Training camp is here. The time of year that contains a dangerous amount of optimism and delusion in equal measure. For fans, it’s their first chance to see the draft picks and free agency signings that their respective teams have brought in. Each one, surely to be a future hall of famer, and the last piece needed for a superbowl run. 

Hype Train

One team that’s been afflicted by an insane amount of excitement is the Detroit Lions. After ending the season winning 8 of the last 10 games the Lions are entering the season as the bookies favorites to win the NFC North. Heady heights for a team that missed the playoffs last season and haven’t won their division since 1993.

Those within the Lions organization are all too aware of the hype train. Dan Campbell has been lenient of it, stating that it’s fine as long as the team “stays focused and earns it”.

Quarterback Jared Goff has a more dismissive approach. “Of course, we’ve got good players, we’ve got good coaches, we’ve got a good team, but we haven’t done anything”. Second year, defensive lineman Aidan Hutchison was weary of it, claiming, “We need to act like the underdogs”.

It would be wise of the Detroit Lions to not start celebrating before they win anything. But this can be difficult for a team, and a city, hungry for success that has evaded them for so long.

Injury Report

While training camp is usually associated with hope, it also carries a heavy dose of fear. Around this time of year, the only notable news you’re likely to hear out of camp is injury related. Which is usually followed by prayers, hoping the injury news isn’t related to the team you support.

The Lions first week of training camp sounded like it started in the worst possible way. Their marquee signing of the offseason, CJ Gardner-Johnson, went down holding his knee which required him to be carted off. In most cases like this, you just assume the player is done for the year. But fortunately, further tests showed no structural damage to the knee, and should result in a couple of weeks off.

Jameson Williams added to his rough offseason by picking up a slight knock that would put him out for a few days. Emmanuel Moseley is close to coming back from an ACL injury obtained last offseason, while Marvin Jones Jnr is back to sprinting following an injury to his back. Finally, Penei Sewell sat out of Sunday's training session due to being in the concussion protocol. There’s no news on its severity, so hopefully it’s just precautionary. 

Narratives

Jared Goff is looking to take another leap with the Lions offense after a strong 2022 that saw him ranked #66 in the NFL’s top 100 players. Goff looks to be in complete command of the offense, with incompletions in practice being few and far between.

Amon-Ra St Brown is looking like the best player on the team, taking another step in the path towards being one of the league's premier receivers. Jared Goff summed up expectations for the third year player with a simple short text to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. ‘St Brown. Huge year’.

Rookie Sam LaPorta is quickly making a name for himself, as he looks set to become the team's starting tight end. So far in camp he’s showcased his hands, speed and YAC (Yards after catch) ability that saw him drafted early in the second round.

Charles Harris is turning heads at camp as he looks to reclaim a starting role following an injury plagued 2022. With Hutchinson penciled in as the definitive number 1, the spot across from him is up for grabs, and Harris is certainly staking his claim.