Lions Football: Week 1 training camp recap, Dan Campbell highlights

Entering Friday’s first full-padded practice, head coach Dan Campbell felt encouraged by the week of training camp and spoke about the importance it was to find out physically which players were ready to make plays. When commenting about injuries to players Halapoulivaati Vaitai, guard, and defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, coach Campbell stated, “I know they won’t be out there today and I think it’s kind of day-to-day at this point.” The Lions expect defensive back Emmanuel Moseley to report to camp on Monday and will help bolster their group as injuries may prevent the position players to see what kind of depth the Lions have in the secondary. Essentially, Coach Campbell reiterated the importance of the first day of pads and how important it is to have all in the same accord by mastering group settings, the fundamentals, and techniques, “You’re just looking to see what fundamentally, are these things carrying over into pads. It’s become more intense and more physical.”

The Lions are excited about their young rookies and returning second year players. One position that seems to get all of the coaches’ attention is the linebacker position where linebacker Jack Campbell looks to grow mentally by understanding the details and nuances of this defense. “His details have gotten better. His communication’s gotten better. He does not make the same mistake twice,” Dan Campbell answered when asked what he had seen from the defense and Jack Campbell. The key to the Lions defense will be the defensive line, and coach Campbell understands every practice is essential for the growth of the line. “When you start talking about up front, everything starts with fundamentals of how you play the position inside-out and stopping the run. As far as pass-rush, I think the fundamentals need to show up, our hands, our pad level, our strike, our shed, the violent shed. It’s early, I’ve got it, but we’ll see.”