Camp Notes: Joint practices offer look at where Lions stand
A couple days of joint practices with the New York Giants will provide Dan Campbell and his coaching staff a really good evaluation on where this team stands a couple weeks into training camp.
Campbell said Monday before the first joint practice that he’s looking forward to the challenge his secondary will get from a Giants’ wide receiver corps that includes talented rookie Malik Nabers and veterans Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt and others.
The biggest test for the Lions over the next couple days might come upfront along the offensive line going against one of the better defensive line groups.
“(Dexter) Lawrence is, in my opinion, one of the best that’s in the game right now, run and pass, I mean, he’s powerful, he’s strong,” Campbell said. “The edge with (Kayvon) Thibodeaux and (Brian) Burns over there, that’s pretty exciting too.”
Thibodeaux and Burns, who came over in a trade from Carolina this offseason, combined for 19.5 sacks last season. They’ll be a great test for Lions tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker.
One of the most anticipated matchups upfront will be Lions All-Pro center Frank Ragnow squaring off against Lawrence, who was ranked in the Top 10 among interior defensive linemen by Pro Football Focus for his pass-rushing prowess last season.
“I bring up Lawrence again, this is going to be a good challenge for Frank (Ragnow), Frank’s looked forward to this,” Campbell said. “This is big, man, you have to go against top-tier players to get better.”
Detroit’s offensive line is considered one of if not the best in the NFL, and this week they get to sharpen their skills in preparation for the season with a great test in the Giants defensive front.
