Pride of Detroit
After two days of joint practices with the Miami Dolphins, we have seen more reps for the Detroit Lions starters than much of training camp combined. It’s easy to see why some coaches prefer joint practices for their first-string players over training camp, because it’s so much work and allows for a more focused assessment of what the team wants to evaluate.
For a full recap of each practice, make sure you check out our observations of each day:
To recap both days, here are my winners and losers from the Lions’ viewpoint.
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
St. Brown is a winner without a shadow of a doubt. While I missed the first day of the offense, the All-Pro’s one-minute highlight reel of a single practice is all I needed to see. On Day 2, St. Brown was still very much a problem for the Dolphins’ secondary. Each time Detroit found themselves behind the sticks, St. Brown was the one who pulled them out, and he was dangerous no matter where he was on the field.
The starting Lions secondary
Yes, the Dolphins offense was missing its two biggest weapons in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for most team drills, but the Lions were also down Terrion Arnold and Kerby Joseph on the day I focused on the Lions defense. It didn’t matter. D.J. Reed, Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin, and Brian Branch were absolutely brilliant all day on Wednesday, frustrating Tua Tagovailoa to a point where he often found himself giving up on plays, both during 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s.
EDGE Aidan Hutchinson
Speaking of frustrating Tagovailoa, the Lions’ premier edge rusher continues to prove there should be no concern over his recovery from injury. He very well could have had double-digit sacks over the two days of practice.
QB Jared Goff
Just because I feel like it sometimes gets glossed over in our observations, I think it’s worth pointing out part of the reason St. Brown and Jameson Williams have these monster days is because Goff has been on a heater as of late. His chemistry with St. Brown feels telepathic, and the connection with Williams has taken such a huge step over the past two years that it’s more surprising than not when Goff misfires on a deep shot.
OT Gunner Britton
Digging deep on the roster, Britton was one of my surprise standouts from Thursday’s practice. Added just five days ago, Britton was excellent in individual drills, and because Detroit was shorthanded at offensive tackle, he got plenty of time with the second-team offense at right tackle. Some of that success—particularly in the run game—carried over to team drills. I don’t think he has enough time to take a roster spot from Giovanni Manu or Dan Skipper, but he could very well find himself on the practice squad. At just 25 years...
