the drills in tandem with either Kris Redding (nondescript) or Devin Taylor, whose calling card is not his speed. Johnson is lightning quick off the snap, but he also showed good feet and the ability to flatten. Of course it was just dummies or fairly stationary teammates. The preseason is going to be huge for Johnson: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
LBs:
Tulloch lost his matchup vs Bush: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Defense-eager-to-show-identity-Saturday/aec7ba1b-ae49-40fa-9a04-6457bea0a217
Tulloch got stonewalled by rookie FB Abram: http://www.freep.com/article/20140807/SPORTS01/308070043/
Tulloch got beat by Riddick for a TD: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
DeAndre Levy saved face for the defense, however, as Reggie Bush didn’t have a chance blocking him: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Defense-eager-to-show-identity-Saturday/aec7ba1b-ae49-40fa-9a04-6457bea0a217
Palmer had a pick on Orlovsky in seven-on-seven, when he tipped an interception to himself: http://www.freep.com/article/20140807/SPORTS01/308070043/
Ashlee Palmer had a strong night. He took the first-team OLB reps over Kyle Van Noy and made the most of it. During blitz drills he won more than he lost, and he snuffed out an edge run by leveraging his inside shoulder and pushing away from the block to get in Joique Bell’s path. I’ve been down on his potential to make the team, but between tonight’s solid effort and his continued good work on special teams, I’m now leaning the other direction: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
Ashlee Palmer got planted into the ground by Bell: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_camp_notes_1.html
Tahir Whitehead nailing Theo Riddick pretty hard in a 7-on-7 drill: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9647/lions-camp-report-day-9
Tahir Whitehead got a lot of run with the 2s. He struggled to get wide enough in coverage and allowed way too much space on the sidelines. He did show good closing speed, but he needs to do that before the ball is caught: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
Julian Stanford knocked Ross to the ground in 7 on 7 drills: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9647/lions-camp-report-day-9
CBs:
Cassius Vaughn had one of the interceptions, plucking an underthrown fade by Dan Orlovsky out of the air near the goal line on a pass intended for Jeremy Ross: http://www.freep.com/article/20140807/SPORTS01/308070043/
Cassius Vaughn had another good practice, continuing to build on what I saw last week. His physical style at the line is a good schematic fit. He’s clearly ahead of the pack as the third outside corner: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
Bentley missed a couple of would be TDs. Bentley dropped one sure pick in seven-on-seven drills on an Orlovsky pass intended for Ryan Broyles, and he nearly got another on a deflected pass that Golden Tate caught: http://www.freep.com/article/20140807/SPORTS01/308070043/
Bentley continues to have issues in overreacting to the receiver, but his break to the ball remains a real strength. He saw work both in the slot and outside tonight: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
Greenwood allowed Fuller to run right past him. Greenwood isn’t stiff, but it takes him time to flip his hips and accelerate to top gear. He’s much better in trail coverage than trying to be physical, which is counter to the way Teryl Austin and his defensive coaches are preaching the game. Yet he made a fantastic play in quickly reading a red zone slant to Tate, jumping in front of him and breaking up a hard strike from Stafford. It’s the kind of play that shows his tantalizing promise. He needs more of those, quickly: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
Chris Greenwood and Joseph Fauria almost got into a scuffle, but they both walked away after a couple of seconds: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9647/lions-camp-report-day-9
Aaron Hester broke up a pass from Moore to Edwards in the endzone. He popped off Edwards' helmet: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
Safeties:
Don Carey got ran over by George Winn: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
James Ihedigbo got dominated by Bell on a snap, frustrating the veteran safety: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_camp_notes_1.html
Couplin dove at Orlovsky's feet and forced Orlovsky to throw an interception: http://www.freep.com/article/20140807/SPORTS01/308070043/
Jerome Couplin made a nice play in separating the ball from the receiver (either Payton or Edwards, I forget which and didn’t write it down) and scooping it up as he chucked him to the ground. He looked surer of himself in coverage tonight, trusting his eyes and reacting quicker. It’s important to note he was facing the 3s almost all night, to keep things in the proper context: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
Abdul-Quddus, working with the third-team defense, came up with a pair of interceptions, assuming the diving grab he made on a pass careening off Jeremy Ross' fingertips didn't touch the ground: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_camp_notes_1.html
Abdul-Quddus had the second interception. Quddus, who could make the team for his special-teams play, after rookie Jerome Couplin dove at his feet. Orlovsky appeared to pull up on the throw, and diving (or falling, if he was pushed and I missed it) is a no-no in training camp, and the Lions certainly don’t want to see their backup go down: http://www.freep.com/article/20140807/SPORTS01/308070043/
Special Teams:
Kickers:
Nate Freese hit all five of his field goal attempts from 30, 35, 40, 45 and 47 yards: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Defense-eager-to-show-identity-Saturday/aec7ba1b-ae49-40fa-9a04-6457bea0a217
Giorgio Tavecchio hit the first four and missed from 47 yards, hitting the right goal post: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Defense-eager-to-show-identity-Saturday/aec7ba1b-ae49-40fa-9a04-6457bea0a217
Giorgio Tavecchio showed the stronger leg in the kicking battle, but he missed the same 47-yarder that Nate Freese drilled top dead center. I’m still not sold on either kicker, but I do feel better than I did a week ago after seeing them improve. The ball seemed to explode more off Tavecchio’s foot on the Ford Field turf than the Allen Park grass, moreso than the contrast for Freese: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/lions-camp-notes-from-aug-7th/
Freese and Tavecchio did some kickoff work tonight and Freese definitely has the stronger leg for kickoffs: https://twitter.com/ttwentyman/status/497166865010294784
Punter:
Sam Martin's three punts so far: 58 yards, 59 yards, 60 yards: https://twitter.com/jkatzenstein/status/497167844195696640
Injuries:
Eric Ebron did not practice. Caldwell said after practice that Ebron will miss a few days with an undisclosed injury. That means Ebron might miss Saturday’s exhibition opener against the Cleveland Browns. Not a big deal considering it’s the exhinition, and it’s better to keep him healthy, but he’s a rookie and needs all the reps he can get: http://www.freep.com/article/20140807/SPORTS01/308070043/
Ezekiel Anash is still on the active physically unable to perform list, but was stretching with the Lions, so he appears to be inching closer to a return. When asked about how close he was to coming back after practice, Ansah declined to answer: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9647/lions-camp-report-day-9
TJ Jones still remains on the PUP list: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_eric_ebron_uncer.html
Cory Greenwood was excused from Wednesday's practice for an undisclosed reason: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9647/lions-camp-report-day-9
Offensive lineman Darren Keyton left practice prematurely after suffering what appeared to be a right hand/wrist injury during one-on-one drills against the defensive line: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_eric_ebron_uncer.html
Rob Sims once again did not participate fully in team drills, but said after practice it is just to save his body for the season: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9647/lions-camp-report-day-9
Warford left practice briefly to have both of his ankles taped: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140807/SPORTS0101/308070046/Lions-camp-observations-Defense-star-show-Ford-Field-practice
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