ALLEN PARK -- With a nickname like The Osprey, you might expect that player to stand out from the crowd. But it's a promising sign for undrafted rookie Jerome Couplin III that he's blending in during his initial offseason practices with the Detroit Lions.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound safety with an impressive 80-inch wingspan played his college football at William & Mary, but hasn't felt overwhelmed by the jump to the NFL.

"I don't see it as a big jump," Couplin said. "Football is football."

Couplin's transition has been eased by the team's veteran defensive backs, who have embraced helping out the rookie. Starting safeties James Ihedigbo and Glover Quin, as well as cornerbacks Bill Bentley and Rashean Mathis, have been among the players who have offered Couplin tips and advice.

"The veterans are helping me out a lot," Couplin said. "They're getting me straight. When I'm doing well, they're supporting me, patting me on the back. When I mess up, make a mistake, they want me to do well. They correct me, tell me I should be doing this and that."

Working primarily with the third team as a free safety, Couplin has had moments, both good and bad. During Thursday's practice, he drew the unenviable task of covering Joseph Fauria in the red zone, losing the battle on a fade route to the big tight end.

Couplin has also put himself in position to make some plays in the secondary, getting his hands on a handful of passes, although he's been unable to come down with an interception.

"Being competitive, you drop one, you get on yourself, but you just have to move forward and be ready for the next one," Couplin said.

Couplin plans to return home this week, rest a couple days, before ratcheting up his training in preparation for training camp.

Currently, Couplin is a long shot to make the Lions' 53-man roster. He would need a strong camp and preseason to slip past special teams standouts DeJon Gomes and Isa Abdul-Quddus on the depth chart.

Even if he can't crack the main roster, his physical tools would make him an intriguing option worthy of development on the team's practice squad.

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