The second episode of HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE DETROIT LIONS aired Tuesday evening. The episode was football heavy, which Lions fans should enjoy.
Here are my 10 biggest takeaways from the second episode:
1. The Hard Knocks crew went out fishing with center Frank Ragnow, and I loved when he said he'd rather put a pancake block on Aaron Donald than catch a six-pound fish during their afternoon on his boat. "That ain't happening often," Ragnow quipped about pancaking Donald.
2. There was an early three-minute period at a recent practice where fans saw what we have seen just about every day: Quarterback Jared Goff having a real connection and rapport with his receivers, which was capped off by a touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown to finish the period for the first-team offense. The offense has been well ahead of the defense early in camp.
3. Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez has been a pleasant surprise in camp. He's moved up into some first-team defense work over the last week, and players and coaches are excited about his potential, especially linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard.
4. Barry Sanders made an appearance at Lions practice last week. Hard Knocks highlights his day in Allen Park. Sanders also took the time to sit down with me and chat Lions football in my most recent Twentyman in the Huddle podcast.
5. I like the fact that Hard Knocks highlighted the work ethic of St. Brown, and how being the 17th receiver taken in last year's NFL Draft has motivated him like nothing else could. Lions GM Brad Holmes looks to have hit a home-run with Brown as a fourth-round pick. It seems like every day St. Brown makes a big play in practice.
6. Head coach Dan Campbell asked defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to talk in front of the team this week and it's easy to see why Glenn is a hot head-coaching candidate. He's got a real presence about him. I really liked the stuff he said about being real about where this franchise has been over the last two decades and where he wants it to go.
7. The David Blough segment with his wife, Olympic track star Melissa Gonzalez, was great. I especially liked Blough's line that if he was as fast as his wife, they'd have a lot of money. He's probably right.
8. Blough's late-game fumble really ate at him. I suspect that will be fuel for him in this week's preseason game in Indianapolis.
View photos from the Detroit Lions' trip to Indianapolis for joint practices and their Week 2 preseason game against the Colts.
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (21) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amani Oruwariye (24) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Michael Brockers (90) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams (30) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Devin Funchess (13) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety JuJu Hughes (33) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton (83) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Mike Hughes (23) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Austin Bryant (2) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Trinity Benson (17) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Austin Bryant (2) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Josh Woods (51) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Saivion Smith (19) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety C.J. Moore (38) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Tim Boyle (12) during travel to Indianapolis on August 16, 2022. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
9. Assistant head coach and running backs coach Duce Staley is hard on third-year running back D’Andre Swift throughout the entire episode this week because he knows how good Swift can be. I like that about Staley. As a player, when a coach is hard on you, that usually means it's because the coach really cares about you.
10. "I just dropped the game winner, bro." Honest words from rookie cornerback Chase Lucas, who dropped a late interception that could have iced the game for the Lions.
