Detroit Lions Hard Knocks: Episode 3 recap
By Tayyib Abu
Week 3 of Hard Knocks followed the Detroit Lions through their joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts. Joint practices are a vital part of the preseason program, and Dan Campbell stressed the importance of the work with the Colts to his players. And while that did dominate the episode, there were other highlights regarding various players. But, like everything in Detroit, it starts with the head coach.
Dan Campbell Is Tired Of Losing
The opening to this episode featured Campbell shaking dust and rubbish out of a pair of haggard old jeans. Campbell’s interactive metaphor highlighted his frustration with the ‘Same Old Lions’ rhetoric. The energetic head coach experienced the losing culture as a player in Detroit, and he is hell-bent on changing that. Campbell’s furious demonstration underlined that he is tired of losing. And it served as a reminder to the Lions players that they are fighting from rock bottom for a reason.
Joint Practices Are Awfully Intense
Before flying out to Indianapolis, Campbell stressed that he did not want any fighting between players during practice. While no one came to blows, Jamaal Williams and Zaire Franklin engaged in an intense, combative session. Williams practiced pass-blocking against Franklin, and the running back let the defender know he emerged on top.
Franklin then drew the ire of Williams during a passing play as the Colt held Williams’ shirt, forcing an incompletion. Franklin celebrated by punting the ball away before Williams got into his face. The coaches had to break it up before anything escalated. The chippy exchanges highlighted how ferociously competitive joint practices are. These are grown men fighting for jobs, fighting for professional supremacy in a violent environment. It is no surprise that things often bubble over between opposing players.
The Remarkable Story Of Obinna Eze
Every season of Hard Knocks features a longshot and this year’s longshot is Obinna Eze. Eze’s rise is similar to Efe Obada’s. Like Obada, Eze took to football reasonably late. He initially left his homeland of Nigeria in 2015 to play basketball in America. A high school in Nashville offered him a place to play basketball, but due to Tennessee School Rules, Eze also had to play high school football. While Eze had no idea of the sport, he naturally took to it as size translated well into an offensive line role.
Eze left high school as a four-star recruit with SEC schools LSU and Kentucky interested in his services. Eze opted to go to Memphis before transferring to TCU. After spending one year at TCU, Eze joined the Lions as an undrafted free agent. Eze has his work cut out to earn a spot on the 53-man roster – the Lions’ offensive line is by far the strongest position group in Detroit. But his attitude, hunger, and dedication give him a chance. While he didn’t perform brilliantly against the Colts, Eze has impressed in camp. Seven years ago, Eze did not know what the NFL was. He’s on the precipice of making an NFL roster.
TAYYIB ABU
CFB/NFL ANALYST
Tayyib is an avid NFL fan and, as a follower of the detroit lions, is a permanent resident in the honolulu blue heartbreak hotel. writing football articles since 2019, tayyib loves everything about the sport except that wins are not a qb stat. follow him on twitter @TayyibABU1