Lions Update Aug 31

-The Lions held an afternoon practice in shorts on the outdoor fields today at the team's headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park.

-The team announced today that they have released WR Delmir Boldin, LB Robert Francois, S LaMarcus Hicks, DE Ryan Kees and have placed CB Dexter Wynn on the reserve/injured list.

-Lions QB Daunte Culpepper is day-to-day after sustaining a minor-cut to his toe Saturday night at his home. He has not been ruled out of Thursday's preseason game at Buffalo.

-The Detroit Lions will finish out their preseason Thursday night when they take on the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. This week's matchup marks the eighth consecutive year the two teams have closed out each other's preseasons. This week's game will be televised live in Metro Detroit on WWJ-TV 62 (CBS) with Matt Shepard handling play-by-play, former Lions WR Desmond Howard adding color commentary and Steve Courtney and Hall of Fame TE Charlie Sanders reporting from the sideline.

In Play! Magazine

Lions win third preseason game, quarterback battle continues….

By: Michael Niziolek

Daunte Culpepper, Matthew Stafford and Drew Stanton all played well in the Lions third preseason game helping Detroit to an 18-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

All three quarterbacks had pretty solid stats.

Daunte Culpepper completed seven of 12 passes for 67 and threw a touchdown. Matthew Stafford threw for 160 yards on 13 completions and Drew Stanton completed four of six passes for 56 yards and a touchdown.

Stafford was the only quarterback to throw an interception, his third of the preseason, but Jim Schwartz said that the turnover wasn’t the rookie’s fault. Detroit took a shot at the endzone at the end of the second half and Schwartz said the receiver needs to make sure to knock the defender down.

"We took a shot right there, and I told the players at halftime, I said that's a lesson right there; wide receivers you need to go PI,” Schwartz explained. “You need to drag the guy down, run him over, whatever it is. We can't have the ball intercepted. We're running out of time in the half, we needed a chunk, we wanted to take a chunk, but you want your guy to be the only guy to come down with that football, so that's more on the wide receiver than on Matt (Stafford)."

Overall though Schwartz was happy with the offense’s play. After the game Schwartz credited them with keeping the Colts’ offense off the field.

“Our offense was able to control the ball,” Jim Schwartz said after the game. “When you play the Colts, when you play Peyton Manning, you better be able to control the football and limit his chances, and I thought that Scott (Linehan) and the offense did a great job of that.”

He said the main negative for the offense was their lack of red zone efficiency. In three trips to the red zone the Lions only came up with points once. Schwartz said it was frustrating because it was mistakes that prevented Detroit from scoring, not the Colts defense.

“We stopped ourselves,” he stated.

With no quarterback separating himself from the pack, fans will have to wait a little while longer for a resolution to the quarterback battle.

Lions Update August 27

Here's what Coach Schwartz has to say today concerning which QB will start this Saturdays game against Peyton Manning and Indianapolis Colts. “I’m on the same schedule with that we were on the last couple weeks. Today was the first day we started doing Indianapolis; we’ll go back in this afternoon and we’ll meet, we’ll talk about that tomorrow, but I’ll let you guys know tomorrow." Schwartz goes on to say, "I already know what we’re going to do, but it’s something we haven’t approached the players with yet, simply from putting it in stages, and wanting to stay on the same schedule we‘ve done the last couple of preseason games.”

In related matters, Schwartz talked about the receivers getting time with Culpepper and Stafford. “We don’t have a No. 1 unit here, but yes, both quarterbacks will see time with all the wide receivers, if that’s a better way to put it, yes. What will happen is we’ll rotate receivers through. So they’ll be some series where you’ll see some guys some series where you won’t but they’ll rotate through. A lot of the players will go into the third quarter, not all, but we still have a lot more decisions to make."

Schwartz hints that everybody will get playing time though. "We have probably some game-time decisions of guys with little nicks here and there, but quarterbacks most likely will be sort of on a quarter and a half basis again like we’ve done in the past.”

On a final note the Lions have announced today that RB Allen Ervin has been released.

In Play! Magazine

If I had mad money and owned the Lions I would...________________.

If I had mad money and owned the Lions I would...________________.

Lions Update Aug 26

Today marked the last day of training camp for the Detroit Lions.

