Category: NFL

Five Lions standouts from 24-17 preseason loss to Miami Dolphins

DETROIT — After the Lions dominated the Dolphins in two days of joint practices this week, the Dolphins showed up in their 24-17 preseason win at Ford Field on Saturday afternoon.

Both teams sat their starters, relying on second-and-third team players vying to make the roster cut.

“We had an opportunity to win at the end and we just weren’t able to finish out,’’ coach Dan Campbell said.
“You want to know you’re playing complementary football, it’s a big deal with me … As long as one of your units is keeping you alive you can weather the storm then we hit the rough patch in the fourth quarter,’’ he added.

The Lions led 14-7 at the half after touchdown throws from Kyle Allen to rookies Jackson Meeks and Isaac TeSlaa. Detroit was mostly shut out in the second half with Hendon Hooker at quarterback, although Jake Bates kicked a third-quarter field goal

“A lot of guys made some plays when they had the opportunity,’’ Campbell said. “Really the story for us as far as the loss is there were way too many penalties.’’

It’s an issue that will be on next week’s to-do list. The Lions had 13 penalties costing them 86 yards while the Dolphins had 9 for 60 yards.

Five Lions’ standouts in Saturday’s loss in no particular order:

ONE: Rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa, the home state kid who grew up a Lions fan, has gotten off to a quick start, proving the NFL isn’t too big for him. A third-round pick out of Arkansas, he has turned heads in training camp and did so again on Saturday finishing with 4 catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. It was his second TD in the last 2 games. In the first two preseason contests he had four catches for 64 yards. “(TeSlaa) continues to grow. (Jackson) Meeks has grown every day, every competitive setting he’s taken a step up and TeSlaa is the same way,’’ ‘Campbell said. “TeSlaa is continuing to grow, he’s getting more confident and he’s making more plays. Every time those (plays) happen you gain trust in those players.’’

TWO: Rookie WR Jackson Meeks, an undrafted free agent out of Syracuse, also had his second touchdown catch in the past 2 games to open Detroit’s scoring against the Dolphins. He hauled down a 11-yard TD catch on a fourth-and-7 play from Kyle Allen. He also provided a spark  in the fourth quarter with three catches for 36 yards. Overall he had seven receptions for 93 yards.

THREE: LB Grant Stuard, who was drafted with the final pick in the 2021 draft by Tampa Bay has also played with the Colts. He is easy to see on the field with his long mane hanging down his back. If that doesn’t give you a clue, just look for him near the ball on defense or special teams. Credit him for four solo tackles against the Dolphins, a forced fumble  and two kick returns for a total of 50 yards.

FOUR: Veteran QB Kyle Allen didn’t need Saturday’s game to tighten his grip on being the No. 2 quarterback, but his performance could not hurt. He played every offensive snap in the first half, completing 14 of 17 for 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Late in the second quarter, he headed the Lions two-minute drill that ended with an 18-yard touchdown catch to TeSlaa to give the Lions a 14-7 lead. 

Afterward Campbell noted that Allen is playing better than Hendon Hooker (who played in the second half.) “So I would say right now if you’re saying if you had to go in with a 2 right now who would you trust more, yeah I would use Kyle more because he’s proven more these past two games. We’re still going to coach Hooker up,’’ Campbell said.

FIVE: RB Sione Vaki, a second-year player, saw most of his action on special teams in 16 games in 2024. Along with his five rushes for 30 yards on Saturday, he forced a fumble on a punt. 

NEXT UP: The Lions (1-2) wrap up preseason action on Saturday, Aug. 23, against the Texans at 1 p.m. at Ford Field.

Lions training camp notes: Rookie WRs continue to impress; Anzalone is back

ALLEN PARK — Two Lions rookie wide receivers — Isaac TeSlaa and Dominic L0vett — have been turning heads through the first six days of training camp. 

Saturday wrapped up with a 30-yard pass to TeSlaa from Hendon Hooker for a potential touchdown. The fans in the stands loved it.

Earlier Lovett, who was double-covered, made an amazing catch during team drills. 

Those were the highlights, but there were more impressive plays from the two.

“I would say both of them mentally have done a pretty good job. They picked it up pretty good, Scottie (Montgomery, wide receivers coach) is doing a heckuva job with him,’’ coach Dan Campbell said prior to Saturday’s workout.

“They’re getting all the reps, the mental, the walk-through and they take it on the field. I would say Lovett has popped more early out on the field, but I thought TeSlaa had a really good day (Friday). I can see the uptick now with him so he’s got to stack another good day but that was good to see and that was the first day of pads,’’ the coach added.

