Category: OTAs

The Lions are bringing in an XFL kicker for rookie minicamp tryout

The Lions bring in an XFL kicker for rookie minicamp tryout

Right now, the Detroit Lions only have one kicker on the 90-man roster. Michael Badgley is currently unchallenged in his quest to be the full-time kicker in 2023 after performing well after taking over midway through the 2022 season.

Badgley is clearly the favorite to be the Lions kicker. However, the team is auditioning a potential challenger with some professional experience at this week’s rookie minicamp. Per Aaron Wilson, the Lions have invited John Parker Romo of the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas to join the team on a tryout basis.

Romo, 25, has made 17 of his 19 field goal attempts for the Brahmas this season. He’s 9-of-10 from beyond 40 yards, with a 57-yarder as his longest successful kick. Romo lost his training camp battle with the New Orleans Saints last summer.

Badgley made 20 of his 24 field goal attempts in 12 games for Detroit in 2022. His longest success was 53 yards, but his 20 percent touchback rate on kickoffs was among the worst in the league.

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Amon-Ra St. Brown is already learning from Marvin Jones in Lions workouts

Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is already learning from veteran wideout Marvin Jones, who returned to Detroit as a free agent

The Detroit Lions were precociously young last season. While that gave considerable opportunity for young players to see the field, it also left the Lions largely devoid of veteran leadership in some areas.

That’s one of the reasons why Detroit bringing back veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones is such a popular move. Jones was known for being a valuable resource and respected leader in his first stint in Detroit from 2016-2020.

Jones is quickly reestablishing himself as the veteran mentor the wide receiver room needs. After just two days of voluntary workouts, the youngsters are already feeling Jones’ presence.

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2023 NFL Draft: Could Detroit draft a receiver that compares to Marvin Jones?

The team’s top wideout, Amon-Ra St. Brown, spoke about how much he values Jones’s presence even at this early juncture.

“He’s been in the league a long time,” St. Brown stated. “Obviously you’re doing something right if you’ve been in the league that long. But we talked for like two hours (on Monday) after workouts, just about life and everything.”

What did they talk about? After noting that Jones taught himself to speak Spanish and St. Brown himself wants to do the same, Detroit’s Pro Bowl wideout added this,

“I was just asking him what his workout routine is, what he does, because I have a certain way of working out in the offseason. I know everyone’s different, so I was just asking him a bunch of questions on what he does, what he likes, and he told me what works for him. What he told me is that everyone’s different, which is right; everyone’s body is different so just asking him a bunch of questions.”

Jones is 33, 10 years older than St. Brown. He and another former Lions player who came back, offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, are the only guys on the Detroit offensive roster over 30.

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The Lions offseason workout and minicamp dates are revealed

The NFL released the dates for offseason workouts and minicamps for all 32 teams, including the Lions

The NFL calendar for the coming months is slowly coming into view. The league revealed the dates for when the offseason workouts, OTAs and mandatory minicamps for all 32 teams are scheduled.

The Lions kick off the offseason on April 17th, a little over a week before the 2023 NFL draft. Those are voluntary workouts.

OTAs come a few weeks later in three sets of three days apiece, beginning on May 23rd and ending on June 15th. Like the workouts, those are deemed voluntary for all players.

A mandatory minicamp will take place at the Lions training facility in Allen Park from June 6-8. That minicamp ha required attendance and is closed to the public.

The dates for all 32 teams are established by the league, not the individual teams.

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Watch: The Detroit Lions Podcast wraps minicamp and OTAs

The Detroit Lions Podcast wraps up and breaks down the Lions minicamp and OTAs

The Detroit Lions Podcast featuring Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon is back with the latest episode. This one sees Jeff and Chris wrap up the Lions’ minicamp and OTA sessions.

Special emphasis is placed on the coaching interviews and how Dan Campbell and his staff are handling their second offseason in charge in Detroit. The change from year-to-year and from prior regimes is stark and we break it down for you.

Who looked good in minicamp? Where are the roster battles brewing? Which players unexpectedly captured attention in practices? We cover all that and more in over 90 minutes of straight Lions talk.

You can stream the audio version of the show here, and it’s also available for download at all your favorite podcast providers.

Lions LB coach Kelvin Sheppard remains very excited about Derrick Barnes

Lions LB coach Kelvin Sheppard is very excited with the progress and midset of second-year LB Derrick Barnes

When the Detroit Lions traded up in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft to land Purdue LB Derrick Barnes, it was a well-received move. Barnes showed a lot of promise as a versatile backer for a team that had major issues at the position.

Barnes played extensively as a rookie, though he wasn’t nearly as effective as hoped. He struggled in coverage and missed too many tackle opportunities, something that Lions LB coach Kelvin Sheppard is working on cleaning up. Sheppard has not lost any confidence in Barnes. Far from it, in fact.

