Bates' progress: The Lions conducted a scrimmage-like practice Friday for their last session before heading to New York for joint practices and the team's first preseason game with the Giants next week. Kicker Jake Bates got a lot of work Friday and it was pretty inconsistent. I had him 8-for-14 on field goal tries and 5-for-6 on extra points. After a couple rough days this week it wouldn't surprise me if there's competition brought in at that spot sooner rather than later.
First three drives: The team opened the scrimmage with the first-team offense and first-team defense having three drives against one another. The defense got a three-and-out on the first drive spearheaded by a great tackle for loss by slot corner Emmanuel Moseley on running back David Montgomery. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta had big catches leading to a touchdown on the second possession by LaPorta. The offense scored again on the third possession on a 15-yard Daurice Fountain touchdown catch.
View photos from Day 8 of Detroit Lions training camp on Thursday August 1, 2024.
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21), Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III (23) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31), Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5), Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34), Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15), Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88), Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36), Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51), Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48), Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84), Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19), Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (24) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Daurice Fountain (12) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2), Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris (39) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith (10), Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29), Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15), Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) ,Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82), Detroit Lions linebacker DaRon Gilbert (53) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9), Detroit Lions wide receiver Daurice Fountain (12) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (1) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman David Bada (61) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions long snapper Scott Daly (47) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The good & the bad: It's been an up-and-down camp for second-year quarterback Hendon Hooker as he battles veteran Nate Sudfeld for the backup job behind Jared Goff. There was a two-play sequence Friday that showed both the good and bad with Hooker.
A drive for the second-team offense ended with a Khalil Dorsey interception on an out-route throw Hooker tossed behind the receiver and into Dorsey's hands. It's a throw Hooker's thrown a number of interceptions on dating back to the spring, but on his very next throw Hooker lofted a perfect 19-yard touchdown to running back Sione Vaki over trailing linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin. It's just about Hooker limiting the bad throws moving forward because the good ones are really good.
Special teams standout: The Lions have a number of terrific special teams players led by the All-Pro special teamer Reeves-Maybin. C.J. Moore is also terrific on teams. It's early, but Vaki looks to have that same kind of potential.
RB tandem: I thought it was a much better rushing day from the offense Friday than we've seen most of camp. David Montgomery had some really strong runs up the middle and showed off his elusiveness in tight space. Jahmyr Gibbs had a nice touchdown run, a couple other explosive plays and a really good touchdown catch snagging a ball over defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike's shoulder and scampering into the end zone.
Jefferson making an impression: There's an open competition for the backup running back spots behind Montgomery and Gibbs. Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson and Vaki all had a good day Friday. Jefferson is very much in the mix after a few nice catches and a couple touchdown runs, including a 50-yarder during the scrimmage. Head coach Dan Campbell has been impressed with his camp so far.
Real problem: The duo of Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill was a real problem during Friday's scrimmage. Hutchinson had multiple pressures and sacks and a couple really good plays against the run. McNeill also had a sack and was really hard to move off the ball. He stuffed a couple runs too. Those two are poised to have monster years.
Rookie picks: Rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. racked up another interception Friday. I believe that is an interception in the last three straight practices for the rookie, who is showing a real knack for the football.
Work in progress: The Lions knew Giovanni Manu was going to be a project when they drafted the tackle out of the University of British Columbia in the fourth round. The Lions love his athleticism but he's certainly still adjusting to the speed/power combination of some of the rushers at this level. He got worked over pretty good by a couple different edge rushers in the scrimmage, but when he does get those long arms on a defender it's easy to see why the Lions like his potential. He just needs to be much more consistent.
Backed up: One period in the scrimmage put the offense at their own 1-yard line and the goal was to get two first downs to win the drill. Goff and the first-team offense needed just three plays to get their two first downs on two Montgomery runs leading to a first down and a St. Brown grab for their second first down. Rakestraw's interception came in this period off Hooker to win the period for the second-team defense. Sudfeld and the third-team offense got their two first downs on catches from Jefferson and wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith.
Playing to the crowd: A St. Brown celebration dance from last year was a hot topic on Netflix's Receiver. He delighted the crowd Friday with it after catching a touchdown in the corner of the end zone where the stands are.
