Notes: Abdullah gets look as return specialist on Day 1 of mini-camp
ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions are looking to create competition this offseason for Jeremy Ross as the return specialist.
It started Friday with Ameer Abdullah, the team's second-round draft pick, returning punts on the first day of a three-day rookie mini-camp.
Abdullah is a 5-foot-9, 200-pound running back from Nebraska who his known for his quickness.
As a sophomore in 2012, he returned 16 punts for a 13-yard average, including one for a touchdown.
In his final two years of college, Abdullah's return duties were reduced strictly to kickoffs to help limit some of the workload put on him.
"I did a lot in practice," Abdullah said of returning punts as a junior and senior. "I've done it my whole life."
Jim Caldwell, understandably, wasn't ready to make any assessment yet on Abdullah as a return man, but the Lions' coach does think he has the right type of assets for the job.
"He's an athlete and he works hard," Caldwell said.
Asked how much he wants to win that special-teams role, Abdullah said, "I would like to play. Doesn't matter where."
SWITCHING NUMBERS
Unable to get his college jersey number (77) from fellow offensive lineman Cornelius Lucas, first-round draft pick Laken Tomlinson has opted for No. 72 in honor of his former Duke teammate Perry Simmons.
As for what he offered Lucas in negotiations for the number, Tomlinson said, "A nice dinner."
Good try, rookie, but it's going to cost more than that in the NFL.
STRONG ENDORSEMENT
Caldwell said he received a text from Duke coach David Cutcliffe after the Lions drafted Tomlinson.
Caldwell said the general message was that Tomlinson is the "kind of person that you build a program around" and that he's the type that "creates job security for coaches."
"That kind of shows you what he thought of him," Caldwell said.
IHEDIGBO UPDATE
Safety James Ihedigbo, who wants a better contract, still hasn't participated in any of the Lions' voluntary workouts to this point despite being signed for 2015.
"I've spoken to him," Caldwell said. "What I try to do is make sure they understand our business is unique. They have things they have to look at from their vantage point, what they thinks best.
"My business is to make certain we've got the best team we possibly can. My interest is getting him here and getting him here pronto, right? I'd like to have everybody here.
"But the fact of the matter is it doesn't happen that way. Guys got to look at things. He's been around long enough and make his own determination and decisions in that regard.
"But he's not mandated to be here at this point in time. So we'll see when he is mandated what happens."
The Lions have a mandatory mini-camp scheduled in June. Until then, everything is voluntary.
EXTRA POINTS
--- Defensive tackle Gabe Wright, a fourth-round draft pick, is wearing No. 90 -- Ndamukong Suh's old number with the Lions.
--- Former Lion Corey Hilliard, 30, announced his retirement Friday. Hilliard started the opening game at right tackle last year before suffering a season-ending foot injury. He had signed a free-agent deal this offseason with the New York Jets.
--- Of the 31 unsigned players on tryouts during the mini-camp, 10 are from in-state colleges:
Michigan: Cornerback Delonte Hollowell.
Eastern Michigan: Quarterback Rob Bolden, offensive tackle Lincoln Hansen and tight end Tyreese Russell.
Central Michigan: Tight end Deon Butler and linebacker Justin Cherocci.
Wayne State: Linebacker Marcell Jones and running back Desmons Martin.
Northern Michigan: Long snapper Trever Kruzel.
Adrian College: Receiver Nathan Hartline.
--- Three other players who are from the state of Michigan are also trying out -- receiver Marcus Beaurem (Sterling Heights), cornerback Deven Drane (Ypsilanti) and safety Nathan Lindsey (Inkster). Beaurem played in college at Tiffin, Drane at Cincinnati and Lindsey at Fort Hays State.
