Unexpected trajectories: TeSlaa's rise, Patrick's decline allow Lions to pull trigger early on rookie WR

Allen Park — A variation of a signature hand motion said it all.

Following the Detroit Lions’ second preseason game, coach Dan Campbell was asked about rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa’s performance. The answer started slowly, with a typical preseason clichés about improvement, before Campbell began talking with his hands, something he often does.

“I would say ever since we put pads on, he’s been trending this way,” Campbell said, flattening his right hand and moving it along an imaginary incline.

You probably know the move. It’s a Campbell classic, which has become a popular GIF after he did it on an episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”

But the difference with Campbell’s TeSlaa answer is the incline was closer to 70 degrees than 30. It looked more like the coach was talking about the newest rollercoaster at Cedar Point.