The Patriots were running plays so quickly last week against Tampa Bay, that Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy finally said, "Dang, um, Mr. Brady, can we line up?"
The Lions, who will face quarterback Tom Brady and the fast-paced Patriots offense on Saturday, don't see what all the fuss is about.
"It's not anything we haven't faced," said defensive tackle Corey Williams. "It's not like it's new. It's the same speed we are used to playing at."
The Lions aren't exactly turtle-paced on offense. They too like to attack at a fast tempo.
"It's no different from what we practice against every day," coach Jim Schwartz said of the Patriots offense. "It's not like we have to get ready for anything new."
Typically, the third exhibition game is more of a dress rehearsal for the regular season opener and the Lions will treat as such - to a degree. Schwartz said the starters will see their most extended in-game work of the exhibition season.
"I wouldn't put too much on it," Schwartz said. "Maybe it'll be a longer test for some of the guys, but we are still not game-planning. We are practicing more New England stuff, but that's just to get ready for a regular-season practice."
That the game is sold out and on national television, and that they were thumped by the Patriots last Thanksgiving, have no bearing on how the Lions are approaching this game, according to Schwartz.
"We appreciate the fans being out there and we appreciate it being on national TV, but we have objectives to achieve," Schwartz said. "That's not going to change."
And as far as the Patriots' 45-24 win last year, Schwartz first reminded everybody that the Lions led at halftime and were tied going into the final quarter.
"The end of that game got away from us but I disagree with you saying they handled us easily," Schwartz said. "That was a seven-point game with about eight minutes to go."
But that said, "I don't think anything that happened last year has anything to do with this," he added.
Young ready?
The Lions are expecting to get their first in-game look at rookie receiver Titus Young on Saturday.
"I don't know if he's over the hump yet but he's close to it," coach Jim Schwartz said. "He was able to put a week of practice together and finish practices. He can go out and get through practices and he should be able to play in the game."
Young missed the first three weeks of training camp with a hamstring injury. He has been running with the first-team offense all week. Schwartz said he has picked up the offense relatively quickly.
"It's practice," Schwartz said. "Let's wait until the game comes before we say what he's going to show. There's a reason we drafted him so high."
All-Pro receiver Calvin Johnson (shoulder) returned to practice on Thursday and he too could play Saturday, though that will be a game time decision.
Extra points
Running back Jahvid Best (concussion) practiced for the second straight day Thursday, but still will be held out Saturday.
… Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (shoulder), running back Maurice Morris (hand), cornerback Alphonso Smith (foot), defensive tackle Nick Fairley (foot) and offensive tackle Jason Fox (foot) also will not play.
… Smith, still on the non-football injured list, is expected to practice next week.
