The New England Patriots are in Allen Park this week for joint practices with the Detroit Lions.

Matt Patricia’s mentor Bill Belichick will bring his team into town for three separate practices before the two teams square in their first preseason game of the season at Ford Field in Detroit.

Understanding these two, it’s pretty easy to assume that 14 years of working together will be put aside for strict business this week. Patricia summed up what this joint practice will look like with Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press:

“These practices aren’t big scheme things and I’m certain anything we see out there is going to be nothing more than player evaluation,” he said. “We just want good fundamental technique work and to see what it looks like. I think the rest of that is for September and October.”

The Lions teamed up with the Oakland Raiders and the New York Giants last year for join practices during training camp. They will be with the Houston Texans next week.

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