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It seems like just yesterday the Detroit Lions were bounced from the NFL playoffs by the New Orleans Saints, sending them packing and putting them in offseason mode. That game was actually four months ago, though. Already, the NFL offseason has progressed from the section highlighted by free agency and the draft to the section where teams start preparing for the 2012 season.
For the Lions, preparations for next season have been underway for nearly a month. The offseason training program has been going since mid-April, and it will continue as the team gets ready for training camp. Preparations will also continue with OTAs and a minicamp. There was a minicamp this past weekend, but only rookies took part in it. Everybody will be involved in the second one.
Here's a look at what's coming up next for the Lions this offseason, as well as what fans have to look forward to down the road:
May 21: OTA
May 22: OTA
May 23: Lions/Tony Filippis Memorial Bocce Tournament
May 24: OTA
May 29: OTA
May 31: OTA
June 1: OTA
June 4: OTA
June 5: OTA
June 6: Lions Golf Invitational
June 7: OTA
June 8: OTA
June 12: Lions/Kevin VanDam Charity Fishing Tournament
June 12-14: Minicamp
Late July: Training camp begins
Aug. 10: Lions vs. Browns (7:30 p.m. ET)
Aug. 17: Lions at Ravens (8 p.m. ET)
Aug. 25: Lions at Raiders (7 p.m. ET)
Aug. 30: Lions vs. Bills (7 p.m. ET)
Note: Specific dates for training camp will not be announced until July.
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