Pressers and scrums: Plan for the o-line, Hooker's improvement, and Decker talks surgery decision and Manu's development

(Photo courtesy the Detroit Lions)

Allen Park — Here are some of the most interesting items to come out of Monday’s media sessions at Detroit Lions training camp practice.

Establishing a control

The Lions have settled into an early groove with the team’s starting offensive line grouping. However, they're far from ready to write that lineup in permanent marker.

When it comes to rookie Tate Ratledge at center and second-year man Christian Mahogany at left guard, coach Dan Campbell said the team wants to get an extended look at the current setup before assessing the need for possible changes.

“I think these first, call it ten days, are going to tell us a lot,” Campbell said. “By the time we get to the Hall of Fame game, at least in the area of that, then we have to make a decision there.”

Allowing young players to establish a routine is logical, as it enables them to develop a comfort level and helps the team better assess their fit. Ratledge is unquestionably the key, having not played the center position in a game during either his high school or college careers.

Despite the lack of experience, Campbell has been thrilled with the rookie’s progress.

“We’re working him in there, see how fast he can get it,” Campbell said. “I know it’s only day one, (but) look, much better than even spring, getting his feet under him.”

It helps that the Lions have an ace in the hole, knowing they could move experienced veteran Graham Glasgow to center tomorrow, if needed.

“We know Graham can slide right in right now and we don’t miss a beat,” Campbell said. “…The thing about Graham, he’s dependable. He’s a savvy vet, he’s played a lot of football, he understands angles, he’s smart, he knows the game. And then he’ll help those guys.

“I think the hardest thing for Graham right now is not to do too much as far as — we’re trying to make sure that, hey, let Tate do it, like right now, let him go. It’s good. Like I said before, Graham gives you some comfort because we know what he can do, and he can play multiple roles.”

Sticking together

This offseason, the Lions made Derrick Barnes the team’s highest-paid linebacker, awarding him a three-year, $24 million contract. That deal temporarily maintains the continuity of the starting group, featuring Barnes, Jack Campbell, and Alex Anzalone, who are preparing to play their third season together.

“The chemistry we have is insane,” Barnes said. “It's kind of weird, because we always know what we're thinking on the field. As of now, well, Alex isn’t out right now, but me and Jack, after a play, we’ll just look at each other and be like, 'You see that?' And he'll be like, 'Yeah, I seen that.' It's just weird.

“The same thing goes when Alex is here,” Barnes said. “We, all three, are on the same page. Even the other guys in the room, we've built a strong bond. Most of the guys in the room, I've been with two or three years plus. It's amazing to have a room like that.”

That run of continuity is at risk of coming to an end after this season. Anzalone, the defensive captain and mentor to the two younger linebackers, is entering the final year of his deal. He hasn't hidden the fact that he’d like an extension, and Barnes is hopeful that something gets done.

“Honestly, I feel like he's got to do what's best for him,” Barnes said. “Obviously, that's my guy, that's my dawg. He's a great, great leader for us, so I'd like to see him get everything he wanted. Then again, I stay out of it and keep my head on what's going on right now. I love Alex, man. He deserves the world. He's put the work in. But I kind of want to focus on what I've got now, what's going on, and every day I pray for him and hope that everything works out in his favor.”

Picking up the pace

Third-year quarterback Hendon Hooker is off to a strong start in his second training camp after missing his inaugural offseason program while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during his final college season.

Most noticeable is how quickly Hooker is processing and getting rid of the ball, which he acknowledges had been a point of emphasis from the coaching staff.

“Just the differences that I made this offseason by playing fast and playing on time and (on) rhythm, it feels completely different from last year,” Hooker said. “…I'm going through my fake, my feet are still going, not hesitating at the top trying to see where the receiver is. And just playing with rhythm and just playing fast."

The early success is helping build Hooker's confidence, which he’ll look to take into the preseason as he competes with veteran Kyle Allen for the right to back up starter Jared Goff.

“I have a lot more confidence in the huddle,” Hooker said. “My teammates can see it, as well, because they're giving me good feedback when I go in the locker room. …It's great to feel back into the groove."

Eye on the future

Offensive tackle Taylor Decker revealed that he tried to rehab a nagging shoulder injury this offseason before conceding that a cleanup procedure offered the best outcome.

“I'm really happy with it,” Decker said. “I'm glad I did it. It was something I was just trying to rehab, but came back for OTA practices, and after a couple of days, it was just something that needed to be addressed.

“We took another look at it (after surgery) and the rehab has been going awesome,” he continued. “Came back here pretty early for the offseason, so I've been back here for about three or four weeks already. It's been going really good. Something that I'm happy that I did."

Decker is currently on the physically unable to perform list but is expected back on the field early next month.

In the meantime, Dan Skipper has been taking the first-team reps at left tackle. The veteran is a known commodity, with second-year tackle Giovanni Manu’s development generating more interest this offseason.

Manu has been serving as the blindside blocker with the second unit after spending the offseason training with Decker in Arizona at LeCharles Bentley’s O-Line Performance facility.

"I think he's starting to gain confidence in himself,” Decker said about his young teammate. “He's obviously physically gifted. Like incredibly physically gifted. It's been a step up, obviously, coming from college, not only if you come from college in the United States to the NFL, but from Canada. So I think it's a step up in the competition, having to learn the playbook against really good competition, it just took a little bit. Now he's starting to gain some confidence in that.

“He was actually out at my gym all offseason in Arizona,” Decker said. “I think that will be great for him. I think more than anything he just needs reps. He's going to get a lot of reps, especially (while) I'm out for a little bit right now. That's going to give him more reps to improve and get better. I think he's just going to continue to improve and I'm excited to see him get more opportunities in the preseason. To be able to be in a game scenario and do it, because that's another step after practice."

Something to play for

Cornerback Terrion Arnold spent a good chunk of his offseason re-watching the film of his rookie season and mulling over the plays he didn’t make. Driven to be better in his second year, he’s said he’s been getting to the facility early, watching more film, getting extra pre- and post-practice treatment, and focusing on his fundamentals in the pursuit of perfection.

Arnold is still chasing his first interception, but says he’s not sweating it, believing the first will come soon enough. He only has one goal entering this season.

“I think about one all day, every day, that's winning the Super Bowl,” Arnold said. “I'm going to do whatever this team needs me to do to go try and obtain that.”

After wearing the No. 0 as a rookie, Arnold switched to No. 6 this offseason. He explained his three-pronged reasoning for the change. First, his mother’s birthday is May 6. Second, he wore the number in high school. But above those factors, it was former teammate Khyree Jackson’s number at Alabama.

Jackson, who transferred to Oregon for his final college season, was a fourth-round draft pick for the Minnesota Vikings last season. Two months after his selection, he and two high school teammates died in a car accident.

“Just the ability to look down, if I need extra motivation, just know he's somewhere looking down, just remember he's living through me,” Arnold said.