ALLEN PARK >> First piece of business at Detroit Lions training camp on Sunday morning, was looking to see if Marvin Jones was on the field. Indeed he was.
Jones got tangled with a teammate in Saturday’s session and went to the ground. He walked it off, but sat out the second half of that practice.
Prior to practice, coach Matt Patricia said Jones was fine but would not elaborate or even say if he would be working.
“This was the first day of pads, obviously I was going to be out there,’’ Jones said.
It wasn’t scary when he went down — at least in his mind. Lions fans were holding their collective breath.
Five thoughts from Jones after the first three days of training camp:
1. A key theme under Matt Patricia is to play physical. Jones said that’s the way they played last year too. “Every team wants to and has to be physical in order to dominate so all we can do is keep working on that and this was the first day (in pads),’’ Jones said.
2. Jones and Golden Tate have put up consistent numbers the past three seasons. Last season they each surpassed 1,000 receiving yards. So far they’ve looked strong in camp. “Any player in the League they want to be consistent and kind of stay on top for the length of their careers. That’s what everybody strives for is to be consistent,’’ Jones said. “We have a good time doing it. We’re out here working. Last year didn’t really matter but we want to keep it consistent and keep making plays.’’
3. Jones and Tate are 1A and 1B on the depth chart and it doesn’t appear like that will change under Patricia. They cheer each other on. “I just get excited to watch (Tate) play that’s how we all are,’’ Jones said. In 2017 Jones had 61 catches for 1,101 yards and nine touchdowns while Tate had 92 catches for 1,003 yards and five touchdowns.
4. Since the run game stunk last season, a real emphasis has been placed on it in training camp. That’s all good with Jones. “It starts up front, you want to run and that’s going to to open up everything and vice versa. We’re out here just working and being a better team,’’ Jones said.
5. Jones, who is entering his seventh NFL season, takes his role as a mentor seriously. Second-year wide receiver Kenny Golladay has said how much he depends on Jones when he has questions. It’s not just young wide receivers that Jones can help. “Anything I can do even with the defensive backs, we all coach each other up. I spend time coaching the young DBs and the your wide receivers as well because we’re all a team,’’ Jones said. “As soon as you get those guys going and getting acclimated to the NFL the better. … As much knowledge as I can instill in everybody than I’ll do that. Maybe people have got something to say to me I always listen, that’s part of being a great player is sharing knowledge and gaining knowledge.’’
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