Lions 2026 Training Camp Day 4 Recap
- The Grey Manes Staff
- 11 minutes ago
- 25 min read
The Detroit Lions held their Day 4 of training Camp on Sunday after taking Saturday off. As expected, there were a lot of updates and movement on injured players, Shep fille din for Campbell at the podium and the Lions had a national guest at camp. Oh, it was also the first day fans were in attendance, so that always gets the players excited.
Injury Updates
Updates from Dan Campbell's press event this morning, providing clarity on existing and new situations since last practice of players not participating.
The list of those not practicing or exiting early
RB Jahmyr Gibbs, S Brian Branch, S Kerby Joseph, TE Tyler Conklin, OL Gio Manu, EDGE/DE Peyton Turner, LB Jimmy Rolder, TE Miles Kitselman (Left), EDGE Derrick Moore (Left), OG Ben Bartch
New Updates
S Christian Izien (NFI/Illness)
removed form NFI/Illness and returned to practice
DT Alim McNeil (Neck)
McNeil was back at [practice, said he was kicked in the head Friday and is good to go now.
LB Jimmy Rolder (Leg)
Confirmed by multiple sources on Saturday that he would miss some time, abut Shepp said he absolutely expects him to contribute this year.
RB Jacob Saylors (Limp)
Saylors was back on the practice field on Sunday after leaving with a limp on Friday
OIG Ben Bartch (Foot)
Has been limited but getting work all camp, but was not practicing today
OT Blake Miller (Limited)
Was limited to walkthroughs and Individual Drills, which is likely a maintenance day as other vets also had limited reps. He was observed wearing a compression sleeve on his left leg but moving around fine.
Existing (No Changes)
RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Contract Dispute)
Missed practice but was watching form sideline for first time.
S Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph (PUP)
Both are targeted for return around September
Kerby elaborated on his injury a bit saying he woke up with a swollen knee and wasn't as fast on the field, and MRI showed the issue
TE Tyler Conklin (PUP)
Calf injury, return is targeted for ~Aug 12th-13th.
Was observed working off to the side with a trainer
OT Giovani Manu (NFI/Injury)
Campbell said that Manu had a previous injury over the summer that wasn't disclosed. He came off practice field not feeling good and after checking it out, put him on the list. It's a 12–14-week timeline, putting it between Week 7-9 of the NFL season if he is still on the team.
EDGE/DE Peyton Turner
Per Dan Campbell, Turner has a stiff back, nothing serious
Left Practice
EDGE Derrick Moore (Groin)
TE Miles Kitselman (Concussion)
Transactions
Lions removed Christian Izien from the NFI/Illness List
Training Camp Day 4 Observations form the Lions Media
General Observations
First day of fans being in attendance and crowd was hyped, Monday will be the first day in Full Pads.
Multiple folks said that Miles Frazier was everywhere, it was noticed he played all four non-Center positions on each line at some point Sunday.
Many veterans did not participate in 1-on-1s today per the folks in attendance
Caoch Skipper was the QB in some drills
Isaac TeSlaa had a poor day, going 0-5 in his one-on-ones and struggling in team drills, but did have a TD on a pick play.
The first team Defense was dominating in the red zone with multiple pass breakups, Ints, and tackles for losses
Ahmed Hassanein was disruptive all practice
Situational end-of-games drill to end practice. The Offense down 1 pt, 4:00 minutes on the clock, with three timeouts for each side. The goal was bleeding the clock and kick the FG to win.
Started with a Tom Kennedy KO to the 29
Goff to Wright for 9, Pacheco 2-yard run, Goff throwaway (blitzed by Reed), False Start on Scruggs putting them at the 35 with 2nd and 15.
Diving 5-yard catch by Vaki made it 3rd and 10 with a big conversion to Jamo for 20 yards with defense taking timeout and the offense on the 40.
Goff to St Bronw for 9 to the 31, TO #2 form Defense
Run for 2, TO #3 for defense
Run for 6, kneel, kneel 43-yard FG to win it as time expired
Bates was inconsistent at 5-7, with consecutive 43-yard misses
Offensive Line
1st OL: Sewell-Scruggs-Mays-Ratledge-Borom
Borom and Frazier split time with Blake Miller only doing individual drills
Miles Frazier was working as both an OT and OG with majority of reps at OT, and quite a few reps as the starting RT
It was observed that Sorsdal is getting mostly OT reps with Manu now on the NFI list.