The team has released WR Eric Fowler and K Swayze Waters.
In other transactions the team acquired DL Orion Martin via waivers and signed Kicker Billy Cundiff.

Coach Schwartz spoke to the media today about the Kicker situation and had this to say, “There’s a pretty good chance. It looks like Swayze [Waters] won’t be able to go and we’ve given Dane [Looker] a lot of stuff but that’s asking a little much for a position player to have to do double duty like that. We’ll see what happens after this and make a decision.”

Schwartz also spoke to TE Brandon Pettigrew’s status.“I think that’s still up in the air a little bit, but it’s looking a little bit more optimistic when you can come out to practice like this – that was physical with good contact and also full speed and you can make it through".

Schwartz continues, "What we’ve done is stuck with the plan of what we talked about all along. Give him a little bit of individual, give him a little bit of this, and a little bit more, a little bit more and he’s close to being released into the general population and being able to go where you don’t even worry about how we’re managing him during practice.”

In Play! Magazine

Quick Hits: Lions Wide Receiver Derrick Williams

By: Michael Niziolek

The Detroit Lions return game hasn’t had a lot of great playmakers the last few seasons, but Jim Schwartz hopes this year can be a little different. Detroit drafted Derrick Williams out of Penn State hoping that he could make an impact returning kicks….

“One of the reasons we drafted him was his return resume at Penn State; not only consistency, which is what he brought, but the ability to make a play,” Schwartz said. “Our philosophy is going to be aggressive on defense. We want to push the edge and try to score, and you need playmakers at the return position.”

But Williams is hoping he can also find some playing time at wide receiver. He’s had the chance for some extra reps because of injuries (Calvin Johnson and Bryant Johnson) and Schwartz said he’s doing a pretty good job.

Wiliams wasn’t as sharp in the second preseason game, but against the Atlanta Falcons in Detroit's first preseason game he caught a touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford.

In-Play! talked to the rookie about returning kicks, getting playing time and the quarterback battle…

IP: There have been quite a few injuries to receivers in camp, did you feel you had an opportunity to make an impression on the coaching staff and win more playing time?

DW: I’ve had that impression ever since I came in here. I didn’t come thinking that I wasn’t going to try to contribute to the team. I came here saying anyway possible, I’m going to do my best and go out there and make on an impact on this team year.

IP: You left Penn State with your name at the top of a lot of different returner categories, in your mind what makes a good kick returner?

DW: I think what makes a good returner is the people up front because if there’s not the blocking there then you’re going to have to fair catch. So many things can go wrong, I’ve always heard on punt returns there’s so many things that can go wrong and there’s just a slim chance that there’s going to be a big play. You just have to count on the other ten people on the field.

IP: Do you think it might be easier for you to make an impact on special teams this year, than on offense?

DW: I think I can shine there, but I think I can shine on the offense as well.

IP: You’ve played with both Daunte Culpepper and Matthew Stafford, have you noticed any differences between the two so far?

DW: (Laughs) Right now I’m just focusing on making sure I’m in the right spot. With me just learning everything and switching between different positions I just have to worry about my responsibilities.

Former Detroit Lion Named Finalist For Hall Of Fame.

Former Detroit Lions CB Dick LeBeau has been named by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Seniors Committee as a finalist for election into the Hall of Fame with the Class of 2010. Lebeau, along with former NFL RB Floyd Little, will join 15 still-to-be-named modern-era candidates on the list of finalists from which the Class of 2010 will be selected.

The Hall of Fame selection meeting will be held on February 6, 2010, the day before Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida. LeBeau was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 1959 draft. After being cut by the Browns, he was signed by Detroit where he starred for 14 seasons at cornerback for the Lions.

He intercepted 62 passes which he returned for 762 yards and 3 TDs. His interception total ranked third all-time in NFL history at the time of his retirement following the 1972 season. Today, it remains a Lions team record and is tied for 7th among all-time NFL interceptors.

LeBeau currently serves as the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator and is entering his 37th year of coaching.

As a player he was voted to three Pro Bowls (1965, 1966, and 1967). In 2008, LeBeau was named to the Lions 75th Season all-time team.

