Jahmyr Gibbs and a few other running backs spent over half an hour after training camp practice Thursday with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, working on releases off the line of scrimmage as receivers.
It's work Gibbs hopes will translate to him being even more of a weapon in the passing game for the Detroit Lions' offense in his second season.
"He's always a guy who's willing to help his team. He wants to win, and we all want to win and overall, he's a great person, so whatever I need I'll ask, and I know he'll be there for me," Gibbs said of the work he, St. Brown and the other backs put in after practice Thursday.
Gibbs was a terrific weapon for the Lions as a rookie both as a runner and pass catcher. He rushed 182 times for 945 yards (5.2 avg.) and 10 touchdowns to go along with 52 receptions for 316 yards (6.1 avg.) and one touchdown, totaling 1,261 scrimmage yards and 11 scrimmage touchdowns.
It's the receiving aspect of his game where Gibbs thinks he can take the biggest leap from Year 1 to Year 2. For him, that's being a bigger part of the downfield passing game in the more intermediate and deep parts of the field.
"You see I was working with St. Brown and trying to get down some releases and tomorrow we're probably going to do different routes," Gibbs said.
Gibbs said there's a subtleness and patience that has to be learned running routes at the line of scrimmage vs. the backfield. From behind the line of scrimmage there's little contact at the line of scrimmage and everything has to happen so fast to get into the play and into routes starting from seven yards behind the line. He said his route tree last year consisted of around five varying routes for a running back. At receiver, that route tree opens up a lot.
"I'm very excited," Gibbs said. "It's something I've been doing my whole life since high school, rec league and college. I'm very excited for that."
With St. Brown's help, Gibbs is learning the intricacies of being a good route runner and gaining space. There's no one better in the game currently to learn that from than St. Brown, who said after practice he appreciated the running backs asking for help and wanting to improve their craft.
Gibbs had a somewhat slow start to his rookie season, but after a strong finish he knows if he picks up where he left off, a 1,000-yard rushing season is certainly in reach. Improving on the 52 receptions and 316 receiving yards is also attainable. One other area where he has to get better is lowering the eight drops he was credited with a year ago.
View photos from Day 2 of Detroit Lions training camp on Thursday July 25, 2024.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker DaRon Gilbert (53) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70), Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), and Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sean McKeon (86) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (18) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) and Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Special Teams Coordinator Dave Fipp during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Netane Muti (52) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Tight Ends Coach Steve Heiden during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
"You're going into Year 2 and get a little bit better at your craft," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Thursday when asked about some of the expectations for second-year players like Gibbs. "And all those guys, I said it the other day, are jockeying for opportunities for production. The guys that we can trust and count on are going to make plays for us are going to get more opportunities to make plays for us, so those two (Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta) fall into that boat."
Gibbs said he really admires current running backs Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara and he watched Marshall Faulk and LaDainian Tomlinson a lot and appreciates the two-way component to their games. It's the kind of back he wants to be known as going into his second season – a back that can beat teams both as a runner and receiver.
