Detroit Lions: Jim Caldwell’s Comments From Day 2 of Training Camp
By Zac Snyder
The Detroit Lions completed their second practice of training camp today. Here is a look at what Jim Caldwell had to say to the media.
Training camp is off and running as the Detroit Lions were able to practice outside after having their first practice of camp moved inside because of weather.
With day two in the books, here is a look at what Jim Caldwell had to say after today’s practice.
On what he’s seen from LB Jon Bostic so far: “He’s a good athlete and certainly got size and strength. He also understands systems pretty well quickly. We’ve moved him around a little bit from place to place in the spring, and obviously this fall we’re trying to narrow it just a little bit, but it’s coming along.”
On CB Johnson Bademosi adding depth: “I think he’s one of those guys that has experience and certainly has done extremely well in terms of one of a kind. Johnson I think is an experienced guy. Not only can he add some depth for us at the perimeter, but also he adds a lot to us in terms of our special teams depth as well. He can cover the field, big strong guy, and he’s learning.
More from Detroit Lions
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Signing This Former Pro-Bowl CB Would Be Huge Mistake for Lions
- Forecasting the Rest of This Lions Season (Score Predictions)
- Lions Get Exciting Injury Update on Rookie QB Hendon Hooker
- Betting Preview: Best Bets for Lions vs. Packers Thanksgiving Day Game
On how Bademosi was recruited to the team: “What you do is you tell him the truth. He’s got an honest opportunity to come in and show what he can do and see where he fits. That’s the great thing about this particular camp, we have a lot of positions like that with some real good, healthy battles.”
On the importance of seeing LB Kyle Van Noy and DE Devin Taylor competing with themselves: “I think it’s very important, because number one, I think all of them have that sense of competitiveness and pride in what they do. They want to get better each and every year. I think not only that, I think the competition is such too. They don’t have to look very far to see if they can find some, because there’s quite a few guys that have a good sense of those two positions. It’s going to be a real good healthy battle I think.”
On LB Tahir Whitehead growing into his role: “He’s one of those guys that played various positions for us early on, so he’s learned the defense from multiple positions. He has a really good grasp of it, running to the ball, his leadership skills in terms of being able to direct traffic as he goes is very important. He’s one of the guys that probably has more snaps under his belt than anybody within that group, for us that is.”
On the personality of middle linebackers: “I’ve been around where there’s been guys that have been very, very vocal off the field, but may be a little bit more quiet, in some cases, that come alive on the field. That’s something that I think is extremely important because they can’t be bashful. They also cannot have any questions about whether or not they’re right. They have to make the call, what they see, and the guys have to depend on him. I think respect has a lot to do with it, I think experience has a lot to do with it, and I think he has both.”
On the importance of RB Theo Riddick to the offense: “He gives us some unusual matchup opportunities. One of the things in this league is the fact that you look for good matchups. He presents very, very tough issues for most people that want to try and cover him. You have to determine whether it’s the defensive back or a linebacker, or whether you’re going to double him or not, because any time you catch 80 balls out of the backfield and do what he does once he gets the ball in his hands, I think you certainly have to play him for him. So, he’s added another dimension where he’s created some focus, I think, and if you don’t focus in on him, I think he’s got a chance to put some explosive plays on the field.”
More from Detroit Jock City
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
On Offensive Coordinator Jim Bob Cooter getting Riddick more involved in the run-game to take away the predictability of offense: “I think that you have to have balance. I think that’s extremely important. In our system, the way in which we run it as well, we have to take advantage of the looks that give us that, where we can certainly get some advantages from angles, and things of that nature. You know, that’s a big part of it. I think you have to have some balance in the run game.”
On the progress of rookie C Graham Glasgow: “He’s learning. He’s a young guy that has physical tools, but there’s a lot to do at that position. That is not an easy spot to play, because you’re really directing all the traffic. You’re making several calls, but you also have to be very, very good at your techniques and fundamentals. Sometimes you get so involved in the calls that you’re a little bit late in terms of the fundamental portion of it, the snap, etc. So, all that has to come together. What he’s doing now, in the spring he learned—he’s coming, and every single day he’s getting a little bit better and better, and I think a little bit more comfortable, but it’s a challenge for him.
On how QB Jake Rudock has looked in camp: “He’s coming along. Today he made some pretty nice throws out there. You know, he’s been challenged I think, overall just by the breadth of the offense and what he’s required to do. But he’s a smart guy and he’s working at it.”
On what RB Stevan Ridley adds to the offense: “I think obviously we have a pretty interesting group of guys because they all have a little, different sort of repertoire in terms of the ability to run with power, with speed, with quickness, and he’s one of those guys that does a little bit of everything. He’s a pass protector. He can step in there and pass protect. He also runs the ball well. He’s got good feet and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. So, we’re kind of waiting to see what happens when we get out here in pads. But he’s one of the guys that, you know, some guys you really don’t know that well, but some guys have put enough on tape that you have a good sense of what they can do. And he’s one of those guys that if he can stay healthy, I think he’ll be fine.”
On if two years is the timetable before a running back returns to form: “That varies. There’s a guy that’s running around in our division that was back in about four months, so it varies.”
On when the team will practice in pads: “Tomorrow.”
On if he’s seen the versatility of CB Quandre Diggs in practice: “Yeah, you know he’s one of those guys. I mean, he’s got quickness and speed and he’s tough and he’s smart. What he does for us from the nickel is a starter. For as much as you are in sub-packages in this league, that guy’s a starter for us. So really, what he has to do is play that position and play it extremely well. And we’re not requiring him to do a whole lot, certainly he knows the outside position, but really his focus is on the inside and then doing what we can in terms of special teams with him. He’s been a good player for us, for a young guy.”
On the importance of chemistry within the defensive line: “As long as it doesn’t get knocked out of them when we get the pads on. I think obviously they enjoy what they’re doing and Kris (Kocurek) and Matt (Raich) do a tremendous job coaching those guys up front. They practice with a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of zeal. They’re competitive with one another and I think the depth is such, where it’s going to bode well for us. But yeah, we kind of like an aggressive bunch that will get after you and those guys will.”
On if the defensive line camaraderie is contagious to other position groups: “Well, they handle one of the most important aspects of the game that we need to certainly take control of, and that is stop people from running the ball. If they can do that and then rush the passers as a result of that because teams have a tough time running the ball on us, that’s going to help us, but we do like the enthusiasm.”
Next: Who is next for a contract extension?
On his perspective of CB Nevin Lawson embracing a bigger role: “Because of the fact of the role he has played early on, you probably haven’t been able to see it and notice it, but the guy has always been a leader just in terms of how he conducts himself. He works extremely hard. I’m not certain you see anybody work any harder than this guy does. I’m talking about off the field, as well as on the field. Highly competitive guy and not only that, I think towards the end of the year last year he made a lot of big plays for us. Now, there will be be challenges again this year, but I think he’s gotten better, he’s going to continue to do so, but we like where he’s headed.”