In Play! Magazine

The QB Controversy Keeps Going At Lions Camp...And That's A Good Thing.

Head Coach Schwartz today (Aug 24) says that he will not reveal his decision at this time for starting Detroit Lions Starting QB. “I’ve mentioned this before: we’ll probably take a different approach in that fourth preseason game than other teams do. So it probably won’t be this week, we’ll see. The other thing is, from our standpoint, there may be even a point where we make a decision on a quarterback and we may not even announce it."

Schwartz goes on to say, "What good does it do? Understand from our standpoint with the Lions is, there is a team down in New Orleans that’s getting ready to play us and if they can zero in on one quarterback, it makes it a little easier for them to plan. If they have to prepare for both, then Daunte and Matthew both have a different skill set. They are both a little bit different the way you would game plan them. Most likely we’re trying to keep that a little close to the vest.

I have often wondered why a coach would name a player of a position in question, some things are better left unsaid, right?

WHAT'S YOUR TAKE?

Lions Update Friday Aug 21

-The Lions completed their 21st day of training camp with a morning practice in shorts and an afternoon walkthrough on the indoor field at the team's practice facility before leaving for Cleveland in the evening.

-Following today's workout, Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz informed the media that QB Matthew Stafford will open the game at Cleveland and be relieved by QB Daunte Culpepper at some point in the second quarter; QB Drew Stanton will come into the game during the second half and is expected to finish the game.

-The Detroit Lions hit the road today to travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns for Game 2 of their 2009 preseason slate. The two teams will kick off their 41st preseason meeting at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, August 22) at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

-Detroit leads the preseason series against Cleveland 22-17-1. This week's game will be televised live in Metro Detroit on WWJ-TV 62 (CBS) with Matt Shepard handling play-by-play, former Lions WR Desmond Howard adding color commentary and Hall of Fame TE Charlie Sanders and local sportscaster Steve Courtney reporting from the sideline.

In Play! Magazine

LIONS UPDATE AS THEY HEAD TO CLEVELAND

-The Lions completed their 20th day of training camp with morning and afternoon practices. The morning workout was held on the outdoor fields while the afternoon session was on the indoor field due to weather. The players practiced in shorts for both sessions.

-The team announced today that they have waived/injured S Daniel Bullocks and acquired LB Robert Francois via waivers. Bullocks, who cleared the 4 p.m. claiming deadline, will now revert back to the team's reserve/injured list.

-The Detroit Lions will hit the road this week and travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns for Game 2 of their 2009 preseason slate. The two teams will kick off their 41st preseason meeting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 22 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Detroit leads the preseason series against Cleveland 22-17-1.

In Play! Magazine

WHAT THE DETROIT LIONS NEED TO WATCH FOR IN CLEVELAND

Key things to watch for on Saturday’s game at Cleveland:

The defensive line
The Lions fi nished the game with only two quarterback hurries – one on a blitz – and zero sacks. Part of this may be due to a brand new interior line that includes a rookie, but Schwartz will be looking for players not only to be in the right position to make a play, but to wrap up.
The Lions allowed 113 rushing yards but 40 of those yards came on a breakout run by Michael Turner.

LB Julian Peterson: “The biggest thing we need to do is make sure we tackle well. We did a poor job of tackling and that’s why they scored that fi rst touchdown. A er that we settled down and we made some plays but obviously, we need to tighten up a bit. But I
am pleased by what we did.”

The running game
Last Saturday, it was clear to the players that Schwartz wasn’t just talking about running the ball – he full-well plans to run it. The team finished with 191 rushing yards – 76 from quarterbacks – and that was including just one series by last year’s starter, Kevin Smith.

QB Daunte Culpepper: “We really have a certain attitude about the running game. In the NFL, if you can run the ball and stop the run you can win, so that’s the fi rst thing Coach always talks about: run the ball and stop the ball. Every day at practice, they’re always
harping (about it). The message is all attitude and that’s what I like about it. Every good off ense can run the ball.”

WHAT'S YOUR TAKE?

Did You Believe Michael Vick's 60 Minutes Interview?

By his own admission, Vick didn't feel any remorse until the door slammed behind him at Leavenworth. So this tells me he is only sorry he got caught.

