Controlled scrimmage: The Lions worked through a controlled scrimmage Saturday pitting the Blue Team vs. the White Team. The first-team offense and defense were on separate teams. Overall, I thought the defenses looked a little sharper than the offense, especially in the red zone. There was only one offensive touchdown in 12 series, a nice touchdown catch by receiver Teo Redding over cornerback Josh Okonye from quarterback Matt Cassel in the corner of the end zone. The top play of the scrimmage was turned in by linebacker Darnell Sankey, who intercepted a Cassel pass that was tipped up in the air on a deflection by Teez Tabor, and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown. – Tim Twentyman
Daily thud: It seems like there's one big hit in every practice, and middle linebacker Jarrad Davis delivers it. Davis didn't wait long to deliver one on in Saturday's controlled scrimmage. He banged rookie running back Kerryon Johnson on the second play. – Mike O'Hara
Backup report: Cassel and Jake Rudock continue to battle in camp for the backup quarterback spot behind Matthew Stafford. Both had good and bad moments Saturday. Cassel led the only touchdown drive for the offenses hitting Hakeem Valles, Brandon Powell and Sean McGrath on passes that set up the Redding touchdown. Cassel also made a nice throw to Valles after the touchdown to convert the two-point try. Earlier, however, Cassel mishandled a snap in the end zone and gave up a safety.
Rudock made a number of plays with his legs, including a nice scramble up the middle on a 3rd and 12 that preserved a drive and helped set up a short field goal try. He also hooked up with Theo Riddick on a big play down the left sideline to set up a field goal. Rudock also underthrew a ball intended for TJ Jones that should have been picked up by Darius Slay, but fell incomplete. – Tim Twentyman
Leg work: Rookie Ryan Santoso is getting a workout in camp as a backup to punter Sam Martin and kicker Matt Prater. He punted and kicked field goals (29 of 39 for his career) at Minnesota, and also kicked off. He's been primarily a punter in camp, but he was used on field goals Saturday and made one of three. The one he made was a 53-yarder. -- Mike O'Hara.
Participation report: Guard T.J. Lang and defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson sat out practice for a second consecutive day Saturday. Joining them on the sidelines were: defensive end Ziggy Ansah (PUP), wide receiver Andy Jones (PUP), defensive end Cam Johnson, safety Stefan McClure and linebacker Chad Meredith. Tight end Michael Roberts and defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand returned to practice and took part in the scrimmage after sitting out the previous couple days. – Tim Twentyman
Work load: It might have been the combination of hot weather and being in pads for six straight days, but the practice didn't quite have the fast tempo that head coach Matt Patricia likes. Scheduling the controlled scrimmage before Sunday's day off was a good change, and look for the tempo to pick up when practice resumes on Monday. A lull in training camp is inevitable. – Mike O'Hara
