ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- They flew down to Atlanta on their own last month, one last break from vacation to get some work in before training camp started for the Detroit Lions.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson -- two of the longest-standing Lions -- organized the trip for the team's wide receivers and tight ends to all work together. The goal was to get some familiarity with each other before camp began so the offense could be as crisp as possible as fast as possible.
"It's always good when you're away for a while to get the group back together and just go through some things," receiver Lance Moore said. "Whether the physical or mental part of it, I'm not really sure which one was more important.
"I think hearing the plays and being around the quarterback and getting that communication back together is just as important as what we're doing physically on the field. We had a good group there. Everybody worked hard and hopefully it'll pay dividends for us."
The three-day workout took place at Georgia Tech, where Johnson played collegiately. The group would meet in the mornings, get a light lift in and then run routes at the Yellow Jackets' practice facility in Atlanta.
This left the afternoon for guys to do whatever they wanted or to have more bonding time with each other. While a full ledger of who attended was not available, tight ends Eric Ebron and Joseph Fauria were in attendance along with Moore, Johnson, Jeremy Ross and Corey Fuller.
Not every team in the NFL does this -- Moore said he did not do this with Drew Brees when he was in New Orleans -- but a lot do something similar, whether it is publicized or not.
"I think it is what it takes in this league for guys to grow closer together within a system," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. "That they take initiative upon themselves and work together and I think you see that amongst good teams.
"You don't often hear about it, but believe me, behind the scenes, they're doing it. They're getting together and they're working and perfecting their craft. Those are good signs."
The player given a lot of attention in Atlanta was Ebron, who the Lions are counting on to have a breakout second season after an inconsistent rookie season. Golden Tate -- one of the receivers who couldn’t make it to the Stafford-Johnson workout in Atlanta -- has consistently said he expects big things from Ebron this season.
Moore seconded that Sunday when the Lions reported for camp, saying Ebron looked "really good" during the three-day workout.
"Looked fast. Looked strong. Good in-and-out of his transition," Moore said. "Caught the ball fairly well, which everybody's been talking about. But I worked with him, just talking to him about what he’s doing when the ball's in the air.
"He'll be a guy that once he gains his confidence back, mentally in himself, the physical will be all taken care of."