Dan Campbell on Jameson Williams: ‘I don’t see him being ready by training camp’

LIons head coach Dan Campbell on first-round rookie WR Jameson Williams: ‘I don’t see him being ready by training camp’

Jameson Williams has been a fixture at Lions OTAs and this week’s minicamp. He stands with the offense on the sideline and is actively into the huddles and coaching sessions.

The rookie wideout sure looks good physically. He doesn’t wear any brace or sleeve on his surgically repaired knee, but Williams isn’t yet ready to roll into full action. Head coach Dan Campbell indicated before Thursday’s practice that Williams won’t be a full participant anytime soon.

When asked if Williams, the No. 12 overall pick in the draft, would be ready for training camp, Campbell shot it down.

‘I don’t see him being ready by training camp. I don’t,” Campbell said flatly.

Campbell added that the team has a plan going forward with Williams, but did not elaborate on what that plan might be. Williams had surgery in late January to repair a torn ACL suffered in the College Football Playoff.

Lions minicamp notebook, Day 2: Probing the depths of the roster

News and notes from the Detroit Lions mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, June 8th

Wednesday marked Day 2 of Detroit Lions mandatory minicamp. The Lions players rolled through an energetic, solid practice session on a partly sunny and breezy afternoon in Allen Park.

After a more general view on the first day, my focus on Wednesday turned more to the depth players. With the second and third-team units getting a lot of prime action, it turned out to be a very informative practice session.

Lions minicamp notebook: First impressions from opening day

Here’s what I observed from Wednesday’s action at Lions minicamp.

Dan Campbell, Ben Johnson have the Lions offense poised for a huge season

Head coach Dan Campbell and OC Ben Johnson have the Detroit Lions offense poised for a huge season

Detroit head coach Dan Campbell had plenty to say about the direction of Lions offense in 2022 under Ben Johnson. What stood out the most was the praise Johnson received from Campbell publically.

“Yeah, I have that expectation as well,” Campbell stated after being asked about Johnson’s expectations for the coming season. “It’s always that my expectation, but this year, I feel like it’s attainable.”

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Coach Campbell went on to say, “The talent we have, the coaches, the O-line we have, I feel like there’s no reason not to. So, it’s going to take a lot of work and we know that and we’re still not even close to where we need to be, but the work us being put in and we are on our way.”

Before being named the offensive coordinator this offseason, Ben Johnson was the Lions’ TE coach and helped develop T.J. Hockenson into becoming the first Detroit tight end to make it to the Pro Bowl since 1999, in 2020. Johnson came into the NFL in 2012 as an offensive assistant for the Miami Dolphins and has notably moved up the ranks, serving as assistant quarterbacks coach and tight end coach when Campbell was the interim head coach.

Eventually, Johnson was promoted to wide receivers coach for Miami in 2018, where he helped unlock Albert Wilson’s full potential, as Wilson finished second in yards after catch (12.9) in the entire NFL that season. We saw his developmental gifts last season again, as he helped unlock Amon-Ra St. Brown and undrafted rookie Brock Wright.

Year 2 under coach Campbell is already off to a fast start, as the head coach noted what looks different from last season.

“The mix in tempos. I think the stuff we are doing, sometimes we are breaking the huddle fast and snapping it,” Campbell said. “Sometimes we’re in no-huddle. We have the ability to be in no-huddle quite a bit if we need to be, and then we have the ability to slow things down as well.”

Now with another year in everyone’s belt, including the head coach, there is a sense of rising confidence in the building. Campbell mentioned in this presser a need to stay consistent, and to “have a full grasp of what we are doing offensively.”

Campbell and Johnson have their work cut out for them, installing some new things into the offense. But one thing is for certain — it has been a collaborative effort. “I think the part that was most exciting for me, was the influence he (Ben Johnson) was allowing me to have, asking me, and really curious about what I thought, and what I liked.” Campbell stated. “It’s exciting for me, being in year seven now and feeling like I’ve earned kind of having that voice a little bit that he’s given to me, which has been fun.”

