For the past two weeks, we’ve consumed every bit of Detroit media about Lions training camp. But thanks to joint practices with the New York Giants this week, we’re able to get a bit of an outsider perspective on this year’s team. It’s a fresh set of eyes, and while Giants media was predominantly focused on the team they cover, there are certainly some valuable takeaways from their observations on Monday’s practice.
Of course, if you want to read the Detroit Lions’ perspective, there are plenty of hometown options here:
Here’s a look at some of the things published from the Giants media point of view:
Here are the main takeaways I gathered from these articles:
Physical practice
I won’t spend long on this part because literally everyone wrote about it, and it’s something we’ve been observing about Lions practices since camp opened up. That said, it does sound like things got a little over the top with upwards of double-digit skirmishes between the two teams. Both Lions reporter Colton Pouncy and Giants reporter Dan Duggan called this the most physical training camp practice they’ve ever witnessed:
View from the other side. Most intense practice I’ve seen in nine seasons on the beat https://t.co/Hi6LV6RAEX
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) August 5, 2024
The two highlights that seem to exemplify this the most is the fight that broke out following a tiff between Amon-Ra St. Brown and Giants defender Dane Belton:
VIDEO: The Lions and Giants had plenty of heated moments during their first joint practice.
Here is the first fight that started with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Dane Belton.
📹: WABC pic.twitter.com/DUSDHI6Eio
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) August 5, 2024
…and this helmet-popping hit from Lions safety Morice Norris:
Eric Gray gets popped by Morice Norris. Helmet flies off. Kind of dirty in a practice setting. #giants #lions pic.twitter.com/gRlXg2vfRH
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 5, 2024
Giants offense finds some success vs. Lions defense
Daniel Jones and the Giants offense seemed to have a fair amount of success against the Lions secondary, particularly rookie receiver Malik Nabers. Giants reporter Jordan Raanan said he charted Nabers catching all eight passes thrown his way, while reporter Connor Hughes had Jones completing 12-of-17 of his passes.
Perhaps most concerningly was the performance of the Giants offensive line. Last year, New York allowed 20 more sacks than any other team, and they’re currently dealing with a couple of injuries. But it sounds like they were able to handle the Lions defensive line for most of the day.
“The offensive line held up very well against a good defensive line,” Hughes wrote.
John Schmeelk of Giants.com—who is obviously going to skew positive toward the team—had this to say about the matchup:
“The Giants offensive line held its own in 1-on-1’s. Jermaine Eluemunor had a good back and forth with Aidan Hutchinson, with both players winning at least one rep. Josh Ezeudu had a good rep as he ran the rusher around the quarterback, as did Joshua Miles, who has shown good feet throughout the summer.”
Lions offense connects on some big plays
On the other side of the ball, the Lions reportedly got loose for a few big plays and secondary breakdowns. Jameson Williams got free on this red zone drill:
This one! Jamo gonna be trouble! pic.twitter.com/RvmnwmIQIY
— Matt Lamattina (@MattyLa) August 5, 2024
While Daurice Fountain kicked off team drills with a bomb from Jared Goff:
Ominous start for #Giants D. Second play of 7 on 7 is a blown coverage leading to a deep walk-in TD Jared Goff to Daurice Fountain #Lions
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) August 5, 2024
Lions o-line vs. Giants d-line lived up to the billing
Without a doubt, both teams’ identity is found in the trenches. New York brings a lot of pass rush with Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence, and the newly acquired Brian Burns. Meanwhile, the Lions boast potentially the best tackle duo in football with Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker—and the league’s best center in Frank Ragnow.
Schmeelk—and others—saw a draw between the two units during one-on-one drills.
“Both groups had their wins and losses throughout; neither side dominated the other,’ Schmeelk wrote. “The Giants’ Andrew Thomas and Detroit’s Penei Sewell were difficult to beat at offensive tackle, showing why they have both been All-Pro.”
Ovrerall – Based on all of the snaps in team drills on both fields and the DL vs OL drills? We go to the judges' scorecards and this bout has been ruled a draw. https://t.co/pN9FK8YJna
— GiantsWFAN (@giantswfan) August 5, 2024
That said, it does sound like Brian Burns was a problem during team drills.
From Hughes:
“WFAN’s Shaun Morash and Tommy Lugauer were in attendance. They were over with the Giants defense while I watched the offense. Morash said Brian Burns lived in the Lions’ backfield. That’s notable considering he rushed Penei Sewell most of the day. Burns, after practice, credited himself with at least ‘two to three’ tackles for a loss.”
We’ll continue to update this post as more information comes in. And we’ll be back at it tomorrow for the final day of joint practices.
