Training camp continues to charge on even when Pride of Detroit doesn't. Ok, ok, I still haven't gotten out of the habit of taking the weekends off. But hey, with the season approaching so quickly, I probably should enjoy my time off. Anyways, let's look at what went down over the weekend in Allen Park.
- Eric Beverly has retired. The tight end signed in the offseason for his second stint with the Lions has decided to call it quits. Beverly played his first 7 seasons in Detroit before moving on to Atlanta for the previous 3. As stated, he was signed in the offseason by Detroit to block at the TE position. This actually does leave a void at TE. Dan Campbell and Casey FitzSimmons are really the only two players on the roster that play that position, but FitzSimmons has been seeing time at fullback recently. He could move back over if needed, but for now, it's looking like TE doesn't have much depth.
- The quarterback competition is heating up, well, for the backup spot at least. Jon Kitna is the Lions starting QB, that is obvious. After that though, second string is up for grabs. It looks like the backup to Kitna will be either Dan Orlovsky or J.T. O'Sullivan. Orlovsky will be in his 3rd season with the Lions and O'Sullivan just arrived in Detroit after being cut by Chicago literally weeks ago.
This battle for the backup job is interesting simply because of each player involved. Orlovsky has the experience of being in Detroit and knows the complex offense, so you might think he has the advantage. But fresh from an MVP award in NFL Europa, O'Sullivan has come in and learned the offense very quickly and actually might be a better player. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out, but at least we know that a decent player will be there in case something happens to Kitna.
- I imagine many of you are wondering where Drew Stanton is in the mention of the backup job. Right now, Stanton is nursing a swollen knee and missed practice yesterday. He had an MRI and is now considered as day-to-day. Even once he does return, it is looking like Stanton will be farthest down on the depth chart so he can mature and get better.
- Wide receiver Shaun McDonald was taken off the PUP list on Friday and tight end Dan Campbell on Saturday, meaning both were able to start practicing. WR Devale Ellis, RB Kevin Jones, and DT Shaun Rogers all sill remain on the list with an injury.
- Former Lions player Jim David, who suited up for Detroit from 1952 to 1959, died yesterday at the age of 79. David was truly a great player who actually helped make the Lions a championship team. He helped Detroit win 3 titles in the 50's, with the last famously coming in 1957.