Slay-maker: Cornerback Darius Slay has earned his reputation from covering receivers, but he's also a good run defender. He showed that in a team drill, pursing from his spot at left cornerback almost to the opposite sideline to help stop a run around left end. – *Mike O'Hara
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Working the slot: Quandre Diggs is the starting cornerback in the slot for the Lions, but the team has also cross-trained safeties Tavon Wilson and Don Carey there as well.
Why train a safety in the slot? I asked Carey that question after practice. He told me it makes perfect sense playing in the NFC North with teams that love to pass, but also feature big running backs like Eddie Lacy and Adrian Peterson. Diggs isn't the biggest guy at 5-foot-9 and 197 pounds, but he's a terrific tackler. Explained that way, it makes a lot of sense why the Lions sometimes put safeties in that spot. – Tim Twentyman
Holding the line: The offensive line swung the pendulum its way in one-on-one drills, reversing what had been a pronounced advantage for the defensive line in the first few practices in pads. The offensive line had a number of standoffs Friday. Right tackle Riley Reiff had a clear win over left defensive end Devin Taylor on one encounter. Stay tuned. – Mike O'Hara
Zebras: NFL officials have been in Allen Park the last couple days working with coaches and players on some of the new rule changes. Some of the changes the officials were focused on were the banning of all chop blocks and the added rule that two unsportsmanlike penalties now carry an ejection from the game.
Low blows on quarterbacks, pre-snap movement along the offensive line and blindside blocks on kickoffs and punts were also points of emphasis. – *Tim Twentyman
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Shouldering the load: Rookies carry veterans' shoulder pads and helmets after practice. It was no problem for long snapper Jimmy Landes to tote two extra pair of shoulder pads – even though he had to stop for a long post-practice interview. Landes wore three pair of pads – his own, and two others – throughout the entire interview. – Mike O'Hara
Push-ups: Tahir Whitehead has shown over the last couple years that he can be a terrific cover linebacker. He nearly picked off quarterback Matthew Stafford on a lunging attempt in a team drill Friday. It would have been a tough catch, but the rule on defense is if their hands get on the ball, they should make the catch. When Whitehead got to the sideline, he got down and did his 10 push-ups for not making the play. – Tim Twentyman
No Ebron: Tight end Eric Ebron sat out practice with what head coach Jim Caldwell referred to after practice as "nicks and bruises." Caldwell said he'd be alright. – Tim Twentyman
