The Detroit Lions just had one of the most physical practices I've seen this summer. Bodies were flying all over the place, and a few players had to leave with injuries. There were a lot of things to take away from this practice. Here are our observations for Day 10:
The Lions clearly want to air it out this year
If one thing was clear about this offense on Monday, it's that they were loading it up for the deep shots. Goff was winning the pig all night long. There are still some things that need to be worked on because it wasn't his most accurate day, but it's pretty clear with Monday night and the two weeks before it that this is a wrinkle the Lions want to add. He did hit Kalif Raymond on a huge catch. Raymond beat Morice Norris down the field.
Marcus Davenport continues to impress
This was another good day for Davenport. He had multiple pressures, but also walked away with two sacks on the day. It continues to be an uncomfortable thing because you're just hoping he doesn't get hurt, but man, he is looking like the missing link more and more each day. All the Lions need is for him to just stay healthy, and he's going to kill it in 2025.
Wait, who's this new running back?
The Lions signed All-UFL running back Jacob Saylors last week, and he didn't get enough time with the team to play a lot in the Hall of Fame game, but they gave him some time on Monday, and he was running all over the place. He ran hard on multiple carries and was able to find the end zone in 11 on 11. Making the 53-man roster is going to be tough, but if Saylors keeps looking like he looked on Monday and gets more time in the preseason games, he could net a practice squad job this summer.
The Brian Branch vs Amon-Ra St. Brown show
The Lions ran some one-on-ones, and there were some highlights to see. Like Jameson Williams beating Amik Robertson or Kailf Raymond breaking Rock Ya'Sin's ankle on a comeback. But St. Brown vs Branch had everyone on their feet.
The first rep saw Branch come up with a PBU. The second one saw St. Brown get the better of Branch and then do a Malik Beasely-style shimmy afterward. The final rep was the best one, though. St. Brown was able to change directions near the sideline and then grab a catch going out of bounds. I hope to see more of these one-on-ones between these two going forward.
Hooker looked good under pressure
You have to see it in a game, but I think this was the best I've seen Hendon Hooker this summer. He made a really good throw under pressure, and I mean under pressure, to Tom Kennedy for a first down, and then on the very next play, he got pressured again and stood in the pocket and nailed Tim Patrick. It was an impressive series for sure.
Ronnie Bell had a nice day
We don't talk about the former Wolverine a whole lot, but he had a nice day on Monday. I counted three receptions that he pulled in, and the coaching staff cheered him on for each of them. Keep having days like that, and he could get that practice squad spot.
TeSlaa can really block like that
His blocking highlights aren't just showing up on Inside the Den. He had a beautiful block on Nick Whiteside that helped get Tom Kennedy into the end zone. The block was so good that receivers coach Scottie Montgomery ran onto the field to chest bump him after the play.
Injuries
The following players left practice on Monday:
Pat O’Connor left practice early and is being evaluated for a leg injury, Dominic Lovett left practice early and is being evaluated for an abdominal injury, and Jamarco Jones left practice early and is being evaluated for an ankle injury.
Emptying the notebook
- Jackson Meeks made a really nice catch over DiCaprio Bootle in one-on-ones.
- Sione Vaki had a kick return touchdown that looked really good.
- By the way, Grant Stuard is still going out for kick returns.
- Alex Anzalone picked off Jared Goff on a ball that bounced up in the air.
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Sione Vaki, and Kyle Allen all fumbled.
- Aidan Hutchinson had another sack.
- The end around to Jameson Williams is still very much on the menu.
