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 Dan Campbell credits Sheila Ford Hamp for taking a chance, providing leadership

ALLEN PARK — It is not a coincidence that the Detroit Lions’ fortunes started their turn-around when Sheila Ford Hamp took over for her mother as principal owner and chair of the team.

This is not lost on Dan Campbell, the first coach she hired after inheriting Matt Patricia when she took over in June 2020.

Campbell, who was not a conventional hire, has brought the Lions to the NFC Championship for the first time in 32 years. They face the 49ers at San Francisco on Sunday. A win would earn them a trip to the Super Bowl.

Hamp works closely with the team, is often seen at practice and around the team facility. On draft night she’s in the war room with GM Brad Holmes and his staff. She knows what is going on and undoubtedly she made the right decision in hiring Campbell.

“It means a lot, I always wanted to do that. I always wanted to prove her right. It’s not an easy thing to do to take a chance on somebody that nobody knows about or thinks deserves a shot or whatever it is,’’ Campbell said on Thursday. “And so to trust your instincts and trust people around you and to pull the trigger, it means a lot, it sure does.’’

Campbell said once he got to know her, it made sense that she took a chance on him.

“She’s one of one, she’s unique. I’ll say this — everything we are and what we’re about started with her, it’s really her, it’s her vision,’’ the coach said.

“I’m fortunate she allows me to be myself. I don’t feel i have to be somebody I’m not. You can’t always do that and so with that I can coach, I can do what I need to do and I appreciate that,’’ he added.

The story is not over yet.

“She took a chance on me and yeah, it feels good to prove her right, but we’re not done either,’’ Campbell said.

Houston getting closer

Pass rusher James Houston is “very close” to getting back on the field, per defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

Houston broke his ankle in Week 2 and has not played since then. 

“We want to protect that player from himself for the most part. I do not take injuries lightly,’’ Glenn said on Thursday.

The coordinator said Houston is doing a good job in practice.

“He’s getting back to form, to the way, hopefully we’ll get a chance to get him on the field so he can make plays for us,’’ Glenn said.

Award time

Lions coach Dan Campbell is one of five finalists in the Associated Press NFL Awards released on Thursday. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson made the cut in the assistant coaches category.

Lions tight end Sam LaPorta and running back Jahmyr Gibbs are two of five finalists for offensive rookie of the year.

Lions GM Brad Holmes was named the NFL Executive of the Year by the Professional Football Writers of America.

UP NEXT: NFC Championship game featuring Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers, 6:30 p.m., Sunday on FOX.

Calvin Johnson checks out Lions minicamp as he continues to mend fences

ALLEN PARK — Calvin Johnson visited the Detroit Lions minicamp on Thursday. The Hall of Famer has not been a familiar site around the team since he retired after the 2015 season, but has mended fences in recent months.

Johnson said he was there Thursday to inquire about equipment for a football camp he is going to run on Saturday at the Lions’ facility. When most players were off the field, he got a lesson on how to start the motor that runs the JUGS machine which throws passes, punts and kickoffs.

He arrived fairly early and stayed until the end of the session which lasted nearly two hours.

Johnson was spotted talking on the sidelines and shaking hands with Rod Wood, the team president. 

He also chatted with several players and Sheila Ford Hamp, principal owner and chairwoman of the Lions. She was attending for the second straight day.

This isn’t the first sighting at the Lions facility recently. Johnson was on hand to welcome first-round picks Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell the day after they were drafted in April.

Johnson also chatted with Lions GM Brad Holmes after practice.

Coach Dan Campbell, a former Lions tight end, was teammates with Johnson in 2007 and 2008.

EXTRA: If you’re at the Taylor Swift concert at Ford Field and see a guy who looks like Dan Campbell, it’s him. While he’s more of a Metallica kind of guy, he will be there with his wife and guests.