Tag: Jahmyr Gibbs

Detroit Lions energized in first joint practice with N.Y. Giants

Jared Goff, Alex Anzalone appreciate the competition

ALLEN PARK — Bringing in the N.Y. Giants  for joint practices had a positive effect on Detroit Lions training camp on Tuesday.

After offense going against defense for a few weeks, having an actual opponent upped the tempo and competition at the Lions practice facility.

It wrapped up with a goal-line drill featuring each team’s starters against each other, twos vs. twos and then the third groups. 

“I thought that was a cool drill to get us all on the same field, get to root for each other and see each other make plays,see each other, see each other score touchdowns. I thought it was a good day,’’ Lions quarterback Jared Goff said.

Neither team dominated, both scored a few touchdowns and had a few stops.

“I feel like not going against our offense was nice. Not having to cover (RB Jahmyr) Gibbs out of the backfield was nice. It made my day a little less stressful even though I had to cover (TE Darren) Waller a little bit,’’ Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone said.

The Lions and Giants will practice again on Wednesday and then play in a preseason game on Friday night at Ford Field.

Tuesday was the 12th day of training camp practice for the Lions, a team with big expectations this season. 

“We’re trying to challenge ourselves to the highest degree, really push our tempo and push our computing ability in some ways at every position,’’ Anzalone said. “I think it’s a good thing. Once we get to game week it won’t quite be the same way but right now it’s good to be stressed a little and work through things.’’

While the defense struggled last season, ranking 29th in team defense, the offense had a better season, ranking fifth in the NFL in team offense.

At this point, Goff thinks the offense is “much further along” of where it was last year in camp.

“If last year was 101, we’re in 201, it’s our ability to do things at the next level and it’s challenging for me as well, making sure every day that I know what my rules are and my checks but I know everyone else is doing the same thing,’’ Goff said on Tuesday.

Lions offense hits ground running early in training camp

Rookies Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs impress

ALLEN PARK — Less than a week into training camp it’s clear the Detroit Lions’ offense has hit the ground running with a few rookie standouts adding a new twist.

It’s the second season under Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson which means less basic learning and more improvement on what worked. Under Johnson the offense was ranked fifth overall in the NFL in 2022 even as the team struggled and finished 9-8. 

“It’s now understanding the answers to the problems because every play call, defenses present problems and now we’ve got the solutions. We’re a lot quicker getting to those solutions than what we were, so we have made a step forward and that’s really with the vets,’’ Johnson said on Wednesday.

“The young guys, they’re still – they’re drinking through a water hose right now, which is a good thing. We’re trying to make this really, really challenging for all of our players and as we go through camp, the mentals is what we look at quite a bit so, the mental errors I should say,’’ Johnson added. “Right now, we’re pretty good, but as we get going, the more volume, the more that will go up and the guys that end up making our team are the guys that can handle that, handle the volume and deal with it, so it’s good.”

Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta has been one standout so far working with the starters at times. It’s not a surprise since the second-round pick was solid throughout OTAs and minicamp.

“I think as a coaching staff, we’re very much, ‘You need to earn your stripes.’ And so you saw in the springtime, he got minimal work with the first team and he’s earned the right now to be in that first team huddle with  Jared (Goff) and that offensive line,’’ Johnson said. “He’s proven that over the course of the springtime and the work that he’s put in. So, encouraged with where he’s going. He’s still making mistakes, he’s still learning, we are putting a lot of pressure on him to pick it up, but I think he’s in a really good spot for a first-year tight end, particularly with, like I said, the volume we are applying with the installs right now, so to see him be able to go out on the field and make plays, pass game and run game, I think we’re headed the right direction.”

When the pads come on for the first time on Friday, it will give coaches a better look at LaPorta.

“It’s a position that, if you cannot block and deal with the physicality, then in our offense, the value goes down. Tight ends that can’t block really are glorified receivers and that’s really a lot of Sam’s value that he had at Iowa was the ability to do both, be a pass catcher and also a run blocker,’’ Johnson said. “So, looking forward to see that versatility come to life when we do get the pads on.”

Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs, a first-round pick, is learning quickly per Johnson.

“We’ve kept him learning the basic running back stuff right now, but we’re going to start pushing the envelope a little bit as we keep going through camp,’’ Johnson said. “The interesting thing is we’ve got the Giants coming in so early that our install has to be condensed a little bit, so we’re getting pretty aggressive and so the volume, the things we’re asking them to do, it’s going to escalate quickly and we’ll find out a lot more about these young guys, probably within the next week, week and a half.”

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.