Lions OTAs: Jim Caldwell's comments from Wednesday

Below is a recap of what Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell had to say following Wednesday's organized team activity. (Quotes provided by the Lions.)

Opening statement: "These practices have been moving along quite well. I think overall we're making good progress. The rookie class is catching on pretty quickly and reducing a number of mistakes and things of that nature, but they're also getting a good feel I think for the way we do things. The guys that have been around here a little bit I think are growing within the system. It doesn't happen overnight. Sometimes it takes you a little while to get it rolling. I can see offensively, defensively, they're certainly getting a great feel for it."

On RB Ameer Abdullah's abilities as a receiver: "Yeah, that's one of the things - He does a lot of things well for a young guy. One thing that you notice quickly is he can catch the ball. He catches it, knows what to do with it when he gets it in his hands, so he's making good progress in that area."

On DT Caraun Reid's biggest growth in his game: "Well, you know, from a physical standpoint he's just in superb shape. I think he committed himself to changing his habits in terms of eating. That's not to say that his eating habits were terrible before, but I think once these guys get in this league they understand what they have to do in order to be able to compete consistently. That's part of it. You've got to eat right, your strength levels have to go up, you have to reduce the amount of body fat. I need to do a little of that, but nevertheless he's a smart guy and he's done well. He looks quicker, he's running to the ball, he's in great shape, so we'll see if that translates."

On Reid spending a year behind DT Ndamukong Suh: "It certainly didn't hurt because of the fact that he, like a lot of these young guys, are pretty bright. So, he did a great job of emulating where he could, kind of watching how he went about his business. Matter of fact, I could see the other morning I looked inside the indoor complex, there's a place where I used to see Suh in there early in the morning by himself. I saw Caraun in there the other day if that gives you an indication. It was pretty early."

On how P Sam Martin can continue to improve: "The thing about guys how they handle the ball, I just think they become more and more proficient as time goes on. Certainly, he's working to do that. To be able to do what they do with the ball right now is just incredible. They can back the ball up, make it stop and die, things of that nature. But to be able to punt the ball and punt teams back inside of their own territory, pin them deep, I think it's something that obviously he's focusing in on and concentrating on. He's got a strong leg. Often times you'll find with these guys is that some forms of strength really don't reach their max until they're 28 or 29, so he's still developing."

On how CB Alex Carter is fitting in since returning to OTAs: "He's gotten baptized. I think you could see that coach (Tony) Oden had him out there doing a little extra after practice is over with trying to catch up. Now, I think he did a nice job of doing what the League allows us to do in terms of his studies and visiting with Tony, Coach Oden, whenever he could. But it's nothing like being here, getting the reps, so he's trying to make up for that. But I thought he's acclimated fairly well."

On if he has noticed a commitment from the players to get better this offseason: "I do. One of the things that you can measure it by is what they look like physically when they come back since it's a long hiatus. The guys have come back in better shape. That's not all across the board, every guy, but the majority of them. I think that's kind of part of their makeup anyway. They did so last summer between our spring and the summer. They did so during the season in terms of their efforts and they're making certain that they got themselves in great shape and we hope that continues."

On if he is seeing a comfort level with QB Matthew Stafford in his second year in the offense: "I think so. It also puts him in position where he can anticipate what he's going to see according to formations, actions, things of that nature. I think once you get accustomed to being able to have an idea of what you might get, I think it helps you in terms of your proficiency. He can anticipate a little bit more, he can get isolations where, obviously, sometimes by using his eyes the proper way. So, there are a lot of little nuances I think that he's really starting to develop."

On the backup quarterback competition: "Yeah, both of them are getting a lot of work. Just like anything else, you know, right now it's a rep chart as opposed to a depth chart. So, both are working some with the twos and some with the threes and they're doing well."

On K Kyle Brindza's development so far: "You know, young guy. I mean, we had a couple situations last week where we put him in game-winning-kick situations and he did well. But he's pretty versatile and he's eager, so he's doing well right now."

On WR Ryan Broyles' absence today: "Yeah, he's not injured or anything of that nature. It's personal."

On DT Haloti Ngata's absence: "Obviously, the system he understands and knows. He's not new to it. Ran it for quite a bit of time in Baltimore actually, but he'll be here. He's got to take care of a couple things personally, so when he gets those straightened away, he'll be rolling back in."

On the return of Lions Defensive Line Coach Jim Washburn: "With his experience and background, he's a wealth of knowledge. Kris (Kocurek) and Matt (Raich) have done a tremendous job and that will continue, but Wash is a pretty unusual guy. Glad to have him back."