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Line drills about to begin. #Lions @PrideOfDetroit pic.twitter.com/mDLyrCzpuQ
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 1, 2016
Watching Joe Dahl, the 2016 fifth-round draft pick out of Washington State move in space was, basically, majestic. With his versatility and ability to play multiple positions along the offensive line, Dahl could prove to be an important piece of the Lions' success.
Slay & Lawson start off some drills where defensive backs break and make a play on the ball. Both of them snagged it pic.twitter.com/2Ue0et0Ymx
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 1, 2016
Darius Slay deserved every cent of that contract he earned himself and to watch him in a training camp setting, it's easy to see why he's as good as he is: he never took a rep off, continually lined up opposite the likes of Marvin Jones and Golden Tate and he was working just as hard as the next guy behind him, but made it look so very easy.
Darrin Walls pops the ball out of Andre Roberts grasp for the interception. #Lions @PrideOfDetroit pic.twitter.com/TtcxiJ50Vj
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 1, 2016
It will be interesting to see how the cornerback depth chart shakes itself out, but one name I expect to make the 53-man roster is Darrin Walls, the free agent acquisition from the New York Jets. He was the noticeably the tallest corner out there on Day 4, and his size might be what ends up separating him from the rest of the talent at the position.
Anquan Boldin after hauling in another pass. As sure-handed as they come. #Lions @PrideOfDetroit pic.twitter.com/XBdUmEDUDI
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 1, 2016
At the end of this upcoming season, the Anquan Boldin move will be something fans look back on as a determiner of the Lions' success as a football team. I didn't see the veteran receiver drop a ball all day, and this was just another one of his routes that ended with him breaking the plane.
TJ Jones with the nice over-the-shoulder catch from Stafford. #Lions @PrideOfDetroit pic.twitter.com/NLza5phFbf
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 1, 2016
TJ Jones emerged as one of the camp darlings of beat writers since OTAs, and has even earned some admiration of fans who've had the chance to see him at training camp this past weekend. After the Anquan Boldin signing, I wasn't sure who would be the team's fourth receiver, but after watching the show Jones put on Monday, I'd be surprised if it wasn't him.
Eric Ebron with the one-handed grab over the middle. #Lions @PrideOfDetroit pic.twitter.com/226HY116q2
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 2, 2016
I've seen a couple of Lions' games live, in-person since Ebron was drafted to the Lions in 2014, but being as close as I was to the field, seeing the third-year tight end up close was something startling. His combination of athleticism and size is something else, but to see him make some of the catches he was able to bring in, I'm very excited to see him on the field this season.