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The first day of the Detroit Lions' 2013 rookie minicamp is in the books. The Lions held a practice for 50 players on Friday afternoon, and they will wrap up the minicamp on Saturday and Sunday with two more practices. Below is a recap of some of the more interesting tidbits from Day 1 of the minicamp.
For those wondering about where Ezekiel Ansah and Devin Taylor will play on the D-line, here's your answer (for the first day of the minicamp anyway):
Ziggy Ansah played exclusively on the right side today at practice. Devin Taylor played on the left. Both are as quick as advertised.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) May 10, 2013
Speaking of Ansah, here's a look at his first post-practice presser with the Lions:
Ziggy is cool, calm and witty following his first #nfl practice. twitter.com/DetroitLionsNF…
— Detroit Lions (@DetroitLionsNFL) May 10, 2013
Larry Warford made a big impression on Day 1 (emphasis on the word big).
Quick impression from Lions rookie camp:Ansah is quick and Warford is B I G.
— Mike O'Hara (@MikeOHaraNFL) May 10, 2013
#Lions Schwartz on size of OG Larry Warford (6-3, 333): "We had a pretty good idea of what size shorts he wore, that’s not new to us.''
— Paula Pasche (@paulapasche) May 10, 2013
#Lions Schwartz on OG Big Larry Warford (6-3, 333):'He's got really good balance for a big man, he’s a bottom-heavy guy.'
— Paula Pasche (@paulapasche) May 10, 2013
Jim Schwartz isn't too worried about Darius Slay, who had knee surgery last week, missing the minicamp.
Schwartz on what Slay is missing: "Hardly anything ... if he’s going to miss a few weeks, it’s probably better for it to be right now."
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) May 10, 2013
Slay is lifting and going to meetings, but watching while rookies, UDFAs, first-year & tryout guys are on the field.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 10, 2013
Schwartz is glad all of the Lions' draft picks are already under contract.
Jim Schwartz on all Lion draft picks signed: "It’s good for us. They can just concentrate on doing their job."
— Mike O'Hara (@MikeOHaraNFL) May 10, 2013
Schwartz confirmed that the Lions made it a priority to sign Joseph Fauria as an undrafted free agent.
Schwartz on signing FA TE Joseph Fauria:"He's another guy, as soon as the draft was over we worked pretty hard on. He's a big target."
— Mike O'Hara (@MikeOHaraNFL) May 10, 2013
I like the sound of this:
Both Sam Martin & Blake Clingan have noticeably stronger legs than what the Lions have featured the past couple years bit.ly/15xfIrW
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) May 11, 2013
Just how new is Havard Rugland to the game of American football? This tweet sums it up:
“Kickalicious” needed help figuring out how to put on his football helmet. bit.ly/15xfIrW
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) May 11, 2013
The Lions' official site has video of Schwartz joking about Rugland's inexperience. Also on the Lions' official site is a photo gallery from Friday's practice.