I listened to his interview last night and I honestly did not believe him at all. He has an OJ size dream team of spin doctors coaching his every word and step.I honestly believe behind closed doors he probably curses himself for getting busted, not for electrocuting, drowning, shooting and mutilating the animals.

And I don't even want to hear the "culture" excuse. Please...when you are hooking up electrical cords to a dog...culture has zero to do with it!

I'm not a PETA piper but that is just disgusting.

Jack Rosenberg
What's Your Take?

Preseason Game 1: Lions win Stafford’s debut

By: Michael Niziolek

Jason Hanson kicked a field goal as time expired to give the Detroit Lions a 27-26 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Detroit’s first preseason game and the exhibition gave fans a good look at some of the new faces looking to make an impact this season – mainly Matthew Stafford and Aaron Brown.

Stafford was solid in his debut.

Stafford completed seven passes for 114 yards with a touchdown and interception. He had a good command of the offense and showed off his strong arm, so strong that veteran WR Keary Colbert dropped three catchable balls.

But Stafford wasn’t perfect either.

On his second drive he threw an interception to Tony Gilbert that was returned for a touchdown. Stafford was pressured on the play and instead of throwing the ball away he made his first real mistake as a NFL quarterback.

The following drive he was able to quickly make up for it by hitting Derrick Williams in the endzone with a 25-yard strike, while being hit by a defender.

Head coach Jim Schwartz said he was impressed with the play and how Stafford bounced back...

“The thing I liked about it is: he bounced back with an 80-yard touchdown drive and took a hit which you have to do in the NFL and made a perfect pass and Derrick (Williams) made a great catch,” Schwartz explained. “I liked that bounce back.

Overall, Stafford said he was happy with his first NFL game experience.

“It was a blast, it was fun out there,” Stafford said after the game. “I threw it around a little bit - I obviously don't want to throw anymore picks but we jumped back and had a touchdown there which helped us out."

The other rookie making a big splash was RB Aaron Brown.

The rookie out of TCU had two touchdowns – a 32-yard run and a 45-yard reception from Drew Stanton. His speed and athleticism were on display during both plays as he was able to turn it up field quickly and make defenders miss in space.

Brown has the potential to be a very versatile player for the Lions this season as a third down back, return man and as a receiver.

Like Stafford, Brown also made a couple of mental mistakes.

He drew an illegal formation penalty on punt coverage and on his second touchdown let the excitement get the better of him. He did an impressive backflip after scoring, but was slapped with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Other notes:

* Kevin Smith had a nice game. He only rushed the ball three times, but his two receptions for 27 yards helped set up the Lions field goal in the first quarter. On his second reception he was able to break a couple of tackles and put the Lions in the redzone for the first time of the year.

* Calvin Johnson sat out the game with a thumb injury and that gave the Lions coaching staff an opportunity to look at some of their other receivers. Colbert’s dropped passes didn’t do him any favors, but outside of Derrick Williams none of the other wideouts made much of an impact.

* Daunte Culpepper showed some good mobility. He was forced out of the pocket a couple of times and able to turn it up the field for positive yardage. Jim Schwartz talked about Culpepper’s legs during the week and it was clear he felt the quarterback was healthy for the first time in a couple of years.

* The defense still has some work to do on their tackling. Michael Turner was able to break a 40-yard touchdown run after at least two defenders failed to take him down.

QB rotation for Lions first preseason game revealed

By: Michael Niziolek

After Friday’s practice Jim Schwartz said that Daunte Culpepper would start the Lions first preseason game, but that all three quarterbacks would get close to equal playing time.

Fans are looking for hints at who will be Detroit’s starter for the first week of the regular season, but Schwartz cautioned that the rotation isn’t something that anybody should spend too much time analyzing.

“It’s just rotation, don’t read anything into it,” Schwartz explained. “It’s not like somebody is ahead of someone on the depth chart, we haven’t even played a preseason game yet. We’re just going to give them reps. We’ll probably flip it the next week, see a lot of different things, and like I said from the very beginning, we’re going to try and put guys in a lot of different positions”

He said Culpepper will play into the second quarter, with Matthew Stafford taking over and then Drew Stanton getting the call in the second half. The coaching staff isn’t going to have a set number of snaps each quarterback has to take and will let the game dictate when they make changes.

