The Detroit Lions held their first practice of their three-day mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and it was a rough day for two of the quarterbacks and, in turn, a good day for the defense.
According to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com, quarterback Jared Goff threw a total of three interceptions in the red-zone period, two of which were snagged by linebacker Jack Campbell. Safety Brandon Joseph nabbed the other. Goff went 0-for-4 on the last rep and was 3-for-8 overall.
Backup quarterback Hendon Hooker routinely held on to the ball for too long and also threw a pick that would’ve been returned for a touchdown, according to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit.
Twentyman also notes that Hooker had another near interception that was dropped. The second-year signal-caller did, however, throw a pair of touchdowns and was 4-for-8 overall.
“It was another tough day for Hooker,” Reisman wrote. “He dealt with both accuracy issues and was consistently taking simulated sacks after holding the ball too long.
“That said, he did finish the day strong, scoring touchdowns on two of four 7-on-7 red zone attempts to finish practice on a couple of nice throws to Maurice Alexander and Donovan Peoples-Jones, who had beaten C.J. Moore handily.”
On top of the two picks (one was off a tipped pass), Campbell saw “most of the first-team reps at the MIKE position” and Derrick Barnes “still got some time with the first team, but mostly in three linebacker sets,” per Reisman.
But that wasn’t all for the second-year linebacker.
“Earlier in practice, Campbell also showed nice anticipation, (lightly) colliding with LaPorta on a grab during a third-and-22 situational drill,” Reisman wrote. “The Lions tight end was stopped 13 yards short — forcing a punt — and it’s possible he would’ve jarred the ball loose if at full speed because he arrived just as the ball was getting there. He also notched a pressure/sack in an earlier drill.”
As far as the backup quarterback battle is concerned, Hooker saw most of the second- and third-team reps over Nate Sudfeld, but Twentyman believes this competition might be “tighter than people think” moving forward.
Sudfeld finished the day 5-of-8, with a pair of touchdown passes.