On Wednesday, the Detroit Lions kick off their first of six Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices. With a shortened spring program—intentionally cut to accommodate an extended preseason with the Hall of Fame Game—the Lions will have to accomplish more in less time this spring. There will only be two weeks of OTAs and no mandatory minicamp this year.
What teams can accomplish during spring practice is limited. While these OTA practices will be the first time the full team can do offense vs. defense drills, including 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills, they still cannot have live contact and they still won’t be wearing full pads.