Players around each quarterback will be constantly shifting as well. Wide receivers, tight ends and lineman will get snaps with each of the different quarterbacks throughout the game.

“You know we’ll have our receivers rolling through just about every single group,” Schwartz said. “Our tight ends are going to roll through every single group. You’ll see the offensive line for probably the whole first half, so it’s not going to be a situation where you’re trying to put them in with certain players or read something into it because it’s not there yet.”

Quick Hits: Lions cornerback Anthony Henry

By: Michael Niziolek

Anthony Henry is one of the many new faces at Lions training camp this season, coming over from Dallas in the off-season for quarterback Jon Kitna. Henry has had some very successful seasons as a cornerback in the NFL – getting six interceptions two years ago and ten as a rookie in 2001.

Detroit makes Henry’s third stop in his career, he was drafted by Cleveland in the fourth round of the 2001 draft, and the nine-year veteran is ready to team up with Phillip Buchanon and try to rebuild one of the worst secondary units in the NFL.

In-Play! talked to the corner after Day 12 of Lions training camp….

IP: You were traded to the Lions in the off-season, were you nervous about coming to Detroit knowing how much they struggled last season?

AH: You never know what comes with a new situation. The whole trade thing was a shock to me, but I understand that my time was done in Dallas. I looked at it as a new opportunity to further my career and turn things around here, you know? That’s why they brought me in here, to be a part of this team to and be a key part of the puzzle.

IP: Did you have a sense a trade was coming in Dallas?

AH: They didn’t tell me, the trade just happened. I didn’t know it was going down.

Being here now though it’s good opportunity for us as a team to do something special and also for me to show what I’ve been able to do as a player - help lead some of the guys from last year’s team and some of the guys that are younger.

IP: Having gone through training camp with a couple of different teams and coaches, any big differences between your first camp with the Lions and camps with your previous teams?

AH: All of them had the same approach in being a successful team, hard work and stuff like that.

It’s different when you got a defensive coach that has a set philosophy on defense. In all the places the philosophy was different on defense so we had a different set of things we focused on.

IP: Within the secondary does it take long to develop chemistry on the field…

AH: You never know. Sometimes some guys hit it off right away, sometimes it takes certain things to happen for you to mix together.

IP: One of the guys you’ve been working with a little bit is rookie Louis Delmas. What have you seen from him and how much do you try and mentor a young player like that?

AH: Louis he’s a young guy, but he’s smart. He understands the defense well. Other stuff like the mental aspect – he hasn’t been in a game yet – I’m definitely sure that there’s going to be a situation where he’s going to have to understand things are different than they were in college whether at safety or special teams, but he’s a guy that learns quickly so I don’t think that will be a problem.

IP: First pre-season game coming up Saturday, what do you try and take away from the first exhibition game of the season?

AH: You go into a game and you want to have a plan. You want to go in there and stop the run and be a team that makes plays. Right now you play at a certain level, whether it’s pre-season or not, guys are trying to make the team and compete and you can get a glimpse of what you possibly could be. That’s our focus.

Lions News From Training Camp Aug 11

The Lions completed their 11th day of training camp with morning and afternoon practices on the outdoor fields today at the team's practice facility. The players practiced in shorts for both sessions.

Detroit has announced that they have signed DT Shaun Smith and WR Billy McMullen, placed DE Jared DeVries (Achilles) on the reserve/injured list and released G Toniu Fonoti.

WR Bryant Johnson did not practice today and remains on the Active Non-Football Injury list.

The Detroit Lions kick off the 2009 preseason this week at Ford Field when they face the Atlanta Falcons at 4 p.m. EDT. The game will mark only the fourth time the two have met in the preseason, having met three consecutive years from 1997-99, of which Atlanta won two.

This week's game will be televised in Metro Detroit on WWJTV 62/CBS on tape delay with coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Matt Shepard will handle play-by-play, former Lions WR Desmond Howard will add color commentary while Hall of Fame TE Charlie Sanders and local sportscaster Steve Courtney report from the sideline.

