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Detroit Lions training camp officially begins at 3 p.m. on Sunday with a team meeting. Before that, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell met with the media for a pre-training camp press conference. He hit on several different topics during the press conference, and below is a recap of what he had to say.
On Matthew Stafford and the Lions' quarterbacks:
Caldwell said #Lions QBs reported early for training camp, so they could get ahead of learning curve on new offense.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) July 27, 2014
Caldwell says Stafford is "getting better," command of the offense is "pretty good."
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) July 27, 2014
Caldwell said Stafford showed improvement when he returned from the break in footwork, timing, accuracy and command of the offense. #Lions
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) July 27, 2014
On Nick Fairley's weight:
Caldwell on Fairley's weight: "We're pleased that he's working in the right direction."
— Carlos Monarrez (@cmonarrez) July 27, 2014
Caldwell said team has given the players a desired range of weight. Nick Fairley was down to 295 months ago, which Caldwell said was too low
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) July 27, 2014
Fairley is back up to 305, which is in his range, Caldwell said.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) July 27, 2014
On opening camp later and mixing up the practice schedule:
Caldwell said he started practice later than than allowed in order to give young players another chance to learn plays.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) July 27, 2014
Caldwell said part of reason Lions are starting training camp late is to decrease injury risk of two more practices.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) July 27, 2014
Caldwell said he likes to "change things up" which is why the training camp practice schedule is so varied. Preparing guys for situations.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) July 27, 2014
On Ndamukong Suh and his contract situation:
Caldwell on Suh: "he's in the best shape he's ever been in ... I don't think he's going to let anything distract him."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) July 27, 2014
Caldwell said he's not worried about Suh's contract issue distracting him Been through it with Peyton and Flacco. #Lions
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) July 27, 2014
Caldwell said: Ownership is going to make sure that gets taken care of. "Absolutely. I'm always optimistic."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) July 27, 2014
Caldwell on Suh deal: "Something will get done at the appropriate time."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) July 27, 2014
On Golden Tate, TJ Jones and Ziggy Ansah opening camp on the PUP list:
Caldwell on Jones, Tate, Ansah on PUP: "It was not anything that we didn't expect." #Lions
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) July 27, 2014
Caldwell wouldn't put a timetable on Ansah return. "There is none. It's whenever the Lord says he's healthy and healed."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) July 27, 2014
On releasing Chris Houston and the situation at cornerback:
Caldwell on what went into releasing Chris Houston: "The whole gamut. .. We made a decision we're better off moving in another direction"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) July 27, 2014
Caldwell admits the Lions are young at CB but thinks they have talent. "We're pleased where we're at right now."
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) July 27, 2014
On expectations for 2014:
Caldwell: Our expectations are that we’re going to field a team that has the right kind of Lions DNA – fast, physical and smart.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) July 27, 2014
Caldwell said he expects Detroit to be explosive offensively, but also good defensively. "We have a chance to put together a real good unit"
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) July 27, 2014
Caldwell again adamant that the Lions are built to win immediately. "If I thought we were lacking a little bit, I'd tell you."
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) July 27, 2014