Observations: Jared Goff Struggles, Dylan Drummond Shines
Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Dylan Drummond has emerged as a player that is in competition to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
After not being drafted, Drummond was invited to the Lions rookie minicamp tryout and impressed the coaching staff over the course of several practices.
"We liked his tape. I mean it, we liked his tape. It helps he's local, and it's like, 'Well, let's get a look at him.' And a lot of times you don't know until you get him in the building," said Dan Campbell before practice on Day 10.
During the first week of training camp, Drummond has acclimated well, regularly being targeted during second- and third-team work.
"But we knew pretty quick like this is a pretty sharp guy," Campbell said. "Like he just, you had a gut feeling he's going to be able to get this pretty quick. And so, let's give him a look, bring him into camp. And he has not disappointed."
"Me knowing that I was a good enough player to be at this level, it (trying out) wasn't as stressful as you think," said Drummond after practice. "I just knew that I had to come in and show that I do belong here, and I knew I could do that. So, that just worked out like it did during those three days to stand out. I think I just played ball. I got into the playbook. I knew what I was doing and I played fast."
Finding out he earned a contract was special, especially since the team made him wait prior to telling him what his fate was after the tryout.
"I was getting ready to go home," said Drummond. "They had brought out all the tryout guys up after practice and kind of said, 'Hey guys, thanks for coming. Thanks for showing us what you have. We have your contact information, so we'll contact your agents if we have anything come up.' Went to get lunch, ate lunch. I was just finishing up and I was about to get in my car to drive back to Cleveland. Then Liz (Laux) texted me and said, 'Are you still in the building?' Then basically went out, they asked me if I wanted to be a Lion."
Participation
Trinity Benson walked off the field after practice, as the coaching staff indicated he may only miss a short amount of time with a sprain.
Others not spotted at practice included Ifeatu Melifonwu, Frank Ragnow, Tom Kennedy and Emmanuel Moseley.
Cornerback Jarren Williams had to be carted off the field, as he suffered an apparent leg injury on the third offensive series of practice.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker, who is on the NFI list, has been running sprints and has looked quick in his post-practice workouts.
Observations
1.) Campbell noted before the start of practice, "Really more in-game flow. It's a practice, but it is move the ball. I'll handle the whistle. More in-game situations like first-, second-, third-down and spot the ball." The practice or "scrimmage" would have resembled what normally occurred at Ford Field during camp. But since WWE's SummerSlam is taking place Saturday, the crowd in attendance observed the series of situational drills and special teams work over the course of a two-hour practice.
2.) In the kicking battle, Parker Romo missed his last of six kicks from approximately 53-yards out and went 5-for-6. Riley Patterson missed his fourth attempt from approximately 45-yards out and also went 5-for-6. All other field goal and extra-point attempts during situational drills were made by both. Combined, there were a total of 25 total kicks attempted.
3.) Malcolm Rodriguez delivered an early physical tackle on the first situational period, which saw the No. 1 offense vs. the the No. 2 defense. The drive ended without a touchdown, as Sam LaPorta bobbled a Jared Goff toss and was eventually intercepted by Saivion Smith.
4.) Veteran running back Justin Jackson left linebacker Jack Campbell in the dust to cap off the second offensive series, with the No. 2 offense matching up against the No. 1 defense. Jackson secured the reception and was off the races towards the end zone, with Campbell trailing. On back-to-back plays just prior to the score, the defensive line would have secured sacks, as Aidan Hutchinson, Josh Paschal and Charles Harris could not be contained. Sudfeld targeted Jameson Williams, who was open, but the toss was errant and Williams could only get one outstretched arm on the incompletion. Hutchinson was all over the field and recorded multiple sacks on Day 10.
5.) Brady Breeze intercepted Adrian Martinez to end the third offensive series. Earlier in the series, Martinez failed to hit a wide open Maurice Alexander while scrambling, as the young wideout was wide open in space down the field.
6.) Linebacker Alex Anzalone had a contested interception against Goff. Marvin Jones, the intended target, signaled the football had hit the ground. The likely turnover ended the fourth offensive series of practice.
7.) Jameson Williams showed outward frustration, knocking a water bottle into the air near the stands while out of bounds running. Hutchinson and Paschal severely pressured Nate Sudfeld, resulting in field goal being attempted instead of a touchdown. Williams worked mostly with the second unit on Day 10.
8.) The first team offense was able to score a touchdown, as Goff connected with St. Brown, who kicked the football straight into the air.
9.) The final two series for the first-team offense were more in a hurry up mode, as the team was first trailing by eight, 28-20 with two timeouts and 24 seconds remaining on the 37-yard line. Goff found St. Brown and eventually David Montgomery scored a touchdown. The two-point conversion, a trick play, was unsuccessful.
Down 30-27 with no timeouts on the 25-yard-line with 32 seconds remaining, the offense had a false start. Goff connected with Kalif Raymond on 1st-and-15 for a six-yard gain. Goff then had completions to LaPorta and Gibbs, before spiking the football in order to try a field goal, that was successful.
10.) Alim McNeill had a tipped pass at practice. His solid movement has been noticeable, while his strength has not diminished at all.