2nd OL: N/A-N/A-N/A-N/A-N/A
3rd OL: N/A
RBs
1st Unit: Sione Vaki
2nd Unit: Isiah Pacheco
Depth: Saylors, Small and Robichaux
WRs
1st Unit: Amon-Ra St Brown, Jameson Williams
2nd Unit: Greg Dortch, Toim Kennedy
Backups: Everyone Else
TE
1st Unit: Sam LaPorta
2nd Unit: Brock Wright
3rd Unit: Miles Kitselman/Jackson Meeks
Depth: Horton/Gordon
DL
1st Unit: Hutch-McNeil-Williams- Lacy (Wonnum - nickel)
Wingo received a few 1st team reps prior to McNeil's injury and replaced him once he left practice.
Onzururike is also picking up 1st team reps.
Tyler Lacy has been the "big' DE in a Five-man with Ahmed Hassanein the 2nd Big End and Onwuzurike getting some reps today
2nd Unit: N/A-Onwuzurike-Wingo-Hassanein
LBs
1st Tean - Campbell, Barnes and Rodriguez have been the starters in all sessions
Starting nickel LBs are Campbell and Barnes
2nd Team - Rolder (Mike), Clark (Will) and Nowaske (Sam)
3rd team - Unknown
It was noted that Damone Clark was with a bunch of regulars on the team's top Punt Block group (an indication of roster slot)
Safety
1st Team - Avonte Maddox (In for Izien in for Kerby) and Chuck Clark (In for Brian Branch)
2nd team - Thomas Harper, Loren Strickland and Dan Jackson
3rd team - Unknown
Nickel
McCreary and Abney
Outside CBs
1st Team - DJ Reed and Ya-Sin/Rakestraw
2nd Team - Nick Whiteside and Unknown
3rd Team - Nick Whiteside and Unknown
Punt Returners
Day 1 - N/A
Kick Returners
Greg Dortch, Tom Kennedy, Isiah Pacheco, Dominic Lovett, Malik Cunningham, Lawrence Keys, Isaac TeSlaa and DJ Reed.
Gunners
N/A
Rookies
Blake Miller - Was a light day for the rookie, only doing individual drills and not participating in 1-on-1s.
Derrick Moore - The Rookie edge was praised by Shepp in the presser, then left the field early with a groin injury. Before the injury, was 3-2 in 1-on-1s against Borom, Frazier, Sorsdal and M Miller.
Jimmy Rolder - Confirmed by multiple sources on Saturday that he would miss some time, abut Shepp said he absolutely expects him to contribute this year.
Keith Abney II - Was beat by Lovett, but had two pass breakups later including a near pick of Altmyer.
Kendric Law - Done for season with a torn ACL suffered win OTA Week 2 practices
Skyler Gill-Howard - Was 1-5 in his 1-on-1s against Frazier and Mason Miller and Priestly
Tyre West - Was 0-2-2 against Niese, Priestly, M Miller and Sorsdal
UDFAs
Luke Altmyer - Was almost picked by fellow rookies Abney and Hunter
Miles Kitselman - Exited practice early to be evaluated for a leg injury.
Anthony Lucas - Was 0-4 against Cochrane on 1-on-1s
Erick Hunter - Ran over LB Bachie on KR drill and almost picked off Altmyer
Erik O'Neil - Was 1-2 in 1-on-1s vs Cochrane and Frazier
Aiden Keanaaina - Mentioned he has worked his way into 2nd team reps, but struggled in 1-on-1s going 0-3-1 vs Niese and McLaughlin
Lions OT Penei Sewell, RB Isiah Pacheco, QB Jared Goff and DT Alim McNeil Photos - Jeff Nguyen & Nicole Scharff Detroit Lions
Kelvin Sheppard Day 4 Press Conference
Kelvin Sheppard held serve today at the podium instead of Campbell, and below is a quick summary of the items he was asked and answered:
Quick Hitters
On Moore and Hassanein: Doesn't want to jump gun ion their performance so far, no padded practice yet. Said Moore has presence of older guy, doesn't feel like a rookie. Said Athleticism jump out ion person and not necessarily on tape. For Hassanein, love that guy. Ahmed goes full tilt all the time and energy is real. Role has been switched to bigger end to his advantage.
