It's not much but hey, if you're a Lions fan this is practically playoff talk.....for those that may not remember, DT Alim McNeill was drafted at pick 72 after the Eagles decided to trade back from 70 to 73. Eagles senior football advisor Tom Donohue was visibly upset after the Lions pick and sulked and basically refused to share Howie Roseman's excitement for Philadelphia's selection of DT Milton Williams at 73
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/8/3/22607812/8-standouts-detroit-lions-first-padded-practice-training-camp
Tuesday was Alim McNeill day. Head coach Dan Campbell kicked the day off by trying to hold back his obvious admiration for McNeill in the opening presser, but couldn’t help it.
“I think this kid’s going to be able to do more than just play a nose (tackle),” Campbell said. “I think there’s going to be more to this kid than just that.”
Then McNeill took the field and immediately showed why they call him “twinkle toes.” No 330-pound player should move that quick. On his very first rep during 3-on-3s with the offensive, he immediately sent two offensive linemen two the ground as everyone tripped over each other. Then, poor newbie Evan Boehm got tossed by McNeill on back-to-back plays.
54 was just all over my notebook today, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn couldn’t help but give the young man praise, too.
“I tell you what, man, he’s unbelievable,” Glenn said after practice. “Strong, agile, everything that we expected when we got him.”