We noted in today’s one-liners that Lions defensive tackle Landon Cohen and guard Stephen Peterman got into a fight during Thursday’s organized team activities. Some of the coaches and players present think the fight was a positive sign of what type of team the Lions have.
“I’d rather have a few fights than none at all,” receiver Nate Burleson told the Detroit News. “I mean, that means people are really intense and they’re excited about what they’re doing.”
The fight escalated when defensive end Jason Hunter jumped in to help Cohen, something he said the coaches would have wanted.
“I was just trying to protect my guys,” Hunter said. “That’s one thing they coach us on, to take care of each other. It was a big pile-up so I had to run in there and check my guys.”
Lions coach Jim Schwartz acknowledged that “guys crossed the line,” but he didn’t seem too worked up about it, and he said the voluntary nature of the OTAs may have led to players thinking they can fight with no consequences.
“I think they all know in OTAs that I can’t fine anybody,” Schwartz said. “So they didn’t miss their opportunity to get a free one in.”