Tag: dan campbell

Lions CB Jeff Okudah needs reps as he returns from Achilles injury

Jeff Okudah has worked hard on getting his speed back after tearing his Achilles in the season opener a year ago.

The Lions cornerback traveled around the United States and ventured into Canada seeking out the best specialists to help get him back on the football field.

Friday night’s preseason opener could be a big step in the process. For many players coming back from a lengthy injury taking that first hit is big. But it’s more than that for Okudah who the Lions drafted with the third overall pick in 2020.

“That’s always big making that first play, but I think it’s getting out there and participating just being out there with the crowd’s energy. I think that will be big for me as well,’’ Okudah said after Wednesday’s training camp.

He said as far as physically he thinks everything has gone smoothly in training camp.

“I’m my toughest critic but trying not to be too hard on myself after not playing in 11 months,’’ Okudah said. 

The cornerback is listed behind Amani Oruwariye and Will Harris on the depth chart that coach Dan Campbell calls “unofficially official.”

“The way I approach it, I always feel like there’s competition so even when there wasn’t really a competition I always take everything as competition,’’ OKudah said. “I always demanded that out of myself.”

Campbell said they have no concern about Okudah’s Achilles.

“Physically he looks great. He needs reps. He needs reps, he needs to play, I mean that’s the thing that we can never lose sight of. I mean, he’s going into Year Three and he really hasn’t played. I mean he just hasn’t had significant playing time,’’ Campbell said.

In his rookie season Okudah struggled through a variety of injuries and only played nine games. In 2021 he was lost for the season in the opener.

Friday night’s preseason game should provide a clue about where Okudah stands with the regular season about a month away.

(The Lions open the preseason at 6 p.m. on Friday against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field.)

Lions competition for backup QB takes next step with preseason games

In his previous six NFL seasons Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has never been in a quarterback room with the same three guys two years in a row — until now.

This training camp he’s working with David Blough and Tim Boyle once again. All three are 27 and get along fine on and off the field. 

“It’s been fun with those guys, they keep it light, they keep it fun, they’re both extremely competitive and it’s fun for me to have guys like that to be competitive on the field,’’ Goff said after Tuesday’s training camp practice.

While Goff has more starting experience (83 NFL games), he learns from both of them.

“They both have had their fair share of playing time and they’ve both played around really good quarterbacks as well so I’ll bounce things off them all the time,’’ Goff said.

Goff, who is entering his second season in Detroit, is expected to start Friday night’s preseason opener against the Falcons at Ford Field. But the game will be more important for Boyle and Blough who are vying for the backup role.

“I feel both of those guys had a good week last week — Boyle and Blough. I feel that they’re both better than they were in the spring and I’ll just say it’s still somewhat early in camp until we get these preseason games. I think that will tell a lot for us,’’ Lions coach Dan Campbell said on Tuesday.

If Goff went down, Campbell said he feels both of them could step in and take over the offense.

“I think they’re both different in what they do. Blough is a little scrappier, he’s going to find a way. That’s what he’s about. He can certainly run the offense,’’ Campbell said.

“Boyle has got all the gifts, all the traits and he’s consistently doing it. Again, he’s got to do this in preseason games. Let’s see where he’s progressed from last year,’’ the coach added.

Last season, Boyle was No. 2 and got three starts. Blough had five starts in 2019 and none last season.

“Getting some game reps last year allowed me to settle into my routine, pre-snap. Every play I feel like I have a certain checklist for pre-snap. Playing those games last year helped me formulate that process,’’ Boyle said. “I feel really comfortable, I love the offense, I love where we’re heading. It’s been a good camp so far.’’

While preseason games aren’t as crucial for guys who have nailed down starting roles Blough and Boyle know it’s their time to prove themselves.

“I’m excited. Every opportunity you get whether it’s the preseason or regular season game to go and play against other guys who have the same dream we do,’’ Blough said. “You want the ball in your hands with two minutes to go to win the game. I think that’s how a lot of the preseason games come down, it will be fun on Friday night.’’

Each game – even if it’s preseason – provides a learning experience for all three

When Goff is in the game, the backup provides another set of eyes.

“I think there’s a lot of things that go into it,’’ Blough said. “It’s seeing looks. I got to see Chase Daniel do it for a year as the second guy (in 2020). He was as prepared as our starter (Matthew Stafford) was.’’

Campbell said it’s too early to know if they will keep two or three quarterbacks on the roster. The decision will be more about the numbers at the other positions.

Lions offensive line off to good start on first day in pads

On the first day in pads at Lions training camp on Monday, the offensive line made a few knock-down plays that had the fans oohing and ahhing.

In one set of one-on-one drills against the defensive line, the offensive guys showed their stuff on each matchup.

“You put the pads on, it’s real football, I’m very confident in our O-line going one on one matchups with anyone. That being said, I think our D-line is going to be really good this year,’’ left tackle Taylor Decker said. “You saw Charles Harris come on last year, he’s picked up right where he left ott. He’s a beast, he’s a really good player, he’s a super high effort all the time. I think as Aidan (Hutchinson) learns you’re going to see him — he loves to ball, he’s into it, he loves to learn. It’s going to make both groups better.’’

A year ago, the offensive line also looked to be a strength but due to injuries there was never a game where all five starters played. Not one game.

Now they’re back and healthy. Decker sat out Saturday as a precaution due to his foot injury last year but on Monday he said it’s fine.

“I think we expect every single guy on the offensive line to play at a high high level at their position, whatever that means as far as accolades I don’t know. You come out here every single day and you try to get better as an individual, you’re going to help the guard next to you, then you’re going to help the unit, then you’re going to help the offense, then you’re going to help the team,’’ Decker said.

They expect much out of themselves. Decker and right tackle Penei Sewell both noted how going against the Lions defensive line – including Harris and rookie Aidan Hutchinson – will help make them better.

“It benefits me a lot to see those two guys. Charles came in and shocked the world (last year).. I didn’t really know who he was, he’s a beast,’’ Sewell said. “To have Aidan follow that type of guy that makes him better and I’m following Deck. It’s kind of the same thing back and forth. Iron sharpens iron, everyone knows that.’’

Sewell, who flattened cornerback Jeff Okudah in one drill on Monday, is entering his second season and feels more comfortable since he knows his teammates so well now. They’re a tight-knit group as is typical for most offensive lines.

“That chemistry too makes my job way easier out there. I know what to expect. The speed is way slower, everything is not coming at me 1,000 mph, everyone is normal speed and I like it,’’ Sewell said,

Perhaps the most growth is expected from Sewell who is making the jump from year one to year two.

“I think I’ll know more as we get more padded practices. One thing me and him have talked about as far as just keeping the width of the pocket, just setting aggressive, being confident on your sets and changing up your sets. That’s something as I’ve gotten older I’ve done a lot more of. It might be third-and-10 but I’m going to jump set this guy because he’s not expecting it,’’ Decker said.

Along with Decker and Sewell, other offensive line starters are expected to be Frank Ragnow at center, Jonah Jackson at left guard and Vaitai Halapoulivaati at right guard.

“Our excitement is through the roof. We know what we’re capable., everyone knows what we’re demanding out of each and everyone of us in the room,’’ Sewell said. “The sky’s the limit, only we can control that and how far we can go.’’