On Growth on Rolder prior toy injury and how much sets him back: Trajectory was clear, came in a bit overwhelmed, but put work in this Summer and applied himself and trusts the coaches. Kid was getting better each and every day. Hope to get him back to play as soon as possible and will absolutely contribute this year at some point.
Addition of Devin White: Addition backs up what Cmapgbell said this offseason and find the best 90 that they can compete. Always looking to improve the competitive depth situation.
Asked about Hutch's huge workload last year (led EDGES in snaps): Shep would like to see his load lightened a bit and not play 95% of the snaps. Lots of wear and tear. Key is finding guys that can be on the field and not have drop off when Hutch is off the field.
Asked about level of concern about health and depth in the DB room: Said that they brought in lots of veterans and the room has tons of experience now. Young guys can lean on veterans. Build room to be plug-and-play.
Asked if losing Terrion Arnold was a setback: Shep said he wasn't going to say it was a setback, as it would be disrespectful to guys in the locker room. Said he had No 1 potential, but it was untapped and will leave it at that
On Rakestraw and what he has seen form him without pads: Said Ennis has the talent, just needs his bod to endure the 21-22 weeks of the football and also mentally take the big jump. Seeing a big jump in understanding things beyond his specific responsibilities on a play.
Asked what he is looking for with pads on to know a guy is real: Shep said that a quiote on the board from Kevin Green via Dom Capers "We are going to establish the violent physical nature of the game", and that is non-negotiable. Guys will have to go in and play elite run defense here and starts when pad comes on. If you can't do that, you won't earn the right to rush the passer.
Hoping to utilize with Calrk, Izien and Maddox: Was talking about it earlier with guys able to disguise and lie to the QB for what he is seeing. It's not about the how, but also the why on disguising.
On Izien playing big nickel and where are they with locking down the defensive fits: The faster they can figure out the top 11, they will let the competition figure it out as long as needs to. Izien was very versatile in Tampa and should be able to figure out where he wants to play and where Shep's vision is for him.
Getting back to elite run defense: Despite being top half of league last year, looking to get back to top 5. The totality of everyone understanding the totality of the defense will get them back to where they need to be. Trying all the defensive fits together, not doing it on the fly during the season. Mentioned being adaptable and plug-and-play again, setting those in the offseason so if they need to rely on people in season, they can move on without having to reestablish with new players.
Asked about defense least year in his year: Shep said he thought they were average last year in his eyes and it starts with getting back to that elite run defense.
Ian Rapport Interviews form Training Camp
Jahmyr Gibbs watching and not participating
Sam LaPorta piece on his health, contract and offense
Jameson Williams piece on offensive playmakers, how he will be sued and on paying Gibbs
Media Scrums with Players
The Lions had media availability with WR Jameson Williams, DT Alim McNeila and LB Devin White
Isiah Pacheco
Can you give us a sense of how you feel these first few days have been to? Yes. Uh the first few days been uh phenomenal. Just getting fly around the field with the guys again. Uh OTAAS are about the same. Got a little head start now out here just playing a little bit faster, physical. Um making plays.
WR Jameson Williams
What have you thought of Drew's offense so far? Um, I like it. You know, it's hard not to like when we got so many playmakers. He knows what he's doing, spreading it out well. Um, so, you know, um, one, like I said earlier, one play from one person could help the whole team. So, it just it's just like we just got to go out there and execute. Um, he's doing his job real well though. Um, we are and we help all help each other though.
Jamo, watching you out there at practice today, I was kind of taken back to when you first walked out on the field here. Do you remember like your first training camp felt very distant from what we see from you now? How different of a player, a person, everything do you feel in a teammate? I feel like I've grown a lot, you know, just by with age and, you know, grown with the game. Um, matured a lot. It's just part of the game though, I would say. Um, day by day I've been trying to get better. Like I said, stack days. I just want to work my way to being my ending goal being a top receiver.
