Inside Allen Park: Recapping Detroit Lions' Week 2 OTA Practice
The Detroit Lions returned to the football field this week for the second week of OTA practices.
On Thursday, SI All Lions had the opportunity to observe the nearly 90-minute practice session.
Here are the main takeaways from this week's OTA session that was open to the media.
Veteran defensive lineman Michael Brockers has arrived
The veteran defensive lineman is now fully participating in OTAs, and is "all business," according to the coaching staff.
“He handles his business, he’s a true pro," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. "I mean, he walked right in the door and you could tell. He’s been honed in on the Zooms, and his technique is like spot-on. There again, it’s walk-through for him. And, then you see the fundamental work, which is a little more full-speed. But, he’s just, he’s a pro. He’s a vet, he’s a pro that understands what it’s supposed to look like and he’s all business."
Players who missed OTA practice on Thursday
Here is the list of players that did not participate in practice:
- RB Rakeem Boyd
- FB Nick Bawden
- WR Damien Ratley
- WR Tom Kennedy
- TE Charlie Taumoepeau
- OT Tyrell Crosby
- LB Jamie Collins
- LB Derrick Barnes
- DE Austin Bryant
- DT John Penisini
Running backs ready to prove they can bring the 'juice'
The Detroit Lions' running backs room has the potential to significantly aid the offense in moving the football.
The tandem of D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams is poised to lead this football team on the offensive side of the ball.
Williams beat a defender late in practice, and let it be clearly known, with some light-hearted trash talking, that he was ready to perform in the passing game.
Following practice, Williams emphatically stated, "It just feels good. I am trying to tell the defense, 'Don't look at this number. Don't look at No. 30 and think that running routes is easy. I want all of that.' If you think you are frisky, come one-on-one. I want all of that. People haven't seen this side yet. They are about to get this juice. They about to get all this swag, daddy. It is just me getting better and better."
The running backs were the focus of the passing game early in practice, as Swift, Williams, Jermar Jefferson and Dedrick Mills all caught passes early.
Running backs coach Duce Staley was working with all of the backs on the passing game during the portion that was closely observed.
Backup quarterback Tim Boyle struggled
Boyle struggled to hit his targets when it was his turn under center. He was observed overshooting and missing multiple receivers during several consecutive reps prior to a completion.
Jared Goff continues to perform well, and is connecting with his tight ends during drills.
“Look, I don’t want to get too far on this right now, but I’ll tell you what, yesterday, it was impressive. He made some throws yesterday that were -- my gosh -- they were outstanding," Campbell noted. "Just pinpoint, accurate throws. He was good on his reads. I felt like he had one bad throw yesterday, and it was really more he was late on the throw. I want to say he made about five throws that were just, ‘Wow. OK, that’s really good. Really good.’ Just pinpoint, back-shoulder, guy running up on a wheel and it’s back-shoulder right on the ear, or up the seam, or an out-route to (T.J.) Hockenson. Threw it right by the defender, where only he could get it."
Wideout Victor Bolden made a highlight-reel sliding catch on a sideline route. Bolden is in competition with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a roster spot.
Here are the rest of the general observations from Allen Park:
- Trey Flowers was beat in coverage by Swift. Flowers demonstrated speed and awareness, but Swift was able to scamper past him to secure the reception.
- In between bombing punts, punter Jack Fox had a noticeable shank during special teams drills.
- Hockenson was not the only tight end making plays. Alize Mack and Darren Fells also made solid receptions during the practice.
