Lions camp observation: Strong finish for defense during dog adoption day in Allen Park

Allen Park — Here are some observations from Thursday’s Detroit Lions practice, the eighth of training camp.

● We’re going to start with something other than football, because it’s one of my favorite things the Lions have started doing in recent years; running a one-day dog adoption event just inside the gates of the practice facility.

And let me tell you, they brought out the all-star team of dogs after securing a dozen adoptions in 2023, the first year of the program. There were so many adorable puppies that it’s a wonder I got any work done today. If only I was home enough to give a dog the love it deserved, I might have snagged a half-dozen.

● Shifting focus back to the field, let’s start the conversation with the end of practice where the first-, second- and third-string offenses were each tasked with executing a different end-of-game scenario.

The top unit started at the opposing 41-yard line with 31 seconds remaining, down six and holding two timeouts. The action opened with a deep shot from Jared Goff to Jameson Williams, but it fell incomplete after cornerback Carlton Davis III was flagged for illegal contact.

The coaching staff was generous to the offense the remainder of the series, not giving Levi Onwuzurike credit for a sack, allowing a completion to Sam LaPorta. That was followed by a first-down toss to Daurice Fountain to the 18 with five seconds remaining.

Goff was able to squeeze a quick pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown, to the 10, with one tick on the clock, before finding St. Brown for a touchdown in the back of the end zone on a broken play.

But, to be clear, the throw never happens in a game. Aidan Hutchinson was in the backfield while Goff was spinning and dancing in the pocket. The edge rusher pulled up, as he’s expected to do, allowing the QB to make the throw. The defense gets the win, in my book.