Regardless of what the rest of the league thinks, inside the facility, the entire organization is confident for year two under Campbell. The wide receiver core has improved, the quarterback is more comfortable in the system, the running game and the offensive line are stronger than ever, and of course there is a world-class offensive weapon in Hockenson. It will be interesting to see just how far Johnson can take this team next season. If one thing is for certain, you need to be able to score in many different ways in this league if you want a chance to win. And this year, on paper, is already trending for a massive improvement from last year.

 

Lions minicamp notebook: First impressions from opening day

Here’s what I saw and learned on Tuesday at Lions minicamp

The Detroit Lions were one of 12 NFL teams to kick off mandatory minicamp this week. Coach Dan Campbell led the Lions onto the practice fields in Allen Park on a cloudy, breezy afternoon.

This was my first visit to the team facility since November, which means it was my first chance to take in the 2022 Lions roster in person. With the action limited by the CBA, today was as much about first impressions on players and trying to keep all the personnel and jersey number changes straight.

Here’s what I saw and learned on Tuesday at Lions minicamp.

NFL offseason workout, minicamp calendar dates to know for the Lions

The NFL schedule for OTAs and minicamp is now out

The NFL released the upcoming calendar for the offseason workouts for all 32 clubs. Believe it or not, the kickoff for the first dates is just 18 days away for the Detroit Lions.

The first day for the voluntary offseason program begins on April 19th. That’s when the Lions can begin Phase One of the workout program. This consists of meetings, athletic training and injury rehab.

OTAs begin on May 24th, with three separate three-day workouts. The team’s mandatory minicamp slots between the second and third block of OTAs, on June 7th through the 9th.

Like all teams, the Lions will also have a rookie minicamp. That exact date has not yet been released by the NFL, which establishes those schedules for all teams.

Lions need to focus on development instead of depth in 2021

The 2021 Detroit Lions need to emphasize young player development over trying to compete with low-end veterans

One of the takeaways that didn’t make the top four as I drove home from Detroit Lions minicamp was the rather startling lack of proven NFL depth at a number of positions across the Lions roster.

The reality hit me when I was mentally sorting the running backs. D’Andre Swift is in his second season, and he looks very impressive in the receiving drills in the early portions of the offseason. Newcomer Jamaal Williams is also looking special as a receiver (they’re not allowed to tackle or play behind an OL yet, so actually running the ball is still just theoretical).

After that? Seventh-rounder Jermar Jefferson, first-year newcomer Michael Warren and undrafted rookie Dedrick Mills round out the RB room. Warren played exactly two reps on special teams for the Washington Football Team in 2020 as an undrafted free agent from Cincinnati. That represents the entire NFL experience behind Swift and Williams.

It’s incredibly frustrating when factoring in the significant amount of draft capital the past regime spent on running backs, but that’s for a different story. It has led to an intensely tepid public courtship of veteran Todd Gurley and his arthritic knees, which have since marched onto Baltimore after nothing materialized in Detroit in 10 days.

Nothing against Gurley, who was the best all-around RB in football in 2017-2018, but it’s a good thing the Lions haven’t broken character and signed him. And the reason why is in that last sentence: it’s not 2017-2018 anymore. It’s 2021. These Lions are at the beginning of a major overhaul with a new regime from ownership at the top down to the interns in the media relations department.

Is Todd Gurley a better running back in 2021 than Dedrick Mills or Jermar Jefferson? Probably. But upgrading the No. 3 RB spot with a past-his-prime veteran isn’t what this Lions team needs. One of the reasons we’re here is because the last regime decided it was a good idea to cut 2020 fifth-round rookie Jason Huntley before he ever played. Just for good measure they also dumped 2019 sixth-rounder Ty Johnson–the team’s most effective RB as a rookie–too. They did that to bring in Adrian Peterson.

Was Peterson more effective for the 2020 Lions than Johnson or Huntley would have been? For sure; Peterson proved he still had some gas in the old tank. But it certainly didn’t help drive the Lions to success. And because of the decision to chase past glory instead of developing young talent, the roster is that much more barren now because of it.

