Study hard, play hard and fast.
That could serve as a motto for the Detroit Lions’ linebackers.
As the offseason workout program winds down with mandatory minicamp this week and the last OTA sessions next week, they will finish up what amounts to summer school learning the principles of head coach Matt Patricia’s system.
With a largely veteran group of 10 linebackers, assistant coach Al Golden has found that the learning curve was shortened by players eager to learn.
“It’s a highly intelligent group,” Golden said. “It’s made the competition tighter.