Suh participated in his first NFL rookie mini-camp practice today

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ALLEN PARK -- First impressions from the first day of Detroit Lions rookie minicamp ...
--- There is big and there is thick and then there is big and thick. Ndamukong Suh, the Lions' second overall pick, is big and thick. Because they don't have pads on during these workouts, a defensive tackle like Suh will have harder time separating himself from the pack in these drills.

At Nebraska, Suh played a two-gap defense and he'll be playing a more aggressive, one-gap style in Detroit.

"I love this scheme,'' Suh said after today's workout. "It's a little bit different. It would be like, back at Nebraska, it's third-down rushing on every single play. In terms of my get-off and things like that. I take that view of the third-down get-off every single time.''

--- Contrary to published reports, the Lions did not sign undrafted free agent Ryan Stamper, a linebacker from Florida. The team wouldn't comment on the situation, but it's believed that Stamper (back) did not pass his physical.

--- Rookie third-round draft pick Amari Spievey didn't do much during the workouts because he felt tightness in his hips and the coaching staff shut him down early. Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said they hope to get Spievey back in drills on Saturday.

--- The Lions brought in three undrafted free agent quarterbacks - Andy Schmitt of Eastern Michigan, Donovan Porterie of New Mexico and Taylor Bennett of Louisiana Tech. All three looked to have decent arms - I didn't see one true "duck'' all afternoon - but the offensive drills didn't look good at all. That's to be expected on the first day of a minicamp where everybody's still trying to figure out where they should go.

However, it should be noted that in the competition among the three quarterbacks, Schmitt took the first rep of practice with the No.1 offense (that's a joke, folks).

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The Detroit Lions got their first look at No. 2 draft pick Ndamukong Suh when they kicked off their three-day rookie minicamp this afternoon in Allen Park.The team worked out in shorts and helmets, and Suh looked fit and capable as he took part in drills with the defensive line and in a no-tackle scrimmage. About two dozen media members watched the workout, as did most of the Lions’ executives.
Suh downplayed any pressure he might have felt in his first official NFL practice and said he considers himself no different than any other rookie who wants to prove he belongs.

“I think we’re all equal,” he said. “This is all of our first time being in the NFL, so we’re all on the same even plane. So we’ve got to be able to prove ourselves. I was No. 2 coming out of college. Now I’m back to ground zero, so I’ve got to build myself back up, and that’s the way I see it.”

Suh said he weighed between 295 and 300 pounds. He looked more like an oversized defensive end than a defensive tackle.

“That’s one of the reasons we drafted him, because he’s like that,” coach Jim Schwartz said of Suh’s fitness and physique. “He’s really serious about his work. He’s tough as can be. He’s in great shape.”

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It's good to see him enthusiastic about the new defensive scheme. Enthusiasm breeds confidence which breeds excellence.

 
Suh will end up turning this franchise around. It will be infectious. I think Stafford will be a good qb and it looks like a lot of former Huskers up there.

 
ALLEN PARK, MICH. — It's easy to see what the Detroit Lions saw in Ndamukong Suh to make him the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft.
The 6-foot-3 Suh weighs nearly 300 pounds and, unlike most athletes carrying that kind of weight, he doesn't look one bit fat.

"That's one of the reasons we drafted because he's like that," Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said Friday as the Lions opened a three-day rookie orientation camp. "He's in great shape."

The former Nebraska standout looked impressive physically — once chasing down a running back to force a fumble — during an afternoon workout in helmets, shorts and cleats.

"He's definitely a freak," first-round running back Jahvid Best said. "I'm glad he's on our side."

Suh sounded good, too.

"I was No. 2 coming out of college. Now, I'm back to ground zero," he said humbly. "So, I've got to build myself back up."

Schwartz said Suh already got one of his messages.

"Everything from this point on, is going to be earned by how hard they work and how they look on the field," Schwartz said. "Not by their draft status or how much money they make."

The Lions will likely give Suh a contract worth $60-plus million and he has vowed not to be a holdout.

Suh, though, will let his agents handle his off-the-field business while he focuses on getting ready to make an impact between the lines.

"It's back to football, learning the basics," he said.

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