Lions Skip Rookie Minicamp, Because Normal is Apparently Overrated
The NFL dropped the schedules for all 32 teams’ organized team activities and rookie minicamps this week. Thirty-one teams will do exactly what they’ve always done. And then there’s Detroit, standing alone as the only franchise not holding a rookie minicamp.
Of course they are.
Look, this isn’t breaking news. The Detroit Free Press reported this last week. But now that all 32 schedules are out, it’s crystal clear that the Lions are once again doing something different from literally every other team in the league.
Holmes Explains Without Really Explaining
Brad Holmes was asked about this decision after Day 3 of the NFL Draft, and his answer was classic Holmes. Thoughtful but vague, confident but not particularly illuminating.
I told you guys at the end of the season, me and Dan (Campbell) were going to take a long, hard look at everything single thing from top to bottom and that’s what we did,” Holmes said. “Those kind of involvements or efficiencies, those came about from that. We’re not doing things just to do it just because you feel like you have to do it. You can’t be scared when you want to try something new that you think is going to be better for the football team, and so that’s what we did. And that’s why some things are, from a calendar standpoint, look like they’re removed, but there are other things that are going to take their place that we feel are going to be more beneficial for us.”
Translation: We think we know better than everyone else, and we’re putting our money where our mouth is.
What Are They Actually Missing?
Let’s be honest about what rookie minicamp actually is. Two or three days of mostly classroom work and non-contact drills. It’s not exactly game-changing preparation.
The rookies will still get their reps. Detroit has three sets of OTAs scheduled for May 27-29, June 2-4, and June 9-11. The new guys will be there for all of it.
Still, it’s another example of Holmes and Campbell zigging where everyone else zags. They also skipped holding a local pro day for the draft, Holmes didn’t attend the owners meetings, and the Lions won’t be doing any joint practices during training camp.
Different for the Sake of Different?
Here’s the thing about Brad Holmes. He’s earned the benefit of the doubt. This is the same general manager who has quietly built one of the most talented rosters in the NFL through smart drafting and calculated risks.
But when you’re the only team in the entire league doing something, you better be right. Holmes seems confident they’ve identified “more valuable ways to spend their time.” Fair enough. We’ll find out if that confidence is justified when these rookies hit the field.
Are the Lions revolutionizing how to develop young talent or just making things harder on themselves for no reason? Tell me what you think in the comments below.
Holmes and Campbell have earned my trust by actually building something real here, so if they think ditching rookie minicamp makes sense then I’m gonna ride with it. They’re clearly thinking deeper about how to develop these guys than just following the playbook everyone else uses. Let’s see what happens when these rookies get on the field.
Look, I get it. Holmes is doing smart things and I respect that. But being different just to be different worries me a little. Hopefully those OTAs make up for what they’re skipping, because if the rookies come in unprepared that’s on him. I’m hopeful but I need to see the results first.
You know, back in the day we just did what everyone else did and it never got us anywhere. At least this front office is actually trying something new instead of copying the same old losing formula. That takes guts and I respect the hell out of it.
This is exactly why I trust what’s happening right now. Brad and Dan aren’t afraid to do things their own way because they actually know what they’re doing. The whole league was doing the same thing for years and it didn’t help Detroit one bit, so why not try something different?