Observations: Jack Campbell Forces, Recovers Fumble

Day 5 Detroit Lions training camp observations.

From the first day rookie linebacker Jack Campbell walked into the building, the expectation was the team added a no-nonsense, all-business potential future leader of the defense. 

Teammates have observed a football player who is ultra-serious about his craft. 

During downtimes in the locker room after a tough practice, many players turn to their cellphones for entertainment. 

Not Campbell. 

It's head down and on to the next meeting or task at hand. 

“He’s growing, you know, he’s growing mentally. There’s just little details of the game that you see from the spring until the first four practices. His details have gotten better, his communication has gotten better, he does not make the same mistake twice," said Dan Campbell before practice Friday. "So, from that standpoint, it’s good. So, he’s growing and getting better. 

"I anticipate he’s gonna be plenty tough and physical enough, but now here you go, man, first day of pads. You get in there with the ones a little bit. He and Barnes sprinkle in and out where you’re going against Jonah, Frank Ragnow at a second level," Campbell continued. "That’s gonna be a little different, it’s a little different than playing Indiana. But, it’s day one. There is growth, and you can see it, we can see it. There’s nothing that would tell us that just because we put pads on, it’s not gonna continue to go that way.”

On Day 5, Campbell stayed with the play after running back Craig Reynolds secured a reception from Adrian Martinez. The young linebacker forced the football out and even secured the fumble recovery. 

Observations

1.) Antoine Green went through rookie growing pains on Day 5. After losing both special teams reps convincingly while working against wideout Denzel Mims, Detroit's seventh-round pick had the football zoom through his hands on a second-team rep tossed by Nate Sudfeld. 

After the offensive line battled the defensive line in one-on-one drills, the rookie left practice before the end of the day with an undisclosed injury and did not return. 

2.) In round 2 of their battles at camp, Amon-Ra St. Brown won a tag rep against Jerry Jacobs, while the savvy cornerback was able to bring down the camp standout in the rematch. 

3.) Don't sleep on wide receiver Josh Reynolds this season. The veteran wideout, who has vast experience working with Jared Goff, showcased solid hands, and secured two tough receptions working against a single cornerback in drills. 

4.) On Friday, team friends, family members and employees were allowed to observe practice. The offensive line versus defensive line's one-on-one battles drew a significant amount of attention from media and those in attendance. Early on, the offensive line held its own against Detroit's defensive line, winning the first five reps. Aidan Hutchinson used a swift swim move to blow past Penei Sewell, to win the first rep for the defensive line. Earlier, Sewell held his own, and locked up the former No. 2 overall pick in their first encounter at camp. 

Those who stood out by winning reps against the offensive line included Levi Onwuzurike and Brodric Martin, both of whom used their strength to push back reserve offensive linemen. 

Alim McNell showcased his quickness, blowing past rookie Colby Sorsdal and winning his rep. 

5.) Owner Sheila Hamp, walking off the field following the conclusion of practice, told a small group of reporters that she could sense the excitement surrounding the team. Any place she or her family goes, she cannot avoid positive thoughts about the 2023 season. Also, she noted Dan Campbell would have the team ready, based on the roster constructed. 

6.) Not many deep balls were tossed during 11-on-11 drills. Most of the work was centered around the run game and check-downs to open backs or receivers. 

Q&A: Safety Kerby Joseph

Q: How'd it feel to get back into pads for the first time this season?

Joseph: It felt good, you know what I’m saying. It’s a little humid out here. I didn’t know it was gonna be that humid, but it felt good to get back into pads and get back into football.

Q: How are you feeling after the first five days of training camp?

Joseph: Hungry. Every day, I come out here, I get hungry, because I'm starving every time I come out here. So, every time I want to get better.

Q: How motivating is it to know you're practicing every day against one of the league's best offenses?

Joseph: Yeah, we know our offense is good, we just gotta shut it down. If we shut it down, we're gonna be good. But, it's like, we've got to be together as one as a defense.

Q: How much more comfortable are you in your second training camp compared to your first?

Joseph: I'm way more comfortable. Because now it's like, I just come in, and I already know what time it is. The time I've gotta be on, the urgency, the effort, the maximum knowledge, all that. I already know what to do.

Q: Does it feel like the game has slowed down?

Joseph: Oh yeah, for sure.

Q: How motivated are you to make plays around the ball when you're in the game?

Joseph: Like coach says, you've got to run to the ball, because you never know what happens. So, I just always run to the ball, because I like making plays and I know plays happen when I run to the ball. I love making plays, because when my teammates make plays, it makes me want to make plays. And, I know when I make plays, it helps my teammates make plays. So, I just gotta keep making plays.

Q: Your team added another exciting player to the defense in safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. What have you noticed about his presence up to this point?

Joseph: We've got another energy bunny, you know what I'm saying. That's a 'AA battery.' So, it's just a lot more energy, more effort, more maximum and like more knowledge. C.J. brings knowledge into the room where I can learn from (him). He knows, he knows the game. So, it's just like we've got more people that know everything. I can only see the top. I don't see nothing less.

Q: What are one or two goals you have for yourself in the upcoming season?

Joseph: I don't want to give up my secret sauce. Just know, I'm coming harder than ever.