Football is back! The first practice of training camp is in the books. Recap all the action from the first day:
- Watch highlights
- View photos
- Read Tim & Mike's practice observations
- Check out Tim's camp spotlight on Marvin Jones
SLAY STAYS
Shortly before hitting the field for practice, the Lions announced they locked up cornerback Darius Slay with an extension through the 2020 season.
"I just feel like I'm a great player," Slay said after practice. "I watch film on a lot of guys, a lot of the top DB's, and I just feel like I fit in that category. The Lions feel the same way and that's why we got a deal done."
Slay is one third of a trio of emerging young cornerbacks for the Lions. They've dubbed themselves the three amigos.
"Ah man, we are just cool kids," Slay said. "We just hang with each other. Still kids. We just kick it with each other. Hang out. We are the young bunch out of the crew."
How that trio performs will go a long way in determining the overall success of the Lions defense this year.
BRING ON BOLDIN
The Lions signed veteran free agent wide receiver Anquan Boldin Thursday.
Boldin, entering his 14th NFL season, brings a tremendous amount of experience to Detroit. So, what brought him here?
"I like the direction I feel this team is headed," Boldin said after his first practice with the team. "Good young talent and guys that are hungry. Just watching the last eight games of the season last year, I felt like this team would be in a position to compete this year."
Boldin opted to wear #80 in Detroit. He wore #81 his entire career, but made the change out of respect for the recently retired Calvin Johnson.
STAFFORD'S OFFENSE
Entering his eighth season, quarterback Matthew Stafford has become the offense's elder statesman.
"You play quarterback in this league, you command the offense from day one," Stafford said Thursday in his pre-training camp press conference. "Not to say I had it all figured out when I was 21 years old, or that I do now."
For Stafford, the area he wants to improve most is simple.
"The biggest thing is just trying to find a way to win games," he said. "Obviously in this league if the quarterback plays well your chances of winning are improved, so it's on me to play as good as I possibly can to try and help the team."
Wins and losses aside, there are four other numbers Stafford's focusing on improving in training camp: TD to INT ratio, yards per attempt, completion percentage and sacks.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS:
- The Lions announced Friday that safety Don Carey and linebacker DeAndre Levy were placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury List. Levy spoke with media after watching practice from the sidelines.
- Watch tight end Eric Ebron hunt for Pokémon around downtown Detroit.
- Watch Tori Petry talk with Detroit Pistons players Marcus Morris and Henry Ellenson about coming out to the first day of Lions camp.
- Despite an increased role on offense, wide receiver Golden Tate is still open to returning punts.
- After notching double-digit sacks and making his first Pro Bowl, the question becomes: Where does defensive end Ziggy Ansah go from here?
