Tag: Hendon Hooker

QB Teddy Bridgewater rejoins Lions after coaching state championship team

ALLEN PARK — Teddy Bridgewater is back with the Lions and that should bring smiles to everyone on the team, even second-year quarterback Hendon Hooker.

Bridgewater, 32, who was a backup with the Lions in the 2023 season, spent much time working with Hooker who was a rookie.

“I understand what it looks like. It’s just a different world that we’re getting ready to walk into and I just felt like this was the right thing to do, especially with somebody I have a tremendous amount of trust with and for,’’ coach Dan Campbell said on Thursday. “He understands our offense well, the guys know him well, the coaches know him well and he brings a certain level of comfort to us.’’

Bridgewater just coached his alma mater, Miami Northwestern, to a Florida state high school championship in November. Not bad for his first year of coaching. Shortly after he announced plans to unretire and sign with an NFL team. He was on the Lions practice field on Thursday wearing No. 12.

“It’s fun, it’s cool. I’m glad to have him back here. State Champ Teddy Bridgewater is what we call him now,’’ quarterback Jared Goff said. “He’s a valuable asset to our team. I love having him in the quarterback room, he’s great to have around.’’

Campbell loves Bridgewater’s experience.

“He’s staying in shape, he’s been throwing, just getting worked back in here a little bit. It just brings a level of professionalism, veteran presence. Somebody that’s great for our team, that’s great for the position,’’ Campbell said. “It doesn’t mean we’re disappointed in Hooker, that’s not what this means. This gives us somebody that’s played a lot in the NFL, we’re getting ready for the playoffs, it’ll be good to get back in the fold with us.’’

Campbell said everybody in the locker room respects Bridgewater and what he stands for.

“When he gets his sea legs back under him, he’ll test those guys a little bit defensively which is good in practice,’’ Campbell said.

It’s not just that Bridgewater is an insurance policy as the Lions start a playoff run, always smiling he brings an infectious enthusiasm to the locker room. 

“He’s a great resource for Jared, young quarterbacks Jake and Hendon. He is a professional — he works hard, he prepares as if he’s the starter and that’s what you want. He’s great to be around,’’ quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell said. “He brightens up that room quite a bit and adds some experience, we love having him around, obviously.’’

Campbell and Brunell both said Hooker improves daily.

“Each week he gets better, he really is. His mechanics, his fundamentals, understanding the defenses he’s presented with, his preparation, his work ethic,’’ Brunel said. “I can’t say enough about him. … He’s going to be a really good quarterback in this league and I’m excited for him.’’

Campbell has known Bridgewater since he coached him with the New Orleans Saints in 2018 and 2019. As a backup for the Lions in 2023, Bridgewater played three snaps in a win over Carolina in Week 5 of the season. 

Bridgewater was drafted by the Vikings in 2014 (32nd overall) and started for two seasons (6-6, 11-5). He has also played with the Saints (2018-19), Panthers (2020), Broncos (2021) and Dolphins (2022). 

In 79 games in his NFL career he completed 66.4 percent of pass attempts and threw 75 touchdowns against 47 interceptions.

INJURY UPDATE: Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin was back at practice after getting in a full practice last week coming off a neck injury. WR Kalif Raymond had his first day of practice coming off a foot injury. “We’ll see where he’s at, I don’t feel as confident with him as I do JRM,’’ Campbell said.

UP NEXT: Lions (13-2) at San Francisco 49ers (6-9), 8:15 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 30.

Dan Campbell: Lions won’t hold anything back in first of 2 games against Vikings

Also updates on injuries, roster moves

ALLEN PARK — The Lions won’t hold anything back when they face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday for a chance to clinch the NFC North division title.

In a strange scenario, they’ll face the Vikings twice in the last three weeks with a trip to the Dallas Cowboys in-between. The final regular season contest is against the Vikings at Ford Field on Jan. 7.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said the Vikings are a different team offensively and defensively than last season when Detroit split with Minnesota.

“It’s a little bit of a fresh take on them somewhat. That’s a good thing. Our whole focus is this is the first one, so let’s dive into let’s put the best gameplan we can,’’ Campbell said on Monday. 

The Lions (10-4) are coming off an impressive 42-17 win over the Denver Broncos while the Vikings (7-7) lost  27-24 in overtime to Cincinnati on Saturday.

“We can’t worry about game 2. After this, after Dallas, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,’’ Campbell said. “We can’t hold anything back, this is it, everything is about finding a way to get this one – the best gameplan we can possibly put together.’’

The Lions could clinch a playoff berth if Seattle loses to the Eagles on Monday Night Football. 

