Notes: Detroit Lions kick off voluntary offseason program

Football is BACK (okay, not yet.)

The boys are back in town.

The Detroit Lions kicked off their offseason program Monday at Allen Park with the first of three phases. This voluntary phase lasts two weeks and consists of meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only, per NFL.com.

The Lions are one of 25 teams getting the ball rolling, while the seven other clubs with new head coaches starting earlier in April.

Phase Two consists of the next three weeks and involves on-field workouts, group or individual instruction, or team offense vs. team defense drills without live contact. The four week-long Phase 3 involves 10 days of organized team activities, or OTAs, as you’ve probably heard them called. A few drills are allowed, including 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11. It may also include a mandatory minicamp for veterans.

In case you need a refresher about the Lions’ schedule specifically: Monday was their first day, OTA offseason workouts are May 21-23, May 29-31, June 10-12, and mandatory minicamp is scheduled for 4-6.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• An incredibly power and important piece from Mike Payton that is a must-read today on what the NFL is doing to help rookies with mental health.

• Although Jeremy seems to be your resident Jake Bates tracker, he had another solid day Sunday in the Michigan Panthers win over the Houston Roughnecks, 34-20.

• Jameson Williams is hosting a free youth football camp. It’s in his hometown of St. Louis, so unless you’re willing to go on a road trip, this is more of a hey, it’s cool he’s doing this for the community type of deal.

• The Lions are getting in on the love for the other Detroit teams.