EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In so many ways, joint practices are more valuable for teams than preseason games.
It’s a controlled setting. You can match your best on best over two days of work. You can see how your starters hold up and which young players flash.
It’s why Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell wants to do it every year, and why he opts to rest his starters in the preseason. Advertisement “Certainly, some of the guys we know we’re going to count on during the season, I don’t see them necessarily playing, and if they do, not very many reps,” Campbell said of his plans for Thursday night’s preseason opener against the New York Giants . “But our young guys are going to get a lot of these and developmental players are going to get a ton of these reps.
” Monday and Tuesday were all about the starters, with Thursday night serving as a chance for young guys to make themselves money. As we put a bow on things, it’s clear these teams made one another better — whether it was the Lions’ cornerbacks taking on rookie standout Malik Nabers , the Giants’ defensive line versus the Lions’ offensive line or anything else we saw in New Jersey. Here’s a recap from Day 2.
Campbell on Monday’s physicality and intensity There’s a balance between being competitive during a joint session like this and having so many altercations it disrupts the flow of practice. Monday’s practice, which featured what felt like double-digit skirmishes, was the latter. At least, that’s how Campbell saw it.
“Certainly too much,” Campbell said Tuesday morning. “When you have to stop practice that many times to reset the drill and load it, it’s a waste of everybody’s time. Look, I don’t want those.
That’s not what it’s about and I know Dabes (Giants coach Brian Daboll) doesn’t want it. We’ve talked about it, addressed it with the players and that’s part of the balance. It’s, ‘Man, how do you really, really push yourself to compete at the highest level, but you’ve got to keep your composure?’ So, we’re good, we’re going to have a great day today.
” These teams met for joint practice a year ago and things weren’t nearly as chippy. Maybe the Lions are starting to feel the effects of being a contender — getting everyone’s best shot when the moment arrives. Maybe the Giants, coming off a disappointing season, are looking to bounce back and take on a competitive mindset entering a new year.
No matter the reason, it was real. You could feel the tension, and just because Campbell and Daboll wanted things turned down, it still spilled over to Tuesday’s practice. GO DEEPER Lions-Giants joint practice gets chippy, plus a day following the defense A day with the Lions’ offense Much like Monday, Tuesday’s practice featured quite a few team periods.
I spent the day watching the offense this time, after focusing on the defense the day before. Offensive players seemed to believe they had a better day Tuesday than Monday. Here’s how I charted each 11-on-11 period for the starters: First series Takeaway: Nothing special, but some decent movement for the offense.
I liked how involved Gibbs was in the passing game, and the Montgomery run was well-blocked against a good Giants front. Second series Takeaway: If you’re choosing to count the Davis touchdown, this series looked a lot better. I wouldn’t, though.
The Giants easily won this one. Gibbs was the only real highlight. Also, this series is where I felt the Lions really missed Sam LaPorta .
When there’s pressure, Goff is most comfortable finding LaPorta over the middle. That wasn’t there this week. Advertisement Third series Takeaway: Again, nothing super explosive or crazy, but some good plays.
St. Brown is automatic on crossers. The Williams play was a thing of beauty — from the idea to get him moving pre-snap to the move he made in space.
Red zone Montgomery goes wide open for a TD pic.twitter.com/UrULLtKDb2 — The Giant Take Podcast (@TheGiantTakePod) August 6, 2024 Takeaway: This was probably the best series of the day for the offense.
I even heard some Giants media members saying the Lions won this series. The Montgomery touchdown was great. The Gibbs touchdown run was blocked very well.
The only real hiccup was the final play. Of note: no turnovers on the day. GO DEEPER Lions training camp: LB Derrick Barnes says no more Mr.
Nice Guy News, notes and observations Giants WR Malik Nabers and Lions S Kerby Joseph just got in a fight. On the play before, Terrion Arnold had good coverage vs. Nabers.
Looked like there was some shoving that led to swings, then the sidelines cleared. pic.twitter.
com/1tDZMtg7N5 — Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) August 6, 2024 (Photo of Jared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs: Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA Today).
