Detroit Lions: How much can we learn from OTA’s?

Last week was the first opportunity for the Detroit Lions’ rookies and veterans to practice together. Did those OTA’s teach us anything?

The Detroit Lions have finally been able to mix their draft class together with their veterans and free agent signings. So what was the result?

That is an interesting question because we live in a world where instant gratification is the rule, not the exception. With technology being what it is, anyone can stop on a corner and look up almost any information they want on their phones.

Just 10 years ago that was unheard of. Now all walks of life can ignore the old saying that, ‘patience is a virtue’. Instead, we can all just be virtueless. However, I’m not completely certain that is a better way of life. The reason? Because many of life’s moments and events aren’t about instant gratification. Instead, they are lessons in patience.

So while we all immediately start judging each free agent signing well before the ink on the paperwork has even dried or every rookie before they have been able to don their new team’s cap after being selected in the draft, the answer to the ever-present question of how these newly acquired players will benefit their new team is far from answered.

Sure we all feel like we’re smart enough or have a good enough eye to figure out the answer instantaneously, but the truth rarely surfaces that quickly.

NFL coaches and scouts are considered the best in the world at their jobs, but every year many of them are wrong in their assessment of players and in the end, it turns hope into disappointment and disappointment into general managers or coaches getting fired.

The example that every Lions fan can understand and relate to was the 2014 draft when Detroit used the top pick, the 10th overall, to select tight end, Eric Ebron. While Ebron was not a bust, he did underachieve for the Lions and felt the wrath of the Motor City faithful who mourned the missed opportunity to have all-world defensive tackle Aaron Donald wreaking havoc for the Honolulu Blue and Silver.

Suffice it to say that the fans and general manager Bob Quinn hope for better results from this years draft class.