Not everyone was caught up in the star power of a head-to-head battle that was projected as one of the highlights of the Detroit Lions' Rocket Mortgage training camp.
There was suitable billing for a marquee battle in the three days of combined practices between the New York Giants and Lions that began Tuesday.
Odell Beckham Jr., the electrifying Giants receiver, going against Lions Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay of the Lions is a dream matchup that could elevate the intensity level of camp.
Slay apparently did not read the press releases and hype.
As much as Slay respects Beckham, these practices represent another three days on the job to get ready for the regular season.
How much fun is it to go against an elite receiver like Beckham – like Slay did last week against Amari Cooper of the Raiders?
"I don't know how to answer that," said Slay, surrounded by media members after practice. "I don't look at it as fun. It's practice, really. We're going to work.
"My whole job is to be better every day. No matter who's out there, what color jersey, I'm just out there to get better."
Slay covered Beckham one-on-one in position drills early in practice and again in the team drill later.
Beckham's elite skills were obvious, but he didn't break any big plays or make spectacular one-hand catches. The Giants are being somewhat cautious with him in camp in his return from a broken ankle that ended his 2017 season early. He has been practicing in camp but did not play in the first preseason game.
"He was out there practicing today," Giants head coach Pat Shurmur told reporters after Tuesday's practice. "It's good. You watch him all summer here competing in practice. If he creates the same setting just against a different team, you're just out there practicing. That's what he did."
Slay was asked how Beckham looked, and if he had his explosiveness back.
"I don't pay any attention to how he looks," Slay said. "He looks like he's going. He's catching the ball, running the route. He's always explosive.
View photos from Day 13 of 2018 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage.
Detroit Lions cornerback DeShawn Shead (26) walks out to training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions fullback Nick Bellore (43) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner (34) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions fan during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jace Billingsley (16) makes a one-handed catch during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Cassel (8) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jace Billingsley (16) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Cassel (8) hands the ball off during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) covers New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Teo Redding (10) catches a touchdown pass during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Teo Redding (10) catches a touchdown pass during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Nevin Lawson (24) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Brandon Powell (1) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Teo Redding (10) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner(34) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Anthony Zettel (69) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions fans during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Bates (53) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Luke Willson (82) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Quandre Diggs (28) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jake Rudock (14) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) catches a pass through traffic during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia talks with defensive back Quandre Diggs (28) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson (91) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (47) and cornerback DeShawn Shead (26) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jake Rudock (14) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johson (33) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jake Rudock (14) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Cornelius Washington (90) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offense during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Johnathan Freeny (55) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Anthony Zettel (69) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Cornelius Washington (90) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) catches a touchdown pass during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) catches a touchdown pass during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions fans during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions long snapper Don Muhlbach (48) gets ready to snap during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin (27) intercepts a pass during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin (27) intercepts a pass during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Sam Martin (6) holds for kicker Matt Prater (5) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Quandre Diggs (28) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) and wide receiver Golden Tate (15) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Brian Mihalik (72) and offensive lineman John Montelus (64) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jake Rudock (14) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner (34) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jake Rudock (14) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defense during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) covers New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby (65) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) catches a touchdown pass during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter (98) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jake Rudock (14) hands the ball off during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jake Rudock (14) hands the ball off during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) returns a punt during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Sam Martin (6) during training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount (29) spends time with his family following training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) spends time with his family following training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
A young fan tries out the vertical jump during Detroit Lions training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
A young fan gets his face painted during Detroit Lions training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
A young fan tries out the vertical jump during Detroit Lions training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
A fan tries out the broad jump during Detroit Lions training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
"He's never going to lose that until he turns 50, I guess."
He doesn't worry about getting judged, or take any of the matchups personally, Slay said.
"That's your whole life," Slay said. "Everybody's watching and judging everybody. That's nothing new. We always get judged.
"I'm not really taking it personally. I take it as a high level of competitiveness."
Teammate Nevin Lawson, who has started at right cornerback opposite Slay the last three seasons, didn't feel an adrenalin surge from going against Beckham and his teammates.
"I go against good receivers every week when I line up against the guys on our team," Lawson said. "They're no different. We've got three of them.
"My adrenalin is raised when I go against Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay and Golden Tate."
