ALLEN PARK -- Here are a few notes and observations from the Detroit Lions organized team activity practice on Wednesday.

* The Lions are in the middle of installing new offensive and defensive schemes, but on this day, the defense appeared significantly ahead in the process.

Perhaps it can be partially credited to the chaos created by the defense scrambling to get into position pre-snap, but the quarterbacks seemed flustered by both the coverage looks and the pressure coming from a variety of angles.

In addition to multiple successful stops during 11-on-11 work, including a pair of interceptions, the intensity and energy was apparent. The unit reflected what we've been told about groups that have played under coordinator Teryl Austin. The players on the sideline were going crazy with genuine excitement after each big play.

* Calvin Johnson looked as rusty as I've seen him in the years I've been attending Lions practices. It wasn't with his movements, as he showed no noticeable issue accelerating or changing direction, but he put several catchable balls on the ground. He's still the best receiver in the game, so no reason to sound any alarms.

There was a scary moment during a 7-on-7 rep when Johnson collided with safety Don Carey, but the receiver was able to finish out the day.

* Johnson did spin cornerback Darius Slay into the ground during a one-on-one drill early in the practice session. Slay fought to the end and showed impressive recovery despite stumbling to the turf.

Immediately after the rep, Teryl Austin pulled Slay to the side and provided some extra one-on-one instruction. The second-year cornerback is going to be an important player for these coaches to get up to speed quickly.

* One defensive player who really stood out was cornerback Cassius Vaughn. Maybe a bit of an afterthought after the team re-signed Rashean Mathis, Vaughn brings an undeniable vocal energy to the practice field, which he complemented with sticky coverage, resulting in two pass breakups and an interception.

Kyle Meinke will have more on Vaughn on Wednesday.

* The Lions added a few interesting individual drills. As expected, there's an increased emphasis on the footwork of the quarterbacks, but there's also more attention being given to the the hands of the receivers.

When running a shell drill with five wideouts, instead of the quarterback just delivering a throw to the primary target, the three backup QBs (and Joique Bell) threw to the four secondary receivers. You can never catch too many passes in practice, right?

Also, I didn't get a chance to ask about it, but there's a large number pad, similar to what you see on a telephone, on the wall where the defensive line works out. Position coach Kris Kocurek would bark out some instruction and a lineman would punch a sequence of numbers. My first guess is the group is working on pass-rush hand placement.

* It's so early, but my initial impression is DeAndre Levy looks even faster. It's unlikely he's added speed. Instead, he's probably just reacting quicker. He was all over an end-around in the backfield during the team session.

* Based on what his college coaches had told me it was expected, but defensive end Larry Webster likes to line up in a four-point stance. As you might imagine, the inexperienced rookie was up and down, but he did would have had a sack after beating tackle J.B. Shugarts with an excellent spin move.

* Linebacker Cory Greenwood, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, forced a fumble in special teams drills, jarring the ball loose from return man Steven Miller.

* Remember when we wrote about defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh abusing rookie guard Larry Warford last offseason. Well, the All-Pro is back to torture another rookie. This year it's Travis Swanson. On Wednesday, Suh blew by Swanson to blow up a play in the backfield. It's trial by fire when it comes to blocking Detroit's DTs.

* Ryan Broyles wasn't a full participant today, but he got in some work returning kickoffs during special teams drills and looked comfortable planting and changing directions off both legs. That's a good sign as he battles back from a third season-ending leg injury.

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