July 29, 2024– Wearing Pads, Jameson Williams, Derrick Barnes, Brian Branch and More
By Roy J. Akers-www.skyviewsports.net
On if he believes that the first day of padded practice signifies the true first day of training camp: “Yeah, I mean this is – yeah, this is the real thing. This is where guys begin to separate themselves. You kind of feel like between spring and the first four days without pads you’re beginning to put guys where you feel like they belong in that somewhat depth chart to get you to pads. And so, now we’re about to find out, ‘Is that real or not?’ And guys are going to separate themselves. We’ve got a number of battles and so, yeah, this when it gets exciting. I mean, the staff’s giddy, they’re all excited, I’m excited, the players, I know, are going to be excited because this is football, this is the real thing, it’s not touch anymore. Now, that being said, we’re going to work them in today because it is the first day of pads, so we’re going to work a couple of things here, but it’s really to acclimate them with the pads on to get ready for tomorrow and thereon. It’ll be good though, I love where we’re at.”
On what he has thought about Lions LB Derrick Barnes so far and what he thinks of him saying this season is personal: “I love where he’s at, he’s in a really good spot. I love his attitude. He’s one of those guys I think about – he came in three years ago, he’s one of our pups, and he’s just another one of our guys that has grown. He’s coming into his own and it’s good to see the confidence, the aura, the aggression, the teammate that he is, it’s just – he’s in a great place right now. So, we see him continue to trend in the right place, the right way and I love the fact that it’s – that’s how you should treat it, it is personal. He knows what’s at stake for himself, but for us as well and he’s going to get every opportunity to showcase his ability to help us.”
On which positions he focuses on in evaluation once players have full pads on: “Well, look, I think the DBs are going to be big, especially in our defense, the nickel position and run fits and then our outside corners. We like all those guys, but we have a whole new – you know, it is, it’s a whole new stable. The same thing that excites you is the same thing – you’ve got to figure out some of these things. We’ve been able to see some of the cover ability out of them, but what you don’t get is, when (Lions RB) David Montgomery is bearing down on you and he hits the edge, are you going to tackle him? Are you going to be able to slow him down until the cavalry gets there? And so, some of those things are going to begin to show over this week, we’ll figure out. And that’s going to be important because in our defense it’s not just about covering, you’ve got to be able to do everything. So that’s a big one. Speaking of that, certainly the running back position behind David and (Lions RB Jahmyr) Gibbs is – that whole thing’s sorting it out, that’s a good competition that we’ve got going on. Look, (Lions RB Jermar) Jefferson’s had a good week, certainly we know what (Lions RB) Craig (Reynolds) is, he’s as steady as they come. So, look, there’s just – we do, we have a number of positions here where we’re going to find a lot out.”
On if he feels that Lions WR Jameson Williams’ confidence is at an all-time high: “Yeah, he’s – this is the most confident that I’ve seen him since he’s been here. He came in with the right mindset when we started this offseason and that has not waned one bit. He’s in a good place and he’s taken the coaching, he’s trying to work on it, he’s improving and he’s making plays, so we like where he’s at mentally and emotionally. The only thing I would say is he – everybody’s got to keep their head. There’s going to be – the tempers get going and there’s emotion to it and you can feel the energy building, but you’ve still got to be able to keep your head about you and make sure that you’re ready for the next play, that’s all. So, I love the energy we’ve got at practice right now.”
On what he has seen from Lions WR Daurice Fountain in regard to consistency: “Fountain was one of those guys that, when we got him here last year, practice squad, by the end of the year, he was one of those where you were like, ‘Man, this guy improved.’ Like you could see it in practice, you could feel it, and man, he works, gosh he’s a worker. He’s got ability and he works. And so, he’s one of those guys that – yeah, he’s caught our eye, he’s caught my eye, like I see him, and I told him that yesterday, he is making plays. And the other thing is, he’s doing some things on special teams that is catching our eye too, so that’s a good sign. Man, to have a big receiver that runs pretty good for that size, and he plays physical, he kind of brings a different game in that room and could potentially help us on special teams? That’s a good sign, so he’s in a good spot. I think, to that point, just the consistency of, ‘Man if we need to move you, we move you to another spot on offense,’ is just the mental aspect of it. Just cut out a couple of these little things that are popping up, the details of it. But we like where he’s at, he’s caught our eye.”
On what the possibility of playing Lions DB Brian Branch at safety could mean for the deployment of Lions S Ifeatu Melifonwu: “Well, there again, nothing is set in stone yet, and some of that is we really feel like the safety position could be really good for Branch. We certainly know he can play nickel, but it’s one of those, ‘Man, is that the best thing for him and for us?’ Now, there could – we sort this whole thing out and Iffy is doing what he’s doing and he’s continuing to grow, and we don’t have a nickel that comes to the forefront? Well, it could very easily be, ‘Well, Iffy’s your safety and then Branch is back to nickel.’ So, we have a lot of moving parts here, but right now it really is, when Branch gets back and is ready to go, which he’s in a good place, he’s coming, his rehab is going well, he’s out there in walkthrough – then you’re talking about a competition between those two at the safety position.”
On if he has liked the competition for the nickel corner spot: “Yeah, I like it. Look, I think we had (Lions CB Amik Robertson) Mik, he took a ton of reps in the spring and then he’s done a good job this week, getting him back in there. And a number of things that were an issue in the spring have not popped up, the mental aspect of it. And so, look, we know he can cover, he can run, he’s tough, he’s aggressive, some of that will be, ‘Alright, now once we do have the pads, the run game, how’s he going to hold up in there? Is he all of those things?’ And then (Lions DB Emmanuel Moseley) E-man is new to the position for the most part, and he’s doing a good job, he really is. Look, he’s a cerebral guy, he’s very smart, and so those two guys are rolling in there right now and we’re just letting them go. But, there again, this week’s going to be a huge part of the development for both those guys.”
On what he saw in Lions CB Emmanuel Moseley that he thought could work out in the nickel after not having a lot of experience there: “Well, I think – first of all, we know how he’s wired and I just think with what we’ve got in the room right now, you’re, as a starting point, you’re trying to find, ‘What is the best combination of the talent that you have?’ Knowing that you’ve got (Lions CB Terrion) Arnold and certainly we’ve got (Lions CB) Carlton (Davis III) that we traded for, (Lions CB Ennis) Rakestraw (Jr.), (Lions CB Kindle) Vildor’s back, just this whole – and it just felt like, ‘OK, where’s, if you’re trying to find a way to use your best lineup potentially, as a starting point what would you do with Moseley?’ And there was an argument of – we went back and forth, ‘Do you put him outside, do you put him inside at the starting spot?’ We know he can go outside and compete, I mean, look, the guy’s – but man, let’s give him a chance inside and see where it goes.”
All Photos by the Detroit Lions.com