Look out Aidan Hutchinson, there’s a new star in town.
Arguably one of the best training camp traditions in the NFL is the rookie talent show. The newest additions to the squad have a chance to impress their teammates with a hidden skill, or at least show they’re willing to embarrass themselves in the name of camaraderie.
One of the more famous performances was featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks ” back in 2022. You may recall Aidan Hutchinson’s legendary “Billie Jean” dance that captured hearts worldwide.
This is the right video to start your day. Aidan Hutchinson singing Billie Jean on the debut of Hard Knocks: pic.twitter.com/SP2WYL5DUN
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) August 10, 2022
While the public wasn’t privy to this year’s show, Dan Campbell told reporters this week that one rookie in particular stood out — running back Sione Vaki.
“I don’t know if it’s the best performance, but as far as the best voice that I’ve heard, probably it’s up there. …The performance was eh. The voice? It was pretty phenomenal, it really is. Maybe he’ll sing for you guys sometime. You need to ask him,” he said.
Sure enough, Vaki was asked to demonstrate these alleged silky smooth pipes.
.@sione_vaki got some good singing chops fr
(via @Lions ) pic.twitter.com/wqdzoOaPcw
— NFL (@NFL) August 21, 2024
Couple this with his sneaky strong preseason performance and Vaki is quickly becoming a popular rookie.
And onto the rest of your notes.
- A look at what you’ll see when you enter Ford Field this season. And for those asking a perfectly reasonable question — where are representatives from the league’s top-rated O-line — they get a banner of their own.
It’s that time of year pic.twitter.com/ffwwIwe7m2
— Ashley Strauss (@AshleyStrauss) August 22, 2024
They’re baaaaack pic.twitter.com/oBI2jwacHs
— Ashley Strauss (@AshleyStrauss) August 22, 2024
- Just a few days before the two teams are set to face off in their final preseason showing, Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette pens a column entitled: “The Detroit Lions are where the Steelers want to be.” Great read.
- Excellent piece from Detroitlions.com’s Tim Twentyman on how third-year defensive lineman Josh Paschal found his place on the defense.
Paschal finding his identity as a power rusher in Lions’ defense https://t.co/yL21o7t2ih
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) August 21, 2024
- Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Lions linebacker and NFL Players Association president, says the NFLPA has yet to have conversations with the league about an 18-game season . The Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett has more.
- Cool behind-the-scenes look at final auditions for the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders.
- Former Lions seventh-round pick Nick Bawden finds a new home with the Houston Texans.