During Senior Bowl week, I asked Sheppard about Derrick Barnes and the up-and-down rookie season from the young LB. Monday’s OTA media session provided a nice follow-up.

“I’m even more excited about (Barnes) right now,” Sheppard said. “…He’s done everything and more that I have asked. He has completely bought in.”

Sheppard continued while noting the view on Barnes from others within the Lions organization.

“A lot of people around the building say they see a new guy. I see the guy I always thought was there,” Sheppard stated.

We then got a taste of Sheppard’s coaching philosophy.

“It starts with a coach believing in a player to be able to pull out the most in the player. If you go into that with high optimism and high thoughts and praise on a player, the player feels that. In turn, without knowing it, it’s kind of a mind game at the same time with the coach/player dynamic. And with that player, the sky is the limit.”

Barnes continues to work primarily as an off-ball linebacker. During last week’s minicamp, Barnes worked primarily with the second unit behind newcomer Chris Board and veteran Alex Anzalone. He did receive some first-team reps but also ceded a few second-team reps to rookie Malcolm Rodriguez. The Lions are working on finding combinations that work together well and that’s all part of the experimentation.

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Lions OTA notebook: Young players take the stage

Notes from Monday’s OTA session on RBs receiving skills, OL versatility, a big man INT and more

The Detroit Lions are wrapping up OTAs this week. As head coach Dan Campbell stated last week during the team’s mandatory minicamp, this week’s voluntary sessions are focused on the rookies and developmental players.

Very few established players were in attendance on a gorgeous, sunny afternoon in Allen Park. Nearly all projected starters were gone, again by design. Running back D’Andre Swift, right tackle Penei Sewell, linebacker Derrick Barnes and cornerback Jeff Okudah were the only starting-caliber non-rookies who participated.

One prominent rookie who definitely projects to start is Aidan Hutchinson, and the defensive lineman did not disappoint. He attacks every drill as if he’s playing for his livelihood and his competitive attitude rubs off on the others in the drills. It’s easy to see Hutchinson’s perfectionist nature on display; he jumped back into the front of the short (only four DL in attendance) queue to immediately redo a drill where Hutchinson and DL coach Todd Wash were unhappy with the rookie’s shoulder level on a pass-rush exercise.

RB footwork

One of the drills was a receiving exercise for the running backs, which had the entire depth chart other than Jamaal Williams and FB Jason Cabinda in attendance. It gave a good illustration of the different footwork of the participants.

Swift really stood out here. There is very strict attention to detail in his route-running. No wasted steps or false motions at all from Swift. It’s easy to hearken back to Theo Riddick and Reggie Bush, two former Lions RBs who were exceptional receiving weapons, in watching Swift working in the passing game.

Craig Reynolds showed he’s worked on his receiving skills in the offseason. Reynolds made a couple of very nice catches away from his body and demonstrated tight route-running. The fourth-year back is in line to play more in 2022 even if Swift and Williams are healthy. As I noted last week, Reynolds is a lot closer to pushing Williams for the No. 2 spot than he is to being caught by the No. 4 back, currently Godwin Igwebuike.

Quick hits

–RB coach Duce Staley led the practice session with Campbell watching closely. It was akin to the Senior Bowl practices, where Staley served as the head coach of the National team with Campbell in a more advisory capacity.

The coaching development pipeline is something that is critically important to both Campbell and the Lions. Expect to see Staley landing some head coaching interviews next offseason and this is Campbell’s way of helping prepare the energetic RB coach.

–Undrafted rookie nose tackle Demetrius Taylor once again commanded attention with his play. Taylor leapt up and picked off a low David Blough throw. The Appalachian State rookie had two deflections just like it during last week’s minicamp but couldn’t secure the catch. Taylor snagged this one and the entire defensive contingency went crazy in celebration.

–Offensive line coach Hank Fraley spoke to the media before practice and talked up the need for positional versatility for the younger players to crack the roster. Fraley certainly offered the six (plus Sewell) aspirants chances to show they can play multiple spots. UDFA Zein Obeid took reps at every position but right tackle in the drills I watched, with another UDFA, Kevin Jarvis, moving around at every position but center.

–UDFA tight end Derrick Deese Jr. was in attendance but only worked with trainers. He has yet to be cleared by the training staff to be a full participant.

Charles Harris eager to make more plays in 2022 after a strong 1st year in Detroit

Lions EDGE Charles Harris is eager to make more plays in 2022 after a strong 1st year in Detroit

Lions head coach Dan Campbell loves to talk about players’ success stories. He went into great detail about one of Detroit’s veteran acquisition wins from a year ago before Thursday’s OTA session.

That would be EDGE Charles Harris. A first-round bust of the Dolphins in 2017, Harris managed just 3.5 sacks in three years in Miami. He didn’t fare much better in one season in Atlanta, and when the Lions signed him a year ago it was more of an afterthought than the team landing the man who would lead them in sacks and generate pressure more consistently than anyone else.

