Dan Campbell wanted to give Detroit Lions fans a show.
Monday marked the first day in full pads at the Lions’ training camp. It was also the first day the camp was completely open to the public. Previously, only season-ticket holders and VIP members could attend practice in Allen Park. Campbell was determined to make sure fans were satisfied with what they saw.
“(We’re) excited and ready to go,” the second-year head coach said of Monday’s attendance. “To have the fans out there … it gives you quite a bit of energy.”
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The Lions held multiple one-on-one, five-on-five and seven-on-seven drills Monday. The first full-pads day was one Campbell and his squad having been looking forward to since summer preparation began.
With just 11 days to go before the Lions’ preseason opener against the Falcons at Ford Field, Campbell believes his team is determined to finish out the offseason strong and springboard into the regular season.
“I’ve said this all along, I do believe this team is all about us first,” Campbell said. “The coaches, the players … man, we want to give this city (and) these fans something to be proud of. They deserve it, and it’s all on us now.”
Taylor Decker returns
After leaving practice early on Friday and sitting out Saturday with a foot injury, seventh-year offensive tackle Taylor Decker was full-go for Monday’s practice.
Campbell said his coaching staff wanted to play it smart with Decker to keep him healthy. However, Decker really didn’t want to miss the chance of the team’s first fully padded practice.
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“It’s real football now,” Decker said. “I was telling the guys, we come out here, we have to start fast. Don’t get discouraged if the techniques not there, if you mess up something. … We’ll fix that. I just don’t want anybody to get discouraged because the energy around here is really good right now.”
Decker said his foot felt fine after practice concluded, outside of a little soreness because of his “high arches.”
The Lions offensive line remains one of the team’s strongest units. In June, ESPN labeled the position group as a top-five unit in the NFL heading into this season. Pro Football Focus graded Decker as the 15th-best left tackle in the league last season, while teammates Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow came in the top 10 at their positions.
“I’m very confident in our O-line in one-on-one matchups with anybody,” Decker said. “We expect every single guy on the offensive line to play at a high, high level. Whatever that means as far as accolades, I don’t know. But, (when) you play at a high level (and) try to get better as an individual, you’re going to help the guard next to you, then you’re going to help the unit, then you’re going help the offense and you’re going to help the team.”
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New season, new scheme
Monday was also an opportunity for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to see how his new schemes fare when his players are in full uniforms.
Glenn, hired three days after Campbell was named head coach in in January 2021, believes this when his real evaluations can begin. As the next few weeks go by, he’ll keep what works and toss out what doesn’t.
That’s the typical plan for every training camp, Glenn said. For right now, Glenn is most impressed with the Lions’ pass rush, which the organization looked to completely retool this offseason by adding Aidan Hutchinson and bringing back Romeo Okwara, who led the team with 10 sacks in 2020 before suffering an Achilles tear early last season.
“I think we have a group of guys that can after the passer,” Glenn said. “And (we) do it in a way where it’s just a four-man rush instead of always having to bring (extra) pressure. … Now, to be able play the run is something I’m looking forward to seeing.”
The Lions were 28th in the league against the run and 27th in defensive sack rate last season.
Alongside Hutchinson, Glenn said he’s also excited to finally see rookie linebackers Malcom Rodriguez and James Houston finally suit up.
“Watching (Rodriguez) in college, you see how physical he is,” Glenn said. “You want to see if that’s going to transition over to our game in the NFL. Houston, too. Let’s see how he operates, and (with) all of our inside backers. We get a chance to take on these guards and (offensive) talent that we have. You want to see the physical nature of these guys because that’s what we preach.”
Alim McNeill continuing strong offseason
There are few others who have turned more heads this offseason than Alim McNeill.
The No. 72 pick in the 2021 draft, McNeill stood out on the defensive line last season with 35 tackles, two sacks and a pass deflection. McNeill, ranked as one of the most likely player to breakout in 2022 by PFF, entered this summer with a goal to reshape his 6-foot-2, 325-pound frame.
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So far, McNeill said his plan is working — allowing for him to ramp up his intensity on the field.
“I just felt more fluid,” McNeill said. “I was able to move a bit better (and) stronger. I think a part of it, too, is confidence. Going into Year 2, (I’m) not as nervous and stuff like that. I definitely felt a difference out there for sure.”
McNeill noted practice felt even more energized thanks to its attendance numbers. Every time pads collided, like when fourth-year tight end T.J. Hockenson leveled Hutchinson during one of the first team drills on the day, McNeill loved to hear the crowd reactions.
“It’s not as dead when fans are here,” McNeill said. “When fans aren’t here, you don’t hear anything but pads and everybody breathing hard. When they’re here, you have (a reason) to show out, play a little harder.
“It just gives you chills. It just lets you know that football is back.”
Chandler Engelbrecht is a reporting intern at The Detroit Free Press and can be reached at CEngelbrecht@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @ctengelbrecht.