Detroit Lions Training Camp News and Notes (6/8)

Each year, training camp comes and goes with a number of questions, storylines, and insights. Most of the time, as training camp begins fans are at their peak interest, 16-0 is the limit and every team (save the Detroit Lions) has a chance to attain that goal.

This year, in Allen Park, is no different.

The Detroit Lions reported for camp on July 31st with a round of team meetings explaining the rules (NO MORE TWEETING), and physical training the next morning—Sammie Lee Hill, DJ Boldin, and Ephraim Salaam flunked. 

Since then, the storylines have been about what one would expect:

Daily (or two-a-day) passing exercises—constituting a very real battle between Stafford/Culpepper/Stanton.

I know Stafford is the 70-million dollar man and all, but does anyone believe Schwartz won't start the best passer? Reading the reports coming out of Allen Park (by Mlive, Detroit Free Press, and Detroit News), it seems as if there is a hairline between first and second string, and less between second and third.

If I were a betting man (and I am), I'd say Stafford has the best chance. Economics has nothing to do with it. He's looked slightly better and certainly has the most upside.

I won't count Stanton out, though, I have a funny feeling we may see some packages that feature the fiery former Spartan.

Minor and major(ly funny) injuries.

Show of hands: who else wasn't surprised that a Detroit Lion is going to miss significant time because he crashed a golf cart? Read the following quote:

"In the community that I live in, everybody uses golf carts to get around. (The golf cart) got out of control and it was on two wheels and it fell over. I was driving, and it fell over on my side. It slid about 10 yards. There was a hill, but it wasn't a steep hill.''

Does that sound like a professional athlete? Or an 80-year old retiree talking about his gated community? 

Other injuries are not as serious: Grady Jackson missed the first few practices with an undisclosed ailment. Brandon Pettigrew has missed five practices with a deep quad bruise. Louis Delmas is day-to-day with knee soreness. Casey Fitzsimmons may miss a week with an ankle sprain.

Other Lions have missed a practice here and there with minor bumps and bruises, but as of now—as long as the team stays away from golf carts—depth shouldn't be an issue.

Back end roster moves

The only group which has seen any real movement in camp has been the tight end position. Due to the minor injuries to Pettigrew and Fitzsimmons, former Wolverine Carson Butler was signed. Camp kicker Swayze Waters was cut to make room for the move. 

All I have to say is, not for long. When one of the injured tight ends is ready for practice, Waters will probably be back in camp.

While it is important to have a certain number of camp bodies at each position, three is enough when it comes to tight ends.

Protecting Hanson is also important. One of the secrets to his immortality has always been light work through camp and the preseason—that means having a water break when the team is practicing kickoffs and kick returns.

The only other position which may see some tweaking is the quarterback position. As of now, Stafford and Stanton are safe. The team may avoid paying Culpepper any more money if they can sign a slightly younger veteran caretaker (and they've worked out a number of them).

As camp goes on, new stories will leak out and interesting tidbits will be easy to come by—if you know where to look. The news agencies listed in this story are a good place to start.

Other ways to stay current include Motownsports.com, RoarReport.com, and of course—everyone's least favorite—Twitter.

Follow me, and you'll be sure to get all of the newest action tweeted and retweeted.