OT: More Lions content, team scrimmage after 2 weeks of camp

Submitted by NotADuck on August 4th, 2023 at 10:38 AM

https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/8/3/23818822/detroit-lions-training-camp-day-10-observations-hutchinson-st-brown-shine-in-scrimmage

Welcome to the Kool-aid bowl!  Everyone grab a cup and take a seat.  It's a hot one out there today!

Lots of great things to read about in this article from SB Nation's Pride of Detroit.  I normally don't like their content but this one was really informative.  Major observations from my point of view:

1.  The defense is massively improved compared to last season.  All the new additions are making their presence known, especially Brian Branch.  He's making plays in coverage and he had a sack in the scrimmage.  The offense is supposed to be a bit behind early in camp as they install new plays, but the defense absolutely dominated the first half of the scrimmage (which was primarily against the first and second team offense).  It's still meaningful, especially as good as the offense was last season.

2.  Surprise!  Outside of Goff, Amon-Ra St Brown is the most important player on the team!  Without him, the offense doesn't move the ball.  They don't get first downs.  They don't score points.  He's indispensable out there in the slot.  Great at moving the chains.  Very dependable hands.  Always open even when he's not.  What a wonderful 4th round pick he was.

3.  Also surprise!  Aidan Hutchinson is a beast!  He had 3 sacks on the day, 2 against the first team offense (though one was a poorly designed play in which Josh Reynolds, a receiver, was tasked with down-blocking him LOL).  He's been wreaking havoc all camp, both in the run game and against the pass.

4.  The D-Line is much improved overall.  They're getting great penetration from all over the place.  Alim McNeill, Charles Harris, Romeo Okwara, and the rookie Brodric Martin have been making plays all camp.  McNeill, Okwara, and Martin made a few during the scrimmage.  That's saying something considering how great the O-Line is.  If they can penetrate and make plays in the backfield against this O-Line, they can do it against anyone.

Ahhhhh that was refreshing.  Nothing like a cold cup of Kool-aid on a hot summer day.  See you all in Kansas City!

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SalvatoreQuattro

August 4th, 2023 at 11:13 AM ^

I think LaPorta, Gibbs, and JaMo once fully weaponized will greatly reduce dependence on Sun God. All three are terrific athletes with good to great speed for their position.

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Blau

August 4th, 2023 at 11:28 AM ^

I'm really looking forward to seeing Gibbs receiving abilities over the first 6 games with Williams out. Can they stretch the field enough with Reynolds and Jones Jr to keep the running game fresh and not put so much pressure on St. Brown? If Williams can exceed half the hype bestowed upon him, Goff and Ben Johnson should have the keys to a very nice sports car.

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Maersk

August 4th, 2023 at 11:36 AM ^

#2 is a huge exaggeration. ARSB is extremely important but he’s not the sole focus. Laporta and Gibbs have both been having great camps so far and will be integral to this offense.

Jamo will shine when he gets back from suspension

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NotADuck

August 4th, 2023 at 1:16 PM ^

Not true.  Look at the passing offense last year with and without The Sun God.  He's the chain mover.  He's the guy Goff goes to when he needs a 3rd down conversion.  He's the guy Goff trusts the most.  He also catches the occasional deep ball.  He does everything asked of him and a little extra.

The article backs this up.  Any time the offense needed a conversion in the scrimmage it was Amon-Ra making the catch.  Much of the success the offense had was due to Amon-Ra's production.

Remember when the Rams went to the Super Bowl a couple years ago?  The Rams offense was humming in the first half thanks to Odell and Cooper Kupp getting open and Stafford finding them.  Once Odell went down and the defense could double cover Kupp, they stagnated until Stafford forced the ball to Kupp on the last drive of the game.  Even had to perform a no-look pass to get Kupp some extra breathing room.

I'm not saying Amon-Ra is as good as those guys, but he's just as important to the offense.

All that being said, I'm hoping LaPorta and JaMo and Gibbs can take some of the pressure off him.  As others have already stated.

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