Linebacker among stiffest competition in camp.

[tbone413]

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120804/SPORTS0101/208040314

It appears that the coaching staff is going to have their work cut out trying to determine which combination of LBers to keep.

I am really encouraged by what I am hearing about Whitehead, I wasn't to thrilled about trading up to get him in this years draft, but all indications point to him being a physical freak of nature, who should have an immediate impact on special teams.

I know that the lions normally only keep 6 LBers, but I wouldn't be surprised if they make an exception and keep 7 this year. Palmer and Lewis are Probably going to be the two guys battling for the final spot, and I would think that Palmer would have to be substantially better than Lewis for him to make the team. I personally like Palmer, think he did pretty well when given PT in 2010, but last year he managed only 8 tackles and couldn't beat out Bobby Carpenter which raises some concerns.

Regardless of who the final combination of LBers are, it looks like whoever gets cut will probably get gobbled up by another team. It's been a long time since that has happened on this team. It's nice to finally have some depth at LBer position.

 

[LKP]

Lions kept 7 last year. Tulloch,Durant,Levy,Palmer,Hogue,Carpenter and Ekejenuba. But then Ekejenuba got hurt.

 

[lp4ever41]

7 LBs, 10 DBs, 9 DL, 1 K, 1 P, 1 LS, 5 WRs, 3 RBs, 3 QBs, 3 TEs, 1 FB, 9 OL. Thats 53 (if I can add). Might take 6 WRs instead of 5, maybe 10 DL, idk. But 7 is possible IMO.

 

[wheels002]

I think only 2 QB's make the roster with 1 stashed on the practice squad. I dont believe Stanton was active for any games last year. And if you expect to do the same this year why not put Kellen on practice squad.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Correct. 3rd QB won't dress.

 

[zyxt9]

Wouldn't PS actually benefit Kellen more anyway as he'd actually get snaps and learn the PlayBook more? Maybe I'm wrong and sure they don't have full scrimmages or access to starters to practice with, but I always thought it benefitted guys develop more than being 3rd string watcher / minimal practice time.

 

[tonyballs]

Wouldn't PS actually benefit Kellen more anyway as he'd actually get snaps and learn the PlayBook more? Maybe I'm wrong and sure they don't have full scrimmages or access to starters to practice with, but I always thought it benefitted guys develop more than being 3rd string watcher / minimal practice time.

Preseason is all about showcasing for the lesser talent. Guys get released, teams have a little tape to go. Not much but some.

 

[zyxt9]

Preseason is all about showcasing for the lesser talent. Guys get released, teams have a little tape to go. Not much but some.

yeah, i know that tony, lol. i was referring to once teams have cut down to their regular season roster and place guys on the practice squad. seems to me at that point being QB on the PS is more beneficial than being 3rd string watcher with a roster spot because on the PS they are taking actual snaps and making throws while learning the playbook. that is my understanding of the PS, but maybe it is different from that.

 

[tbone413]

Travis Lewis seems to be making a strong impression in training camp so far.. I was not sure if he would make the squad originally, but now it seems like he has a legit shot as long as he continues to improve.

---------------------------------------------------
Justin Rogers | MLive.com Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham has been blown away with rookie linebacker Travis Lewis. ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham can be intense and surly on the practice field, but is rarely short on praise when he gets to talk about the players he coaches. On Saturday, it was rookie linebacker Travis Lewis who received a glowing review from Cunningham. " Travis Lewis, I can't get over him," Cunningham said. "He's probably, along with (Stephen Tulloch), the top two middle linebackers I've ever had at calling defenses. That's a mouthful, and if people don't believe it, come out here. He handles things like I've never seen a kid handle." Coach Jim Schwartz, who is typically more subdued with his praise, particularly with his rookies, echoed some of Cunningham's sentiments. "I don't want to jinx him, but he's really been outstanding," Schwartz said about Lewis. "It's one thing just knowing what to do, it's another thing to be able to do it when the offense is coming out quick, motioning, changing tight end and all those different things. He's never once had any kind of problems. He's adjusted very, very quickly to a complex scheme. That says a lot about him and it says a lot about his coaches and experience at Oklahoma." Lewis, a four-year starter at Oklahoma, gave all the credit for his rapid acclimation to his college defensive coordinator Brent Venables. "He put so much on me in college," Lewis said. "The stuff they had us doing in college was way more sophisticated, as far as out there. You have a call, the d-line makes their call, the secondary makes their call, but in college, you made everybody's call. What he put on me allows me to pick this up so much faster." While Lewis has been rapidly picking up the playbook, what makes him such a coachable athlete is his approach. He takes everything seriously, from conditioning to the film room to the intensity he exhibits during individual drills. "At OU I was a two-year captain, so everyone was always expecting me to show everyone how it's done," Lewis said. "Over the years, you just develop that habit. Looking at Tully, Kyle (Vanden Bosch) and all those guys, that's what they do. Everything they do, everything they approach is at full speed. I'm lucky I developed that habit early." Lewis has been playing both middle and outside linebacker during training camp for the Lions. Based on the players he's been working with during his reps, he's still behind Ashlee Palmer, Tahir Whitehead and Doug Hogue on the Lions' depth chart.

