Observations: Derrick Barnes Has Near Interception, Giants Step Up

Detroit Lions Day 13 training camp observations.

Here are observations from Day 13 of Detroit Lions training camp at the team's Allen Park practice facility. 

1.) Guests in attendance at the team's practice facility included Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Mike Tirico and Chris Collinsworth. 

2.) The Giants' offense, and the team as a whole, brought much more competitiveness and execution on Day 2. Daniel Jones and the offense was much improved from Tuesday, as they started 10-for-10 during an early 7-on-7 session. 

The first incompletion came when safety Kerby Joseph tipped a pass intended for Darius Slayton. The 26-year-old wideout caused Detroit's defense troubles, as he recorded back-to-back touchdown grabs during a team period. He even secured three to four yards of separation on Cam Sutton, but Jones severely under threw him, allowing the pass to be broken up. 

While Sutton made plays, the veteran defensive back was out of position on a couple of reps and was forced to adjust quickly on the fly, which he showcases an innate ability to do. 

Jones recorded at least five touchdowns during team drills and another two touchdowns during 7-on-7 sessions.  

Another player, who would be a matchup nightmare for any defense, is tight end Darren Waller. At 6-foot-6, he was easily able to maneuver the field, even making a grab directly in front of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who may have been forced to slow down the trash talking for 30 seconds, with a tight end barreling down at him. 

3.) Riley Patterson enjoyed a strong day. He went 7-for-8, with his only miss being a wide left attempt from 51-yards out. 

4.) New York's secondary made it difficult for the Lions offense at times. Rookie cornerback Deonte Banks broke up a pass intended for Amon-Ra St. Brown. 

"I wouldn't say it's a welcome, but it's like a welcome to the league," Banks told All Lions following practice." (St. Brown) is a big-time receiver, and I got some reps against him, and it felt good." 

Giants UDFA, and former Michigan Wolverine Gemon Green, picked off a pass during 7-on-7 drills. 

5.) Jared Goff tossed a sidearm touchdown pass to rookie tight end Sam LaPorta. The Iowa product had a strong two days of joint practices. In large part, however, it was a tough day for the Lions' offense. There were multiple fumbles by the unit. 

6.) Backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld missed a wide-open Jameson Williams during 11-on-11 drills. The Alabama product had created plenty of separation, but Detroit's backup under threw him severely. Williams could not get anything going, but it was largely due to Detroit's quarterbacks not being able to get him the ball. 

7.) Dylan Drummond, who has seen his stock rise throughout camp, was observed catching footballs after practice, alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown. "I just think there's an opportunity every single day after practice to do something to get just a little bit better," Drummond told All Lions. "I know I feel like every single day, if you just get a half-percent better, it stacks up in the long run. So, every single day I try to do at least one or two things, catch punts, catch balls in order to get better. I'll do that every day."

8.) A scuffle broke out between outside linebacker Oshane Ximines of the Giants and Lions offensive lineman Germain Ifedi during red zone drills. 

9.) Running back Mohamed Ibrahim got the crowd on its feet when he shed a Giants defender forcefully and scored a touchdown during 11-on-11 work on the second-team. 

10.) Marvin Jones made the grab of practice, as he worked against former Lions defensive back Amani Oruwariye and secured the pass from Sudfeld at the pylon.

11.) Derrick Barnes, who Dan Campbell highlighted as having a solid Day 1 against the Giants, nearly had an interception on Day 2. 

“I write goals every day," Barnes told All Lions. "One of my goals was to get my hands on the ball. We always teach see the quarterback and break on it when he releases his hand. I did that and kind of got star struck a little bit and my eyes got big. But those are the plays I’ve gotta make. Had it in my hands. It was kind of weird, wobbling. I got too excited and ended up dropping it. Those plays, I’ve definitely gotta make. That’s leaving money out there on the field. So, definitely gotta make those plays for my team. It was overall a good break and I’m proud of myself for that.” 

12.) It is time to have the conversation about Brian Branch earning the nickel cornerback job and playing early in his rookie season. He had another solid pass breakup and seems to be in position, step for step, with nearly every receiver he is locked up against. He worked primary with the first-team defense on Day 2. 

13.) Wideout Denzel Mims, who returned Wednesday to practice, limped off the field during a special teams kickoff rep. It was unclear if the former second-round pick returned, as the Lions' defense was our primary focus on Wednesday. 

14.) Jahmyr Gibbs ended practice with a spectacular grab with two Giants defenders draped all over him. While the Lions on the sideline were calling for a touchdown, officials ruled the catch incomplete. 

Q&A: Malcolm Rodriguez

Q: What is your overall assessment of the two days of joint practices? 

A: "It was good work, you know. Brings out a different type of competition. Everyone's amped up a little bit more than practicing against each other, so it's good competition. One of those things where we'll see how we do throughout the preseason."

Q: How did you feel about your performance? 

A: "It was good. Had some good plays in there and always got mistakes to correct. So, it's always one of those things where each day I'm trying to get better and self-evaluate. Just gotta put the best film out there."

Q: What is your early impression of rookie linebacker Jack Campbell? 

A: "He's a natural born leader. One of those things where he wants to take control and he's very vocal. So, he's a workhorse, he doesn't stop. He's got a motor, a high motor, so you love seeing a guy like that coming in."

Q: What were your expectations and hopes for your second training camp? 

A: "Just be me. Just one of those things where I go out there and do my thing, not try to get out of the scheme and just stay in the system. It's one of those things, wherever I'm needed, I'll be at."

Q: You had a pass breakup during red zone drills. Take us through the play. 

A: "So we're in quarters. I was man on the back, then back scats and it's just me and the corner working. I just push it and I'm man on the tight end. There's a lot of technique that goes into it and (linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard) Shep does a good job of explaining that. Been working those drills, so it shows up. Stuff like that. You see that in a play, you're just taking your drill work into team stuff."

Q: What is your excitement level for the preseason opener on Friday? 

A: "It's always fun going in there, playing a game against someone else. It brings a lot of juice. It's one of those things where the season is here. The energy level is gonna be there, I know it's gonna be packed, so it'll be a fun one."