We seem to make a lot of hands catches out here like just snatch the ball at the end. Something that Dan references one of the areas where you've improved a couple days ago. How much of a focus was that for you this this offseason? Um, you know, it's it was a daily focus. Um, I you know, I catch the ball every day. I was catching balls every day. Um, so I was just focusing in on I just want to be I just want to be like the receiver no matter where it said I got to catch it. Um, no matter if it's in my I just got to go catch it. So that's what I've been working on really. I don't want no mishaps or nothing. No matter where the ball at, I'm just trying to go catch it. So that was my main thing on working on the catches.
Saw you chopping it up with Gibbs, you know, during that one special teams period. It's like to have him at least back out here watching. Oh, it's good, man. You know, cuz he the best of the best and you know um hopefully um coming up we get to see my boy um you know get something done so um he could be back out here with us in his jersey and stuff. So, you know, I'm real excited for him. I know what he could do for us and I know what he could do for himself and his team. You know, he's a real great player. I think one of the best in this league. Um so, um
Got any advice for him as he goes through this? Any advice? Um, I don't know. I don't know. Um, like we probably in two different situations, you know. Um, his is different. He like the best player in the NFL. So, like I don't know. [laughter]
You said you wanted to be considered one of the top receivers in the game. You have had back-to-back a thousand-yard season. What is going to take in your mind to be kind of one of those guys that that you think are, you know, the 10 best? Um, you know, more of that. A lot more of that. Um, you know, I just got, like I said, got to keep stacking, keep being getting better every day. Um, you know, I can't worry about what everybody else got going on. It's just focusing on me and my team.
From a confidence standpoint, how much did last season help you? I mean cuz again first half of the season they were getting as many target but then you know Dan takes over and you start uh you know really coming through when they wanted and how much did that really kind of the whole season and how it played out kind of really helped you confidence? Um you know I just had to stay down and stay focused like you said it was games where I had zero catches, zero targets. U but that don't be on my mind you know after the day that I'll be past that cuz you know we most likely got to win that game. So, you know, you can't be mad over too long. Um, but I just stayed down and stayed focused. I knew my time was going to come and I knew like what I was going to do when my time come because when my time come, it's like the ball is in my hands and I know how to control it. So, you know, um, it really wasn't that hard. I just got to stay down and stay focused. Everything same thing I've been doing my whole life.
And also just from like a standpoint of the production, it's been a linear growth pattern. I mean, like every year you're producing more. you just talk about also what that means to you, I guess, from, you know, where it could possibly go. I guess um I [laughter] don't know how to answer that. Uh it could pos where it could possibly go. I think it, you know, I just try to focus on, like I said, stacking, stacking, stacking, getting better every day. So, I guess it can go up and up.
Jamo should Jahmyr be the highest paid running back? Yeah, of course. Of course. No question. He the best. No, like look, I wouldn't even say look at the stats. Look at the film. Nobody close. He the best.
What does he mean in this offense? A lot. A lot. When Zero get on the field, it's like it's game changer for us cuz like I to me he unstoppable. Like he get through the line of scrimmage, he go 70, get through the line of scrimmage, make somebody miss. Like, it's just I love playing with him. I love watching him. Like, he got a one of the best games I ever seen.
You two race yet? Nah,
It's going to happen? I don't know. I don't think we need to race.
Jamo, when you see the fans out here in practice, what kind of dynamic does that add hearing them kind of, you know, and on out there? Um, you know, it bring a boost to us. I know um some guys like putting on the show for the fans. As you know, these fans die hard Detroit Lions fans. So, you know, that's what we come out here for. We come out here to work and you know, put on a show for them. Um, they love this. They love this team. They embrace the team. We embrace them. It's kind of like a love relationship. Um, you know, we go out here and put on the show for them and they come out here and, you know, have fun.
Ready for pads? Pads? Yeah. I think that's tomorrow. Y'all going to be out here? Watch me.
DT Alim McNeil
On getting evaluated for injury on Friday: Oh yeah, I'm all good. I had to do a little eval. Um it was a funky play with DB. I had trying to get up. He kind of kicked me in the head. I had to go do a quick eval. I was good. I'm clear. So felt great today. Uh yeah, concussion eval. Um whatever it was on the iPad, but I feel good though.
That mean you like crash through the line. Yeah. Yeah. I was about to make that play and I was trying to get up and I think DV was trying to jump over me or something and kick me right in the head.
