We’re in year four of Dan Campbell being the head coach of the Detroit Lions. Over the years we’ve started to notice just little nuances in the way he says things and what he says.
The big one was last year with Denzel Mims. Campbell was asked about Mims in the grand scheme of the Lions receiving corps. His short answer was “he’s in the room.” He was cut a day later. You just notice little things like that.
It’s fair to accept that maybe the things you’re noticing aren’t really there, but you couldn’t help but feel like the jury is still really out on Antoine Green and that the Lions maybe don’t see him as a guy that is a lock to make this roster after hearing Campbell talk about him on Tuesday.
To be fair, Campbell did say nice things about Joseph. He said they’ve seen significant improvement from him and that his speed had gotten better, but then he referred to Green as a player that would have to compete at camp.
“But certainly we like the player and there’s enough to, let’s see what happens in camp. You know, he’s another guy, let him go compete.”
Everyone has to compete at camp, but you usually don’t hear that about guys you expect to make the roster. We’re sure that’s not the sentiment some Lions fans were hoping to hear about Green. There was optimism from fans that he would be able to come along and be a big part of the offense off the bench in 2024. That could still happen, but right now it feels like he’s behind the eight ball a little bit.
It could be an injury related thing for Green. Campbell did note that Green got hurt at OTAs last week and while he’ll be out there during mandatory minicamp, he will be doing individual things and not working with the team. There could just be a little frustration with the idea that they won’t get to see him work with the team until training camp opens up in late July.
None of this means that Green is out. He’s not like Mims where you have to worry that he’s going to get cut early. There’s still plenty of time before the season starts and he can really show what he can do then. Maybe he makes it and this all turns out to be something we imagined. As for right now, it’s fair to really start wondering how serious Brad Holmes was about bringing in more receiver help during camp.