The rookies have had almost six weeks to pick up the playbook, learn and adapt. Now, with the Detroit Lions entering their three-day mandatory minicamp -- the final official workout before the last break until training camp -- they have a chance to really make progress.
How they have improved and where they ingratiate themselves into the offense and defense will be among the five things I'll be watching when minicamp starts later Tuesday.
1. Where are the rookies? Quandre Diggs has rotated in with the first team at the slot corner since the start of OTAs. Fullback Michael Burton has received first-team reps. So has Laken Tomlinson, the team's expected starter at left guard. With the OTA program over, though, the Lions should be moving the rookies they expect to play large roles into more prominent positions over the next three days. The main guy to watch here is Tomlinson, because chemistry among the offensive line is more critical than any other position group on the field. The faster he can take over the first-team reps, the faster he can gain comfort with left tackle Riley Reiff and center Travis Swanson. That can only help in the fall and here's why. Unlike Larry Warford in 2013, Tomlinson doesn't have the benefit of a long-time veteran at center like Detroit had with Dominic Raiola that year. So building a rapport is important all around there.
2. Are any injured guys back? The answer here is likely no and considering the majority of them are veterans with secure roster spots, players like Joique Bell, Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy shouldn't come back. If they do, it's a bonus. The two to really pay attention to are slot corners Bill Bentley and Nevin Lawson. Neither player is guaranteed a roster spot, and both are in the midst of a competitive slot corner battle with veteran Josh Wilson and rookie Quandre Diggs. Plus, rookie Alex Carter and safety Don Carey can play the role as well. So the faster they are able to work in team activities and make plays, the better shot they have of making the roster. Of the two, this is more critical for Bentley, who is entering the final year of his contract.
3. The pace of practice: Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi wants a faster tempo from his offense this season and so far, he has been encouraged by what he has seen. Considering the Lions ran what felt like a slow offense for the majority of the season, this is going to be an emphasis this week during minicamp and during training camp. But if Detroit runs plays at a better pace and with more success, this likely means quarterback Matthew Stafford is picking up the offensive nuances a bit better.
4. How many returner snaps does Ross take? Jeremy Ross, the incumbent kick and punt returner, has taken fewer reps back there during the open OTA practices than other potential candidates. Ross has said his role back there depends on the focus of the drill, but any rep for him right now is valuable and gives some of his competitors chances to impress. They include Ameer Abdullah, TJ Jones, Ryan Broyles and Quandre Diggs. Considering he's also competing with Jones and Broyles for a roster spot at receiver, the more either one of those players are back there could cut into Ross' returning and receiving chances.
5. Does anyone make a bunch of standout plays? During offseason workouts last year and the beginning of training camp, a pair of Georges -- Johnson and Winn -- made enough plays to start standing out to observers. It wasn't clear at the time that either one would make the team, but George Johnson made the 53-man roster out of camp and had a productive season at defensive end. George Winn ended up on the practice squad and was on the 53-man roster by midseason. So if you start hearing a name or two out of the next three days that don't register -- know that it has happened before. One name I'll throw out -- Andrew Peacock. Peacock was on the team's practice squad last year and has made a bunch of catches so far during offseason workouts.
