The Detroit Lions wrapped up the offseason training program with their final OTA practice Thursday.
"[We're] working through different situations of the game, getting closer to trying to play more realistic-type football situations through the course of practice by down-and-distance, field position, game situations, things like that," head coach Matt Patricia said prior to Thursday's practice.
"So, it'll be a little bit more of a practice where you will see a lot of that kind of movement in and out between offense, defense, special teams, things that correlate maybe more to game-type situations, communication, execution and basic awareness of the situation."
Next up, the Lions will have a short break before resuming team activity again later next month for training camp.
"It's kind of hard, right," Patricia responded, when asked about how he approaches the break. "You like the downtime, family time is the most important thing, but you're also about to step into a very high-speed world when you get back to training camp. So it's a delicate balance, but family is most important."
Catch up on the rest of the action from Week 3 of OTAs:
- Tim & Mike: Week 3 observations
- Highlights: Day 6 | Day 7
- Practice photos: Day 6 | Day 7
- Twentyman's 5 takeaways
LIONS ANNOUNCE TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE
The Lions announced the schedule for their 2019 Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage Friday afternoon.
This year's training camp will have three practices exclusive to season ticket members and eight practices free and accessible to all fans.
The Lions will also host the New England Patriots for three joint practices prior to the teams' Preseason Week 1 matchup.
Joint practices are beneficial to teams because it gives them an opportunity to see some different looks in practice.
"It's good for us," quarterback Matthew Stafford said after a joint practice last year in Oakland. "Our defense is a little bit different style than their defense is here in Oakland, so it's good for our guys to have to adjust.
"In the grand scheme of things in a season, you're going to play defenses that have a bunch of different personalities and a bunch of different styles. It's nice for us to get a little bit of a taste for that."
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS
- The Lions announced Thursday that they traded tight end Michael Roberts to the New England Patriots, but on Friday, Roberts reverted back to the team’s roster, per trade conditions. The Lions then waived Roberts.
- Head coach Matt Patricia served as the grand marshal of FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway this past weekend.
- The NFL release their list of 2019-2020 important league dates. Click here to read them all.
- Who stood out this offseason? Tim Twentyman covers that and more in his latest 10 Questions column.
