THREE AND OUT: Lions have 'great synergy' between rookies, vets
FIRST DOWN
In a competitive environment like an NFL locker room, where million-dollar jobs are on the line, it would be understandable if a veteran didn't want to share his knowledge with an up-and-coming young player.
Why help the guy who could then take your starting position or even roster spot?
Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell believes his team doesn't take that approach. He says he's got veterans reaching out to help rookies.
"I think that's imperative," Caldwell said. "That's one of the most important things that you'll see within teams that consistently are right in the thick of things. Good teams do it that way.
"Two things have to happen. No. 1, you have to have veterans that are knowledgeable. But then the other thing is that you have to have guys that are willing to do it, too. There are some veterans that are so afraid of keeping their position that they don't talk to the younger guys.
"Our guys are more interested in winning and more interested in the greater mission than they are in their own personal accomplishments."
Caldwell said he sees a "great synergy" between the team's vets and the youngsters.
"The veterans understand the importance of young guys fitting in quickly and being in position to help us," the coach said. "If you're going to have a good football team, that has to be in place. You have to be able to have a transfer of information that comes not only from the coaches, but also from the players."
There's no better example of that type of relationship than cornerback Rashean Mathis and the young defensive backs, especially Darius Slay, a second-round draft pick in 2013.
Mathis, 34, is entering his 13th season in the NFL. One of the reasons the Lions signed him to a two-year contract this offseason is that Mathis helps create this type of giving atmosphere.
"There's probably not a time where you see him standing over there and he's not talking to one of those other defensive backs, whether it's a safety and talking about a call back there, or just talking to some of the younger corners about work habits and body position and technique and fundamentals," Caldwell said.
"He's one of those guys that you certainly can see what he does in terms of the impact on the field, but he has a tremendous impact in our classrooms, in the building, outside of the building."
SECOND DOWN
The Lions completed their offseason workout program nearly two weeks ago and won't be officially back together until training camp opens in early August.
That doesn't mean some of the players won't be sharping up their skills and timing together over the next few weeks.
At some point, quarterback Matthew Stafford plans to meet up in Atlanta with receiver Calvin Johnson, tight end Eric Ebron and possibly others.
Stafford went to college at Georgia and spends part of his offseason back there. Johnson went to Georgia Tech and is from Tyrone, Ga.
Ebron, who is expected to have a much bigger role in the offense in his second season, will make the trip from North Carolina.
"I think it's big," Stafford said of the informal sessions. "There's no substitute for running routes for a receiver and caching a ball from the guy you're going to be catching the ball from during the season.
"And there's really no (comparison to) me throwing to a spot or throwing to somebody that's not on our team. It just isn't as beneficial as being together."
THIRD DOWN
Nothing stood out more about Golden Tate in his first year with the Lions than his knack for making sharp start-and-stop moves in traffic.
There are few receivers, if any, in the league who are as good at that as Tate.
"I'm not a typical 6-1, 6-2, 4.2 40 guy," Tate said, referring to his height and 40-yard dash time. "But I am shifty."
Tate, who is listed at 5-foot-10, 202 pounds, led the Lions with 99 catches for 1,331 yards last season.
"I've been blessed with incredible hips, I guess, strong hips and hammies (hamstrings), and I just kind of take advantage of it," Tate said of the quick moves. "I think that's one of God's gifts.
"A lot of guys try that move, they might do something to their hip or their hammy. I've been blessed enough not to be injured, knock on wood."
