Dave Birkett and Carlos Monarrez share their thoughts after the Lions-Patriots joint practice on Aug. 5, 2019, in Allen Park. Carlos Monarrez and Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
Detroit Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman's soft-spoken nature, efficient speech and laid back style make it easy to lose him among the crowd.
But not on the gridiron.
There, Pittman wants to be a leader.
The clicking sound his shoulder pads make as they tighten under his armpits, the smell of his blue No. 57 practice jersey and the snap of his chinstrap latching onto his silver helmet trigger a transformation.