Detroit Lions notes: Strong fan sentiment led to cheerleaders; Andre Roberts practices

Detroit Lions president Rod Wood speaks to the media during NFL football practice in Allen Park, Mich., Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Andre Roberts catches a pass during NFL football practice in Allen Park, Mich., Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

By Paula Pasche | The Oakland Press

PUBLISHED: June 14, 2016 at 5:33 p.m. | UPDATED: June 17, 2021 at 7:01 a.m.

ALLEN PARK >> Lions president Rod Wood said he listened to “strong fan sentiment” when it came time to make a decision on whether to have cheerleaders for the first time.

“One of the things clearly that we have to do is create a great in-game environment, and having cheerleaders added to that along with many other things we’re considering including working on our Wi-Fi and other things that I’ve already talked about will add to that, and we finally made the decision to go forward,” Wood said before Tuesday’s minicamp started.

The Lions had announced on Monday the decision to field the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders.

Wood said owner Martha Firestone Ford and her family were involved in the decision.

“It was something that I approached them about several months ago after feedback from fans and end of the year surveys and focus groups, and asked if they’d be interested in hearing an official proposal on the merits of it, and they said yes, and so we’ve done a number of meetings on it, and that’s when we made the decision to go forward,” Wood said.

It was not a hasty decision.

“We want them to be enhancing the in-game entertainment experience and being great representatives of the team out in the community and beyond that we’re not trying to compete with the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders or any of those other organizations that might have cheerleaders as part of their brand,” Wood said.

The cheerleaders will be part-time employees of a separate organization called Ford Field Management.

Wood obviously did plenty of research.

“We’ve talked to the teams that’ve had cheerleaders, teams that have recently added them, how they incorporated them into their in-game presentation and there’s representatives of the team out in the community,” Wood said. “We’ve interfaced with a couple teams in particular that gave us the benefit of some of their documentation on how they’ve hired the cheerleaders, how they’ve been compensated and we’re trying to follow the best practices across the whole league so that we don’t get tripped up by some of the things the other teams have had happen in terms of wage disputes, etcetera. So, I think we’ve had the benefit of learning from some others.”

Rebecca Girard-Smoker, who has been involved with the Detroit Pistons dance team, has been hired as the director. Audition begin June 25.

“Most of us that have been in sports a long time, it’s not a new entity. So, I think all of the guys that have been in Pop Warner, junior high, high school, college have been accustomed to it,” coach Jim Caldwell said.

Roberts hits the field

Veteran wide receiver Andre Roberts, who was signed on Monday, was on the field for his first practice with the Lions on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Roberts is entering his seventh NFL season, after spending the last two seasons with the Washington Redskins where he lined up mostly in the slot.

“I’m going to tell you what (the Lions) told me. They said they see me inside and outside, we’ll see how it all shakes out,” Roberts said.

He is not a lock to make the 53-man roster where there will be competition at the position. Golden Tate and Marvin Jones are locks. Jeremy Kerley and TJ Jones seem have a good shot at staying. Andre Caldwell, another veteran, is in the mix too.

“We know what (Roberts has) done. He does have a background of playing a lot of football for a number of teams. He’s been productive and we anticipate that he’ll get out here and certainly improve every, single day, so now he’s got to learn the system,” coach Jim Caldwell said.

In 2015, Roberts played in nine game with the Redskins finishing with 11 receptions for 135 yards.

Roberts will at least have these three days of minicamp to get started on learning the offense before training camp.

“Definitely special teams is going to help, it’s all about what they want. I just got here so I don’t know exactly what they’re looking for,” Roberts said. “You’ve got your inside guys, outside guys and guys who can play both positions and play on special teams. It’s probably going to be about what you can do a whole.”

This and that

Taylor Decker is still lining up at left tackle with Riley Reiff on the right side. Ameer Abdullah, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery, was on the field watching his teammates for a portion of Tuesday’s practice. Same with tight end Brandon Pettigrew who has been out of commission this offseason while rehabbing from anterior cruciate ligament surgery. … Caraun Reid, who has an undisclosed injury, was seen running on the sidelines which could indicate he’s closer to returning. Caldwell would not offer specifics. … Rookie safety Miles Killebrew had a nice pass breakup of a ball thrown to wide receiver Damian Copeland. … Former Lions defensive end Robert Porcher attended practice with his son Robert Porcher IV, a defensive end who has been recruited by Michigan, Nebraska and other schools.