It’s time for the new Lions under GM Brad Holmes to stop that maddening carousel of clout-chasing, of eschewing the tougher task of player development in the name of spackling veteran putty over cracked walls with rotten studs. It’s time to rebuild the studs, and maybe find some through actual coaching and attention to a longer-term vision.

It’s even truer at wide receiver. If the season started today, the Lions would trot out an 11 (1 RB 3WR) package of Swift in the backfield and new QB Jared Goff throwing to Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman and Kalif Raymond.

Here’s what those receivers produced in 2020, none of them in Detroit:

Williams (now age 29): Missed the season with injury.

Perriman (27): 30 catches on 60 targets, 505 yards, 3 TDs, 3 drops. One game (vs. NE) produced 5 catches, 101 yards and 2 of the TDs.

Raymond (27 in August): 9 catches on 16 targets, 187 yards, no TDs, 3 drops.

Williams’ playing history, his Chargers experience with new Lions OC Anthony Lynn and early performance with the Lions dictate that he’s a big part of the mix. Based on the last two weeks it’s very clear Williams is the most talented wide receiver in Detroit.

As for Perriman and Raymond? Rather than repeat the RB mistakes of the past regime, learn from them. The Lions of 2022 and beyond are better if fourth-round rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown and last year’s sixth-rounder, Quintez Cephus, are playing instead of them. Even if Perriman and Raymond are better in the offense right now, the Lions need to learn if St. Brown and Cephus can rise above that and be a part of the future.

(Raymond looks like the clear front-runner for the return specialist job, by the way, and his value to Detroit this year is in that capacity)

Then there is the trio of UDFA rookies: Jonathan Brown, Javon McKinley and Sage Surratt. All three were players projected to be drafted as high as the fourth round just a month out from the 2021 NFL draft. All have shown at least some spark in the last three weeks in Allen Park.

There is no purpose in playing Perriman or Geronimo Allison or Damion Ratley over any of those guys. Any short-term benefit they might offer the new-look offense is outweighed by the need to develop some actual depth in Detroit. Cephus had a great day in camp on Tuesday. Build on that. Surratt destroyed smaller coverage in reps all week. That’s something to work with.

Unless there is a radically clear difference in skill level between the older veteran and the young up-and-comer, there’s absolutely no reason to choose the veteran. Now at tight end, 35-year-old Darren Fells makes an exception.

Fells clearly better at all facets of his position than youngsters Charlie Taumoepeau or Jake Hausmann, and he’s also quickly proven to be a worthy mentor for budding star T.J. Hockenson. A year ago with Jesse James as the No. 2 TE, none of that would have been true. Fells is different, and that’s the kind of case-by-case exception that Holmes, head coach Dan Campbell and the Lions need to value. The likes of Taumoepeau and Hausmann are vying with Alize Mack for the No. 3 spot. Based on the early observations they’re not close to winning that role from the promising young Mack.

By giving the youngsters the keys to the car, the Lions can drive forward with some viable young depth that gains valuable experience. Sure, they might crash here and there. But this season’s Lions are the NFL’s version of a student-driver car: a no-frills learning experience designed to help build for something bigger and better–in due time–for everyone involved.

By teaching the rules of the NFL road to budding young developmental players like Surratt, Jefferson, OT Matt Nelson and LB Tavante Beckett, the Lions just might find something worth keeping. Doing that helps end the cycle of bringing in has-been veterans past their primes, and their primes often weren’t great to begin with. This Detroit coaching staff is loaded with former players who have quickly shown a hands-on approach and enthusiasm for working with players. Utilize that to see what the revamped scouting department and front office can find instead of scouring the scrapyard for what other teams didn’t want anymore.

That’s the culture change I want from Holmes and the 2021 Lions.

