When NFL training camps come to a close, some bubble players fret about getting cut. Others are downright paranoid. And then there's Lions CB Chase Lucas.
The rookie showed us the angst caused by cut day in the season finale of HBO's 'Hard Knocks.' He all but shadowed defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant around the building until he learned his roster spot was safe.
During one break in practice, Lucas tracked down Pleasant and said, "Hey man, for real, I hope y'all don't cut me. I can't, bro. On God. Cuz it's fun. I don't wanna go, I feel like I could be great."
The seventh-round pick played well in training camp, but also dropped a potential game-winning interception in the Lions' preseason opener against the Falcons. He somewhat redeemed himself in the finale when he recovered an onside kick late in the game.
"The kid is athletic," Pleasant said in a meeting with his fellow defensive coaches. "He showed some of his ability and some of his savvy. This is the most opportunity he's had and I thought he made the most of it."
"There's something about this Chase Lucas," said defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. "There's something about him. He loves football, and I like that trait about him. He doesn't care if he plays one play or 10 plays, he's going to play."
Later, back on the practice field, Lucas asked Pleasant, "But Coach, can I ask you one thing? Can I play in this -- I could start in this league?"
"Yeah, you wouldn't be here if you couldn't," Pleasant replied. "Not yet. Not yet. You definitely very much can."
"I just don't want y'all to think that I'm not ready," said Lucas. "I don't know how to explain it."
"Show it," said Pleasant. "This is a show league."
In a practice late in camp, Lucas made up for his dropped interception by high-pointing a pick in the end zone. He was eventually awarded a spot on Detroit's 53-man roster.
"I'm not going to lie to you, Coach," Lucas told Pleasant after a defensive meeting. "I have a feeling I'm about to be great, bro."
"I'm not going to say anything on that," said Pleasant. "But what I will say is, you have an opportunity to take full advantage of."
For the Lions, one of the most distressing roster decisions came down to the final running back spot: Craig Reynolds or Godwin Igwebuike.
In a conversation with head athletic trainer Kevin Bastin, Dan Campbell said, "Craig's a stud. Put his picture on that sign of 'GRIT' down there, that's what we should do."
Igwebuike was the Lions' primary kick returner last season, but Reynolds stepped up in a depleted backfield late in the year. That included a 112-yard performance in Detroit's Week 15 upset of the Cardinals.
"I'm a Reynolds fan," Glenn told Campbell one-on-one. "I think he's built the way you want. I think he can play all three downs. I mean, he's not great as a third-down back, but I think he can do it."
"No, listen, that's what I was saying in front of (the rest of the coaches). He's just dependable. But it's the same deal. He does all this good stuff, we know what he is on special teams, he grinds it out, he's competitive, but then you'll see these deficiencies athletically."
"And Godwin, this is just me," said Glenn. "I wouldn't want to lose that player."
"I wouldn't either," said Campbell. "He can run. That's the one thing. We can say all this and that, but he can fu*king run. He's got speed."
"No doubt," said Glenn. "And you don't want to let true speed out of the frickin' building."
Eventually, the Lions went with Reynolds, leaving Campbell and GM Brad Holmes to break the news to Igwebuike.
"I freakin' hate this, man," said Campbell. "I hate it."
"It sucks, man," said Holmes. "It sucks."
"I understand," said Igwebuike, sitting in front of them. "It’s a game.
"But you’re going to get another opportunity," said Campbell. "I believe that. You fu*king did everything right. You’re a competitor. You do have talent. ... I really do, I hope you get another shot. And I hope we’re not playing against you, but if we do, I hope you give us hell."
"I appreciate you guys, too," Igwebuike told them. "I know this is tough, but thanks for shooting me straight and giving me the ‘opp.' And the story's still being written for all of us. I wish the best for both of you guys. You guys are hell of good dudes and your impact is probably even more than you know. So keep going."
Igwebuike, 27, remains a free agent.
On the lighter side, the Lions enjoyed a special guest at practice after the final roster was set: Detroit's own Eminem.
You see Slim over there? Shady?" Jared Goff said from across the practice field. "He might be on my list of like, ‘Holy sh*t.’”
Eminem met several Lions players and coaches, including Campbell who told him, "Nobody represents this city more than you do. So it's a pleasure having you out here."
The season finale closed with a few coaches answering the same prompt from HBO's crew: The 2022 Detroit Lions will ______.
"The 2022 Detroit Lions will compete every game," said Glenn. "because that's who we are. We're a gritty team and we're built that way."
"The 2022 Detroit Lions will put the NFL on notice," said linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard. "You want to reap things from this game, and the ultimate thing you can reap from it is a championship, and the way to get closer to a championship is a playoff berth."
When it was Campbell's turn, he thought about it for a full minute before saying, "There's a number of ways I can go with this."
"The 2022 Detroit Lions will be the team that can, and will," he said.
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