Lions camp observations: Defensive exuberance leads to practice ejection
Allen Park — Here are some notes and observations from the Detroit Lions’ Tuesday morning training camp practice.
● Even when you know you're not allowed to tackle, it can be hard for an NFL defensive player who is exerting full effort trying to make a play to pull up. Still, it's hardly uncommon to hear a coach remind players to ease up or stay on their feet during a practice.
On Tuesday, a series of collisions crossed coach Dan Campbell’s threshold for innocent mistakes. It started with Brian Branch smashing into wide receiver Tim Patrick while breaking up a third-down throw, a hit that clearly irked the veteran receiver.
A few snaps later, defensive back Morice Norris hit rookie Isaac TeSlaa across the middle, causing Campbell to briefly pause practice, emphasizing that level of contact wouldn’t be appropriate until the pads came on later in the week.
Making a diving effort to break up a throw to receiver Dominic Lovett minutes later, Norris again caught too much of the body. Without hesitation, Campbell sent the second-year defender off the field and to the locker room, ending his day.
● Norris was visibly upset. That’s understandable. He’s a young player on the roster bubble. He can’t afford to upset the coaching staff. Teammate Kerby Joseph raced over to talk through the situation with Norris. That conversation continued for approximately five minutes before Norris went inside.