Golden Tate

Matthew Stafford plans to work out with Detroit Lions teammates in Atlanta

Published Jun. 29, 2015 3:05 p.m. ET

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Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has plans to take the field with a few of his favorite receivers in Atlanta before training camp, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson, a Georgia Tech product, is one who's sure to be there.

"I think it's big," Stafford said about the importance of these workouts, via the Free Press. "I'm obviously in Atlanta quite a bit, so Calvin's right there, throw with him some. But try to find a way to get together with some of the other guys as well."

The Lions already have a top-tier trio in Stafford, Johnson and Golden Tate, all of whom made the Pro Bowl after the 2014 season. Running some extra routes will only strengthen the core of Detroit's passing attack.

For the unit to take the next step this season, another pass-catcher must emerge. Perhaps it'll be tight end Eric Ebron, who has been underwhelming since Detroit drafted him 10th-overall in 2014. Stafford said he planned to work out with Ebron during this break, according to the Free Press.

"This team is a hard-working team and we go away, we come back in great shape," Stafford told the Free Press. "But there's no substitute for running routes for a receiver and catching the ball from the guy you're going to be catching the ball from during the season. And there's really no substitute for me throwing to a spot—and throwing to somebody that's not on our team, it just isn't as beneficial as being together and doing that. So hopefully we'll get together and do some of that."

If his receivers are willing to put in the time, there's no reason why Stafford can't approach career-high passing stats in his second season under offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.

(h/t Detroit Free Press)

Photo Credit: Tim Fuller/USA TODAY Sports

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