That would be great with Campbell, but the Lions’ focus on winning the NFC North remains clear.

“For us, that’s all you have to worry about. Let’s clean up what we clean up. We cleaned up the things from the Denver game with the team today — this is where we have to get better, this is what we did well, this is where we continue to go,’’ Campbell said. “We’ll put together a great game plan for these guys and we’ll know what we have to do against Minnesota.

INJURY/ROSTER UPDATE

LB Derrick Barnes injured his shoulder in Saturday’s win but returned to the game in the second half. WR Jameson Williams was banged up too, but Campbell said both appear to be fine.

Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and fullback Jason Cabinda will open their practice window this week. Gardner-Johnson suffered a torn pec in Week 2. Cabinda has been on injured reserve since Week 3.

Also, Campbell said rookie QB Hendon Hooker will likely be moved to the active roster.

UP NEXT: Lions at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 24.

Lions rookies, once Iowa teammates, face off in rookie minicamp

ALLEN PARK — The matchup between linebacker Jack Campbell and tight end Sam LaPorta at Detroit Lions rookie minicamp on Saturday was unlike the others.

On one play, LaPorta beat Campbell to the ball and there appeared to be a little finger-waving involved. Not a big deal, it was just one play with two buddies lining up against each other.

Campbell, a first-round pick, and LaPorta, a second-rounder, both played the last four years at Iowa. Not only were they teammates, the last two years they lived in the same house with a bunch of buddies.

“It’s like backyard football, not actually, but you’re going against your buddy, we’re competing,’’ LaPorta said. “That’s what we all love, we love football and it’s so fun to do it against Jack.’’

Campbell said that competition brings out the best in both of them.

“Hats off to him, he’s an incredible player, you guys know that. All you can do is keep going, every rep, give it your all, focus, (be) fundamentally sound. Obviously I’ll look back on it. There’s definitely something better I could’ve done, but it was a helluva play by him,’’ Campbell said. “In a real game I’m going back to the huddle and get ready for the next play, you can’t sulk about anything.’’

It was just the second day of the three-day Lions’ rookie minicamp for them along with the other draft picks and undrafted free agents. First-round pick running back Jahmyr Gibbs did not participate after a minor tweak on Friday. Cornerback Brian Branch, second round, also was out with a minor injury. Quarterback Hendon Hooker (third round) was watching and taking mental reps. He’s coming off an ACL injury with no timetable on when he’ll be able to participate.

Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew said in this three-day camp they’re looking for movement and to see if the rookies are learning.

“I’m a big believer, if you love the game you’ve got a chance to be a good football player,’’ Agnew said. “They love the game, they’re passionate about the game. We love all the guys that we’ve got.’’

LaPorta and Campbell both showed off their speed and competitiveness.

In fact, LaPorta, wearing No. 87, was a standout throughout the practice which was open to the media. He’s got speed and it showed. He was asked if he looks faster in person than on tape.

“Maybe. Somebody called me underwhelming one time. I think I can play with the best of them,’’ LaPorta said.

LaPorta will help fill the gap left when Detroit traded away tight end T.J. Hockenson at the trade deadline last season. He joins Lions tight ends Brock Wright, James Mitchell, Shane Zylstra and Derrick Deese Jr. 

He’s just getting a feel for the offense.

“They demand a lot, very small details, I’m learning all the real intricate details of the system right now. Of course I’ve messed them up a couple times already. You’ve probably heard them yelling at me,’’ LaPorta said. “Those details are really what separates you apart in the National Football League. They were great last year and I hope I can contribute this year.’’

It’s not lost on him that he’s joining an offense that was ranked fourth in the NFL last year.

“Maybe I’m a little naive, I think all rookies are. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, I got chills, when I heard we were going to Arrowhead to open up the season,’’ LaPorta said. “I’m living my dream of playing ball. I never thought I’d be in this situation but here I am.’’

And it’s on the same field with his Hawkeye buddy.

Coach Dan Campbell has said he expects Jack Campbell, who wears No. 46, to be a starter on Day One. 

“Obviously it’s high expectations for me, but everything is earned. I’m going to come into a room with other guys who are going to be super hungry. I look forward to meeting them, learning from them,’’ Jack Campbell said. “All I can do is prepare to the best of my ability and let my talents and everything else take me to where I need to go. I’m going to do everything I can to put this team in the best position to win games, whatever it is. Right now a lot of people have high expectations, that’s all good, I’m going to stick to what I know, who I am and come out here every day and give it my all.’’

The rookies will get their first turn at practicing with the veterans when OTAs begin on May 23.