In Play! Magazine website
Grab our widget

LIONS HEAD COACH JIM SCHWARTZ AFTER PRACTICE AUG 8

Detroit Lions Head coach Jim Schartz talked to the media for a few comments today after practice about the 15,000 fans that stood out in the rain today to get a chance to watch the Lions practice, "Yeah, I heard about it too when they were coming up (to get his autograph) - there were a lot of wet people. You know what? It says something about this city's love for football. You can get 15,000 people standing in the rain for two hours to come in and sit through practice like this. There are some parts of practice that aren't viewer-friendly, but they stuck with it and you know there were a couple plays in here. It was probably louder than a preseason game and it was 15,000 people so this is going to start to build. I appreciate them and I think we got a good thing for them today, but I would like to do some more of that. I would like to have some more of those people out at Allen Park."

Schwartz goes on to talk about the annual tradition of the Thanks Giving Day Game here in Detroit, "I just said anytime I hear somebody around the country talk about taking that game away from Detroit, I am going to remind the commissioner about 15,000 people standing in the rain for two hours to see a practice. I think that says something about our fans. I think that says something about our tradition here and that needs to be remembered and that needs to be rewarded."

As for possible starting line up Schwartz says every spot is up for grabs, "I'm sure there is an idea on some (positions) but we are only on Week 1, there is a lot to be done. There are a lot of preseason games. For me to close my mind right now, that's unfair to the guys that have worked hard every day."

Quick Hits: Lions Linebacker DeAndre Levy

By: Michael Niziolek

When the Detroit Lions drafted DeAndre Levy with the 76^th pick back in April it looked like the Wisconsin standout might have had a chance at cracking the starting line-up. The Lions didn’t have a middle linebacker on the roster, but that changed a month later when they signed Larry Foote.

Foote’s presence means that Levy will most likely come off the bench, but he will have the opportunity to learn from a former Super Bowl Champion along with former pro-bowler Julian Peterson.

In-Play! talked to Levy after day six of Lions’ training camp…

IP: What’s the biggest difference between a college training camp and an NFL training camp?

DL: We’re not going in pads as much. You have to get the speed of the game and the reps, but doing it in a controlled manner, in a way that you don’t lose a step without the pads on.

IP: Knowing this is your first NFL camp, what kind of expectations did you set for yourself coming in?

DL: I just kind of focus on getting better than the day before, everything is going so fast you just want to constantly improve, taking step forwards without taking any steps back.

IP: There has been a lot of chatter between the offense and the defense so far. The defense has some guy making a lot of noise - who’s the biggest talker and have you enjoyed that aspect of camp?

DL: I think everybody has been throwing their two cents in every now and then (laughs).

I like that, it gives us a little edge as long as we back it up. I think it’s a good thing for us. I think Gunther, coach Cunningham, tries to instill that in us. I think it’s a good edge for us to have.

IP: Coach Cunningham was talking after practice how the other day he had the defense run through 140 plays in 20 minutes. How difficult is that?

DL: It’s a challenge, but I wouldn’t say it’s something that throws us off. It makes us better. It’s not something that is so hard it hinders you, but it forces you to think on your toes. It’s one thing to run fast, it’s another to read something and react.

IP: How quickly do you get used to that kind of repetition?

DL: It’s kind of like muscle memory. It keeps you sharp. The offense isn’t going to wait on you so he kept throwing plays at us rapid fire and that helps us.

IP: Overall, how would you say that your first week of training camp has been?

DL: It’s going pretty good, just starting to get back in the groove of things of playing football and getting up to speed of the game in the pros. It’s been an adjustment, but pretty smooth.

Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan assesses offense

By: Michael Niziolek

On the first day with full pads Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan took time out after practice to talk to the media about how the offense was progressing four days into camp.

This early in the process there is no depth chart, so players are rotating a lot – changing personal groupings almost every single series.

Linehan said all the rotating isn’t unlike a NFL game; it’s unpredictable. Injuries and situations can change the depth chart during the course of a single quarter and players need to be ready to play with everybody.

He said Daunte Culpepper and Matthew Stafford both were progressing nicely.

“A lot of a quarterback staying in rhythm is working with the same guys - once you get going working with the same guys over and over again. Right now they don't have that luxury,” Linehan explained. “We told them going in to it - you're going to have to perform and do things to play winning football on a daily basis, whoever is in the game. I'm really pleased with that part.”

