5 Biggest Standouts From Lions Training Camp Day 10: A heat-seeking missile emerges as the defense takes over
Detroit Lions’ Day 10 standouts were almost all on defense. One veteran is making a serious push, and another bubble player refuses to stop making plays.
Day 10 of Detroit Lions training camp is in the books, and there were some standout performers worth highlighting from Monday’s practice. The Lions defense showed up in a big way, with linebackers and safeties making plays all over the field. Let’s break it down.
Joe Bachie keeps making plays
Look, I swear this isn’t a Michigan State fan thing. Just because I’m a Michigan State guy doesn’t mean I keep highlighting Joe Bachie for that reason. He keeps doing these little things. It’s not like he’s making huge plays every day. I’m not saying that. I’m not saying he’s going to be a starter, but I’m starting to look at Bachie more like maybe he could make this roster.
On Monday, he had a nice pass breakup in the red zone on Luke Altmyer, then got back in and generated pressure and batted a ball down. He’s just doing these little things. I notice him every time. I talked to him after practice and really liked the attitude he brings, and I’ll have an article coming out on that soon. He just keeps standing out, and it’s getting to a point where it’s hard not to notice.
Devin White is a heat-seeking missile
Next guy, another linebacker: Devin White. When the Lions signed White about a week ago, I looked at him like, okay, it’s fine. Maybe he could be a depth guy. He’s probably not the same guy he was in Tampa Bay, or at least he hadn’t really shown that. But this guy is a tackle machine. If a tackle needs to be made, he’s making it. The phrase I’ve used a couple of times Monday is heat-seeking missile, because the way White comes downhill, you just better hope you’re out of the way.
Now, there are some coverage issues. There were two big coverage snafus I noticed from him on Monday that make you worry a little bit. But he also had a nice pass breakup on tight end Sam LaPorta in the end zone. That was worth bringing up. At this point, he’s the starter at will linebacker. I just don’t see a world where he’s not the starter there. Malcolm Rodriguez is fine, but I just don’t think he can beat White out. Maybe when Jimmy Rolder comes back, things will change a little bit. But right now it’s White’s job to lose.
Chuck Clark leads the safety group
Chuck Clark had a big day. First, he grabbed an interception in the end zone off a tipped ball. Then a few plays later, he tipped another ball and Nick Whiteside picked it off. He’s just everywhere. The veteran safety is clearly the leader of the group. Everybody is referring to him and taking his leadership.
I know people are worried about not having Herbie Joseph and Brian Branch potentially for Week 1, but I think Detroit is in really good hands with Clark. If I could shout out all these safeties, I thought everybody had a pretty good day at the position. Dan Jackson had an interception, and Christian Izien mostly played nickel but had a strong day as well.
Christian Izien
Izien deserves his own mention here. He had a really nice interception, read his man every step of the way, and was able to grab a pick while playing nickel. That’s right where you expect Izien to be, and it’s good to see him doing well in coverage. You expect Roger McCreary to be that slot coverage cornerback, and McCreary had some nice plays on Monday too. But the thought on Izien was that he was going to be more of a run stopper at nickel. Getting a pick? You take that all day, every day.
Seth McLaughlin holds his own at center
For a guy who had literally never snapped the ball to quarterback Jared Goff in his entire life, I thought Seth McLaughlin had a pretty decent first day, and it’s worth shouting him out. I don’t know if he’s going to be the starter while they wait for Cade Mays to get back, but he played well enough. I’m interested to see what he looks like on Thursday. He’s going to play the majority of the preseason game since he’s really the only starting center on the team at this point. The Lions did give Michael Niese some opportunities with the second team, and I’m sure he will play in the preseason as well. But this is McLaughlin’s job right now.
When Juice Scruggs gets back, I think he’s going to give McLaughlin a real challenge. He’s probably even going to steal that job. But for a guy who got thrust into the starting center role and had never given a snap to Goff before, he showed up and deserves some props for that.
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