Harris earned every opportunity by not taking his roster spot for granted and proving he could contribute.

“We were talking about Charles the other day in the team room. What a great story he was,” Campbell told reporters. “This time last year, he’s out there running with the three’s (third team) on the second field, he’s doing all the special teams reps, holding bags like he started all over again and didn’t bat an eye either. He just worked and he worked himself into making some money and coming back with the team that gave him a shot and in return, he gave us a shot to sign him back. That’s what you want in guys.”

After the ensuing practice, Harris himself offered up why it worked for him in Detroit last year.

“Coaching. Coach Shep (LB coach Kelvin Sheppard) is great,” Harris said. “Coach Wash (DL coach Todd Wash) is great, AG (coordinator Aaron Glenn) giving the scheme.”

Harris also gave some credit to his teammates last year.

“The guys around me are also great,” Harris said earnestly. “They did a great job of setting stuff up for not just myself but everybody can make their own plays. I hand it to my teammates and to the coaches themselves for putting us in the right position.”

He’s not resting on his career-best accomplishments, not after the underwhelming seasons he had with the Dolphins and Falcons. Harris knows he’s capable of doing a lot more for the Lions and is eager to prove it.

“I’ve been able to go back and watch a lot of film from last year and see the plays that could have gotten made but didn’t get made,” Harris stated. “I think that’s where I am this year. If I add in everything I could have gotten made my numbers would have been crazy, the statistics would be crazy. I really want to capitalize on that.”

Harris offered up that he needs to be better against run blocks and at not running too far up the field in his pass rush, too.

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Which Lions players missed voluntary OTAs?

The Detroit Lions had a nearly full participation in voluntary OTAs

The Lions wrapped another week of voluntary OTAs with a strong contingency of players at the team’s training facility. Nearly all the 90-man roster was participating or at least in the house and rehabbing injuries.

But it wasn’t a full attendance. That’s perfectly fine by the way; the NFLPA forcefully reminds the players that the OTAs are voluntary activities.

Culled from various reports in Allen Park on the week, the following players were not present for the OTA sessions during the week of June 1st:

TE T.J. Hockenson
TE Garrett Griffin
LT Taylor Decker
EDGE Romeo Okwara
EDGE Josh Paschal
NT John Penisini

All but Penisini are coming off injuries that would limit their participation. All are expected to be at the mandatory minicamp this coming week, Penisini included.

Ben Johnson ready to call the Lions offensive plays if asked

Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is ready to call the Lions offensive plays if asked

We don’t yet know who will be the primary offensive play-caller for the Detroit Lions in 2022. Head coach Dan Campbell declared at OTAs this week that he’s not ready to make the decision “until the season’s almost here”.

But if offensive coordinator Ben Johnson gets the playcalling nod, the rookie OC will be ready. Johnson, who stepped into a more prominent role late in the 2021 season, talked up his confidence and his experience at calling plays.

“I’m confident I’m ready, I am,” Johnson said this week. “Once again, you got to be put in those situations to truly know, but our game planning process is so detailed that I think on game day it takes care of itself. Because you know exactly what you want and where you want.”

Johnson also cited his time with the Miami Dolphins, where he served in several offensive coaching capacities — including a stint as the TE coach under then-interim head coach Dan Campbell in 2015.

“The five percent that gets hard is the end of the game, end of the half situations where the clock is running, you got to think quickly,” Johnson stated. “And those are the situations I actually have experience with from my time in Miami, doing that in practice with some of our guys. So I know what pitfalls there potentially are. It’s a learning experience, no doubt about it, but it’s one I certainly feel confident about.”

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Jeff Okudah shoots down any possible move to safety

Detroit Lions CB Jeff Okudah shoots down any possible move to safety during OTAs

Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah was a popular subject on Thursday. Prior to practice, head coach Dan Campbell offered up an optimistic prognosis for the 2020 first-round pick as he recovers from an Achilles injury suffered in Week 1 of last season.

After practice, Okudah himself fielded questions from the media. And Okudah made it clear he’s still a cornerback — and only a cornerback. While the Lions might be pondering the position changes in the secondary, Okudah is not one of them.

When asked about any potential move to safety, a popular water-cooler conservation piece this offseason, Okudah flatly rejected the notion, per Justin Rogers of the Detroit News:

Where exactly a healthy Okudah fits at cornerback remains to be seen. My personal belief is he will be a starting outside CB and move inside to the slot when the Lions move to three CBs. He will have competition outside from last year’s impressive rookie, Jerry Jacobs, and veteran Mike Hughes to start opposite Amani Oruwariye. Second-year Ifeatu Melifonwu, who is indeed getting reps at safety, is also in the mix.