The evaluation process will continue for a while. The coaches haven’t set any kind of timetable for a decision and the quarterbacks are being evaluated every day, situation and play.

When asked about Stafford progress specifically Linehan said the rookie doesn’t feel like someone participating in their first NFL training camp.

“I don't feel like I'm coaching or talking to a rookie when we work with him,” Linehan admired.

While some might ignore the praise because of Stafford’s status as the draft’s No. 1 pick, Linehan said that Stafford’s experience at Georgia with a pro style offense really helped groom him for the NFL.

“He has a very natural feel for the game and understands concepts, he can translate things he's done before to what he is doing now without a lot of repetition,” Linehan explained. “He can go right to it and make that decision and make that transformation, pretty impressive that way.”

Linehan also had big praise for No. 81, he described Calvin Johnson as a fantastic athlete and hard worker.

“He does have that wow factor because he has the size dimensions and all that but he also backs it up by making plays,” Linehan said.

Having worked with Randy Moss for years in Minnesota, Linehan knows that it will be a challenge getting Johnson the ball without forcing it to him. Johnson will face a lot of double and even triple coverage this season, but Linehan said it’s a problem he’s okay with having.

Training camp is only four days in and the competition is gearing up for what should make an exciting camp on both sides of the football.

Quick Hits: Defensive End Cliff Avril

By: Michael Niziolek

There are a lot of new faces on defense this year for the Lions, but one young defensive lineman that’s back to build on his solid rookie season is defensive end Cliff Avril.

Detroit drafted Avril in the second round last season out of Purdue and in 15 games (4 starts) he had 42 tackles, 5 sacks and four forced fumbles for the Lions.

After the Lions first full day in pads, In-Play! asked Avril how his second NFL training camp experience is coming along…

IP: With one training camp under your belt did you feel more comfortable going into last week and day one of this year’s camp?

CA: Definitely, just the fact that I went through OTA’s (off-season training activities) and I kind of knew what I was getting myself into as far as how practices were going to be based and the plays. I definitely feel more comfortable.

IP: What about conditioning aspect – were you more prepared this second time with that aspect of camp?

CA: (Laughs) Honestly, you can condition all you want to, but ‘till you put those pads on and go practice and lean up against guys that weigh 340 pounds it’s a different ball game – but you still got to make it happen.

IP: I know it’s only four days into camp, but do you see any early differences between this year’s camp and last year?

CA: Just the tempo, the intensity that the guys on defense are bringing, I think that’s the biggest thing.

IP: The team brought in a couple of big time veterans like Larry Foote and Julian Peterson this off-season, what do you try to take from those guys and what do they bring to the table?

CA: Man, they just bring a lot of experience. They know how to practice; they know how to read things. Me and JP (Julian Peterson) we talk a lot about pass rushing and stuff like that.

IP: Julian has been a really good pass rusher throughout his career, when you are talking to him, what do you try and get from him?

CA: We both talk to each other about what we can work on, what kind of moves were working on the tackles and what’s working and not working. It’s coming along pretty good.

TODAY'S DETROIT LIONS NEWS - AUG 3 2009

TODAY'S LIONS NEWS - AUG 3 2009

-The Lions completed their third day of training camp with morning and afternoon practices on the outdoor fields today at the team's practice facility. The players practiced in shells (helmets and shoulder pads) for the morning session and in shorts for the afternoon workout. The team will have their first practice with full pads Tuesday morning.

-DT Grady Jackson (Active Non-Football Illness list) and WR Bryant Johnson (Active Non-Football Injury list) both did not practice today.

-The Detroit Lions will hold Lions Uncaged! presented by SVS Vision Optical Centers on Saturday August 8 at Ford Field. The event will feature an autograph session and public -
practice. Tickets, free of charge to the general public, are available at SVS Vision Optical Centers.
-On Thursday, August 6, a crew of three NFL officials will be visiting Lions training camp and participating in team practices through Saturday, August 8. Ron Winter (referee), Mike Spanier (line judge) and Scott Helverson (back judge) will be calling penalties to help the team as well as hone their own skills for the upcoming season. The officials will also meet with the team for rule clarifications and to explain rule changes and points of emphasis.
In Play! Magazine