Different look: It was the first padded practice of camp, and the Lions got into more middle-of-the-field action Saturday after a working a lot in the red zone the first two days of camp. There was a lot of individual work, as well as fundamental work with the coaches and some group periods with offense vs. defense drills working run and pass keys. The offense was working a lot of play-action. – Tim Twentyman
Coach mobility: Head coach Matt Patricia has traded modes of transportation to patrol the practice field while he heals from a lower left leg injury. Patricia was operating in a four-wheel ATV Saturday in place of the less mobile utility flat-bed vehicle he piloted the first two days. – Mike O'Hara
Have a day: Marvin Jones Jr. had a terrific day. It started in one-on-one drills against the cornerbacks. In the first rep of the drill he blazed by Teez Tabor for a long touchdown. He caught another ball on a deep out in front of Rashaan Melvin in one on one's. Jones opened a team period later in practice getting behind defenders on a deep crossing route for a big play. – Tim Twentyman
Armed: Reports of backup quarterback Tom Savage's arm strength have proven not to be an exaggeration. He's not quite in Matthew Stafford's class – and not many are – but he can wing it. – Mike O'Hara
Breaking up: One part of his game Jarrad Davis has really tried to improve over the course of his first two seasons in the league are his coverage skills. He's trying to be a great all-around linebacker. He added pass rushing to his repertoire last season. Today he made a terrific play in coverage, knocking away a pass down the seam intended for tight end Jesse James. Davis got terrific depth in his drop, reacted perfectly to the play, and was able to break it up. He continues to develop his all-around game in year three. – Tim Twentyman
Drill of the day: In a drill to practice recovering loose balls, six players at a time dived to hit blocking dummies, then recovered a ball that was rolled in their direction as they scrambled to their feet. It was just the opposite on Friday in a ball security drill when the ball was poked with a padded stick after a reception. – Mike O'Hara
Participation report: A number of players didn't take part Saturday. Running back Kerryon Johnson wasn't at practice. Sitting out or working off to the side were: Defensive end Trey Flowers, defensive tackle Damon Harrison Sr., cornerback Darius Slay, linebacker Devon Kennard and linebacker Christian Jones. Newly signed defensive tackle Mike Daniels was not at practice. Also, defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson is still dealing with a personal issue and wasn't at practice Saturday, either. – Tim Twentyman
Rolling 11's: In the first full-squad 11-on-11 with the players in pads, Stafford completed a pass to Jones. – whose jersey number is 11. Fitting. And watching with the naked eye from a distance, it looked like it might have been an 11-yard gain – more or less. – Mike O'Hara
