Observations: Tensions Heat Up during Lions Skirmish, Offense Disappoints
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The Detroit Lions took the field this week for their latest OTAs practice.
On a hot spring afternoon Thursday at the team's Allen Park practice facility, the Lions showcased, in front of reporters, a developing kicking battle before the start of training camp. They also put on full display the offense and defense matching up against each other in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 situational drills, and quarterback Jared Goff becoming frustrated with wideout Jameson Williams on an inefficient route run by the second-year pro.
Prior to practice, Detroit head coach Dan Campbell expressed he believes Goff and Williams have a good relationship and that the speedy wideout did not have any negative motives for liking social media posts about Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
"I think they have a good relationship. You know, I do," Campbell noted. "I don't feel like there's anything toxic or there's any ulterior motive. I don't see an issue. I think all of this is it's growth and development and baby steps. Here we go."
Participation
Several players were not observed participating during the portion of practice open to the media.
Wideout Trinity Benson, quarterback Hendon Hooker, defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike and cornerback Chase Lucas were present, but not actively participating in drills.
Similar to last week, defensive backs Emmanuel Moseley and Tracy Walker, who are both steadily working their way back from significant injuries, participated in walkthrough situations early at practice, but did not participate during active drills.
Not spotted at practice included Marvin Jones, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, David Montgomery, Malcolm Rodriguez, Logan Stenberg, Kayode Awosika, Frank Ragnow, John Cominsky, Antoine Green, Benito Jones and Isaiah Buggs.
Skirmish during walkthroughs
The Lions' defense is doing a lot of talking and chirping directed at the offense.
With the defense not wanting to give the offense any reason to celebrate, it again was vocal, even during the early portion of practice.
Amon-Ra St. Brown was again part of a light skirmish during a walkthrough, set off by increased tensions between the offense and the defense.
Jared Goff visibly frustrated with Jameson Williams
Campbell indicated prior to practice that he was satisfied overall with the talent in the wide receivers room.
"We’ve got possession (receivers), explosive, we’ve got speed," Campbell said. "We got consistency. Quickness. So, I just think we have a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things, and so the more versatility you have, that opens up your packages, personnel-wise and matchup-wise."
Out on the practice field, the connection between Goff and Williams was not crisp and consistent, with the former first-round pick not exactly in the position Goff expected him on certain routes.
After one particular route, in which the pass was incomplete, Goff was observed being visibly frustrated and gesturing where he thought Williams should have been.
Coaches talked with Williams, presumably indicating how he could have taken a better angle, during his route, to improve the timing with Goff.
The veteran did connect with Williams on the next passing attempt, with Williams showcasing his reach and ability to bring in the football quickly.
After the period, Goff and Williams walked toward the next field together, still going over how to improve their chemistry.
Leader emerges in kicking battle
For the first time this offseason, Parker Romo and Riley Patterson, whom the Lions gave up a conditional 2026 seventh-round draft pick to bring back, squared off in a kicking battle, providing an early glimpse of the evaluation process.
Romo was quite impressive, showcasing a booming leg and putting five consecutive balls through the uprights from 45-55 yards out.
Patterson blinked first, missing first on his third kick attempt (after making his first two).
Patterson also missed on his fifth try from distance.
In the first battle, Romo went five-for-five, while Patterson went three-for-five.
Romo did have one observed miss that went wide right during situational drills from distance. The talented kicker had plenty of leg, and is currently gaining attention for his abilities.
Michael Badgley did not participate in any kicking drills or competitions during the portion of practice observed by the media.
After Romo defeated Patterson, the losing side -- which included numerous members of the offense -- had to remain in a push-up position for several minutes. Meanwhile, Kerby Joseph danced and gloated while looking on.
Offense struggles mightily in situational drills
Early in practice, Josh Reynolds had a dropped pass, and Dylan Drummond put a couple of footballs on the ground during the near 90-minute practice.
Overall, the offense was not as crisp or fluid as should be expected at this time of year.
Amon-Ra St. Brown had another workman-like day, as evidenced by being targeted by Detroit's quarterbacks whenever a key play needed to occur on third down.
What stood out was running back Jahmyr Gibbs' fluidity coming out of the backfield and his crisp route-running.
With David Montgomery out, Detroit's first of two 2023 first-round picks took advantage of his opportunities to improve during OTAs this week.
During the first-team reps in 7-on-7 drills, Goff targeted Kalif Raymond, and was picked off by Joseph, who is looking to take his game to an even higher level this season. Goff completed passes to Sam LaPorta and St. Brown to start the drill.
Backups Nate Sudfeld and Adrian Martinez fared slightly better. Sudfeld completed passes to St. Brown and Tom Kennedy, prior to linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin breaking up a pass intended for LaPorta.
Martinez completed his first pass to Drummond, which was followed by Drummond failing to secure the reception on the next rep. Martinez finished the drill by targeting and completing a pass to Kennedy, who had a productive practice.
The offense failed to consistently move the football and gain many first downs during the situational 11-on-11 portion of practice.
Trailing, 17-14, with under 1:00 remaining, Goff connected with St. Brown for a first down. Incompletions to St. Brown and Brock Wright followed.
Goff connected with St. Brown for a 5-yard gain, but failed to earn the first down on fourth-and-5. Goff targeted Raymond, but the pass was broken up by Joseph, who certainly talked trash to the veteran wideout. The drive was capped off by a booming field goal of 60 yards from Romo.
Sudfeld had multiple incompletions during his drive, but was able to extend the series on fourth down. He found LaPorta for a big gain on fourth-and-10.
Three more incompletions followed, with some poor throws showcased by Sudfeld. Again on fourth down, Sudfeld found Kennedy on fourth-and-10, with 0:07 remaining on the clock.
Patterson successfully made his field-goal tries to cap off the drive, prior to Romo missing the aforementioned attempt.
Jared Goff tosses interception to Kerby Joseph
Goff had an up-and-down day. His work on fundamentals and footwork were evident prior to drills.
The veteran also showcased quick awareness when balls were sent to him awkwardly, simulating a bad snap. Goff demonstrated keen focus and the ability to still get the pass off quickly during the fundamental drill.
The connection with receivers was not quite crisp, especially with Raymond.
Joseph easily picked off Goff during 7-on-7s, but did not showcase any backflips. Joseph has been instructed to stay on the ground while celebrating.
"They said no more backflips, y'all," Joseph said. "So, ain't going to see that no more. You know what I'm saying? So, I'm stay on the ground. I'm going to always still turn up. I got to work on it, though."
