Category: OTAs

Watch: The Detroit Lions Podcast’s OTA report episode

The latest episode of the Detroit Lions Podcast breaks down the week in OTAs and possible positional changes for the Lions

After a one-week break, the Detroit Lions Podcast featuring Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon is back with another episode.

In this episode, we discuss the ongoing OTAs and the action that goes on around the voluntary activities. There are a number of players who are experimenting with position changes and we break those down, as well as how some players fit–or don’t fit–in the Lions schemes. A breakdown of new Lions DL John Cominsky and where he fits into the team also comes up, leading into some Senior Bowl memories and comparisons between where the team was in 2019 and where it is now.

As always, the show streams live on YouTube and is also available from your favorite podcast provider. Just search “Detroit Lions Podcast”. You can also download and stream from here.

Figuring out Julian Okwara’s role in the new-look Lions defense

Julian Okwara has a variety of different potential roles in the new-look Lions defense

One of the offseason puzzles the Detroit Lions must solve is what to do with Julian Okwara. The third-year defender doesn’t have an exact or easy fit in the new scheme and front that coordinator Aaron Glenn is implementing.

That doesn’t mean Okwara doesn’t belong or can’t be an asset. Far from it. But finding where Okwara’s skills fit best might take some experimenting. The Lions seem well-prepared to try the 24-year-old EDGE in a lot of different roles in the fresh attacking style of defense.

During last week’s OTAs, Okwara primarily worked with the linebackers and LB coach Kelvin Sheppard. That is where head coach Dan Campbell sees Okwara.

“We consider him a linebacker. He is a hybrid,” Campbell explained. “We consider him in base as a linebacker, more of a SAM linebacker or on the edge. In sub or in nickel, he becomes more of that defensive end. Third down he could become kind of that spin or stand-up X player. But, just as far as if you’re rolling out base, he’s one of the guys competing to be in our edge, SAM linebacker.”

Sheppard echoed those parameters for how Okwara will be used in 2022.

“Last year, JO lined up everywhere,” Sheppard offered up to reporters last week. “Over the center, on the edge, split out on the number two. You’ll see him stacked. When you’re able to have versatile players it opens up the playbook for the coordinator.”

The competition Campbell mentioned could be crowded. There are a few other candidates for the SAM role in the base 4-man front. That role is effectively a pass-rush specialist who aligns outside the DE, one of whom figures to be Julian’s brother, Romeo. That’s presuming three LBs on the field, a situation that will be far less frequent than with two or even one linebacker, however.

Okwara has had his struggles playing the run, both at playing and tackling in space and at setting an edge and forcing the issue. The Lions drafted James Houston, a more natural off-ball LB who also happened to emerge as a pass-rushing force at Jackson State in 2021. Charles Harris plays more effectively as a heavy SAM backer than a hand-in-dirt DE, too.

It’s the sub-package role, specifically when the Lions go to an odd-man front, where Okwara likely fits best. There should be some 5-man fronts with Okwara definitely in the mix as one of the ends. In a 3-man front — the primary scheme from the last few seasons — Okwara fits as one of the stand-up OLBs who rush from outside the tackle box.

Potential position changes abound in the Lions secondary

The Detroit Lions have a few young players in the secondary who are experimenting at multiple positions in OTAs

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The word “multiple” unfortunately sends shivers down the spine of Lions fans. Former head coach Matt Patricia often used the term to describe his defense, which progressively declined to the worst in the league.

But the basic concept of having versatile players who can perform in multiple different roles isn’t inherently bad. Detroit’s defense in 2022 has a lot of those guys, notably in the defensive backfield.

The Lions are testing the multiple positionalities of players in this week’s OTAs. One of them is Ifeatu Melifonwu. The second-year DB has been a cornerback for a long time, but in Thursday’s OTA session he took a bunch of reps at safety.

It’s a wrinkle that Melifonwu, who is safety-sized at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, is welcoming with open arms. He spoke after practice about the possible move to safety via Ben Raven of Mlive,

“The plan, AG (Glenn) and the coaches just asked me to try it. I’m a football player, so they kinda want to put me in different spots (and) see what works,” Melifonwu said. “If you got versatility and know the other position just in case anything happens.

