Delmas gets some “preventative medicine”: S Louis Delmas was held out of Monday's workout in an effort to keep the intense player fresh for the coming season. “You’ll see [Delmas] taking some days off here and there,” Jim Schwartz said. “We’re trying to use some preventative medicine on him.” Delmas' hard-hitting playing style is invaluable to Detroit's defense, but his aggressiveness has also led to injuries in each of the last two seasons. Keeping Delmas healthy in 2012 is a must for Detroit's defense to improve.
Bentley looks settled in nickel CB role: Rookie CB Dwight “Bill” Bentley took reps as the nickel DB with both the first, and second-team defenses Monday, an indication that he's established himself as Detroit's presumptive starter at the position. By his own admission, Bentley struggled early in Detroit's offseason program, but Lions' veterans have praised his work ethic in camp. WR Nate Burleson told reporters that Bentley routinely asks receivers who beat him in coverage to identify what part of his approach allowed them to gain an advantage in drills – a trait that has earned him the respect of players on both sides of the ball.
Third team gets tough love: A new wrinkle to Schwartz' practice plans during camp is the addition of a period that pits either the third team offense or defense against first-team opposition on a daily basis. It's not often that the third team gains an advantage over the starters, but the period gives Lions' coaches the chance to evaluate players who will fight for key reserve spots against top-flight competition. Given the difficult choices Detroit is expected to face on roster deadline days, the drills could serve as a better barometer of a reserve player's effectiveness than a slate of preseason games with varying degrees of competitive balance.
Follow Lions reporter John Kreger on Twitter: @CBSSportsNFLDET and @johnkreger.
