More “Rodrigo” on Hard Knocks: Training Camp With the Detroit Lions

This was an outstanding episode, week three of Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Detroit Lions. It wasn’t the most Malcolm Rodriguez known now as “Rodrigo” has been featured, but it was good stuff and the Lions spent two days leading up to their preseason game at Indianapolis having joint practice sessions with the Colts. 

HBO

This week was episode three of the series.

Before leaving for Indianapolis, Lions head coach Dan Campbell preached to his team that those two practice days were what he had been looking forward to and he wanted physical and mental intensity and focus. He wanted the Lions to be a force, but not be in fights.

So, the HBO and NFL Films cameras caught this exchange with former Oklahoma State linebacker and rookie sensation Malcolm Rodriguez and his linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard. It seems everybody is a Malcolm fan and that means a new interest in free style wrestling. 

“I know this, if I put my hands up and somebody pushes me, someone is going down,” Rodriguez said as he warmed up on the Colts training camp field. “Someone is going to get hip tossed.”

“Put em in that f***ing arm bar,” linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard said to Malcolm. 

“I’m saying I’m not going to start anything,” Rodriguez replied.

“So, what are you going to do if somebody pushes you,” asked Sheppard. “They put their hands up and come in and do this,” the linebackers coach said extending his hands and pushing Rodriguez. 

“Rodriguez used both hands to push his coaches down and then attacks. “I’ll get in that body and use my leverage,” added Rodriguez.

“You have natural leverage on everybody on the field,” Sheppard said as he walked away. “Let’s get it my dog.”

I think that could have been considered a short joke as Rodriguez is 5-11 and short for a linebacker in the NFL. It hasn’t bothered him or the Lions.

Later before the game, which the Lions won 27-26. Sheppard is talking to the linebackers in the meeting room in the hotel.

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Detroit Lions linebacker coach Kelvin Sheppard.

“All focus on the game. Fellows as you all know, everything we doing now is structured for the game,” Linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard said to the entire linebacker group in the hotel meeting room in Indianapolis. “You all know that we are completely transparent in here. I made a decision this morning. It came down to my decision and Alex (Azolone) is not playing in this game. He is making this team; he has put it on tape. Everybody else you are up. This is how I see the reps going. This is an opportunity for the rest of the room. Starting off the starters will be … You the Mike (inside backer) and you will have the green dot (helmet headset to get the defensive call from the coaches) D. Barnes. You will get 15-to-20 snaps in this game and you out.

“Malcolm, you will start at the Will (outside/weak linebacker), you got that?” Sheppard said addressing Rodriguez. “You are competing for a starting spot and I’m not mixing my words right now. You will play 15-to-20 plays and I know your crazy ass will want to play more. When I tell you you’re done then you’re done on defense. You got it? So, y’all know we had an episode last game. Sorry son-of-a-bitch was running back out on the field saying I thought you said I was on dime (package). When I say you are done with your 20 plays then you’re done on defense.”

They showed a montage of Rodriguez hits on kickoff team and on defense against the Colts. Rodriguez had two strong days of practice during the week. It’s a slam dunk he has made the team. The question is will he be a starting linebacker week one for the Lions.