“I like it. It’s a different perspective. Definitely a different perspective. You see the whole field instead of just one side of the formation. I’m still getting used to it. I like corner as well. It’s honestly two different things. I’m getting used to it.”

The Lions are thinner at safety than cornerback, so it makes sense to cross-train a young player with physical traits that translate to each spot. One of the reasons for the odd depth issue is because veteran Will Harris continues to get a lot of looks at cornerback.

Harris moved from safety to corner late in the 2021 campaign after a rash of injuries ravaged the CB room. He performed better at CB than he had at safety, where he’s just not worked out as hoped. Harris is in the mix at both outside and slot CB, as well as his old box safety role in coordinator Aaron Glenn’s split-safety base package.

When injured cornerback Jeff Okudah returns, he might also switch around multiple positions. With the depth strongest at outside CB, a move inside to the slot or even some dabbling as a coverage safety could be in the works for Okudah in his third season in Detroit, too.

D’Andre Swift looking yoked up in Lions OTAs

Detroit Lions RB D’Andre Swift looking yoked up in Lions OTAs

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One of the fun things about OTAs is that it’s a chance to see many players in person for the first time since the season ended. When players look a little different, it’s definitely noticeable.

Lions RB D’Andre Swift has always been pretty muscular, but when he returned to Detroit for OTAs he was rocking a more yoked-up physique. It’s attention-grabbing in some of the pictures from the OTA session on Thursday.

Check out the muscular arms Swift was rocking at OTAs:

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

By way of comparison, here’s a shot from last fall of Swift:

(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

He’s clearly been in the weight room working on getting bulkier to handle more of the pounding in the NFL. That’s smart for a guy who has missed at least three games in each of his first two seasons in Detroit.

Dan Campbell explains what he wants from the Lions practice squad

Head coach Dan Campbell explains what he wants from the Detroit Lions practice squad

One of the developments from the recent NFL league meetings was the approval of the expansion of the practice squad. Teams will now be allowed to carry up to 16 players on the practice squad, up from 14 a year ago. There is more allowance for veterans who previously would have been ineligible too.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell was asked about this reaction to the rule change during his media session on Thursday at OTAs.

After acknowledging that he hadn’t heard about the expansion to 16 players, Campbell offered this telling assessment of how his Lions plan to utilize the practice squad.

“We’re going to be looking for guys that we know can help us during the year. You’re always going to want a few that, man, you’re like, ‘These guys may not be ready, but we may hit something down the road.’ You’re always going to want those guys, and you’re always looking for those,” Campbell said.

“They’re not going to be ready now, but in a year or two, this could be – but then, I think a majority of those guys, you’re banking on the fact that they’re going to help you win this year. They’re really backups that didn’t quite make the 53, but they’re good enough to be your backups and to help you get in games and they can sustain for a game or two and kind of hold the line, if you will.”

Based on Campbell’s explanation, expect the Lions to focus more on younger players they can develop into potential starters down the line rather than stocking the practice squad with more seasoned players who demonstrate less upside. Different teams handle the practice squads with divergent philosophies, and Campbell’s way is to use it more as a developmental program.

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Lions current 90-man roster by jersey number

The Detroit Lions current 90-man roster by jersey number

The second year of the Brad Holmes/Dan Campbell version of the Lions is dawning in Detroit. As is the case with all NFL teams, there is considerable turnover from the first year. It can be difficult to keep track of who is still around, who has moved on and what jersey number those who are back are sporting for 2022.

Several Lions players have changed their jersey numbers from 2021. And some have yet to make any on-field appearances as Lions after being signed in free agency.

As of May 22nd, here is the updated Detroit Lions 90-man roster by jersey number.

Dan Campbell expects ‘good turnout’ for the Lions’ voluntary workouts

The voluntary workouts kick off on Tuesday, April 19th

The 2022 season gets real for the Detroit Lions this week. The first official dates on the calendar that involve the players doing anything, the voluntary workouts, kick off on Tuesday. Lions head coach Dan Campbell is optimistic that most of the players will attend, even though the workouts are voluntary.