TeSlaa, who grew up a Lions fan in Hudsonville, Mich.,  was drafted in the third round out of Arkansas, while Lovett was a seventh-round pick out of Georgia.

One or both have a shot at making  the 53-man roster, especially if they can contribute on special teams.

“They’re doing good. I think we’re excited to see these young guys come in. The offense isn’t the easiest. We have a lot of moving parts but they’re doing a great job of getting the whole offense, getting an idea of the offense, going out there making plays,’’ wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said.

As a veteran he said he tries to answer they questions and give them tips and reminders.

“At the end of the day I want them to play fast, don’t worry too much about being a rookie, trying to  impress the coaches, just go out there and play,’’ St. Brown said.

NOTES: Linebacker Alex Anzalone practiced for the first time since the start of training camp. He was sitting out with a hamstring. He is seeking a contract extension which is not done and he didn’t want to speak to the specifics.

— Martha Firestone Ford attended practice with her daughter Sheila Ford Hamp, principal owner and chair. Loud thanks were yelled from the fans when their golf cart stopped in front of the bleachers. 

— With the Hall of Fame game just days away, Campbell wants to see his rookies in game action. “I think all of those guys need to play in the game or games. I think our young guys, I see them playing in this game. Am I going to say it’s written in stone? No, I’m not. But I’d like to play those guys,’’ Campbell said. The Hall of Fame game on Thursday, July 31, in Canton, Ohio, is the first of four preseason games.

— Campbell was pleased with the first padded practice on Friday. “Loved the energy, we’ve got a lot to clean up but it was good. I thought they went back and forth, we got a little better on both sides of the ball which is what you’re looking for,’’ Campbell said on Saturday morning.

(UP NEXT: Lions have a day off on Sunday and then continue training camp on Monday.)

Lions LB Jack Campbell continues growth, takes pride in ownership of defense

ALLEN PARK — Lions linebacker Jack Campbell takes pride that coach Dan Campbell has given him ownership of the defense.

The talented but humble third-year player said it will not change him, he’ll continue to work hard every day.

He was thrilled for the first padded practice on Friday and it showed on the field.

Campbell took a step forward late last season when linebacker Alex Anzalone was sidelined with a broken forearm. While others on defense may be adapting to new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, Campbell and the linebackers have been coached by him the past two seasons.

“I’ve had the honor of coaching Jack since he was drafted. Jack’s a player, out of everybody, he’s never had any other voice in his head,’’ Sheppard said. “He knows what I’m thinking, we’re in lock-step with one another, and we spend a lot of time together, quite frankly. I wanted to open up that healthy kind of door communication, let him know this system, because you to have to give ownership to the players out here.’’

Linebacker Alex Anzalone has not participated in camp yet due to a contract situation, but Dan Campbell has made it clear he needs both Jack Campbell and Anzalone on defense.

Anzalone has the experience factor while Jack Campbell, a first-round draft pick in 2023, continues to study the game.

“When he came in he was pretty good. He was one of these guys who was a little bit ahead of everything mentally and now to see where his growth is. It’s impressive. He’s done an outstanding job,’’ Dan Campbell said.

“He has a good feel of the game, he understands the game, he knows what we’re trying to do defensively. He did it with AG (Aaron Glenn) and now even more so with Shep and so with that we’re going to give him a lot more – he and Alex both,’’ Dan Campbell said.  “A lot more flexibility to get us into the play. He also studies, he studies the opponent, he studies our offense. He’s trying to get in any little key he can. One of the reasons we drafted him is for that.’’’

Jack Campbell ‘s growth is due in part of his understanding of the game’s mental side.

“The NFL is mostly mental. You get guys who come in this building everyday who have all the physical attributes,’’ Jack Campbell said. “It’s the guys who set themselves apart mentally and I feel like that’s where everyday it’s to fight to get a little better, a little bit smarter, a little quicker on your reads I feel that’s where I’ve seen my game improve.’’

Jack Campbell said his biggest stride last year was understanding the defense as a whole.

“The biggest stride I want to make this year is not letting one mental error ever happen, and it’s gonna happen and when it does happen, move on to the next play,’’ Jack Campbell said.

NOTES: For the second straight day Graham Glasgow took reps at center while rookie Tate Ratledge was at right guard. Dan Campbell said that’s probably the direction they are headed but Ratledge will still get some snaps at center. With the retirement of Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler leaving in free agency there are two starting positions open. Christian Mahogany has seen the bulk of reps at left guard. … Derrick Barnes (finger) and Terrion Arnold (calf) practiced Friday after leaving the field early on Thursday to have injuries evaluated.