 

[LKP]

Lewis 2nd team OLB over Hogue today. Palmer second team MLB all camp and Whitehead second team OLB all camp.

Lions ran 3 DL CW,Suh and Fairley and had Ronnell Lewis rushing standing up today in practice too. Interesting formation

 

[Diggler Cometh]

Lewis 2nd team OLB over Hogue today. Palmer second team MLB all camp and Whitehead second team OLB all camp.

Lions ran 3 DL CW,Suh and Fairley and had Ronnell Lewis rushing standing up today in practice too. Interesting formation

It sounds like they could stop a run that way..

 

[motown1958]

It sounds like the secondary is so bad they will need to hit the qb on every play. Lets hope they actually use a bunch of new dline formations instead of the same predictable plays like last year.

 

[Mitchrapp]

yeah, i know that tony, lol. i was referring to once teams have cut down to their regular season roster and place guys on the practice squad. seems to me at that point being QB on the PS is more beneficial than being 3rd string watcher with a roster spot because on the PS they are taking actual snaps and making throws while learning the playbook. that is my understanding of the PS, but maybe it is different from that.

If they have any talent at all, he won't be on the practice squad for long since he would get snagged.

 

[tonyballs]

yeah, i know that tony, lol. i was referring to once teams have cut down to their regular season roster and place guys on the practice squad. seems to me at that point being QB on the PS is more beneficial than being 3rd string watcher with a roster spot because on the PS they are taking actual snaps and making throws while learning the playbook. that is my understanding of the PS, but maybe it is different from that.

I got ya. I'm still a little punchdrunk. Haven't slept much since my daughter was born...lol.

 

[cheeno]

I got ya. I'm still a little punchdrunk. Haven't slept much since my daughter was born...lol.

Congrats Tony.

 

[elrod817]

I got ya. I'm still a little punchdrunk. Haven't slept much since my daughter was born...lol.

Congrats Tony.

Ditto brother! Mine turned one in June and they are truly blessing. She's my favorite (favourite since you're Canadian?) person in the world. I also now hate all men and am stockpiling firearms for when she is old enough to date.

Enjoy her, guide her, love her and for God's sake make sure she's a Detroit sports fan.

 

[schles192]

I like what I've been reading about Whitehead:

Rookie Tahir Whitehead's performances early in camp have led veterans to describe him using words such as “beast,” “freak” and “complete athlete.” He's taken reps with the second team throughout camp, and earned a similar position.

 

[tonyballs]

Congrats Tony.

Thanks, man.

 

[tonyballs]

Ditto brother! Mine turned one in June and they are truly blessing. She's my favorite (favourite since you're Canadian?) person in the world. I also now hate all men and am stockpiling firearms for when she is old enough to date.

Enjoy her, guide her, love her and for God's sake make sure she's a Detroit sports fan.

Thank you.

Favorite is spelled the same...lol.

I too hate all men and you're damn right she's a Detroit sports fan (but she will be a Montreal fan...the onesy proves that). Going to the Lions game this Friday and probably buying her some Lions gear - pink of course

 

[wheels002]

My daughter just turned 15 and its very hard not to follow her around armed to the teeth. But that being said being a dad is amazing. The one piece of advice I can give is that when she gets older take her on daddy/daughter dates. It's a way for you to teach her what her expectations should be. A couple times a year plan an outing with her even if its just dinner and a movie where its just you and her. I started when my daughter was 5 and still do them and her expectations for any boy she talks to is very high and her and I are very close.