Training camp scrimmage notes: UDFA shines among strong LB performance

The Detroit Lions held a scrimmage-like practice on Friday, their fourth straight day in pads.

One of the neat things about these scrimmages is that they’ll often have the first-team offense go against the second-team defense, giving some depth players an opportunity to go against starting level talent. It’s a huge opportunity for some players further on the depth chart, and undrafted rookie linebacker Erick Hunter was one of a few on Friday who took full advantage.

I’ll break down each of the 12 drives from practice below, along with the key plays and notable performances along the way

Drive 1 — First-team offense vs. second-team defense

Isaac TeSlaa helped Detroit convert a second third-and-long on another crossing route
Now in the red zone, the Lions offense couldn’t convert a third-straight third down, with Goff forcing a pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown that was intercepted by the aforementioned Hunter.

Drive 2 — Second-team offense vs. first-team defense

It was a three-and-out for the second-team offense. Good plays by Chuck Clark shutting down a Greg Dortch slant reception attempt, and Rock Ya-Sin making an open field tackle on Jackson Meeks well short of the line to gain on third down.

Drive 3 — Second-team offense vs. first-team defense

Fantastic drive from Derrick Barnes, who immediately forced a throwaway on a play-action boot by not losing contain and pressuring Luke Altmyer. A few plays later, he blew up a screen pass to Kye Robichaux.
Devin White—who replaced injured Malcolm Rodriguez in the starting lineup—also had a strong day, chasing down Robichaux on toss play behind the line of scrimmage.
Jack Campbell ended the linebacker-dominant drive with an easy tackle on a third-down dump off.

Special teams break

The Lions worked on a drill in which two players begin engaged together, and one tried to disengage and get downfield. Erick Hunter won both of his reps decisively, both as a blocker and a pursuer—continuing his strong day.

Drive 4 — First-team offense vs. first-team defense — Starting at 50-yard line

Tough start to the drill by running back Jabari Small. He was stuffed on first down for a two-yard gain, that couldn’t hold onto a swing pass that could’ve been a big gain.
An illegal contact penalty bailed out the offense early, but it wouldn’t last long…
Detroit worked into a fourth-and-manageable with two completions to St. Brown (9, 5 yards).
But on fourth-and-2, Chuck Clark—who had a strong overall day—broke up a pass to Jameson Williams.

Drive 5 — Third-team offense vs. second-team defense — Starting at 50-yard line

Not much success from the second-team offense, either.
Cedrick Wilson gave them some optimism with a deep curl (against Roger McCreary) for 14 yards.
But Anthony Lucas and Ahmed Hassanein combined for pressure, focing an intentional grounding

Drive 6 — First-team offense vs. first-team defense — Starting at opponent’s 25-yard line

Two strong defensive plays kicked off the drive: White stopping a St. Brown crosser for just 3 yards. Then Chuck Clark crashing down on a run top for a 4-yard gain
But on third-and-short, Goff did an amazing job splitting pressure from both Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams for a needled pass to Jameson Williams on a crossing route for an 18-yard touchdown—and the offense’s first true win of the day.

Drive 7 — Second-team offense vs. second-team defense — Starting at opponent’s 25-yard line

After an initial first down, the second-team offense failed to move the ball
Ahmed Hassanein nearly picked up a TFL, but was a little out of control in the backfield. He still slowed down the play enough to help force just a 4-yard gain.
Altmyer missed an open Meeks

Drive 8 — First-team offense vs. first-team defense — Starting on opponent’s 25-yard line

White continued his relentless pursuit of St. Brown, popping him at the sidelines for just a 4-yard gain.
White times a blitz perfectly, giving Alim McNeill an opportunity to win a 1-on-1—and he does for a 5-yard loss on a run stop
Jamo with a big third-down conversion on comeback route opposite Rock Ya-Sin
White continues his strong day with back-to-back run stuffs
Isaac TeSlaa has a one-handed attempt, but Nick Whiteside had too good of coverage
On fourth-and-goal, Goff found St. Brown for a 3-yard touchdown—then followed it up with a corner route to St. Brown for the two-point conversion. I’m still not entirely sure how the ball got through Thomas Harper‘s blanket coverage
For good measure, Jake Bates attempted a 55-yard FG and drilled it

Drive 9 — Third-team offense vs. third-team defense — Starting on own 1-yard line

Practicing being backed up against their own end-zone, it was a disaster drill for the following offensive line (left to right): Devin Cochran, Melvin Priestly, Michael Niese, Mason Miller, Larry Borom.
The drive: false start, false start, run for 0 yards, drop by Greg Dortch, potential sack from Eric O’Neill.

Drive 10 — First-team offense vs. first-team defense — Starting on own 1-yard line

Much better results for the first-team offense on the same drill
Short passes to St. Brown (Ya-Sin in coverage) and TeSlaa (Rakestraw) earned some breathing room and a first down.
But Hutchinson shut down the next run for 0 yards.
Then it was two straight “successful” bombs to Jameson Williams — a 87-yard touchdown and a 94-yard touchdown. However, the first was called back after a very obvious push-off from Williams on Rakestraw. The second probably didn’t ever really happen, because Hutchinson had cleanly beat Penei Sewell for the sack/safety.

Drive 11 — Second-team offense vs. first-team defense — Situational: Tied 24-24, 3:45 left, starting on opponents’ 44-yard line with three timeouts

Aidan Hutchinson vs. the second (maybe third)-team offensive line is not fair. He immediately beat Colby Sorsdal for a sack. The next drive, there were multiple extra bodies on Huthcinson for help.
Barned shut down a run from Robichaux, and Maddox and Ya-Sin shut down a Kennedy slant route well short of the sticks. Three-and-out.

Drive 12 — First-team offense vs. second-team defense — Situational: Down 3 points, 1:32 left, 3 timeouts, starting on own 31-yard line

The offense would end up winning this drill, but they got bailed out twice.
The first bail out came after a very strong third-and-10 pass breakup from Nick Whiteside on Jameson Williams. Unfortunately for Whiteside, he shoved Williams after the play and earned a personal foul penalty. Whiteside rode the bench the rest of the drive after the costly penalty.
The offense got bailed out again on third-and-3 when a 15-yard facemask penalty negated an incomplete pass
St. Brown would make them pay. Goff laid a perfect turkey-hole shot between Izien and Abney for 15 yards. Then, in the red zone, St. Brown took an inside route, shook a tackle attempt from Damone Clark, juked Dorsey out of his shoes, and took it all the way down to the 1-yard line for another 15-ish yards.

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