“We’re going to have a good turnout of our guys,” Campbell said via the Detroit Free Press. “I would anticipate just about all of our guys here, if not all of them. At least, if not by April 19, within a week or two of that, for sure when we start in-classroom stuff.”

The second-year coach also expects a higher level from the voluntary workouts this year. Last year’s offseason programs were still conducted under the league’s COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which have largely been relaxed now.

“Last year, you’re pulling cut-ups (from) New Orleans and some things, so now we can watch ourselves and our own schemes and kind of just continue to grow and learn and move on. Go to level 201, if not more.”

In the first week, there is no on-field action. The Phase One sessions are restricted to injury rehab, meetings and strength and conditioning work.

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Jaguars announce where they will hold training camp as construction begins on new facility

Due to the construction going on at TIAA Bank Field, the Jags will be holding training camp at a different location but it won’t be that far from their current practice fields.

With construction for a new football facility ongoing at the Jacksonville Jaguars’ current practice fields, the team will be conducting their training camp at a new location this offseason. According to Jags president Mark Lamping, that location will be just two miles away from their current practice fields at TIAA Bank Field at Episcopal High School.

Lamping said the team would be investing money into improving some of the high school’s fields and added that organized team activities, rookie minicamp, and other events would be held at their indoor facility or inside of TIAA Bank Field.

”We’ve been working on these plans for about a year,” Lamping said. ”When we get to training camp, we are going to be working on two grass fields at Episcopal. We’re investing some money to improve a couple of fields over there.  It’s a short bus ride but that’s just for training camp. But you know all the OTAs, rookie minicamp and once we start the preseason games, the practices will be held on the game field and in the indoor facility. So we’ll do that for this season.”

Jacksonville’s Building Inspection Division approved the permits for the foundation in February. Jacksonville’s Haskell Company will construct it, which will be 127,087 square feet.

The construction of the facility is part of the process to have TIAA Bank Field renovated. With the team operating out of the stadium, a new facility will allow them to move out whenever a deal is complete. Additionally, the team simply needed more space for operations and the new football facility is expected to help with that as it will feature locker rooms, a weight room, training and medical areas, and more.

The Jags’ offseason workout program will begin on April 11. The whole process will be broken down into three phases, and the information on the program can be found here. 

Jags 2022 offseason workout program dates revealed

The Jags will start their offseason program on April 11 and here is everything fans need to know about the process.

Doug Pederson has been a busy man since being named the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach on Feb. 3, but later this month, he will finally be able to take the field with his new team. The NFL announced the key offseason dates for all 32 of its teams on Friday, and the Jags’ first day will be in 9 days (April 11).

The Jags’ voluntary minicamp will take place 15 days later on April 26 and will last until April 28. After that, the team will get a break until May 23, which is when organized team activity workouts start. They will have another session the following day, then on May 26, May 31-June 1, June 3, and June 6-9.

The last phase of the workout process will conclude mandatory minicamp on June 13-15.

As always, the offseason workout program will be broken down into three phases. Phase 1 will take place during the first two weeks of the program. According to the memo sent by the NFL, teams will be limited to “meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only” during this phase.

Phase 2 will take place for the next three weeks of the program. During this phase, on-field workouts can include drills where offensive players line up across from offensive players while the defense can do the same with other defensive players at a conducted walkthrough pace. The memo also notes that “individual or group instruction and drills, as well as ‘perfect play drills'” are allowed, too.

Lastly, in Phase 3, which will involve the next four weeks of the program, teams can conduct 10 days of organized team practice activity. While live contact still won’t be permitted, 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills will be.

Teams with new head coaches like the Jags can have an additional voluntary veteran minicamp. According to the NFL’s memo, additional voluntary veteran minicamps must be held before the NFL Draft (April 28-30), “but no earlier than Week 3 of the club’s offseason workout program and after at least one week of the two weeks of Phase One activities that the clubs may hold pursuant to Article 21.”

Each NFL organization can hold a rookie minicamp after the draft, too. They can begin on May 16, but the Jags will confirm their dates later if they elect to have one.

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.