Dan Campbell Wants James Houston, Antoine Green to Be More Consistent

Pair of young Lions players need to show more consistency.

The Detroit Lions are evaluating what they have on their roster as they maneuver through joint practices this week. 

An opportunity to match wits with the New York Giants in a practice setting gives them the opportunity to evaluate their roster. 

Among the players under a metaphorical microscope are wide receiver Antoine Green and linebacker James Houston. 

In the case of Green, a seventh-round pick, his rookie training camp has been an up-and-down affair. 

"I would say inconsistent. Man he does some things, they really show, and then it dips and there again he's a young player," said Dan Campbell. "(He) does some things that really catch your eye and then some things the opposite way. So he's inconsistent right now and the more that he can lessen the inconsistency, the better off he's going to be. That's part of what camp is for him." 

Houston, meanwhile, popped at the end of last season with eight sacks across the final seven games of the year. After spending the first 10 games on the practice squad, he took advantage of his opportunity. 

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Now, he's facing a reset as he learns to play outside linebacker. Detroit still has solid edge depth, with veterans like Romeo Okwara and Charles Harris now fully healthy. 

As a result, the second-year outside linebacker has been getting reps with the third-team defense. 

"I would say very much what we did last year. In base, playing him at the SAM. Of course, he was doing a lot of that for us because Charles was out," Campbell said. "Now Charles is back and Charles is playing at a high-level and mentally he's locked in. For Houston, it's really the mental, man. We talked about Green, but the inconsistency, he's gotta get out of that because he makes some plays, and then it just kind of dips. There will be an error here or there. It's something we've gotta keep working with him. Keep working on his rush, keep developing other moves. He's working at it and it's early, he's another guy we expect to grow."

Campbell added that the young player had been handling his role well throughout the early part of camp. 

Dan Campbell listed off players that stood out Tuesday. LaPorta, Gibbs, Branch, Thomas V, Drummond

— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) August 9, 2023

Notes

1.) Campbell named six players who he felt impressed by in the first joint practice session with the Giants: Tight end Sam LaPorta, linebacker Derrick Barnes, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, safety Brian Branch, cornerback Starling Thomas V and wide receiver Dylan Drummond.