Observations: Brian Branch Leads Lions' Defense, Running Backs 'Lethal'

Day 17 Detroit Lions training camp observations.

On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions were able to find out about several of their key offensive and defensive weapons in a four-quarter simulated practice. 

Aaron Glenn's defense earned points for stops and turnovers, while the offense rotated between the first and second units. 

"Well, I think that's what we're trying to, whatever we feel like you could potentially lose, which is the ultimate intensity that you get from full tackle, go to the ground, whistle blows, block through the whistle," Campbell explained prior to practice. "That's what we're trying to duplicate here. We'll do some of it today, and then certainly a load. 

"We're trying to put a certain amount of reps on these guys that they wouldn't have gotten in the game anyway. Nobody's gonna play your starters for a full game in preseason, but you are trying to build them to that point. Today will be a little bit about that, we're gonna try to put a load on our guys, and it's gonna be intense. It'll be pretty physical. Potentially, that's what you could lose, is some of that. But, I feel like we can mimic that in practice, and we can do it in a controlled environment."

A couple of weeks ahead of their nationally televised game against the Chiefs, Detroit is finding the right balance of preparing for the defending Super Bowl champions and making necessary training camp corrections. 

"We may do a little bit tomorrow, is where the beginning of that will be. But, we're still gonna focus on good on good and rounding out the roster," said Campbell. "We've got some work done on those guys, just like they do on us. They've been looking, it's been a long offseason. I still think our focus is on us right now." 

The defense was dominant, and won by an approximate score of 63-27, ending practice picking off Detroit's starting quarterback. 

Participation

Wide receivers Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, along with safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, were spotted at practice, but did not participate. Both were spotted working with trainers prior to the scrimmage. 

Fellow wideout and return man Maurice Alexander returned to action, while defensive back Saivion Smith was not present. 

Observations

1.) The Lions held a live scrimmage Tuesday. It began with the first-team offense scoring a touchdown against the first-team defense. David Montgomery ran in for the opening score. Riley Patterson was the first kicker Tuesday, and nailed the extra point. 

2.) The second possession, which featured Teddy Bridgewater leading the second team, ended in a missed field goal by Parker Romo from approximately 37 yards out. That drive featured a big hit by second-year linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez. 

3.) Brian Branch came up big with a deflection on the third series, getting in front of a pass intended for Kalif Raymond. As a result, the first-team offense was forced to punt. That series was the first of seven consecutive stops by the defense.

4.) Undrafted rookie safety Brandon Joseph recorded an interception against Bridgewater, on a pass intended for Maurice Alexander. The defense was awarded points after every stop it recorded. The interception made it 19-7. 

5.) Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs finally put an end to the defense's dominance. He raced 30 yards to the end zone, and the offense closed the gap to 28-14 at the halftime mark of the scrimmage. 

Tight end Sam LaPorta was solid, and notched several targets and receptions. He was observed walking off the field with Goff and Sudfeld, following the conclusion of practice. 

Before leaving the field, the rookie tight end put in extra work with his starting signal-caller. 

Jared Goff and Sam LaPorta getting some extra work in after practice pic.twitter.com/hfWjVHWc6Z

— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) August 22, 2023

6.) The second half began with the offense getting on the board with a field goal by Parker Romo. However, the defensive side dominated most of the quarter, to take a 40-17 lead into the fourth. 

7.) Riley Patterson nailed a field goal to begin the fourth, but an ensuing series ended with Jared Goff throwing an interception to C.J. Gardner-Johnson. The pass was intended for Gibbs, with Derrick Barnes lurking in coverage. Nate Sudfeld did not take a live rep during the four-quarter practice. 

8.) The Lions' offense bounced back strongly, to the tune of a touchdown pass from Bridgewater to Antoine Green. Running back Craig Reynolds notched a long run, spurring the offense on the series.

9.) Goff threw a second interception in the fourth quarter. He was picked off by Brian Branch. Prior to that, Montgomery had ignited the offense's momentum with a big run. 

"I think it'd be lethal, I think it'd be real deadly," Montgomery said of him and Gibbs as a duo. "'Jah' (Jahmyr) does some special things, and I think I can do some special things, too. So, it'll be fun just to get behind (the offensive line) and the way those wide receivers block, too. So, I'm definitely blessed to be where I'm at."

The setting Tuesday was specifically designed to emulate a game. Montgomery, like many Lions starters, has yet to play in the preseason. 

"Oh, close as it can be (to a game)," Montgomery added, regarding the physicality of Tuesday's practice. "We are tackling. Coach did a great setup, giving us quarters, we had halftime. So, just being able to simulate that as close and as much as we can, definitely can get your mind to be alright. Let's be sure that we're locked in. As an offense, make sure that we kind of step up. Defense kind of gave it to us a little bit today, but that's what we need so we can see where we can get better." 

10.) Following practice, St. Brown had the opportunity to conduct an interview in German with international NFL reporters. 

11.) Longtime sports radio host Terry Foster of Woodward Sports Network made his first appearance at Lions training camp in several years.