Training Camp is Here!
Let's dive in to the storylines.
Information sourced from: Detroit Lions on YouTube!
The Lions have returned to training camp, and as always, many storylines have emerged. Let’s dive right into what is going on (and Dan Campbell’s presser today) and what it may mean for the upcoming season.
Weight and Conditioning Tests
Dan Campbell started his press conference by touching on the fact that all but one player made “their weight and conditioning tests”. Why is this important? Historically (this is from my memory, to be clear) the Lions have always had a few players miss the mark and work through it, thus shortening their time for practice. I think this aligns with the team’s approach that there’s no messing around this year, they have to be disciplined and hit the ground running. It’s refreshing that nearly everyone showed up ready to do their job. Let’s hope this helps on the injury front as well.
Christian Mahogany - Non-Football Injury
Christiany Mahogany started camp on the Non Football Injury list, which is not ideal given there is a fight for the starting left guard position. Non Football Injury is exactly what it sounds like, Christian Mahogany sustained an injury while he was not at a Lions or NFL facility. We don’t have details but Dan stated in his presser today that “he needs a couple days and he will be ready”. So, no big loss or anything to be worried about long term. We have seen cases like this year in and year out in training camp.
Kerby Joseph - Physically Unable to Perform
When asked about Joseph, Dan immediately said “everything that I told you in the spring still applies, we’ve been working to this… he’s running on ground… we’re starting to do change of direction. We’re not gonna grind this for another two or three weeks. I cannot give you a true answer. He’s working his tail off, he has not really had a vacation. He’s been here with our guys busting his tail. So he’s putting in the work. He feels pretty good right now. We got a long way to go, there is still an unknown.”
A final quote that helps us put all the headlines in context “To me, if we got him back for week one, that would be a bonus. Like Woah. I don’t expect that, I’m not looking for that. I feel like he is more on the Branch plan a little bit, and that is everything goes well and everything goes according to plan with him. We got everything on our side. But he’s doing well”
When I saw the headlines that Kerby would not be ready for week one, I was concerned. However, reading the quotes above, I think it adds needed context. We still don’t know with Kerby and I’m admittedly starting to get more worried. At the end of the day, though, we won’t know until he starts cutting and live contact. We will truly know what we have in him then.
Christian Izien - Non-Football Illness
Same NFI list as Mahogany, but for an illness versus an injury. Dan stated that Izien has a “little flu bug” and they hope to have him back by Friday. This is best case scenario, and it’s good to know we dodged the mono bullet.
Brian Branch - Physically Unable to Perform
Dan stated “Branch is doing well, his will be, obviously PUP, there’s no setbacks. Take it as it comes and we’ll see. I’m sure late training camp, maybe early September he can start practicing, we’ll see. But he’s doing well.” Essentially nothing new here, Branch should be back for game five or six would be my expectation.
Tyler Conklin - Physically Unable to Perform
We got the most news from Dan on Conklin that we have seen. He “got a little calf back in the spring”. Dan suggested it will only take a few weeks before he comes back, assuming he suffers no setbacks. This is welcome news as Conklin looks to fight for the Lions TE2 position, and would be a marked upgrade over Brock Wright assuming he can return to form.
Dan on Terrion Arnold
“It’s unfortunate but we made the move we felt was best for us.” He stated he addressed the team on that last night. He went on to say they “felt pretty good with the competition in that room” between young guys and veterans. The fact that Dan got right after it with the team is important, it’s getting the elephant out of the room. Let’s hope the team can overcome Arnold’s absence, and that this helps the culture in the long term.
Dan on Abney and McCreary
“They will take some outside reps.” This was the key point for me. Dan went on to say they will play nickel too, but making sure we have both these guys checked out at the outside position is the point that stuck out to me. This is important, and will help us to put our best DBs in the best places.
So Where Does This Leave Us?
Dan was his normal, transparent self again, and I loved it. Most of the news we got was positive. Understanding where Conklin is at is a good thing, and I’m less concerned about the tight end room now. Kerby is still largely an unknown, and we all hoped he would be ready for camp, but the “Branch timeline” makes me a little more positive (although still worried) on that front. Mahogany’s good news is huge. Knowing McCreary and Abney will get more reps on the outside is good as well. All in all, a good way to start camp and positive signs almost across the board. Let’s hope this trend continues!