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Here's a recap of Laken Tomlinson's introductory press conference with the Detroit Lions:
Arriving in Detroit:
Laken has landed! RT to welcome @laken77 to Detroit. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/qX3507btD8
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 1, 2015
Lions rolled out the blue carpet for Laken Tomlinson's arrival in Allen Park pic.twitter.com/nyXIRMt3kW
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 1, 2015
New Lions G Laken Tomlinson has arrived in Allen Park. pic.twitter.com/iGiCs5VEI4
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 1, 2015
New Lions G Laken Tomlinson meets the media. pic.twitter.com/aJaADxdhPr
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 1, 2015
Saying hello to the media:
Laken Tomlinson starts his first press conference with the #Lions by saying: "Hi, I'm Laken Tomlinson." #DETpick
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 1, 2015
Tomlinson here with his mother, girlfriend, friend. Says the past few hours have been a whirlwind
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) May 1, 2015
On meeting with his new teammates:
Larry Warford was in the building today and took the time to meet with Laken Tomlinson. Darren Keyton as well.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) May 1, 2015
Laken Tomlinson said Matthew Stafford tried to contact him last night but he couldn't get to the phone call. #Lions #DETpick
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 1, 2015
On the impact of being a first-round pick:
Laken Tomlinson said everything that has been going on with him the past 24 hours is impacting Duke & Duke football. #Lions #DETpick
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 1, 2015
On switching to left guard:
Tomlinson said he things biggest difference in switching to LG is a stance change. Felt comfortable there during the Senior Bowl.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 1, 2015
On the pre-draft process:
#Lions Laken Tomlinson on his rising stock: "Honestly I had a plan for myself and what I wanted to accomplish in pre-draft process."
— Paula Pasche (@paulapasche) May 1, 2015
#Lions Laken Tomlinson on meeting O-line coach Jeremiah Washburn at Senior Bowl: "I hope I impressed him." Obviously he did.
— Paula Pasche (@paulapasche) May 1, 2015
On his toughest opponent in college and who he wants to face in the NFL:
Laken Tomlinson said the best player he ever faced in college was Aaron Donald
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) May 1, 2015
The player Laken Tomlinson most wants to face in the NFL: Ndamukong Suh
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) May 1, 2015
On growing up in Jamaica:
#Lions Laken Tomlinson on growing up in Jamaica said they didn't have much at all. It was a tough lifestyle. Moved when he was 11.
— Paula Pasche (@paulapasche) May 1, 2015
Laken Tomlinson: "I think I'll be representing Jamaica a lot." His dad still lives in Jamaica along with extended family. #Lions #DETpick
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 1, 2015
Tomlinson on family in Jamaica: "I would say the island’s pretty happy right now."
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 1, 2015
Laken Tomlinson's childhood home in Jamaica housed as many as 15 family members at one time. It had two or three bedrooms.
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) May 1, 2015
#Lions Laken Tomlinson said this is his first trip to Detroit. He went to high school in Chicago.
— Paula Pasche (@paulapasche) May 1, 2015
On his two dogs:
Laken Tomlinson has two golden retrievers, Douglas and Daisy. Daisy is for Daisy Duke, as in Duke University. #Lions #Duke #DETpick
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 1, 2015