Detroit Lions: 5 Initial Observations from Training Camp

Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

George Johnson Gets a Shot

Who? George Johnson has been a relative cast off since entering the NFL in 2010. He was most recently on the Minnesota Vikings. For his career, Johnson has only had seven tackles zero sacks, but the journeyman defensive end has looked refreshed since coming into camp with the Detroit Lions. But defensive line coach Jim Washburn cautions everyone from getting too excited:

"You don’t want to get too excited. He’s done a good job so far. We just got started, only had two or three practices, but he’s doing good. We like him. He was in the league for a while, and I think he’s played at like 285 and he’s played in a lot of read schemes. I think that what he does best is what we do, sort of lends himself to what we’re doing, so he’s doing a good job."

Johnson will get a chance to be part of the rotation at weak side end in the Lions new defensive system. He’s going to get a chance to use his speed and athleticism to get to the quarterback, and so far he’s impressed the coaching staff. Speed rushers tend to fare well during one-on-one drills, so we’ll see how he does once the pads come on.