Lions QB Matt Stafford running with the first set of receivers
(Photo for MyBayCity by Tom Baird)

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Detroit Lions 2012 Training Camp Opens in Allen Park

Hopes Running High For Success of 2012 Lions

August 5, 2012
By: Tom Baird

Under perfect conditions the Detroit Lions opened their 2012 Training Camp to the general public at their Allen Park facility.

This was the first practice open to the fans to see the 2012 edition of the Detroit Lions and get excited about some NFL football. There are high hopes in the Detroit area and through out Michigan for the Lions this season after making the NFL playoffs in 2011. After making a quick exit with a loss to the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the playoffs, the fans want more this year. A record setting season by quarterback Matt Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson have fueled the excitement at Ford Field.

A capacity crowd of 1,500 fans turned out to watch the Lions go through their workouts under the watchful eyes of 3rd year Head Coach Jim Schwartz.

The practice session lasted two hours and then 150 lucky fans were able to get autographs from 5 different Lion players right after the practice concluded. Each of the players made sure that they thanked the fans for coming out to Allen Park to watch them practice and supporting the team in 2012. The most notable player signing today was defensive back Louis Delmas.

Having attended several Lions Training Camps over the years from the Pontiac Silverdome days and the five years that the Lions trained at Saginaw Valley State University, it is always interesting and fun to watch the team go through workouts.

There were over 100 players in uniform as they started with stretching, warm-ups and some light running. Then they broke into groups on the sound of the horn with their position coaches to work on different techniques. After a few of the group sessions they assembled as a group down in the north end of the practice field to run some live contact for the first time in Training Camp. You could see that the players enjoyed getting some contact in on the plays.

Quarterback Matt Stafford ran with the first offense for 7 plays against the first defense. Then the second units came out and ran 7 plays also.

All in all, it was an excellent day for the fans to come out and see the superstars in action on the practice field. Ndamukong Suh, Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Louis Delmas all were in action working up a good sweat in the hopes of moving farther along in the 2012 NFL playoffs.

It won't be long before another NFL season will be under way and all of the excitement to follow at Ford Field. One can only wonder what it will be like at Ford Field if they are hosting a playoff game come January 2013. Hopes were running high among the fans at the Training Camp in Allen Park.