Thoughts from today’s first practice of Lions rookie mini-camp

Thoughts from today’s first practice of Lions rookie mini-camp  I love this coaching staff. They are football guys. When you hear Sarge talk about

Thoughts from today’s first practice of Lions rookie mini-camp

 

• I love this coaching staff. They are football guys. When you hear Sarge talk about football character you only have to look at those people he has assembled next to him. DC Joe Barry walked over to a kid who won’t make this team (I won’t name him as I am not trying to insult him) and told him to forget a mistake. He told him “football is about the next play, you screwed up, make up for it on the next one.” You may say that is really simple but your wrong. These coaches know that other then the draft picks probably none of these kids or maybe one will make it. It speaks to integrity and these coaches spent as much time with Calvin or Drew as any of the others. That has to pay off somewhere down the road.
• Calvin Johnson is like poetry in motion. He can move his hips, and his body in such fluid ways and then contort his body to catch badly thrown balls. He is 240 and so was Mike Williams but there is no comparison. I realize that this was a practice but he was the star and it was very obvious.
• Manny Ramirez got right to work on run blocking schemes. What impressed me was watching him take coaching and then immediately seeing it pay off by using it. I noticed in particular that he got corrected on a way he made his first step and never went back to the old way. Why is that a big deal? Because old habits die-hard and he was able to only be told once. That is huge. Kevin Jones was in the house watching over his potential bodyguard and his progress and it was fun to watch KJ playing the role of cheerleader. Colletto is a good coach but Martz couldn’t resist checking him out. He was a good pick.
• Drew Stanton struggled with accuracy but this was also his first practice. He will be fine. There are three other QB’s here but it was obvious that Stanton was the focus of Martz’s attention when he gave it out.
• Johnny Baldwin may have come from a small school but he is a star. The more discussion I have with people around the league the more I like this kid. Watching him today was a pleasure. When orders came barking out hard, loud and fast from the staff it was a quick yes sir and back he went. He has a motor and I watched him speed wise out run safeties and corners. I predict now that we all expect huge things from Drew and Calvin, but five years from today when people around the country look back at this draft Johnny Baldwin will be the steal of the 2007 NFL draft. I love that kid!
• Ikaika Alama-Francis (IAF) was fluid and looked very good. I was shocked by his athletic ability. He was able to switch in stride from swim to rip and all of the other techniques that DE’s use in this league and not break stride. Clearly he possesses what Sarge is looking for. I intend to very keenly watch him this weekend also.
• In defensive drills it was very evident that A.J. Davis posses the speed that his was rumored to have. I didn’t get to spend as much time watching him so I won’t pretend that I did. He does posses a high motor and that was very evident.
• I didn’t see enough from Gerald Alexander to comment. Just not enough time, but I will keep a keen eye on him and keep you updated.

 Watch Hondo's House and Highlights tonight to hear from Sarge, Calvin Johnson and Drew!