EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Fights broke out so often Monday morning during a joint practice between the Detroit Lions and New York Giants, it was hard to keep count of how many there even were.
Three stood out above the rest, however, with the final side-clearing skirmish — during a red zone period — even drawing Giants general manager Joe Schoen into the fray to try and separate the brawlers.
Sidelines just cleared again! Even #giants GM Joe Schoen out here breaking it up as fight erupts #giants #lions pic.twitter.com/FUy8GS4rGu
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) August 5, 2024
Skirmishes are to be expected when teams get together for joint practices. However, it’s at least notable these same teams avoided any real fights last season on the first day of joint practice. But given how that 2023 practice played out — the Lions overwhelmed the Giants with their aggression and intensity on Day 1 — the Giants entered Monday determined not to let that happen again this year.
“They practice real hard. (Lions coach) Dan Campbell has them boys going over there. We know that,” Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins said over the weekend. “We know that it’s going to be a physical practice, there’s going to be a lot of chirping and talking and everything. But it’s a different team this year. I think we’re going to be ready for it. (Giants coach Brian Daboll) has put a real good emphasis on starting fast.”
The fighting certainly started fast. It began less than an hour into Monday’s practice with the Giants defense and Lions offense on the field together. Lions All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught a ball with rookie Dru Phillips in coverage before veteran safety Dane Belton appeared to knock the ball out of Brown’s hands after the play was over.
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Lions WR Jameson Williams took exception to Belton’s actions and shoved Phillips on his way over to Brown. Philips jabbed back at Williams, and the melee began.
“It was a really good rep by me, so I kind of expected him to get mad,” Phillips said. “I mean, I’m a rookie, so I would think I just did my job well, maybe he just didn’t like it. At the end of the day, like I said, we just out there competing. So, you know, I expected it.”
Joint practice fight! #lions #giants
Started with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Andru Phillips and Jameson Williams pic.twitter.com/3sgzf455XE
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) August 5, 2024
Over on the field with the Giants offense and Lions defense, a series of individual battles broke out, including when Lions cornerback Morice Norris laid out Giants running Eric Gray, knocking his helmet off.
Later on, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones got involved in a skirmish after a fight broke out between new Giants offensive lineman Greg Van Roten and a Lions defensive lineman.
“Situation happens, got to stand up for your guys,” the QB said after practice.
Daniel Jones on getting involved in today’s joint practice fights #giants #lions
“Situation happens, got to stand up for your guys.” pic.twitter.com/7cQV4PhEDn
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) August 5, 2024
“I’m gonna need him to back up,” Giants edge rusher Brian Burns said with a laugh when he learned Jones had gotten involved in the fights. “(He should) let his O-line handle that.”
Needless to say the energy was high, and it was without a doubt the most intense practice of the Brian Daboll era.
But to some players, Monday’s practice wasn’t really to far out of the ordinary.
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“That’s part of football,” Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke said. “You can’t tell us to go out there and compete and grind and not expect for something like that to happen. It’s part of the game.”
This is the most physical practice I’ve ever seen.
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) August 5, 2024
Lions linebacker Jack Campbell agreed.
“Being on defense, you just gotta have the mindset of like kinda taking it right up to the edge but not going over, you know what I mean?” Campbell said. “When you go on the field nothing is — I don’t take nothing personal. Just go out there and play your game. And if you’re pissed at someone, then go compete with him the next snap.”
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(Screenshot: Charlotte Carroll / The Athletic)
