Detroit Lions camp observations: Jake Bates shows off leg in front of packed house

Bates Watch is in full swing at Detroit Lions training camp.

Kicker Jake Bates, who joined the team this offseason after making a name for himself in the UFL with the Michigan Panthers, practiced field goals in front of the entire team as well as stands filled with passionate fans three separate times during Saturday's team sessions.

He attempted eight field goals in front of the team, going 5-for-8 on attempts. In the first set, Bates nailed all three kicks going toward the north end zone, then went 1-for-4 on kicks going toward the south end zone. He missed the first three in the set of four before making the final one and then going to continue kicking by himself into a net on the sideline then capped practice off with another make.

In the first set of three, he hit a 54-yard field goal, a 51-yard field goal and a 48-yard field goal, showing off some of the leg strength by sailing each through the uprights with yards to spare. In the second set, he pulled a 60-yard field goal left, pushed a 56-yard field goal right and then missed a 46-yarder left before finishing with a make from 42 yards. His final kick at practice split the uprights from 38 yards.

The kicks at practice were another set of data to evaluate for the coaching staff, who want to gather as much information on Bates and the other kickers brought in to compete for the job during training camp.

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"You do take a big-picture look and you are trying to get a lot of data and numbers," Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said. "Because I think at that position, my experience tells me at that position that you're going to be who you are. If you're making all your kicks in practice then you're probably going to make more of them in a game and if you miss a lot of 'em in practice then you'll miss more in games."

The Lions brought in Bates to compete for the starting kicker position with Michael Badgley, the team's kicker to close 2023, but lost Badgley to a season-ending injury that requires surgery during Thursday's practice. The Lions have reportedly brought in some other kickers for workouts, but Bates remains as the only kicker on the roster during practices.

"There was a couple of guys in there that we feel good about," Fipp said about the kicker workouts. "Whether or not we bring them in, I don't know. But I do know that I have a lot of respect for our pro staff and the way they evaluate talent."

Packed stands energizes practice

They walked like giants among mortals, gods of the gridiron ... wait ... silly, yes, but it was hard not to think of such words today when the Lions offensive line strolled over to the far practice field to join the seven-on-seven drills and were greeted like immortals.

Maybe it was the new roofs that cover the stands and hold the noise more than in seasons past, or maybe it was that this was the first day fans attended training camp, and all that pent-up demand for the season to begin finally had an outlet, or maybe it was the NFC title game run, and the accolades for so many of these young players.

Maybe it was all of it, but maybe it was mostly this: The Lions’ offensive line was the team's best unit last season, and among the very best in the NFL, and the offensive line is what drove the top-five offense.

Penei Sewell was the first to arrive to the sideline. As he got closer, the crowd noise swelled.

“Congratulations, Penei!” someone yelled.

He turned and saluted to the crowd. They roared even more.

All morning the crowd cheered with every pass catch, pass deflection, every nice move and tight spiral. At one point, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn turned to the throngs — 2,600 strong — and flapped his arms upward, encouraging even more noise.

Keep in mind, this was just a practice. The pads still aren’t out. Yet the intensity in the stands felt like the playoffs.

“Means a lot,” defensive back Brian Branch said. “Pumps us up. Makes you want to keep on going and keep on dogging each other.”

In the friendliest ways, of course. As happened Friday, there were a couple more skirmishes. The fans loved that, too.

Another day, another dustup

Practice briefly paused due to a fight between offensive lineman Dan Skipper and linebacker Derrick Barnes. The fight started with a block extended past the whistle and ended with a punch thrown from Barnes and pushing and shoving involving most of the team during live drills between the offense and defense. It is the second straight day with a brief dustup.

"There's a competitive edge that comes with every Detroit Lions practice," tight end Sam LaPorta said. "I think we practice the right way and coach Campbell always mentions that we try to toe the line and hopefully not go over the line. I'm not sure if you saw a couple of scrums today, but we're excited to get some pads on next week."

The offense vs. defense drills were hotly contested with trash talk flying both ways, including between Glenn and wide receiver Jameson Williams. Wide receiver Maurice Alexander excelled during this portion, including a contested catch over Kindle Vildor and a back-shoulder catch through what would've been pass interference from Steven Gilmore.

Jamo puts on show

There were flashes of his immense physical talent. There were also signs of his professional growth. The fans who had come to see Williams on Saturday must have felt encouraged by what they witnessed Saturday.

They saw Williams dart around the edge and blow by defenders on a nifty end-around early in practice. They later spotted Williams snagging a quick pass from Jared Goff and turning up field in a blink of an eye, which drew their approval.

Then, as the first-team offense waited its turn, they noticed Williams taking some coaching from Goff, who mimicked the quick steps of a receiver getting out of his break. They then watched Williams sidle up to Ben Johnson and engage in a long conversation with his offensive coordinator.

What all this means on the fourth day of training camp is uncertain.

But there is a feeling around Allen Park that the former first-round pick is on the cusp of realizing his enormous potential as he enters his third year in the NFL.

“He’s been working all offseason,” safety Kerby Joseph said. “I’m excited to see what he can do. … All eyes are on him.”

There’s a reason why: Williams continues to spark intrigue after he allayed concerns towards the end of last season he might devolve into a draft bust. During that period, he cut down on his drops and increased his production — averaging nearly three catches over his last six games, which included three appearances in the playoffs. Since then, he has continued to make progress, according to his teammates. Joseph said he has improved his consistency while LaPorta observed that he is more meticulous with the technical aspects of his position.

“He’s getting in and out of his breaks really well, memorizing his splits,” LaPorta said. “All of the little details are really coming along with Jamo, and you see that. You see the big strides those little things really make.”

On Saturday, the fans who followed Williams’ every move could attest to that.

BB at safety

Branch, meanwhile, briefly participated in team walkthroughs at the beginning of practice before going to work with trainers for the remainder of the time as he rehabs from an ankle injury that required an offseason surgical cleanup.

Branch lined up at safety alongside Joseph as the back line with Carlton Davis III and Terrion Arnold at cornerback. After walkthroughs, he did sprints up the hill on the side of the practice field and did other work with trainers.

"Health-wise, I feel like I am ahead of schedule," Branch said. "(I'm) just trying to remain eager to get back out there. I miss playing with these guys."

Branch is excited about the full-time switch to safety after primarily serving as the slot cornerback during his rookie campaign. He got some snaps back there in 2023, but is ready to transfer his playmaking ability back there full-time.

"I just feel like AG (Glenn) makes his defense solely so the safeties can make plays in this defense. You are farther back from the line of scrimmage so that means that you can move anywhere and make plays, a lot more plays on the ball rather than nickel. I'm looking forward to it."

Joseph, who is carrying himself as a veteran of the secondary entering his third season, said it won't be much of an adjustment playing with Branch after their snaps together last year and is excited about the playmaking in the safety room.

"There's really no adjustment, that's been my brother since Day 1," Joseph said about Branch.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions camp observations: Jake Bates shows off leg in front of packed house