Detroit Lions News: Whitehead Packs On The Pounds, Fauria Set To Return
By Tony Fischer
Now N’ Den
Detroit Lions News – June 9th 2015
With minicamp just around the corner, there is plenty of news coming from the Detroit Lions second set of OTAs. The defense seems hell-bent on showing fans that last seasons dominating performance wasn’t a fluke. Tahir Whitehead hopes to keep some of the playing time he received last year covering for the injured Stephen Tulloch. In order to do that he wants to improve his effectiveness in stopping the run by packing on some seven pounds to improve his durability against the rush.
"“Watching back last season, sometimes in the run game, I wasn’t as sturdy as I could have been,” Whitehead said. “I bulked up a bit to be more stout against the run.”At the end of last year, Whitehead weighed 238 pounds. In the several months since, he’s packed on seven pounds to his already chiseled frame. Beyond adding mass, he put an emphasis on maintaining his speed, which he believes is one of his most important attributes."
Meanwhile former Saints are marching into Allen Park to be a part of a familiar offense. A few weeks ago the Lions signed former Saint and Steeler Lance Moore to add depth to the receiving corp. Now a former teammate of Moore’s, Robert Meacham making the trip to work-out for the team in hopes of finding a role in Joe Lombardi’s offense. Familiarity might help Meacheam make the team out of training camp but whether that produces results on the field remains to be seen.
"Former Saints receiver Robert Meachem is also visiting Detroit on Tuesday, according to the Detroit Free Press. The Lions have brought in experienced Saints players before, including Jed Collins last year and Lance Moore this year, because of their experience in Joe Lombardi’s offense. Meachem, 30, caught seven passes last season."
Calvin Johnson is proving that you are never to old to learn a few tricks. That is exactly what he is doing with Lance Moore. Megatron has reportedly been picking the brain of the former Saint about the nuanaces of the Saints and Joe Lombardi’s offense. A professional move by a hall of fame player.
"“He (Moore) came in right away giving me and everyone tips on how to run certain routes and how you can – not deviate – but make adjustments so everything doesn’t look the same to the DBs that maybe have seen it before,” Johnson told detroitlions.com after Monday’s OTA practice.“That was a big help to me and it worked right away, some of the things he taught me. You see him doing it and you know it works. It’s cool to have a guy who’s been in the offense that can give me those tools. It’s always good to have someone you can pull off of and gain knowledge from. He’s that guy.”"
Fan favorite Joesph Fauria had a disappointing injury riddled season in 2014. The Lions are hoping to have Fauria back in the fold contributing to the red zone offense this season and by all accounts he seems on track to join the team in training camp.
"Fauria, who injured his ankle chasing his dog down some steps at his apartment last September, says he expects to be cleared for full participation by the start of training camp.“I don’t see anything holding me back from training camp,” he said. “That’s the goal. Just trying to come back as soon as possible, but also being smart.”"