Schwartz on first day in pads: I liked what I saw
The noise was different, and so was the intensity Tuesday in Day 4 of the Lions' training camp.
The team's first session in full pads was hit, both for the players -- eager to get a bit more physical on the field -- and for the coaches, who've been waiting to get a better grasp on what they've got. In all, the morning session lasted about 2 hours 15 minutes. The Lions will get a break from two-a-days with no afternoon session.
"The first day in pads is also probably the hottest day we've had," coach Jim Schwartz said. "The humidity is up a little bit. So it was a good day to get through. I think it was our longest day on the practice field. So it was a pretty good day for 'em. I was happy with the pace. There's a lot of things we can clean up, but for the first day in pads, I liked what I saw."
He liked what he saw from a personnel standpoint, too, with the arrival of defensive tackle Grady Jackson, who was activated from the non-football injury list. Jackson, a 12-year veteran who was limited throughout the offseason as he recovered from February knee surgery, was a full participant in individual position and line drills, working mostly with the second unit.
"I feel pretty good," Jackson said. "I've just been staying in shape and working out. It doesn't take long to get back in the swing of it."
Added Schwartz: "He made up a lot of ground in the five weeks we were gone (after June minicamp.) We wanted to get him out there, wanted to get him through individual, and then sort of take it slow. We'll just start mixing him in a little bit at a time. He's behind everybody else simply because he hasn't been out, so it made no sense to put him in at the team right away."
Cornerback Eric King (foot) also returned to practice Tuesday. Receiver Bryant Johnson remains on the non-football injury list, while Brandon Pettigrew (thigh), Casey FitzSimmons (ankle, knee) and Keith Smith (leg) all sat out for a second straight day. FitzSimmons, bothered by a mild high-ankle sprain, underwent more tests Tuesday morning and continues to wear a protective boot on his left foot.
