Monday Notes: Wrapping Up Rookie Minicamp

by Sean Yuille on May 4, 2009 12:00 AM EDT in Detroit Lions Notes

Jeremiah Washburn has been hired by the Lions to be the team's assistant offensive line coach.
Add Chris Kemme, an offensive tackle from Akron, to the list of undrafted free agents signed by the Lions.
From what I've gathered, safety Louis Delmas was one of the most impressive players during the minicamp this weekend. Delmas showed off his playing and leadership skills and his confidence. He made many plays in the secondary on all three days and finally intercepted a Matthew Stafford pass at the very end of Sunday's practice. He had two picks during the four practices.
Matthew Stafford also seemed to impress people during the camp. He made some mistakes, as expected, but for his first showing he was pretty good. Neither Jim Schwartz or Martin Mayhew wanted to discuss where Stafford will start out on the depth chart, but I imagine he'll be Daunte Culpepper's backup. Schwartz stressed that everyone has to earn their position on the depth chart, but I doubt Stafford will be behind Drew Stanton.
DeAndre Levy didn't practice on Sunday due to an injury. He seemed to be comfortable in the middle, though he admitted "it's a challenge."
Brandon Pettigrew and Lydon Murtha missed practice on Sunday and for most of Saturday due to a hamstring and back injury, respectively.
Sammie Lee Hill has a lot of work to do since he didn't have great coaching or great competition in college. He certainly has lots of potential, though.
Dave Birkett wasn't too impressed with the receivers at the minicamp.
Veterans and rookies will come together on May 18 for the team's next workout.
The Packers considered drafting Brandon Pettigrew with the No. 9 overall pick of the draft.
Although the NFL continues to deny that they are interested in holding a Super Bowl in London, the city has officially launched a bid to bring the big game to England. As I said the first time this issue was discussed, the Super Bowl belongs in America.
Jack Kemp, who was drafted by the Lions in 1957 and cut before the season even started, passed away on Saturday.
My prayers go out to all of the people that were injured in the collapse of the Dallas Cowboys' practice bubble on Saturday.

Tweet Comment 17 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

very interested in seeing..

how things come together after the 18th, once the vets and rookies practice together. Also If nothing else happens this year I hope the team will at least be competitive and actually punch someone in the mouth and instead of being laughed at like last year. if that happens .. season is a success

Chaos reins within!
Reflect
Repent
Reboot
Order shall return!

by alpha lion on May 4, 2009 12:29 AM EDT reply actions

I don't like hearing

that the youngsters are already sitting out with injuries… I realize even the slightest uncomfortableness will result in them sitting at this point in time, but it would make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to hear that they’re all healthy as can be and participating. Personally, I’m okay with the draft picks, but I can’t imagine people who are unhappy with some of these picks hearing these guys have potentially nagging injuries already, too.

Motown String Music- SB Nation's Detroit Pistons Blog

by Packey on May 4, 2009 1:15 AM EDT reply actions

edit

Personally, I’m okay with the draft picks, but I can’t imagine people who are unhappy with some of these picks are happy hearing these guys have potentially nagging injuries already, too.

Motown String Music- SB Nation's Detroit Pistons Blog

by Packey on May 4, 2009 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions

I think they haven't played football in a while so they probably aren't completely fit

As long as they are ready for the 18th I won’t be too fussed.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).

by Hyperion Ecta on May 4, 2009 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Both...

Lydon Murtha and Pettigrew have durability issues…So it shouldn’t be much of a surprise. Hopefully NFL injury treatment and prevention can get them past it.
http://oklahomastate.scout.com/a.z?s=181&p=9&c=2&cid=853409&nid=3849056&fhn=1
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/lydon-murtha?id=81853#player-profile-tab-set-1:player-profile-tab-analysis

by damnitdamnitdamnit on May 4, 2009 3:11 AM EDT reply actions

Durability Issues? Now you tell me!

I have enough problems with the Pettigrew pick without hearing about that. How about we let Sean keep posting stories about how every other team in the NFL wanted to draft him earlier than we did and ignore all the bad news coming from training camp?

by NorthLeft12 on May 4, 2009 7:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Dude,chill

Why did you want Oher so badly? He was the 4th best tackle in this class, the equivelant of what Backus was when he was drafted. Lets see how it plays out

by JazzyBBP on May 4, 2009 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I wanted to see a long term committment to an upgrade of our O Line

I would have been happy with Oher at #20, Beatty at #33, or one of the lesser guys farther down [third or fourth rounds] with faith in Mayhew/Schwartz that this was going to be a long term building process and that they saw something in the player drafted that projected them to be an eventual starter. Right now, I believe that they are ~~happy~~ okay with what they have, and will look to next year to upgrade our O Line further. By the way, I think Loper is going to be real good for Detroit and will win a job LG or LT in the preseason.