When we talked to you in the spring, you were talking about feeling so much better and Dan told us and I one day earlier this week that you guys watched a ton of films that you didn't realize but you were maybe favoring that leg. How imperative is this is this summer camp for you is just going into this season for you mentally, physically? Huge, huge, huge. I think mentally nothing's really going to change for me. I was there mentally last year. It just physically I just wasn't all the way there like I wanted to be. Um, like I was telling him, like you can see it right there, but if you can't get to it, you can't get to it. Now I got two legs and I have no excuse and I feel wonderful out here now. So I I really feel like I'm back to me playing like me, getting off the ball like me, getting off blocks like I usually do. So uh, it it's huge though. These reps here in training camp, they matter. People hate training camp. It's long distance this and that, but these reps matter out here and that's what gets you better. It's cliche, but it does. And uh, me being out here now, being able to get those reps, be with the guys, most importantly, build that chemistry, it's been really good.
So do you feel a little different though? like you're kind of in this veteran leadership role now. I mean, we've got a lot of changed faces here. Yeah, that's what I was I was just saying that as well. It It's kind of wild to think about that I am six years deep, but that's why I'm trying to use my voice more. I try to lead by example every play, but I'm trying to use my voice more, just talking to the rookies, giving them tips here and there and whatnot, celebrating plays. Um, so yeah, I am in that position now and I'm going to take that role.
I know you know last year that you might have been like when you go back and watch yourself on what you might have been Did I see I knew yeah I mean I knew I knew that I wasn't a thousand% but I I was good enough to go do what I needed to do but I just you know I wasn't a thousand% is just how human body works. I mean, there's nothing you could do about it, but uh I mean, I knew and going back and looking back at it, you can really tell. But when you look at me now, you can really tell the difference how that offseason and summer work, how much stronger I've gotten, how much more confidence I've built with this um leg through my mind. So yeah, it's night and day difference now. But yeah, I could tell
With Aiden going through such a dramatic intense rehab and for you guys to both be in camp and to not think about it as much. Do you guys look at each other with a nod and just feel like, okay, we're back Sometimes. But I ain't going to lie, we don't even that's in the past. I when you just had to remind me. I'm not going to lie, forgot Hutch did that cuz Hutch came back. You wouldn't know Hutch did that at all. So it's in the past. But sometimes I think about I'm like yeah, you know, cuz I wasn't out here at one point and I it was hard for me to kind of process that because I've never not played football and it was just it was a little weird. But being back out here now and I don't take it for granted every event every threw me off every chance I get, um I try to try to be thankful out here for sure.
When we were talking to Shep earlier today, he was taking it kind of personally where this run defense kind of slipped to last year. How personally do you take it and how committed are you in the middle of this defense to make sure you guys get back to what you were in 24? Super personal. That's my job. That's why I'm here. Um it's to stop the run and get to the quarterback. So that falls on us directly. Uh so I take that super personal and we're going to go into the season thinking that same way and that's why we're practicing right now. But I take that super personal. That's literally why we are D-line. That's why we're here. So we want to be first in the league. We don't I don't know what we were but we want to be first in the league.
I know it's a little bit one day, but how is it having Devon White now join the team, you know, having been to the Super Bowl. What does that kind of mean to your defense to have someone who's been there, knows what it takes to get there. Um, how is that having board? True. That's a lot. Cuz, you know, I personally I don't I've never been there, so I don't know what it takes to quite get to that point. Um, we've been MC Championship, but we haven't been further than that. And, you know, just bringing that experience in a guy like Devin White, a guy I watched growing up playing, uh, that's going to be huge. I know he's got a lot of knowledge on him. Uh he was already out here today. So I think it's gonna be great though. I think it'll be great.
We talk about chemistry on the offensive line a lot, but you and Ty getting a bunch of reps. How important is that to you guys kind of building that chemistry? Very, very much so because we can start calling knickknack little things we want to do in there that may not be in the call. U we can start calling ourselves, start running some stuff. But it's very huge. Very huge. But me and Tyleik have a great chemistry already. Uh so I think it's going to be it's going to be wonderful in there. I'm not It's going to be fun. So but we got a great chemistry going off the field, on the field. It'll be good though.
