Training Camp Break Down for Thursday 7-31-14

Offense:

QBs:

Quarterback Matthew Stafford was fairly sharp during the redzone period of practice.  Overall Stafford had a pretty good day, completing a large majority of his passes throughout the practice session, but there were still some throwaways and dump-downs:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9466/lions-camp-report-day-4

Stafford threw a perfect pass to Durham, but he dropped it:    http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

Dan Orlovsky stood out today.  The backup quarterback showed really nice touch on his deep ball, connecting on several long throws:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

James Franklin had a pass intercepted by backup Safety DeJon Gomes:    http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

FBs:

Montell Owens got some work with the top kickoff unit.  Based on reps alone, Owens had the slight edge for the FB spot:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

Jed Collins, missed some time during OTAs and simply might be playing catch-up, physically:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

WRs:

Ross got mugged by Slay on one play that was called PI, but still managed to catch the ball anyways:   http://www.freep.com/article/20140731/SPORTS01/307310166/detroit-lions-training-camp

Jeremy Ross also didn't have his best day. He put a kickoff on the ground, a rare occurrence since he's been in a Lions uniform, then dropped a pass in the end zone when playing against air:    http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

Kevin Ogletree has emerged as the favorite to be the No. 3 receiver. Jim Caldwell said today he likes Ogletree’s sure hands:   http://www.freep.com/article/20140731/SPORTS01/307310166/detroit-lions-training-camp

Kris Durham has a unique skill set in that he’s 6-foot-6 and can run. Durham made a terrific catch over Bill Bentley in a red zone drill, but also dropped a sure touchdown on a perfectly thrown deep ball after beating Bentley in one-on-ones: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Safeties-to-be-better-last-line-of-defense/34d7ff0f-47b8-4e5f-b356-624518489067 

Patrick Edwards continues his three-year trend of being an exceptional practice player. He's catching everything thrown his way and routinely getting separation. You know the drill here. It's now or never for Edwards to start showing his skills can translate to game action:    http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

UDFA Andrew Peacock has practiced well and deserves consideration for a practice squad spot.  He runs good routes, he's quick and hasn't put many balls on the ground this offseason:     http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

Quintin Payton might not be long for this roster. He dropped a couple passes today, including one that was dislodged by a hit from cornerback Cassius Vaughn, popped up in the air and ended up being intercepted:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

TEs:

Eric Ebron, whose drops have been chronicled here the past three days, had a very nice catch at one point as the ball was headed out of bounds. That is the positive part of why the team drafted him in May:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9466/lions-camp-report-day-4

Pettigrew had one of the passes intended for him intercepted when Gomes jumped the route: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Safeties-to-be-better-last-line-of-defense/34d7ff0f-47b8-4e5f-b356-624518489067 

Joseph Fauria got some work with the top kickoff unit:    http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

O-Line:

Riley Reiff looked strong, winning both of his matchups against Jason Jones. Reiff drove Jones wide when the defensive end tried to go outside and turn the corner and stoned him on an inside move the second rep.:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

Waddle struggled in his four reps today.   He held Devin Taylor on the first snap of one-on-ones and Thomas got good push right off the snap on their rematch. Rookie Larry Webster also ran by Waddle in the drill, beating the second-year pro with a speed move outside.:   http://www.freep.com/article/20140731/SPORTS01/307310166/detroit-lions-training-camp

Warford looked healthy today and pancaked Devin Taylor:   http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140731/SPORTS0101/307310128/0/sports0101/Lions-camp-observations-Injury-deals-Michael-Williams-setback-switch-from-tight-end-tackle

Third-round pick Travis Swanson played left guard and center with the first-team offense when Rob Sims and Dominic Raiola took breathers in 11-on-11s. It’s clear the Lions hope Swanson can be the first backup for any spot on the interior:   http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140731/SPORTS0101/307310128/0/sports0101/Lions-camp-observations-Injury-deals-Michael-Williams-setback-switch-from-tight-end-tackle

Travis Swanson looked solid, but didn't square off against anyone near the top of the depth chart. The Lions are showing a lot of trust in Swanson though, giving him some snaps with the first team at both left guard and center.  Swanson also got some work with the top kickoff unit.:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

Rodney Austin showed off his impressive strength, mauling defensive tackle Gregory Hickman, but the young offensive guard gave up an easy sack to savvy veteran C.J. Mosley on a swim move:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

Garrett Reynolds at RT allowed George Johnson to run right by him:   http://www.freep.com/article/20140731/SPORTS01/307310166/detroit-lions-training-camp

