Detroit Lions

Kyle Van Noy has shown improvement since start of training camp

Published Aug. 12, 2015 10:20 a.m. ET

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Detroit Lions linebacker Kyle Van Noy was criticized for lapses in pass coverage earlier this month, but the second-year pro didn't let it bring him down.

"They don't really bother me. It's their job and they based it on one period," Van Noy said of critics, via Justin Rogers of MLive.com. "That's totally fine and I don't really care. I know I'm working hard, trying to fix all of my mistakes."

Van Noy was a second-round pick out of BYU in last year's draft, so the Lions still have very high hopes for him. Slowing his progress is the fact that he's learning a new position, compared to the one he played in college.

"Confidence-wise, I'm on another level, just knowing my progressions and knowing my assignments, understanding how to play off the ball," Van Noy said, per MLive.com. "People don't understand I played a whole different position (in college) and now I'm at the highest level, learning a new position that some guys have played since they were nine years old.

"It's a work in progress and I'm happy with where I'm at."

Lions head coach Jim Caldwell is also encouraged by Van Noy's progress so far, despite the fact that Tahir Whitehead was listed ahead of him on the team's first unofficial depth chart at strong-side linebacker.

"I think that's one of the areas where it's his strong suit," Caldwell told MLive.com. "He really can move in space, has a very good feel for reading routes and being able to get his hands on balls on the break. He's working at it and improving, but there's a lot of other things he's just got to keep growing and developing in and I think he's doing that."

With a strong cast of starting linebackers in Stephen Tulloch, DeAndre Levy and Whitehead in place, Van Noy could be a valuable reserve if one of them needs a reliever.

(h/t MLive.com)

Photo Credit: Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports