Tag: OTAs

Lions DC Kelvin Shepard pleased with tall group of edge rushers

ALLEN PARK — It’s early in the process and no pads are allowed yet during offseason workouts, but Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Shepard likes what he sees from the edge rusher group.

One of the first things he sees is that they are tall. Tall is good.

“That’s something that we attacked, we saw we needed. Like always, we mentioned it and the front office did a great job and went out and kind of attracted some of it, barring what we could do, some of the guys we were looking for,’’ Shepard said on Thursday before the team’s ninth OTA workout.

Of the seven edge rushers on the current roster four of them are 6-foot-5 or taller. That includes Aidan Hutchinson (6-foot-7), free agent signee Payton Turner (6-foot-6), undrafted free agent Anthony Lucas (6-foot-5) and free agent D.J. Wonnum (6-foot-5).

The EDGE roster fills out with rookie Derrick Moore (6-foot-3), Eric O’Neill (6-foot-2) and second-year Ahmed Hassanein (6-foot-2).

“It is a good mix and blend. We have some long, we have some shorter, powerful, so to say, type players. The first thing I think is there’s going to be a lot of competition come training camp with that unit,’’ Shepard said. “There’s six to seven guys I’m looking at and they all look like they can play and have potential. It’s just a matter of when the pads come on and what that looks like.’’

Shepard said some of the talent is obvious like signing veteran free agent Wonnum and drafting Moore (Michigan) in the second round. 

He also pointed out that Turner, in his sixth NFL season, is a former first-round pick and Hassanein was on the practice squad all last season and is looking to make a push.

Even though undrafted, Lucas was a “game-wrecker” at USC per Shepard.

“We’re very excited for the group. When it comes to the length – it’s what you look for on the edge nowadays, especially what complements the 

werewolf (Hutchinson) we have, what does that look like,’’ said Shepard who is in his second season as defensive coordinator.

“A lot of guys want this juiced up, speedball type player but does that truly complement what that player does well? That’s something that we have to sit back as a staff, as a front office and look at,’’ Shepard added. “We’re all on the same page as far as what we’re looking for to complement that player.’’

What’s next: Veteran minicamp next week and then players are off until training camp.

Lions Jameson Williams ready for a bigger role entering his 4th season

Big change in number for Jamo who is now No. 1

ALLEN PARK — After Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams took a huge leap from 2023 to the 2024 season, the obvious question is what is next for the speedster.

Williams finished last season with 58 catches for 1,001 yards with seven receiving and one rushing touchdown. In 2023, he finished with just 354 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns.

His speed was on display on Friday during the team’s third session of Organized Team Activities. More is expected of him this season.

“I guess going into Year 4 you know I’ve got a little pep in my step, becoming a vet, moving over from the rookie stage,’’ Williams said. “I’m just ready to play more football and be more consistent for my team.’’

Coach Dan Campbell has noticed a difference in him this spring. 

 “Oh, my God, he’s got a ton of growth left. And you know, he’s listening, he’s had a good spring, and it’s another one – I don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves in OTAs, but I mean there’s so much versatility with him,’’ Campbell said on Friday. “There are so many things that we can do just with his routes on the outside. I mean, we can do things inside, but just with his speed, and he’s gotten so much stronger. His ability to stop, put his foot in the ground. Man, when you can run like you can run, and now you’re beginning to – where man, you can stop on a dime, I mean, you talk about a hard cover.’’

Campbell said the sky’s the limit for Williams who changed his number from 9 to No. 1.

“He’s exactly where we want him to be right now at this point, man. He’s been here, he’s grinding, he’s getting better. (Lions wide receivers coach) Scottie’s (Montgomery) freaking grinding him, it’s awesome,’’ Campbell said. “But we expect him to have a huge season. We really do, man. He’s going to be one of those guys that we’re going to lean on this year, and it is really going to be big for us. And all he’s got to do is just keep working like he’s working and, and we’ll be good.”

Williams, who is 24, said he worked on building his strength after consulting with others but basically he said he feels the same, noting that he has gained about 5 pounds. 

“Ever since I was small I’ve been into working hard as a kid. I always had the mindset to just go out there and be the best, work the hardest. My dad always texts me ‘outwork everybody no matter who it is, outwork everybody,’’’ Williams said.

Quarterback Jared Goff has noticed a difference too.

He’s already made (the next step), it’s been awesome to see. He’s done a helluva job – continue to do what he’s done, just get more consistent,’’ Goff said. “He’s working hard, he’s being  a leader now. It’s fun to see him grow into that and show guys how he wants to do things. He’s talked to me a ton, it’s fun.’’

Williams feels good about his new role as a leader. 

“The young guys come to me about a lot of stuff and I actually feel good because I know what they’re asking me,’’ Williams said. When I was at their stage I had guys I could go to and they helped me with things.’’

Lions confident CB Jeff Okudah will be ready to go for training camp

Perhaps one of the happiest Lions to be participating — on a limited basis — in OTAs is cornerback Jeff Okudah who tore his Achilles tendon in September’s season opener and was forced to miss the final 16 games.

“I’m enjoying to the fullest extent you can enjoy something. For me, I couldn’t walk to the restroom in September, I had to retrain my whole body,’’ Okudah said after Thursday’s practice. “To be able to be out here and do drills, whatever I can do, is a blessing because there wasn’t a guarantee I’d be out here so I’m taking in everything and enjoying every moment.’’

Okudah won’t exactly say if he’ll be ready for training camp in July.

 “I’ve thought about that question for a long time,’’ he said. “The best way to describe it is I’m going to be ready when it’s time to be ready. I’m confident I’ll be ready when it’s time to be ready.’’

Got that?

Lions coach Dan Campbell takes it a step farther. He does expect the cornerback, the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, to be ready to go for camp.

“I’m very encouraged. We know the surgery went well and just the rehab process, like I feel really good about this, just where he’s come and where the injury is at. I feel like he’s right where he needs to be,’’ Campbell said on Thursday.

Okudah and Campbell both mentioned the importance of being in the right mental frame of mind.

The cornerback talked to athletes who had been through Achilles surgery to find out what to expect.

“They gave me the confidence that the Achilles will be the least of your worries. It will be about getting back mentally and taking care of the rest of your body,’’ Okudah said.

He has been attacking rehab since he got the foot in an orthopedic boot in November.

“We’re not worried about Jeff’s movement skills. He’s going to be able to move. You watch him with his footwork and the things he’s doing, he can do all that. That is real important right now, just continue his growth mentally. Him to be able to get the walk-through reps and then just to get the film study, it’s big for him,’’ Campbell said. “So it’s good to have him here. Then when the time’s right, to go full speed when we get him in camp, he’ll be ready.’’

Okudah, who played in nine games his rookie season, said it has not been hard to stay mentally focused through the rehab.

“My drive just took over. I’ve been hungry like I haven’t ate in years,’’ Okudah said. “That hunger has been inside of me since the injury, even before the injury, so I’ve had that feeling for probably two years, that hunger. I’m ready to go out there and play to the best of my ability.’’

The 23-year-old cornerback said his mental state prior to the injury helped him be in a good place.

“Obviously when you have a big injury you’re going to be down for a little bit, but being around people who have love for you,’’ Okudah said. “They picked me back up, to be here today to be in a great mental spot. I’m blessed.’’