UDFA Tackle Cornelius Lucas struggled in one-on-ones against the power rush from defensive tackle Andre Fluellen:   http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140731/SPORTS0101/307310128/0/sports0101/Lions-camp-observations-Injury-deals-Michael-Williams-setback-switch-from-tight-end-tackle

Defense:

CBs:

Darius Slay drew a pass interference flag in one-on-one passing drills when he mugged Jeremy Ross on an out route. Ross caught the pass anyway. Slay has had a consistent camp overall, though, and remains in line to start at cornerback:   http://www.freep.com/article/20140731/SPORTS01/307310166/detroit-lions-training-camp

Bill Bentley got beat twice by Durham. One was a catch over Bentley. On the other play, Durham beat Bentley, but ended up dropping the other pass: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Safeties-to-be-better-last-line-of-defense/34d7ff0f-47b8-4e5f-b356-624518489067 

Cassius Vaughn dislodged a pass on hit to Quintin Payton, the ball popped up in the air and ended up being intercepted:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html 

Safeties:

Dejon Gomes had a nice interception jumping Brandon Pettigrew route in one-on-one drills. Gomes has played well through the early portion of camp and is seeing a lot of second-team reps alongside Don Carey: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Safeties-to-be-better-last-line-of-defense/34d7ff0f-47b8-4e5f-b356-624518489067 

James Ihedigbo struggled in coverage, both during the team and individual portions of practice. His strength is playing in the box and making stops near the line of scrimmage, but in the pass-happy NFC North, the Lions will need both their safeties to play the pass well:    http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

LBs:

Van Noy earned reps with the first team defense:   http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140731/SPORTS0101/307310128/0/sports0101/Lions-camp-observations-Injury-deals-Michael-Williams-setback-switch-from-tight-end-tackle

Van Noy is starting to make an impact.  He is pushing to replace Palmer.  Mayhew thinks he will become the starter pretty quickly:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9466/lions-camp-report-day-4

Palmer had the majority of the first team reps the first three days of camp:   http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140731/SPORTS0101/307310128/0/sports0101/Lions-camp-observations-Injury-deals-Michael-Williams-setback-switch-from-tight-end-tackle

Tahir Whitehead also caught Caldwell’s attention, and while he isn’t a starter, the head coach said the third-year pro out of Temple continually shows up well on film. He won’t supplant Stephen Tulloch, but that, plus his special-teams ability, should put him in a good spot:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9466/lions-camp-report-day-4

DEs:

Jason Jones lost both of his matches against Reiff. Reiff drove Jones wide when the defensive end tried to go outside and turn the corner and stoned him on an inside move the second rep.:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

Jason Jones played tackle in third-down period with the No. 1 defense:    http://www.freep.com/article/20140731/SPORTS01/307310166/detroit-lions-training-camp

Devin Taylor saw significant time with the first team defense:   http://www.freep.com/article/20140801/SPORTS01/308010051/detroit-lions-michael-williams-offensive-line

Devin Taylor got pancaked by Warfard:   http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140731/SPORTS0101/307310128/0/sports0101/Lions-camp-observations-Injury-deals-Michael-Williams-setback-switch-from-tight-end-tackle

Darryl Tapp saw significant time with the first team defense:   http://www.freep.com/article/20140801/SPORTS01/308010051/detroit-lions-michael-williams-offensive-line

4th round pick Larry Webster dominated right tackle LaAdrian Waddle in two one-on-one drills, showcasing his speed rush. Webster was considered a project coming out of Bloomsburg, but the early impression is that he could earn a role as a situational pass rusher:  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140731/SPORTS0101/307310128/0/sports0101/Lions-camp-observations-Injury-deals-Michael-Williams-setback-switch-from-tight-end-tackle

George Johnson is quick off the ball. He ran by Garrett Reynolds at right tackle for what would have been an easy sack:  http://www.freep.com/article/20140731/SPORTS01/307310166/detroit-lions-training-camp

DT:

Fluellen gave UDFA Cornelius Lucas a hard time against the power rush in ones on one:   http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140731/SPORTS0101/307310128/0/sports0101/Lions-camp-observations-Injury-deals-Michael-Williams-setback-switch-from-tight-end-tackle

CJ Mosley was able to get an easy sack against Rodney Austin on a swim move:    http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

George Hickman was mauled by Rodney Austin:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_21.html

Special Teams:

Injuries:

Michael Williams missed practice with a muscle strain:   http://www.freep.com/article/20140801/SPORTS01/308010051/detroit-lions-michael-williams-offensive-line

Ansah, Jones and Bullard were out of practice:    http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140731/SPORTS0101/307310128/0/sports0101/Lions-camp-observations-Injury-deals-Michael-Williams-setback-switch-from-tight-end-tackle