Observations: Lions Run Practice without Coaches Monday
Wide receiver Josh Reynolds has played on three different NFL teams.
Despite being a veteran, there are still facets of a training camp practice that can be new, even for players that have been around the block a few times.
On Monday, the Detroit Lions' first practice since defeating the Indianapolis Colts, 27-26, the team did not have coaches instructing them or leading the drills.
Only head coach Dan Campbell was on the field as an observer, while the nearly 60-minute practice was led entirely by players.
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
Campbell has stated, even early in his tenure, that he wants players to take ownership of the football team.
"When we get this where we want it, the players are the ones who are regulating this. They do it themselves, and they know what's acceptable and unacceptable," Campbell said last season. "And now, we're given them the guidelines, and now they handle it themselves. It is important and you want to get there. But, until they do take over and they're able to make it their own and get all of the pieces where we want them and everybody in the right mindset, that's on us as a coaching staff to have to stay on it and continue to lead them."
It was a different experience for the players, but one that many walked away feeling positive from.
"It was actually my first official player-run practice," Reynolds told AllLions after practice. "We’ve done some offseason and stuff. But, at camp, it was interesting, man."
Reynolds continued, "I’ve only been on three teams, so I mean, it's hard to tell. I mean, shoot, it was awesome. It’s a good way to kind of get players to hold each other accountable. Instead of having a coach every day that gets in your ass all the time. To hear it from one of your teammates, one of your peers -- it hits different."
Rookie Kerby Joseph noted that Campbell and the coaching staff, comprised of several former NFL players, has emphasized that the most successful NFL teams are driven and led by members of the roster.
"I felt like it was a true experience to show us that, it's up to us," Joseph told AllLions. "Coach (Campbell) has been saying that all of the teams that he’s been a part of, the winning championships and stuff like that, has been player driven. I felt like it was a good opportunity to show us that we could do it."
Attendance
It was a practice that featured many of the Lions' starters who did not suit up and play Saturday.
For the first time in several training camp practices, Josh Paschal was spotted observing practice.
Levi Onwuzurike, Jameson Williams and Romeo Okwara were also seen observing practice.
The players who were not heavy participants at practice include:
- WR Tom Kennedy
- TE James Mitchell
- OL Dan Skipper
- OL Kevin Jarvis
- OL Kendall Lamm
- OL Tommy Kraemer
- DL Julian Okwara
- CB JuJu Hughes
- S Ifeatu Melifonwu
- CB Bobby Price
- S C.J. Moore
- DL Bruce Hector
- DL Eric Banks
- DL Jashon Cornell
- DL Austin Bryant
Obervations
- NFl Network's Ian Rapoport was at Allen Park, and was observed having a conversation with Lions general manager Brad Holmes.
- Practice on Monday was fairly short in terms of team drills. There were no one-on-one drills, and the team was not in pads. The team was given a script and an outline, and the players were responsible for leading the way.
- The Lions did have some fun during the practice, as evidenced by wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown tossing the football to receivers in well-executed trick plays.
- The defense will likely not be as happy as the offense, as the drills were pretty tailored to allow the offense to shine.
- Wideout Kalif Raymond was the MVP of practice. The speedy wideout was targeted often, and made several receptions during seven-on-seven drills. He was able to beat A.J. Parker for a deep reception from Jared Goff. Quintez Cephus also found his way into the end zone during this period.
- Goff went six-for-six, and threw four touchdowns during the aforementioned seven-on-seven drills. Play calls were being sent in by both of the backup signal-callers on the roster.
- DJ Chark was quite audible in his celebration after securing a tough reception during team drills. The tall, speedy receiver has emerged as a player to watch when the regular season kicks off in a couple of weeks.
- Cornerback Will Harris was picked apart pretty often by Goff and the starting offense. It appeared there was nothing the defense could consistently put together on Monday.
- Despite battling it out on the field for a roster spot, it appears Tim Boyle and David Blough have developed a healthy, mutual respect for one another. "I love every aspect of David Blough. I'll tell you that 100 times over," Boyle told reporters after practice. "David is probably one of the top five people I've ever met in my life."
