2007 TRAINING CAMP REPORTS

DETROIT LIONS

POSTED 9:42 a.m. EDT, August 5, 2007  by Michael David Smith

Fans cheered every time rookie WR Calvin Johnson touched the ball during the Lions' public scrimmage at Ford Field Saturday night.

WR Roy Williams isn't as impressed with Johnson as everyone else seems to be: "Calvin doesn't push me -- I don't need to be pushed," he said. "He's a great player, but he's going to have to push himself to get to the level of Mike Furrey and I."

A total of 10,486 fans attended the event.

Coach Rod Marinelli described the Saturday night practice as "very good work."

Marinelli expects DTs Cory Redding and Shaun Rogers to face a lot of double teams, and he says the Lions need the defensive ends to take advantage of that.

On the other side of the ball, WR Mike Furrey says he and fourth receiver Shaun McDonald will take advantage when opponents double Williams and Johnson. 

Mr. Irrelevant, CB Ramzee Robinson, says of his coaches, "as a rookie, they could care less what you think."

Here's a headline you wouldn't expect to see: "Millen Makes Good Moves."

POSTED 8:24 a.m. EDT, August 3, 2007  by Michael David Smith

Lions chief operating officer Tom Lewand says of holdout first-round pick Calvin Johnson, "He can't afford to miss any more time."

The Detroit Free Press is wondering how ESPN.com can put Johnson in the Hall of Fame before he signs his first NFL contract.

RB Kevin Jones worked out for 30 minutes Thursday as he continues to recover from last season's foot injury.

WR Roy Williams has his eyes set on the Lions scoring 40 points a game. 

G Edwin Mulitalo says his major contribution in Detroit will be "bringing a different attitude."

TE Darnell Sanders has made an impression on QB Jon Kitna.

Head coach Rod Marinelli is spending time doing one-on-one work with DE Kalimba Edwards.

Rookie LB Johnny Baldwin is making the mental adjustment from playing at Alabama A&M to playing in the NFL.

POSTED 10:31 a.m. EDT, August 1, 2007  by Michael David Smith

General Manager Matt Millen says no progress has been made on WR Calvin Johnson's contract.

Rookie QB Drew Stanton will miss two to four weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery.

Defensive coordinator Joe Barry says he had heard that DT Shaun Rogers has problems with his work ethic, but Barry has seen no evidence of that.

LB Teddy Lehman and OL Damien Wood both missed time with shoulder injuries.

DE Kalimba Edwards says he'll be more productive this year: "What is this? My sixth season and I have only led the team in sacks twice? That's not good enough."

Coach Rod Marinelli says not one player has been late to any practice, training session or anything else.

Offensive line coach Jim Colletto says of G Edwin Mulitalo, "We gotta get his weight down."

Rookie OL Manny Ramirez never stops hearing jokes about having the same name as the Boston Red Sox outfielder.

POSTED 8:51 a.m. EDT, July 30, 2007  by Michael David Smith

Starting QB Jon Kitna got some rest and second-round draft pick Drew Stanton missed practice with a knee injury, leaving the Lions with two quarterbacks Sunday. 

NFL Europa co-MVP J.T. O'Sullivan could earn the No. 2 quarterback spot behind Kitna.

LB Ernie Sims says this will be his breakout year.

DE Dewayne White could return today after sitting out over the weekend with a groin injury.

The Lions have used second-round picks on safeties the last two years, and veteran S Kenoy Kennedy is confident that the young talent in the secondary can contribute this year.

Offensive line newcomers George Foster and Edwin Mulitalo are learning Mike Martz's offense and are expected to fill the two biggest holes on last year's line.