# Lions camp observations: Dan Skipper a peacemaker, defense dominates
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the first rule he gave his new offensive line assistant, Dan Skipper, was no fighting coaches and no fighting players.
“It’s still early,” Fraley said. “We haven’t got to training camp, so we’re in underwear running around right now. Wait till training camp happens as a reminder, ‘Hey, if a fight goes on, on the field, just stand back here. Don’t get involved.’”
Skipper was involved in a training camp fight or two in his nine seasons as a player and spent the past few seasons as the Lions’ de facto − but beloved − enforcer.
But there he was Tuesday, on the first day of mandatory minicamp, heading Fraley’s warning and playing the role of peacemaker when things got chippy on the second-team field during jog-through.
I didn’t see what instigated the scuffle, but Devin Cochran − who’s vying for the No. 4 tackle spot and has taken second-team left tackle reps most of the spring − and undrafted rookie pass rusher Anthony Lucas exchanged shoves and a few punches during a two-play sequence in practice.
Lucas got knocked to the ground on the first play, and a brief shoving match ensued between him and Cochran. Teammates stepped in, the linemen went their separate ways, and after the next play Lucas and center Seth McLaughlin appeared to exchange words before Cochran re-entered the skirmish
…A cult hero in Detroit, Skipper has long been considered a coach-in-waiting. He was one of the smartest players in the Lions locker room, a good teacher for young linemen and he seems to be settling nicely into his role as an assistant.
“He’s been great,” Fraley said. “It’s been a great energy. The guys in that room that have been around with him, he’s always been like Coach Skip to those guys anyway, after practice, running drills and doing things and taking young guys under his wing and so it’s just been a smooth transition for him.”
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Rakestraw got some work with the first-team defense at the cornerback spot opposite D.J. Reed as the Lions continue to evaluate their options at the position.
A second-round pick out of Missouri in 2024, Rakestraw has played just 46 defensive snaps in his first two seasons because of injury. He still has excellent movement skills, but he got beat for two of the easiest catches in seven-on-seven drills Tuesday, an out by Jameson Williams when he was late reacting to Williams’ break and a post by Isaac TeSlaa.
Some growing pains are to be expected given how little Rakestraw has played, but the Lions are smart to forcefeed Rakestraw reps now. There’s a good chance they’re going to need him at some point this fall.
Rock Ya-Sin also took some first-team reps at cornerback, playing opposite both Reed and Rakestraw, while Terrion Arnold did not take part in team drills as he continues to return from shoulder surgery. If I had to offer my best guess now I’d make Ya-Sin the slight favorite to start at the No. 2 cornerback spot Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints.
Terrion Arnold with the second team?
Arnold’s situation is an interesting one.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said at the start of OTAs not to read too much into rotations and which field players are practicing on for jog-through, but it’s impossible not to notice that Arnold has been on the second field in both practices he’s taken part in this spring that have been open to media.
Arnold had a rough go of things last year, when he was in and out of the lineup because of injuries, merely OK when he was on the field and coaches grew frustrated with his lack of availability. I don’t know what will happen with the off-field situation that has hung over his head all offseason, and it may be much ado about nothing.
It’s worth noting Rakestraw also worked on the second field in jog-through before getting first-team reps in team period. But it appears the Lions are making Arnold work to earn his starting spot back. At the very least, it’s something to ask Campbell and Lions secondary coach Deshea Townsend about before the final practice of spring Wednesday, June 17.
