Lions Insider

Competition amongst Lions players isn't only reserved for the practice field. Whether its deciding who's the better dancer or who's the best dressed or who has the better shot with a rolled up wad of tape into a garbage can in the locker room, guys are always competing.

It was no different Wednesday after practice when a conversation on the sideline among defensive backs turned into an impromptu foot race after practice.

"It was just a little competition, just some competitiveness," said rookie Bill Bentley, who took on veteran cornerback Alphonso Smith. "We were talking on the sideline. Chris Houston really brought it up, so me and rookie Jonte (Green) had to show them that we've got those young legs. We had to teach those old-school boys a lesson."

Houston took on Green in the second race.

Bentley beat Smith twice and even turned and taunted him during the second 30-yard race.

"I did a 'Usain Bolt' on him," Bentley said.

Smith and Bentley are from the same hometown of Pahokee, Fla, a hotspot for producing such talent as Santonio Holmes, Fred Taylor, Anquan Boldin, Janoris Jenkins, Smith and Bentley.

"I grew up beating him but I can't beat him no more," Smith admitted after the race. "Here's the catch though, he's going to have to (beat me) everyday. Anytime he calls me out he's going to get it.

Smith joked in the locker room after the race that Bentley should be able to beat him because Smith is 26 years old and Bentley is "like 18 years old."  Bentley is actually 23, but we understand his point.

"One day he might trip and he'll never hear the end," Smith said. "We won't be racing anymore after that."

Houston and rookie Jonte Green split their two races.

Smith said the race he'd really like to see, though, would be a 4x100 meter relay between cornerbacks Bentley, Houston, Green and rookie Chris Greenwood against receivers Calvin Johnson, Titus Young, Stefan Logan and Nate Hughes. He said the receivers wouldn't stand a chance.

Receiver Nate Burleson laughed at the thought of the cornerbacks beating the receivers in a relay race, and then wondered why he wasn't included in the four fastest receivers – being a former high school state champion in Washington and all.

The competition never ends.

PRACTICE REPORT
The Lions got a lot healthier Wednesday as they prepare for their third preseason game in Oakland Saturday.

Defensive tackles Sammie Hill and Corey Williams returned to practice for the first time this week, and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch went through an entire practice after only taking part in individual drills on Monday.

Hill has been out nearly two weeks with back spasms, while Williams has been dealing with a calf injury and Vanden Bosch a sore knee.

Receiver Titus Young also was back at practice, after missing Monday because of an excused absence. Running back Mikel Leshoure practiced fully for a third straight practice.

Running back and kick returner Stefan Logan (ankle) and linebacker Travis Lewis (quad) remain out after being injured against the Ravens last week.

LESHOURE TO DEBUT SATURDAY?
Leshoure has been on a steady progression over the last week and should make his NFL debut Saturday in Oakland, according to head coach Jim Schwartz.

"He's on track to," Schwartz said after practice Wednesday. "Hopefully we can keep him on that track."

Leshoure has yet to play in an NFL game – preseason, regular season or playoffs – because of a torn Achilles tendon last year and a nagging hamstring injury suffered early in camp this year.

He dressed and went through the pregame last week in Baltimore but did not play in the game. He said that was an important step to get his game-day routine down. Hopefully that serves him well Saturday.