Do you feel like there's a opportunity to kind of use you guys interchangeably a little bit? Kind of like the body transformation he kind of went. Yeah. Yeah. Thousand%. I think that's always the goal probably anywhere, but especially here because we do a lot of things where maybe we have to jump the front a little bit, he'll go to the three, I go to the one within the play, like if a wide turbo, whatever, wide divide. Um, but yeah, I think that's definitely a plan and we can do that. We can definitely do that. So, yeah.
LB Devin White
Like for you when you got the news? I mean, it was good. Uh, just wanted to get back with a winning program, try to help them, you know, do whatever I need to do just to be a help. That's all.
What is it about the Lions that you like? Uh, I feel like the play style on defense is very aggressive. They use all their players to the to their strengths and I know I got a lot of strengths that could be used and I think uh this organization that can bring them out.
What was the last 24 hours for you like? Where did you get to the draft? Uh, shoot. Uh flew in Friday night, did some uh medical stuff Saturday and just got to rolling today.
Just first impressions, obviously no pads, you know, still kind of acclamation period, but just first impressions what you saw out here. Oh, I think uh the speed of the game. I think doing everything at an intense level. Uh you know, he harp on that, you know, just being all out. You know, that was part of the thing he say, you know, uh, Coach Dan, like when I was in New Orleans when we was in the same division, and that's what stuck off the tape always about you is that you just go 100 miles per hour. So, just being able to come over here and fly around.
Did Shep share any of his expectations for you? I know that he's keyed in on your leadership as well, plus another LSU guy. Most definitely. Uh, he just told me to come in and, uh, you know, just be you. Uh, get a hold to the system and, you know, just hit the ground running. So, they threw me in the fight today. First day I was in there. Uh it's different, you know, same coverages, just different uh different terminology. So, I'm trying to get that terminology down with the coverages that I know. But I like being thrown in the fire. I like being uh being able to compete. You know, it's a lot of great guys in the room, and I just want to uh fit in where I fit in.
Did you have any previous connection with the LSU? I mean, we just we personally knew each other just on the, you know, LSU connection, but not know talk on the phone every day. Like, I wouldn't say that. Hopefully that uh relationship going to grow stronger now that I am kind of under his wing right now since he is the defensive coordinator and you know he draws everything up. So I kind of want to think just like him.
Any opportunities before this you wait for the right time situation. Yeah I feel like I feel like uh coming off last year you know uh losing season that was like first time ever since I was I ain't never lost had a losing season in my career since I was a kid. So that was very hard and you know you try to like dot the eyes and cross the t's and you want to put yourself in the best position to win. You know in this league winning is fun and you know you got to work hard to be able to win. So I knew this was a hardworking winning organization so I felt like it was just the right fit.
And did this been in the works for a minute before even the Rolder injury I mean yeah I mean no no I don't know nothing about that but uh I know we talked you know early in free agency saying you know we want to revisit and so it's kind of always been on the on the shift.
How have you been spending most of this offseason making sure you're in mental shape, you're in physical shape? Yeah, I think mental the most part, you know, uh just never knowing what's next, you know, if you going to do something next or do you want to whatever you want to do in life. I think that's the uh being that's more important than physical. Uh physical just working out, you know, got a good team around myself that just keep me going. I was able to come right in, get right on the field, and even when I wasn't going, got a strength coach and did more work just to keep going. You know, it's all about the work that you put in. So even though I'm here, instead of putting in more work, just trying to show these guys that I can be a part of this team and I can help.
What are you knew Kacey Rogers as well? Oh, yeah. I I actually didn't. And uh I didn't even realize he was still here. I knew he was here, but I didn't realize he was still here. But when I seen him in the building, you know, man, we did a lot of things together as far as working with the front in Tampa. You know, me blitzing off those guys and putting in certain stunts and stuff. So that was a good cuz he know my play style. He know what I can do, you know, and he can help those guys be able to utilize me even more, you know, because he's actually been in the building with me for five years.
