-Ed-Mulholland-USA-TODAY-Sports-2023-05-15T102259.358
(New York, NY) — You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy writes Sam LaPorta was “the best player on the field … by a wide margin,” in rookie minicamp. The tight end, out of Iowa, was the Lions’ first pick in the second round (No. 34) last month.
LaPorta was feasting,” Pouncy said. “He’d make a standout play, then casually trot back to the huddle and toss the ball to a nearby assistant before lining up to do it all over again.”
It almost feels as though the Lions want to build a semi-positionless offense with speed and playmaking as the core strength among skill players,” Pouncy writes.
Start the offseason hype machines. Detroit hopes that LaPorta can fill the void left by T.J. Hockensen, whom the Lions trade to the Vikings last season.
They demand a lot,” LaPorta said. “Very small details. I’m learning all the real intricate details of the system right now. Of course, I’ve messed them up a couple of times already. You probably heard them yelling at me. Those details are really what separates you apart in the National Football League.”
“Hat’s off to him,” head coach Dan Campbell said. “He’s a hell of a player, you guys know that.”
The rookie has a clear path to a starting opportunity with just Brock Wright and James Mitchell in front of him on the depth chart.
