The Detroit Lions participated in a Mock Game on Saturday at Ford Field in front of a good amount of fans. This is as close to real football as anyone has seen of the 2016 team, although there was no tackling.
Our own Ryan Mathews was out there taking some great video of the scrimmage.
Things got off to a shaky start for the first-string offense. First, Matthew Stafford completed a pass to Marvin Jones:
First play of the drive, Stafford completes a pass to Marvin Jones for a first down. #Lions @PrideOfDetroit pic.twitter.com/NdzcUKMGCK
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 6, 2016
But on the very next play, Stafford was picked off by Darrin Walls:
Stafford intercepted by Darrin Walls on the third play of the drive. #Lions @PrideOfDetroit pic.twitter.com/AazMFI7mHA
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 6, 2016
The next drive completely stalled after consecutive drops from Theo Riddick and Golden Tate. The Lions had finished two drives against the third-string defense with a single completion and an interception to show for it.
Thankfully, the offense quickly turned it around on their next drive. The Lions ran the two-minute drill and Eric Ebron drove them down the field with ease:
Ebron catches a nice pass up the seam from Stafford for 30 yards, could have been a TD. #Lions @PrideOfDetroit pic.twitter.com/IjCLaNczoX
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 6, 2016
Stafford with the pre-snap adjustment, nice pump and throw to Ebron for a completion. #Lions @PrideOfDetroit pic.twitter.com/pRy0WLC4ip
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 6, 2016
Sadly, Ebron would later suffer a significant injury later in practice, ending his day and potentially much, much more.
Later, Detroit’s first-team offense would then punch it in with a nice grab from Golden Tate:
Tate goes up and snags a high pass from Stafford for a touchdown. Offense looks much better. #Lions @PrideOfDetroit pic.twitter.com/VRCsN2nge5
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 6, 2016
The good news for Detroit is potential Ebron replacement, Cole Wick, continues to look good:
Stafford completes a pass to Cole Wick, a strong candidate to make the roster, for a 1st down. @PrideOfDetroit pic.twitter.com/PHEo80Mg3b
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 6, 2016
TJ Jones also made a nice grab, further strengthening his case for a roster spot:
TJ Jones grabs a pass from Stafford for a gain of 18 on 3rd and 19. #Lions @PrideOfDetroit pic.twitter.com/ryywbZyudW
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 6, 2016
Finally, on defense, there were not a lot of highlights to be had, since the team was not tackling during practice. That being said, Brandon Copeland did a nice job getting to the quarterback and tallying a “sack’:
Brandon Copeland with the sack, forces a 4th down and punt. #Lions @PrideOfDetroit pic.twitter.com/dtp2qDjRf1
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 6, 2016
Another defensive highlight was this play here in the third quarter. The Lions defensive line provided a good push, led by rookie A’Shawn Robinson, and Mock Game standout Kerry Hyder was able to get to Stafford for the faux-sack.
Stafford attempts to escape a strong push from defensive line, led by A'Shawn Robinson. Kerry Hyder with the "sack." pic.twitter.com/cVjVwlarlf
— Ryan (@Ryan_POD) August 6, 2016
Thanks to Ryan Mathews for these great videos for those of us who couldn’t make it Saturday.