5 thoughts off practice No. 5 of #Lions training camp:

1. I’ve learned about all I’m going to learn in these padless practices, so thank goodness they’ll be in full gear Tuesday. The Lions need install reps, with new schemes across the board, but it's time to see some hitting.
2. Quinton Dunbar sat out Monday and if whatever injury he has lingers, I … have no idea what the plan is at CB3. Melifonwu? Upside, for sure, but Amani Oruwariye talked today about how raw he is -- Victor Bolden dusted him with a slant-and-go route. Important battle to track.
3. Nice INT by Anthony Pittman, dropping into zone in front of (I think) a Tom Kennedy route maybe 10 or 12 yards deep. Pittman has been a pleasant surprise so far, and he’s getting an extended look with Derrick Barnes limited and Jalen Reeves-Maybin absent.
4. Jared Goff made one of the best throws we’ve seen from him yet, tucking a ball in to Victor Bolden between the corner and safety up the sideline (turkey hole!). Almost all of Goff’s early success has come to the perimeter. Can he start attacking between the hashes?
5. Jason Cabinda feels like close to a roster lock. And not just because he’s the only fullback, but because he can contribute on special teams and looks very comfortable in this offense -- he’s handled a bunch of the check-down throws from the QBs.

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More from @ChrisBurkeNFL

4 Aug
.@nickbaumgardner has your full observations today. My 5 thoughts on the Lions' second padded practice:

1. Penei Sewell had one really bad rep (assuming this was his assignment) -- DT Bruce Hector blew past him on the inside and forced a fumble. Otherwise, another good day. ...
1 (cont). He and Vaitai have been sharp handing off twists/blitzes. Sewell is spending a lot of time in Vaitai’s ear, asking questions. He also had Da’Shawn Hand explain a move he used. A lot of active learning happening there.
2. Easy to see why Dan Campbell refers to Alim McNeill as “Twinkle Toes” and Aaron Glenn calls him a “dancing bear.” Even against Frank Ragnow, McNeill’s lateral quickness has caused some issues. He’s been one of the best, most consistent players early in camp.
Read 6 tweets
3 Aug
5 thoughts off the Lions’ first padded practice …

1. More on this in our in-depth observations (linked here), but Jermar Jefferson had a really good day out of the backfield. He’s showing up as a pass catcher. Can he block if he needs to?

theathletic.com/2749809/2021/0…
2. Tracy Walker has two career INTs (zero last year). I’ll bet he gets at least two or three this season, and they might all come when he steps in front of a TE/slot receiver crossing the middle of the field. He’s all over those routes.
3. Drake Jackson stood up John Penisini in a 1-on-1 rep. He hung in there vs. Alim McNeill. Can the Lions keep him if he’s center only — haven’t seen him play any guard — or, maybe, try to stash him on the PS? Solid start for him.
Read 5 tweets
5 May
In his interview with @SiriusXMNFL yesterday, Dan Campbell said that he and Brad Holmes "couldn’t be more compatible. ... We have the same core principles in life and in football."

Campbell also basically went pick by pick down the Lions' draft. Thread incoming ...
@SiriusXMNFL On Sewell, Campbell said the draft room reaction when Miami took Waddle was even bigger than the celebration we all saw. “To be able to land a big man like that has temperament, great feet, from a good family -- everything he’s about, we couldn’t be happier.”
On Onwuzurike: As mentioned in the RT of @thelionswire earlier, the Lions see him as a 4i or 3-tech in a base 3-4. “One, he plays much bigger and stouter than his 290 pounds would indicate. Two, when he gets an edge, he’s got a ton of upside to rush the quarterback.”
Read 8 tweets

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