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Top 4 takeaways from Lions minicamp

On Jared Goff’s arm, the RBs as receivers, the secondary and more

Dan Campbell’s first minicamp as the head coach of the Detroit Lions wrapped up this week. With a full roster of eager participants under the humid skies in Allen Park, Campbell led the Lions through the mandatory session with energy and purpose.

It was our first real look at several of the newcomers to the team in action, as well as the return to Detroit for Tyrell Crosby and Jamie Collins after they skipped out on the voluntary OTAs. No contact drills were permitted, and the offensive and defensive lines never squared off head-to-head.

There were a few points of interest throughout the week. Here are four takeaways I got from attending the Tuesday session and keeping up with observers the rest of the week.

Darren Fells offers to help T.J. Hockenson’s TD celebrations

Fells can help Hockenson score more TDs and upgrade the celebrations, too.

Darren Fells is easy to spot on the practice field. The veteran Lions tight end is 6-foot-7 and well-muscled, and almost always talking or smiling at someone. Back in Detroit for a second stint, Fells brings size, blocking prowess and a history of red zone productivity to the Lions.

He also brings some flair, something he hopes he can impart upon young star TE T.J. Hockenson. Fells loves what he sees in Hockenson’s receiving ability and attitude. The touchdown celebrations, however…

“I can help him with his celebrations, because those are pretty bad right now,” Fells laughed after Thursday’s practice.

Hockenson scored six touchdowns in 2020 but didn’t impress Fells, who played for Houston in 2019-2020, with his celebratory gestures.

“His whole big thing was he just catches it and falls down, pops up, and throws the arms up. So anything is better than that,” Fells said. “We talked about seeing what his dance moves are. I haven’t taken him out to a club or anything due to COVID, so we’ll see if he has those kinds of moves. Right now, we’re just trying to figure out what looks good to him.”

Fells can also help Hockenson get more chances to practice the celebrations in games. The big vet caught 11 TDs in his two years in Houston, and he has 21 career touchdown catches amongst his 123 receptions. That includes three TDs in 17 catches for Detroit in 2017.

The duo should blend together nicely. Fells can see how already after just three practice sessions in minicamp,

“He’s more of an F tight end–faster, moving around, receiving–and I’m more of a Y tight end, where I can go in there and do a little bit more of the dirty work. Had the conversation with him already, that if we’re both in there, I’ll be like an extra lineman for him to give him time to get open, so he can bump that touchdown total up to 12.”

That would mean a lot of dancing, or whatever they come up with as a celebration.

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Jeff Okudah back for final minicamp practice, Tracy Walker sits out

Okudah had a bandage over his right eye

A day after sitting out of Detroit Lions minicamp practice, starting cornerback Jeff Okudah was back on the practice field in Allen Park on Thursday. Okudah didn’t go full bore but participated in the defensive install at the beginning of practice before observing during drills.

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Okudah and wide receiver Damion Ratley had a collision late in Tuesday’s practice that saw both players holding their heads. Both sat out Wednesday as precautionary measures, per head coach Dan Campbell. As the coach stated, it was not a serious injury. Okudah had a bandage over his right eye.

Safety Tracy Walker did sit out Thursday’s final session of minicamp for undisclosed reasons. He joined fourth-round rookie LB Derrick Barnes in watching from the sidelines and working with trainers.

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Detroit Lions Podcast breaks down minicamp, OTA notes

Lions Wire and the Detroit Lions Podcast breaks down minicamp, OTA notes, Dan Campbell’s perception and more

The latest episode of the Detroit Lions Podcast featuring Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon as the co-host is now available.

This episode focuses on this week’s minicamp action and the coaching going on in Allen Park. The local perception of Dan Campbell isn’t the same as the national view of the new Lions head coach, and we discuss why that’s okay.

There are quick breakdowns on some of the undrafted rookies in camp, the brewing backup QB battle, the impressive performances by the running backs as rookies, and much more.

The show is available via your favorite podcast provider. It also streams live on YouTube.

https://www.detroitlionspodcast.com/?powerpress_pinw=582204-podcast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2h0GOqQv2A