What did um you mentioned a little bit like what the losing did last year, but just on a personal level, did it do something, you know, good for you to play the way you did, all the tackles you had after? Yeah, I mean I know uh you know just for me I was just excited to be playing the game you know um just happy to be out there flying around but like I said um self-accomplishment don't mean nothing you know you want to be able to win like just coming from a person that host that trophy up with a lot of other guys and that's the greatest feeling in the world so I just want to get back to that all the self-stuff I did that didn't mean nothing to me it was just showing everybody else man he can still run hit uh go get the turnovers and get tackles for a loss. So, that's what they needed to see. But for me, it's about winning and being a team guy.
I think some people wrote you off. Yeah. Yeah. They probably thought I didn't have it no more, but it's okay. That's why the book keep going, you know? I'm going to put the ending to it.
And on that note, having like Super Bowl experience, knowing what it takes to get to that level. What does it mean to kind of, you know, come to a team, a program that's never been there before? Uh, how can you kind of use that experience to help those guys? Just the way I work, you know, but the way I work is the way they work as well. you know, they got all the attributes and they doing all the right things, you know, uh even self-aware things, you know, just working on self like for a minute at the end of practice, just putting yourself in position because you never know when it's going to come up, but when it come up, you're ready to like, you know, take over on it, you know, and I think that's one good thing that I seen on the first day of practice for me is we was just situation aware and uh that's really, really good. And obviously hard work pay off at the end of the day. And that's what this team is about. That's what me and Coach Dan talked about. He was like, "This what I expected of you. Fly around and you know that's what I want. That's what we about." And I asked a couple guys like, "You know, what's the standard around here?" And that's like, man, all out. All out. So, I think I fit right in.
Are you a chip on your shoulder guy? Are you taking notes of the doubters out there? No, I don't really worry about the doubters. I mean, at the end of the day, I got to go out there and do the job. You know, I don't know who doubt me. I don't know who for me. I know my family for me. And I know this organization behind me right now, cuz if they wouldn't, they wouldn't have brought me in. So, I'm just here to, you know, help these guys.
Who in particular did you talk with that kind of helped you establish that standard? Was Jack Campbell one of those guys? Yeah, one of the first guys that reached out talked to him. Um I think he was like real, you know, big on the standard and uh just talking ball
That were potentially just kind of how you wanted to play, right team, right fit. Yeah, I feel like um just jumping out that headfirst and putting myself back in the position that I was in last year. You know, a lot of other teams, they probably be a lot of pieces away from getting to the even the postseason, you know, and I I really didn't want to deal with that right now. I wanted to go in and be able to help a team that really wants to win right now. And obviously the culture around here, you know, the previous seasons, you can see it. And I think this just was the right fit for me. Uh being around some ball coaches like who actually played the game and can actually get out there hands-on with you and like let's keep improving. Let's keep uh improving. Whatever they feel like I need to improve in, they can actually get out there and coach me. Coach me cuz they did it before so they know exactly what they looking for.
You think Shep could still play? He probably could. He athletic. He look athletic and he run around so I think he probably still could but he doing a good job calling the plays right now.
Were you considering any other teams? I mean is it I was but I was but it don't matter. I didn't pick him. Yeah. Yeah. We didn't agree with them so it didn't matter.
How long did that process kind of play out though? I mean like I mean it started it started as soon as free agency came and you know we just we didn't rush it you I think that was the biggest thing for me is just getting to a team where you can grow. You know, you can't grow when it's a lot of like downside going on. And I think it's a lot of upside here. So, no matter what I do, it's a lot of room for growth.
Obviously, the first part of your career is, you know, spent with, you know, Tampa, that's what people most associate and then, you know, this most recent period has been a few teams here and there. Do you see this as like a chance to kind of establish that kind of uh, you know, solid ground that you had at the outset of different? I don't know. I just want to keep learning the plays first. You know, it's a new playbook. Uh, different language, same coverages, but that's all I'm focusing on now. I don't know what's going to happen with that. I really don't care. I just want to help this team and whatever uh on the back end of that that'll come. I really don't like to think to the future, you know. I just like to put myself in my shoes today. And right now I just finished day one of practice and it was a good one. And I got to go back and get back into uh film study so I can come back tomorrow with the pads on. It'll be a lot faster and you know a lot more physical. So, I'll be trying to get acclimated to
The Lions first preseason game is at Cincinnati on Thursday Aug 13th at 7pm.
Transcripts are created with an assist from AI
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