After the first day of the Detroit Lions’ mandatory mini-camp, first-year head coach Jim Caldwell talked about what he’s seen from the team’s two Pro Bowl defensive tackles.
Caldwell said that Ndamukong Suh is exactly the player the coaching staff expected. “We know what kind of work ethic he has,” said Caldwell. “He’s been impeccable. He works extremely hard and keeps his body in great shape. He’s doing a great job.”
Caldwell also stated that Suh is doing everything “he’s supposed to do”, and has helped in “setting the pace for the guys up front”.
“He does a tremendous job in terms of scratching and digging, trying to gain as much knowledge as he possibly can. He’s doing a great job mentoring the young guys as well.”
Detroit’s other star interior defensive lineman, Nick Fairley, has lost almost 30 pounds this off-season from 320 pounds to the 290-295 pound range, according to mlive.com’s Kyle Meinke. Caldwell believes the weight reduction will help Fairley, and the team wants to see how the slimmer Fairley looks.
“We haven’t seen a whole lot of him, so hopefully over the next couple of days or so we’ll be able to really get a good look at him. He looks good.”
A new addition to Detroit’s defense is already making his presence felt. Rookie outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, a second-round pick from Brigham Young University, whose speed and physicality has impressed Caldwell, at least on college film, but wants to see how Van Noy and the rest of the team does in pads.
“When we get those pads on, this game’s not played in shorts,” said Caldwell. “So, there are a lot of guys that look really good right now and the understanding is coming. With young guys you can see all of those things. I mean, we can see the physical tools that he has from being able to run. (Van Noy)’s smart. He wants to be good, he’s diligent about his work, he listens, he asks great questions. I mean, all the good things are there.”
Caldwell likes Van Noy’s movement and progress, but is still waiting for what the young defender brings in training camp.
“He runs around and moves extremely well, but the fact of the matter is, there is still another phase coming. Until we get into training camp where we’ve got a chance to bang around one another is when we’ll really get a good sense of it. Really the preseason games are the first time we’ll be able to take them to the ground and those kinds of things consistently. But he’s making good progress.”
Caldwell thinks that guard Larry Warford, in his second year in the league, could be better even after his impressive rookie season. That being said, Caldwell thinks it will be a long process before Warford reaches he’s potential.
“I think you find out guys that are young, it takes a while in terms of the development of a player, particularly in the offensive line,” said Caldwell. “He has certainly shown that he’s made real good progress and had some real fine performances, but it takes you two, three, four years to really perfect your craft in there. (Malcolm) Gladwell says it takes 10 years and 10,000 hours. I’m not certain we’ve got that much time, but nevertheless, he’s coming along. He’s a guy that’s all business. He’s focused and I think you’re just going to see him continue to improve.”
Another young player on offense to watch is fourth-year wide receiver Jeremy Ross, who had both a punt return and kick return touchdown against the Eagles in a game last season. Caldwell doesn’t see much difference in him this off-season, other than the fact that he’s improved his body and become more mature.
“He’s the same guy in terms of his approach to the game,” said Caldwell. “He loves to play and has got a lot of enthusiasm. He’s athletic and this guy wants to be good. He has infectious enthusiasm. He had it then and has it now. He’s always got a big smile on his face and is ready to go to work. His body has changed. He’s matured since the last time we saw him several years back. I think you’re going to see that kind of maturity continue to develop within him. I think he’s going to be a real fine player one day.”
After only six catches last season after coming off the practice squad in October, Ross could be garnering role on offense if he can continue to impress, according to Caldwell.
“You have to be seen,” said Caldwell. “There is a role for him, there’s no question about that because he’s catching the ball well. You saw him there a couple times today. He can run with it, obviously, when he gets it in his hands. He makes good decisions, so it’s a good, competitive situation.”
