Detroit Lions Mailbag: One player is looking so good that it's making everyone uncomfortable
The Detroit Lions are back at training camp, but they're off Wednesday, and everyone has questions about how things are going so far. Let's answer some of them. Like he hasn't missed a beat. The Lions aren't taking things slow with him at all. He's right back to being a big part of practice and […]
The Detroit Lions are back at training camp, but they're off Wednesday, and everyone has questions about how things are going so far. Let's answer some of them.
Like he hasn't missed a beat. The Lions aren't taking things slow with him at all. He's right back to being a big part of practice and getting after it. He doesn't look like he's lost any speed or that he's missing any part of his game. He also doesn't look hesitant out there either. We'll see what happens when the pads come on this Friday.
He's still getting the hang of the offense, but he has been working with the first team and sharing reps with Tim Patrick, who has also looked pretty good lately. Right now, the Lions have been working on pretty vanilla stuff. With pads going on Friday, the Lions will be more in scrimmage mode, and we'll get some more ideas as to how they'll use him downfield and in the red zone.
I don't think it's flaming hot, but he's up against it right now. The Lions are looking for him to take that next step, and if he can't, they'll search elsewhere. If Hooker were younger, he'd probably have a longer leash, but he'll be 28 years old this season, and the Lions just aren't going to wait forever.
That said, he's had some good days this week. He went 8-8 on Tuesday and had a pretty good day. We'll see where it goes when pads come on and when he gets to play live rounds in the preseason.
Who’s the big surprise standout so far this summer?
— jimmyjackfunk.bsky.social (@jimmyjackfunk.bsky.social) July 23, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Look, it's scary to talk about, but Marcus Davenport looks so good right now. Yes, it's super early, and yes, he has a history with injury, but man, if this guy stays healthy it's a game changer. The Lions know that, too, that's why every presser has essentially turned into an update on Davenport. He comes up every day. It's making everyone uncomfortable because, of course, you want to buy in, but history tells you should wait.
It's super early, but Ratledge looks at home at center. He's taken to it like a fish takes to water. Having the veteran Glasgow on the right side of him definitely helps because he has someone to lean on.
We're going to see how he handles it when pads come on. At this point, I wouldn't be shocked if they give him live reps in the preseason as well as joint practices. I think that it's his job to lose, and they want him to be ready for it.
Notably, veteran Zach Cunningham has looked good this summer. The Lions will need him to be his old self while they wait for Malcolm Rodriguez to be back.
In terms of safety, Dan Jackson has looked good, but so has undrafted rookie Ian Kennelly out of Grand Valley State. He had a really nice PBU on a Hendon Hooker pass on Sunday.
Any day now. I swear, this is Edwards' year. This is also George Winn's year. Carmen Messina, too.
Right now, I don't think it's anything to be overly concerned about. We knew about a lot of these going into camp. Onwuzurike was the only real surprise. The injuries that are happening at camp have all been shown to be super short-term. Then we're getting good news like the possibility of getting both Alim McNeill and Malcolm Rodriguez back earlier than expected.
How do the new OC and DC look? How are they running their practices, and how are their players responding? Or not responding?
— bluesmank3.bsky.social (@bluesmank3.bsky.social) July 22, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Things are largely looking the same with the exception of some extra physicality from the defense. Other than that, you're seeing why the Lions valued continuity so much in their search.
Life Of A Lions Rookie Part 1: Ahmed Hassanein talks about the balancing act of starting camp and getting married
I'm very excited to start this new series with Detroit Lions rookie Ahmed Hassanein. What we'll be doing is getting a weekly look at what it's like to be a Lions rookie. We'll talk about camp, life, how things are going, and more. Today, we start with the balancing act of training camp and outside […]