Jazzy, I am a little concerned with the mindset that we should only get a Left Tackle if he is going to be ‘elite’ or at minimum a Pro Bowl quality player. That would be great, but those guys go real early in the draft. It sounds to me like we are committing our 2010 first pick [which I assume will be top eight] to a Left Tackle, when there could be some outstanding Defensive Tackles available then.
The clock is ticking on Backus’ career, we will need to start grooming a replacement within the next year or so. I would prefer a draft choice for that spot rather than a Free Agent who we would likely overpay to get.

by NorthLeft12 on May 4, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree to a point

I think Murtha is going to be groomed for the LT position. He’s very athletic for someone his size. I think next years 1st rd pick will be a DT. I also think Loper is going to suprise and win the LG spot. I’m just glad the Lions drafted a safety valve for Stafford, and Pettigrew is a complete TE with his receiving and blocking skills. I see the Lions converting alot of 3rd downs next season. When was the last time any of us could be optimistic about that?

by JazzyBBP on May 4, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Superbowl over seas.

I support the idea for expanding the popularity of the NFL in London.

However, it would have a significant effect on the time the super bowl starts. It wouldn’t be sunday night primetime – i suspect.

by BtotheLT on May 4, 2009 9:30 AM EDT reply actions

No Superbowl Overseas

I’d be suprised if it happened, and I wouldn’t like it at all.
Tackle Football is an American institution. Superbowl Sunday is a frackin holiday.
Has the US ever tried to get the National Cricket championships to be in NYC, they can have their soccer and curling and whatever else they’ve got.
Also, 3 injured rookies is hard to swallow when I wasn’t happy with 2 of the 3 picks who are hurting. Murtha is a push in my mind. 7th rounders don’t register in the happy/sad section of my brain

by MattyZ on May 4, 2009 11:04 AM EDT reply actions

While I agree that the SB shouldn't be player overseas

Tackle football is not an American only thing, if that’s what you mean. England do play both forms of rugby and would find American Football enjoyable, possibly.

Coming from a place that is a rugby territory, and being a huge Rugby League fan myself, when I tell people that I watch the NFL, they laugh and call the players wusses for playing in pads and helmets and stopping the play every 30 seconds (their words not mine). I try to defend the sport but I get laughed off, although I have converted my mum into a partial Colts fan. If England is anything like Australia, English people would most likely only go for the spectacle rather than the sport since they probably already following a very physical and aggressive code.

Also, the Cricket World Cup is actually a very big event and I wouldn’t be surprised if the U.S tried to host it, although, the U.S aren’y very competitive so it might not be much fun for the home fans.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).

by Hyperion Ecta on May 4, 2009 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting

I forgot about PoD’s own Aussie hope I didn’t come off as another arrogant yank.
Tackle Football is just something I picked up from espn when they were trying to give some respect to soccer. This version that we obsess over is definitely an American institute. And I agree London hosting would be for the spectacle only. Not many outside the states like this game.
I caught an episode of sports science once that studied the impact levels of hits in different sports and science showed UFC’s Rampage Jackson body slam as the only thing that equaled a corner back smashing a reciever over the middle. The pads lessen the impact but on a play by play basis they concluded no one takes bigger hits than Football. The rugby guys were sitting at 4th I think…if y’know…you’re looking for some ammo for your argument

by MattyZ on May 4, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah, you guys aren't arrogant yanks.

Big hits-wise it would be close. Because you wear pads in the NFL, your allowed to go all in on your hits. In Rugby, especially Rugby Union, your not allowed to use ‘shoulder charges’ because too many people have been hurt in the past. Rugby League still allows them and I’ll let you see for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bajiRgGnHQY

Personally, I wouldn’t want to be hit by either an NFL player or a Rugby League player. (Have played Rugby League, it hurts like hell, but the adrenaline helps you get through.)

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).

by Hyperion Ecta on May 4, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions

speaking of

Drew Henson took a swing at me once. Over a girl. Rival high schools kinda….got broke up before either of us could land a good shot.
Big hits on the vid. But those shorts would have made Larry Bird blush.

by MattyZ on May 4, 2009 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions